Team Update

I just checked the roster again and things seem to be coming together well. As of right now, we have 16 people on the roster:

Myself, Dan M., Pat Q., Roger J., Cal P., Adam D., Joe T., Kenny M., Bill B., Eric R., Steven G., Greg K., Tony D., Paul R., Brian N., and Joe F.

I've heard from Matt V., Liz M. and Jeremy A., all of whom are in the process of registering. Also, there is Rick R., Dan B. and Liz and Dan's neighbor, Mike, who may also join. If you're one of these people, be sure to have your registration done in the next couple weeks.

At this point, we're looking at between 19 and 22 people on the roster. A few (Cal, Pat, Liz and Roger) have suggested they won't be able to make it as often as we'd like, but as long as we can get 16 or 17 each week, we'll be in much better shape than last year.

From what I can tell, Kenny, Roger, Joe F, and Greg will need shirts as will Rick and Mike if they join. I have almost enough; we still need to buy a couple back from people from last year if we can, otherwise I'll order a few more.

As far as line-ups are concerned, Dan M. and I were talking this weekend and we're looking at a 4-2-3-1

Goalie: Steven, Dan M

4 - Defense: Adam, Eric, Brian, Cal, Paul, Dan B, Me, Dan M

2 - Holding Midfield: Myself, Dan M, Roger, Joe T, Eric

3 - Attacking Mid: Pat, Liz, Joe T, Cal, Roger, Kenny, Jeremy, Me, Bill, Rick, Tony

1 - Striker: Matt, Roger, Dan B, Tony, Pat

I'm not sure where Mike, Greg, or Joe F. play, but we'll definitely be able to find a spot for them.

I'd like to see the outside defenders getting forward up the wings and then the central defenders or holding midfielder covering for them. I'd also like to try not worrying too much about right/left/center w/ the attacking midfielders and have them switching and rotating all the time. As long as each area is covered, it doesn't matter who is covering it. That means we need to work on the communication though. The other issue to keep in mind is our reluctance to go backwards. Often, we left our striker a bit stranded w/ no where to go but 40 yards straight to goal which rarely works. If we can hold up the play a bit and control more in the middle, as we move up, the striker will have support and more options. We have a lot of options and I think the changes we've made will really strengthen the squad.

The other thing we discussed is the possibility of a beer-list. If people are interested, as soon as I get the schedule, I'll set something up so everyone can pick a week to bring beer.

Let's plan to get together on a Saturday soon for a kick-about. That will give us a chance to get to know the new folks and say hi to the old folks.

Spring 2011

So far, we've got 7 people on the roster for this year: Myself, Dan M., Dan B., Adam, Cal, Bill, & Roger. I've heard from most of you and you've expressed that you plan on playing, so be sure to complete the registration soon. They want to ensure that everyone is registered by St. Patrick's Day. Many of you are "in progress" which means either you haven't paid yet (40 dollars), you need a new photo, or your e-mail isn't on file. Be sure to check what the problem is and get it done soon.

It's looking like we should have 15 people to who the invites have been sent. So assuming most of you still plan to play plus the 7 who are already on the roster, I imagine we're looking at 18-20 people which would be good, but a couple more would be nice. Jeremy has indicated that he knows people, Joe found someone, and Dan found someone. I also found a couple more people, so I think we'll be OK, but if you know people be sure to get in touch w/ them soon so I can get them the invite to the league.

In other news, get a plain white t-shirt and write your number on the back w/ a permanent marker in case we have a home game against a green team again. Since we only needed to change once last year, buying a nice second shirt seems like a wast of money, but we might need something. This seems like the best option. If you weren't oin the team last year, you'll need to get a shirt from me. The are 20 dollars and I have XLs, XXLs and maybe a couple Ls left. Numbers are in the 20s if I remember correctly. They're in the basement; I'll dig them out this week.

Also, lets try to get together a few times before the first game for a little kick about. I suppose Saturday afternoons would be good. We could do it in Ypsi, in Canton or elsewhere. Anything is fine w/ me. Right now, I think Frog Island would be good because it's always available.

Verde at MUSL Site