Thoughts from the sidelines

I wanted to share my thoughts on some issues I feel are important to the growth and health of the team. Sorry if this offends anyone because, as always, it is never my intent. I just call it the way I see it.

The first is that no person or position is set in stone or safe. If you play ODP or not, it doesn't matter. With the talent we now possess on this squad you have to earn your position every day, every practice, every game. Those who give 100%, commit to pushing themselves to get better and bettering the team, will play. Those that don't or worse, won't, will not. Period. We are now at an age where this becomes a reality and not just a threat. All of our forwards can score at any time. All our mids can control the ball and the tempo of the game. All our defenders are fast, physical and unafraid. If you are playing like crap, expect to come out. If you are not hustling or getting beat to every ball, expect to come out. There are at least 3 girls who can play your position. You have to earn the privilege to start a game. Being a captain doesn't mean squat. If you are not chosen, who cares?! You should be focusing on beating your mark into a bloody pulp, not talking to the ref or the stupid coin toss. Let someone else do it.

Know your roll for that game. No one is a starter. No one is a sub. If you find yourself starting a game, make the best of it by showing you deserve to be there by giving 100% on the field. Be first to the ball. Win the 50/50. Make smart choices with the ball. Control & Communicate. If you are coming off the bench, support the team on the field. When your time comes, prove to the coaches you deserve to start by giving 100%. You have to earn the privilege to start! When you come off the field, ask the coach why. If he says he wants to see others, great. If he says it's because you played like crap, great. LEARN FROM IT. IT WON'T BE THE LAST TIME IT WILL HAPPEN. Don't hang your head and pitty yourself. Pull it together and show the coaches you want/deserve another shot on the field. As a coach, do you think I want to put someone in the game who is drowning in self-pitty? NO WAY. Say; "OK, I will do better next time" and go back and cheer the team on the field. You will get another shot. Top athletes get pissed. They get pissed at their team mates and at themselves. That is a fact and that is how they get better. But, do you think they let it affect their level of play? NO.

Let me touch on two examples;
First, Neon. I spoke to a forward who started a game and scored 3 goals. She didn't start the next 4 games. Do you think that got her down? No Way! She knew her shot would come again soon and she worked hard to make sure she was ready when it did. THAT is the attitude ALL Sodium players need to have because we can't start all 19 players every game. But Tom & Niki WILL start those who work hardest and deserve it.
Second, and I know this is going to sound corny, but right now Sodium is like a caterpillar. We are working, struggling inside to find ourselves, our true identity where all the pieces fit together. And when we do, we will emerge. A great entity on the field and you will spread your wings and fly. (I told you this was going to sound corny!) Right now Neon IS that entity. They have overcome odds, found themselves and are dominating on the field. Sodium is still in the cocoon. Struggling and developing. We have moments of brilliance (Like in Washington), and moments where we stutter (Like the first half against Illinois). Once we find ourselves and our true identity emerges, those moments where we stutter will vanish. Does that make sense? Don't worry if it doesn't, I get that feedback a lot.

In closing I just have to say that everything we do from now on needs to be done to improve and with purpose. Whether it's improving yourself or your team. We have all the pieces, we need to focus on putting them all together into a well oiled machine. Work hard, earn your spot every day, every practice, every game. If you come off the bench in a game, do it with fire! Let your mark know that the girl that just left was NOTHING compared to the warrior that just stepped on. Play with passion! Make it count inside!

We will win as a team, die as individuals.

United we will stand! GO SODIUM!!