well....

Let's see, how to describe todays game against ESUFC? Hmmm, how about.....NOT PRETTY. Coming off a weekend where Sodium quite efficiently handles teams of 2 and 3 years older to todays game? Baffling to say the least.

Arsenal came to play. They beat us on every ball in the air. They won 80% of the 50/50's. They stepped in front and were first to the ball. They took the ball away from our players. In the first half we couldn't string 2 passes together. ESUFC took full advantage of the opportunity given them and within the first 5 minutes had a well deserved 1-0 lead. Although the forward seemed, from most spectators vantage points, to be offsides, the officiating (which was poor in both directions) was not the problem. Arsenal flat out beat Sodium the first half. If the game had ended then, it would have been a victory for the most deserving team. But, there were still 40 minutes left to play.

The second started with a Sodium flurry. Kelly, from outside back, found Lexi streaking in from the back side. Lexi controlled the ball forcing the keeper to make a decision and then ripped the net for the equalizer. ESUFC had a couple opportunities late in the second but just couldn't penetrate. Play went back and forth until Kelly again was slicing into Arsenal territory where she placed a terrific pass to Lexi's feet and again she found the back of the net for the go ahead, and final, score. Don't get me wrong, a 'W' is a 'W' but I truly hope Sodium gets back in stride for the NWCL playoffs and then Las Vegas Showcase. Get healthy those of you who weren't there. Mend those injuries from today (Emmy) and lets get back to playing the type of game we are used to. Controlled, calculating, attacking.

I will say, to end on a high note, that the girls lived by their credo, they never gave up.

NWCL Finals Are Posted!
3/5/11 10am REC #1 - THUSC vs EMFC Magic
3/5/11 10am Aloha HS - VUSA Timbers Red vs OSSA

3/6/11 3pm REC #1 - FINALS

Never Give Up. Never Back Down. Never Lose Faith.

GO SODIUM!!

Health

Now is the season when health is of the utmost importance. As Tom said in his email, make sure you are taking care of your body. Proper diet, icing injuries, etc. I currently have all 3 of the girls at my house either sick in bed or recovering just enough to get to school.
Hydrate, make good meal choices, get enough SLEEP. According to the American Sleep Disorder Association teens need on average 9.5 hours of sleep per night. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you taking vitamin supplements? Keeping hydrated. All of these will ensure you keep healthy and on the field.

GO SODIUM!!

A wild ride this weekend

Saturday and Sunday turned out to be a great weekend for the Sodium squad. They played in the U17/18 Pacific Coast Super Cup College Showcase to fill in for a Washington team that couldn't fill a roster.
Saturday Sodium faced Norpoint Soccer Club. They battled and the older squad to a 1-1 tie thanks to Kerri's chip shot into the far corner off a corner kick. That afternoon in OPL action Sodium handed PCU Impact a staunch 7-0 defeat. Goals were scored by Jadyn (2), Dani, Lexi, MacKayla, Kerri and Juliana. The next morning Sodium found themselves again facing a U18 team in a PCSC matchup. The TUSK Dolphins 92 proved worthy but the Sodium attack proved it could hang with the best as Kelly and Willy stacked up the goals and gave Sodium a 2-0 victory heading into the 3pm afternoon game against Legacy FC 93 Maroon Lightening. Typing the name alone wore me out!
Legacy was a physical team and no one was more aware of that then Dani. She found herself mugged, face down in he box on two separate occasions without even the hint of a whistle. In true Sodium form she got up, brushed herself off and had that "Oh, you're gonna pay for that" look in her eyes. Just before half Dani took an overhead pass and schooled the keeper for a Sodium 1-0 lead.
After the half it turned into a footrace with the attacking mids and forward battling over who was going to take the pass and charge the goal. Easton grabbed the first one to blast the net followed by Lexi who scored the third and final as the whistle blew and the little U15 team sauntered off the field undefeated in the tournament. Unfortunately, all the games Sodium played were forfeits in the book and the two teams who played for the PCSC Championship were both the teams Sodium shut out!

Weekend Stats
3 wins, 1 tie
Goals for: 13
Goals against: 1
Differential: +12

League Updates

OPL [top 4 teams with points]
Name Wins-Loss-Ties Points
FC Portland 95 Navy 4-1-0 12
THUSC Sodium 3-0-1 10
EMFC 95 Magic 3-0-1 10
OSSA Blue 95 2-1-0 6

NWCL [Top teams per division]
Olympic Division
THUSC Sodium 14pts [0 games remaining]
OSSA Blue 95 13pts [0 games remaining]
VUSA Timbers 95 Red 11pts [1 game remaining]

Rainier Division
Eastside FC 95 Red 14pts [2 games remaining]
NW Nationals 95 Red 13pts [2 games remaining]

League Notes
Sodium has won the Olympic Division. With a victory VUSA could overtake OSSA for second place. Who knows what is happening in the Rainier Division. According to the NWCL website there are no more games remaining in Rainier Division.

Next Up
OPL Match - Sodium vs ESUFC Arsenal - 2/27/11 @ Barlow HS - Noon kickoff
March 5th & 6th - NWCL Finals
March 11th, 12th & 13th - Las Vegas Showcase!!!

Notes from the Sidelines
Sodium came out this weekend and experimented with a new formation. It seems this will really give the talent a chance to shine in the mid and striker positions. It seemed to work well as the team produced 13 goals, an average of 3.25 goals per game while the defense held strong only giving up 1 goal all weekend.

GO SODIUM!!

Rules and clarifications

During Sundays game against EMFC Magic there was a question about an AR's offsides call. I believe it was during a throw in. I found an excellent explanation of the offsides rule at the link below.

http://www.dynamic-thought.com/Offside.swf

What I found out but didn't know was this;

Offensive player A runs toward the opposing goal and is in an offside position. Offensive player B has the ball and shoots from the top of the penalty box. Player A is in an offside position when B shoots, but is not part of the play. The goalie blocks B's shot, but merely knocks the ball down and does not catch the ball. Player A, still chargning towards the goal, puts the ball in the goal.

Offsides or not?

Offsides is the correct call.

See you on the pitch.

GO SODIUM!!

Weekend Update

Alright then, this weekend was filled with excitement;

Saturday Sodium took on WSA Courage at their place, a very nice Doc Harris Stadium. Play started slow as both squads were getting in the rhythm. Then Emmy broke loose with a run, juked the keeper and walked in for the opening score. Just before half Emmy took lead pass from the mids and fed Lexi who showed she's got some moves herself and put Sodium up 2-0 at half. As the second half was underway Willy was subbed in at forward and immediately took low goal kick and slammed back into the Courage net for a 3-0 Sodium lead! Midway through the second Julie lined up free kick from about 40 yards out. She let it rip and found the head of a crashing Willy for her second of the match and a solid 4-0 Sodium lead. The pesky left forward for WSA took advantage of a communication breakdown, found the far post and made it 4-1.
Moments before the final whistle Mac took a pass from Kerri, lined it up and launched a chip shot towards the 6 yard box. An alert Easton waltzed it in for the 5th and final goal giving Sodium a 5-1 advantage as the whistle blew.

Sundays matchup against EMFC Magic was a out-n-out war. Both teams know each other, both teams will 'bring it' every time and that afternoon would not disappoint anyone. The ref's favorite phrase seemed to be "Play On" as jersey pulling, handballs, slide tackles from behind and all out physical play would be the norm. The Magic came and just flat out put the screws to Sodium in the first half. They beat us to the ball, they won everything in the air, they just plain out hustled us in the first half. Both keepers were making outstanding plays to save the day. The second half things to even out a little. Both teams were again punishing the opponents defense with deep runs. About at the midway point Magic's left forward took advantage of an arrant ball by the Sodium defenses and charged the box finding the far side net for a 1-0 Magic lead. You could see it in the Sodium girls eyes, they would never roll over, this would not be the end. They took the ensuing ball down the pitch where Emmy drove deep down the left side, pivoted, found Lexi for the drop and Lexi popped a perfect chip just over the outstretched diving hands of the Magic keeper where Aliyah was there to finish it off for the equalizer. Back to work both teams began where they left off. The final whistle blew, both teams hugged and laughed, the fans cheered! What a great afternoon!

I will have to say, since probably U11, there is never a dull match up between Sodium and Magic. Both teams will bring their 'A' games and it will be a brawl. The best part is most of these players are friends and/or play ODP together. They laugh and Facebook and whatever off the pitch so having them come together you can really see what fierce athletes they are when the whistle blows. Great job girls!

Standings
OPL
FC Portland 12pts (5 games played)
EMFC 95 Magic 9 pts (3 games played)
OSSA 95 Blue 6 pts (3 games played)
United Sodium 6 pts (2 games played)
PCU Impact 4 pts (5 games played)
ESUFC Arsenal 3 pts (2 games played)
Pacific FC Avalanche 95 2 pts (5 games played)
WSM Havoc 1 pt (5 games played)

* Not all games are posted.

NWCL (8 game schedule)
Olympic Division
THUSC Sodium 14 pts (8 games played)
VUSA Timbers 11 pts (6 games played)
OSSA Blue 95 10 pts (7 games played)
WSA Courage 5 pts (7 games played)

Rainier Division
Eastside FC 95 Red 14 pts (6 games played)
NW Nationals 95 Red 13 pts (6 games played)
EMFC Magic 5 pts (7 games played)
ESUFC Arsenal 3 pts (7 games played)

Sodium is assured a playoff berth in NWCL.

So, have a great week, get healthy and let's continue to have fun!

GO SODIUM!!

Around the leagues

Match ups for Sunday 2/13/11;

OPL
FC PDX Navy (3-1-0) vs Pacific FC Avalanche (0-2-2)
OSSA (1-1-0) vs WSM Havoc (0-3-1)
ESUFC Arsenal (0-1-0) vs PCU Impact (1-2-1)
EMFC Magic (3-0-0) vs THUSC Sodium (2-0-0)

NWCL
No games today

After the games today I post the "Standings" for both leagues.

GO SODIUM!!

Looking Ahead

As we head into this weekend I wanted to put some perspective into what it means.

Saturday we play WSA Courage. Last time we played them they had a pretty depleted roster and we beat them handily 3-0. Since then they tied the VUSA Timbers 1-1 and lost to OSSA 2-1. We can not underestimate this team. They will have several girls on the field Saturday that they did not have last time we played them. We need to get healthy and play our Sodium style of game to win. This is our last NWCL regular season game. If we win we secure a spot in the playoffs and a chance to play either East FC Red (we tied 1-1) or NW Nationals who beat us 2-1 or perhaps the VUSA Timbers again. We are the last team standing for Oregon at this age bracket. Onyx, Sodium and Ireland are Oregons remaining teams in NWCL.

Sunday we face our favorite rivals EMFC Magic in OPL action. Haven't played these guys since....BME last year for the tournament championship? We are going to their house where they are always tough as nails. They played the top 2 WA teams to the same record we have but have struggled putting the ball in the net when it counts. Sound familiar ladies? If we keep composed and play our game we can take home a victory. These girls will never give up. From battles in the past you know they are as relentless as we are. Again, we can't underestimate this team and we need to get healthy before we hit the road to Vegas.

The time is now to start getting the team gelled together. The time is now to take what you have learned and really apply it. Now is the time to put differences aside and focus on the task at hand, come together and united as the powerhouse team you are. Every team has injuries, every team suffers a little adversity, but only the best can work through them and come out on, or remain on, top. You are that team. You are the team to which others are compared. You are the team all others fear and love to hate. You are the team that has represented your club, your community and your state proudly in the past and in the future.
You are the team in black. You are Sodium.

Never Give Up. Never Back Down. Never Lose Faith.

Proudly, your fans stand behind you and yell: GO SODIUM!!

Observations

Not having been to last weekends games, a 2-2 against the Timbers Saturday and a 1-0 loss to OSSA Sunday, I can't really speak first hand about what went on. I will say "great job" on Saturday coming back from a 0-2 halftime deficit. You never lost faith in your team, you fought hard together and from what I heard not only tied, but had opportunities for the win. That is the Sodium we have come to love and admire.
What I am having a hard time with is what I am hearing about the arguing and bickering amongst yourselves. Someone actually told me players players were yelling at one another ON THE FIELD! THIS is not the Sodium that has won championships. The championship teams left their differences on the sidelines and concentrated on the battle at hand. The championship teams worked out their differences and developed bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime. It's the bond cultivated between warriors as they stride into battle, a bond that will never be broken from the outside.

I highly recommend you work it out ladies, for if you can't then I might suggest a break. If you still can't find it in yourselves to make amends, then I don't know what else to tell you.
As Tom has eluded to on several occasions, it's not the name on the back of the shirt that matters, it's the name on the front.

I saw a great logo on a shirt, it said "Above all else: TEAM"

We will live as a team and die as individuals. Success - Nobody can get there unless everybody gets there.

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." ~Babe Ruth

And my all time favorite:

"I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion." ~Mia Hamm

Dig deep warriors, is this the way you envision Sodium? Or do you envision them as Oregon's premier team. A team of relentless players who's sacrifices and commitment are unmatched. Who's bonds may be tested, but will never be broken. Remember what it was like winning those tournaments at the end of last season? Remember how great it was in the finals at Mustang? You have an opportunity ahead like no other, but as individuals you are destined to fall short. But united as a team you will not be denied. Have a great week of practice.

Up Next:
2/12 NWCL - vs WSA Courage @ Doc Harris Stadium (Vancouver) 11:00am kick off
2/13 OPL - vs EMFC Magic @ Lane Community College 3:00pm kickoff

Never back down. Never give in. Never lose faith.

GO SODIUM!!

A message from your parents

because we love you...



Players at this age are getting their permits and licenses, lets all do what we can to make sure they continue playing the game they love.

GO SODIUM!!

Saying...

I was watching NFL All Access about the upcoming Super Bowl and it showed the Packers huddle before they took the field. Everyone was jumping and yelling and all jacked up. Aaron Rogers was in the middle, he yelled something and the entire team quieted, then he said something I found extremely profound, he said;

"Don't be afraid to be great, don't be afraid to go out and prove to everyone you are the best!"

I thought; WOW. Here is a guy telling his team not to be afraid to be the best they can be. Not to be afraid to go out and prove just how good they are. To prove to everyone that they have worked the hardest, sacrificed the greatest and fought to be the best.

I challenge you, Sodium, to go out every practice, every fitness and every game and prove to your coach, your fans and most importantly yourselves and your team, that you ARE the best. Prove it through your actions both on AND off the field. Prove it every day.

Never back down. Never give in. Never lose faith.

And from the sidelines your growing fan base will scream; GO SODIUM!!