Preparation

In about 48 hours the Spring league will be upon us. All we do from here on out will affect our State Cup placement. Are we ready? Are YOU ready?
All the work that was put in during futsol, guest playing, private sessions, practices and fitness prepare us for the next 3 months. True, we have Blue Mountain Exchange (WA) and Celtic Cup (CA) thrown in to keep us fresh, but all focus from here needs to be on league play. Out of the gate we face two formidable opponents in Keizer and Lake Oswego. They are always tough, always physical. If Sodium sticks to its game plan and plays it's calculated, controlled game and lets the ref's handle extracurricular activity, they should do just fine. Additions in key positions will help boost bench strength allowing Sodium to keep constant pressure on their opponents from every angle.

Keep your eye on the prize lady warriors but never underestimate your opponents. View each and every game as if the season depended on it. The time is now to rise up as a team and put to rest any doubt our critics may have in regards to the Sodium resolve or personnel. And, if you drop a game or two, that should should fuel the fire within even further. Remember how it felt to lose 0-1 in the quarterfinals last year? I remember a few players, with tears in their eyes, vowing that that would never happen again. Remember how if felt to beat that same team in back to back games to win the United Cup? Proving who was dominant.

Every team we face in this league we have beaten. Some have beaten us as well. The team who approaches each and every game with a fierce desire to be the best, WILL be the best. The team who goes into each game confident that no one has worked harder, no one is more prepared, no one wants it or deserves it more, will be victorious. Is the YOU Sodium?

I have watched you work. I have seen many of you in private lessons on your own time. I have watched as you have guested played up one or even two years and had profound impacts on those teams. I have watched you grow in the off season. The time is now for you to put the pieces together Sodium. You have depth of talent I will put up against all others. Desire in your eyes and passion in your hearts. I believe I have witnessed a new attitude develop. One that was lacking last year. The attitude of drawing first blood and never letting up. Like beating Idaho 8-0 for example. Put the cleat on your opponents neck and don't let up until the final whistle. The killer instinct that was missing last year is alive and thriving in 2010. And rightly it should. You have the fight in you now, and the talent to back it up.

When you take the field this weekend take a look at the player next to you. Is she ready? Does the fire burn in her heart? Can you count on her to have your back, and you hers? If you see a player letting down on the field are you prepared to call her out? You better be. The success of your team depends on each and every one of you taking personal responsibility to give it your best. For 70 minutes you will be asked to give it everything you've got. To make the sacrifice for the team. I've watched you do it many, many times and will watch you do it many, many more times. Dig deep lady warriors for the time is upon us to battle together. To pull together as a team and rise up. To rise up above your adversaries and be the team you were meant you be. The black and green of United.

You are SODIUM.