Sodium Wins United Cup! [version 2.0]

To coin the very first ever blog post; 'Sodium Wins United Cup!' posted June 25th, 2007.
What a way to finish the United Cup, with back to back wins over the team that beat you in State Cup.

The Early Game
What a thing to behold when all the pieces fall into place. How fun it was to watch Sodium dominate with such finesse and patience. The game was pretty lopsided the first half with the majority of play occurring in the Hotspur end of the field. One of the golden rules of the game is 'You Gotta Finish' and despite plentiful attempts, the half-time score was locked 0-0.
Now, I don't care if you're a Sodium fan or a Hotspur fan, the second half had so many fireworks that you had to appreciate the play!
The second half started out with a supposed Andrea Theriau handball in the 18 yard box. I say supposed because I was blocked from the play and of course all the Sodium defenders deny it ever happened. That resulted in a Hotspur PK. They scored and took a 0-1 lead. Now, on the sidelines, we were having deja vu all over again!! But, if you looked really close, you could see in the eyes of the Sodium players that there was no way they were going to let that happen. That one event, Hotspur scoring a PK, was enough to ignite the lady warriors and start the attack! To tie the score Jadyn McMillan dropped a perfect pass to Lexi Frey who ripped the net and send the Sodium faithful into a tizzy! Next, it was Hannah Lautenbach's turn to feed a perfect pass to Lexi who waltzed it in for the lead! Now the stands were rally abuzz as Sodium had the lead 2-1. On the ensuing corner kick Taylor Moscoe faked and pooched a little pass to KJ. Now, if you're a loyal Sodium fan you never like to see a fake corner kick because it has become such a powerful weapon in Sodium's arsenal, but this time the Hotspur girls were caught off guard and KJ drove clear inside the 18 yard box before loading up and ripping the net at the far post before any Hotspur even knew what hit them! Sodium was now on scoring auto-pilot as they took a commanding 3-1 lead. Late in the second half when you figured Sodium might try to coast we were all surprised to find Emmy Owens feeding Lexi yet again who left a trail of SSC bodies on her way to yet another score, her third, and a 4-1 Sodium lead! With 20 seconds left Sodium let down for just a moment and the Hotspur girls squirted in a goal to bring the tally to 4-2 as the final whistle blew. This win gave Sodium the points lead in the bracket. How sweet the victory was after State Cup but the final showdown was yet to occur. The battle for United Cup Champion was to happen in just 2.5 hours, stay tuned....

The Championship
Hot. The weather, the play. The Hotspur came out inspired and fired up! They took it to Sodium from the opening whistle! The battle was fierce all first half with the play going back and forth. The first half ended 0-0.
The second started as the first ended with the battle contained mainly to midfield. Sodium caught a break and a corner kick which Laura Camp lined up and fired to Lexi Frey who took up where she had left off the first game and fired it into the net for a 1-0 Sodium lead! With just 6 minutes left the match a deflection lead to a Hotspur break-a-way and a goal to tie the match. Sodium ratcheted up their play and began a relentless attack on the Hotspur goal. Shot after shot was wide, high or gobbled up by the SSC keeper. With just under 2 minutes Emmy Owens broke down the right side and into the 18 yard box where she was heading for a certain goal! The SSC defender mugged her from behind which resulted in a Sodium PK. Jadyn McMillan was called on to attempt the PK and give Sodium the win. She calmly lined up the ball, eyed the keeper and ripped the shot past her into the net! Game, set, match. Sodium is your 2009 United Cup Champion! How fitting the victory comes on a PK.

From the sidelines:
If I had the space I would write a few lines about every lady warrior this weekend. Each one contributed at such a high level. From Taylor Luty's diving deflection in the Championship game, to Kelly Priest's consistent hard-fought midfield play, to Erika Cook who elevated her play at whatever position she was asked, to Lexi Frey's 4 goals at forward on Sunday. There were so many champions this weekends. There were so many heros.

Thanks Sodium, for giving us a great weekend of soccer. Thanks for playing your hearts out and leaving everything you had on the field. This team has that very special feel Sodium fans, the feeling that something awesome lies within their grasp.

Other Tournament News

Clash at the Border
As far I could tell, here are the results. They weren't tallied on the site.

#1. WSA Courage (34 pts) Sodium beat this team a couple weekends ago.
#2. OR Rush (30 pts)
#3. Reign 95 Purple (11 pts)
#4. FC Crush (10 pts)
#5. FC Portland (9 pts)
#6. OSA Inferno (6 pts)

Up Next:
US Club Regionals - Bellingham, WA


With the Championship medals around their necks the lady warriors scream: TEAM!

With a smug look of confidence the Sodium fans yell; GO SODIUM!!

Sodium Defense Almost Scores

In yet another impressive outing the lady warriors put the hammer down on Clackamas Elite. The first half started out with Sodium engaged in a little cat-n-mouse with Clackamas. Back and forth, testing the water, a few shots on goal but nothing spectacular. Then, with about 3 minutes to go on the half Aliyah Chance dropped a ball to Lexi Frey and BANG, the lady warriors were on top 1-0 and remained there as the half ended.
Coach Tom has commented on how this year, with the talented squad he has, he has a lot of options. [And he isn't afraid to use them!] Sodium is looking for the right mix of personality and style that will compliment each other on the field. The second half started out with some positions shifts that proved to be fatal blow for Elite. With just a few minutes expired Lexi brought the ball deep into Elite territory, launched a crossing ball that was finished by a crashing Mac Kearney to give Sodium a 2-0 lead! At the half way point in the second half Clackamas was whistled giving Sodium a free kick from 25 yards. The girls set up ready to 'Crash the Box' when Lexi Frey stepped up with other ideas. Instead of chipping a soft ball over the defenders she was determined to go for goal! She lined up and rifled a shot over the leaping keeper and into the upper far corner for a goal!!! The Sodium faithful rose and cheered and the [now clad in green] Sodium team mobbed Lexi. As the half progressed Coach Tom brought the entire defense up front to see what they could do. Taylor Coon, Andrea Theriau and Lexi rounded out the forward positions. Try as they might with headers, crosses and blasts from 18 yards they fell just a little short. Mark my words here Sodium fans, this will NOT be the last time you will see this group up front, bet on that! Time expired giving Sodium the win and the coveted 10 points they needed.
If you look at the tournament website you will notice that their have been some pretty lopsided victories. You may be asking, "Why doesn't Sodium have any 6 or 7 point victories?" Well, if you have been following this team and the coaching style of the United organization for any length of time you will see that that is not the United style. We come into games, get the job done and leave. We don't have anything to prove. We have a victory to secure and then move on. Yes, there have been games that if we, like other clubs I've watched this weekend, left our players in their perspective positions, could have posted double digit victories. But instead we chose to mix players up to give them a chance to play positions they normally don't and give them a taste of what it's like elsewhere on the filed. This process develops a respect between positions and is fun for the girls. A team only gets max points up to a 3-0 shut out so why push the girls to score 6,7 or 8 goals? That turns into a lose/lose situation for everyone. Don't get me wrong, the lady warriors are fierce and have nothing on their minds but beating their opposition to a pulp, but if they can have some fun in doing so, that's what it's all about. Besides, if you beat a team that badly there is nothing to gain. Yes, you know your forwards are better. Yes, you know your defense is better. OK? So what? Nobody gets any better or develops as a player in a 7-0 victory. So, that is why we have posted 3-0 and 2-0 wins opposed to 6 or 7.

United Cup Points Breakdown
Hotspur - 30
Sodium - 29
Clackamas Elite - 9
Sherwood Force - 8
PCU Impact - 3

Next Up:
If you aren't fired up for this match then you can't call yourself a Sodium fan. The lady warriors have waited 57 days for this rematch and it will prove to be a good one. Sodium is bigger, faster, stronger and more aggressive than the team they fielded at State Cup and can't wait to introduce themselves to Hotspur this morning!

Strap yourselves in Sodium fans, it's going to be a wild ride today!

Sodium will play Hotspur at 11:00AM at Beaverton HS to determine #1 & #2 positions in the standings then play each other again at 3:00PM to determine the United Cup Champion. This Championship will be played on REC #2, the same site they met for State Cup, how awesome is THAT Sodium fans!! - Be there or be square!

Other Tournament News

Clash at the Border in Camas, WA
Standings [in order of current points]:
OR Rush 95 Nike (18)
WSA Courage (15)[Sodium beat them last week]
FC Crush (10)
Reign 95 Purple (10) [Remember this team from Crossfire?]
OSA Inferno (6)
FC Portland GU14 (1)

Couldn't sleep a wink last night because the only thing running through my head was; GO SODIUM!!

Sodium Dominates Second Match

The PCU Impact never had a chance to catch their breath as the Sodium midfielders and forwards controlled the ball and tempo throughout the game. Right from the beginning whistle Sodium brought the house on every possession. Unfortunately the lady warriors were only able to capitalize on one effort when Jadyn McMillan found a crashing KJ who punished the keeper by blasting it right past her! The first half ended a 1-0 Sodium lead. Coach Tom must have lit a fire because Sodium came out Red Hot in the second half! Laura Camp chipped a pass over the defense to a streaking Jadyn who found the far post for 2-0! Midway through the half Erika Cook fed Mac Kearney for a two touch blast to the back of the net! The crowed went wild as Sodium took a firm 3-0 lead into the last minutes of the game. To ice the effort, Lexi Frey took the ball from her defensive position and charged up the left side. She "schooled" a couple of midfielders on her way to the 23-yard mark where she launched a perfect shot to the upper far post net! The crowed went nuts as time ran out and Sodium came away with a 4-0 victory and a solid 10 point showing!

Up Next:
Clackamas Elite - 6:00PM @ Powerlines #3

From under the umbrella's the sun burnt Sodium faithful yell: GO SODIUM!

United Cup Bracket Results Day - 1

After the dust settled on the first day the results were in;

Sodium 2-0 Sherwood Force
[See comments below]

Hotspur 7-0 PCU Impact
[No big surprise here]

Clackamas 3-2 PCU
[Could have gone either way]

Sherwood 0-4 Hotspur
[Not as lopsided as score indicates]

Points tally
Hotspur 20 [2 games]
Sodium 9
Clackamas 9
PCU Impact 2
Sherwood 0

Notes;
The much improved Clackamas Elite squad put on a good showing against outclassed PCU Impact. The surprise yesterday was Sherwood who suffered at the hands of the top 2 teams. Saturday and Sunday will be the tester. Sodium games against PCU & Clackamas should have obvious outcomes but you can never look past anyone theses days. Hotspur plays Clackamas Elite in the morning game with an outcome that is predictable. Sherwood should tally it's first points against PCU in the night cap. Sunday should prove the turning point with the Sodium vs Hotspur game. For everyones money, I am guessing those two teams will play not only at 11:00AM but again in the Championship match @ 3:00PM.
Sodium will be out for blood to say the least. Hotspur knocked Sodium out of this years State Cup and that has been the thorn that has driven this squad ever since. Especially since a Sodium parent has a photo of the ball IN the goal being hit out by the Hotspur defender with her hands!! Should have been a goal or at least a penalty kick for a handball but, like yesterday's officials, they sucked and shouted "Play On" as everyone [including Hotspur players] stood in disbelief. I will see if I can post the picture later today.

Anyway, see you all on the field!

GO SODIUM!!

Sodium Starts Off United Cup Strong!

In a word, WOW! The lady warriors came to play. Crisp passing, communication, hustle and domination. The Sodium squad brought the complete package to Powerlines this morning against Sherwood Force. Relentless pressure produced a break for Marisa Reid who chipped a perfect feed over the head of Mac Kearney who sliced it into the goal for the first score of the 2009 United Cup! The lady warriors swarmed Mac and I might add, they looked GREAT in their new green uniforms!
Even coach Tom commented on how the new uniforms looked today.
The half ended 1-0.
The second half started out with Sodium on the attack. The forwards were tenacious as they continued to pound the keeper and play remained confined to the Force end of the field. Late in the second half Aliyah Chance broke the defense and poked an excellent lead pass to crashing defensive midfielder Erika Cook who found the back of the net and sent the crowed into a frenzy as Sodium broke out to a 2-0 lead! Minutes later the whistle blew giving Sodium and opening day win and 9 points in the standings!

Stay tuned Sodium faithful, there is so much more waiting to happen as the 2010 team ensures to bring excitement each and every game!

Next up: 6/27/09 vs PCU Impact - 10:30AM @ Powerlines

With excitement in the air, your fans scream: GO SODIUM!!

Let the games begin!

This morning will mark the first day of the United Cup tournament! The lady warriors take on the pesky Sherwood Force @ 9AM at Powerlines in what could prove to be a battle! Like Sodium, Sherwood added a few players to their roster for this season so settle in for what is shaping up to be great game!

In State Cup 2009 Sodium tied Sherwood and then advanced in PK's so the lady warriors will go out with something to prove this morning!

Next up:
6/27 vs PCU Impact @ Powerlines - 10:30AM
6/27 vs Clackamas Elite @ Powerlines - 6:00PM


As always the loyal Sodium fans will be yelling: GO SODIUM!!

They said it couldn't be done......

This afternoon we were witness to a sporting event that falls just short of a miracle. #14 ranked USA men's soccer team beat defending World Cup and #1 ranked Spain to advance to the finals in the FIFA Confederation Cup.

Talk about leaving everything you have on the field and playing as hard as you possibly can for 90 minutes. Talk about coming into a hostile environment, under insurmountable odds, and pulling it off! The USA men we not considered the best team on the field. Matter of fact, they weren't expected to be there at all. But they were, and they were here to play. Despite the firestorm of shots by the Spaniards, the North American squad was able to deflect or block every effort, relentlessly bouncing back time and time again.

You see, the USA men had nothing to lose today. They had lost the first to matches and weren't expected to move on. Today they were there to prove a point. And prove it they did by walking away with a 2-0 win and a trip to their first ever world final, the FIFA Confederation Cup!

Notes: Spain hadn't lost a game since November, 2006 [35 games] and had a 15 game shutout streak coming in. The last 6 minutes [4 in regulation, 2 in extended time] USA played a player down.

Congratulations USA!

Take-a-way
Never, never give up. The USA men lost their first two games and could have cashed it in. They walked onto the field severe underdogs in freezing temperatures against a former World Cup winner. They were outclassed and outskilled. Do you think any USA player would have wanted to be anywhere else but right there? Not on your life! They live and die as a team. Situations like this are what dreams are made of. Where true champions emerge and awesome things happen. And that is exactly what USA was banking on, and exactly what happened!
So, even when the chips are down and you're the underdog, never, never give up. Give it everything you have for 90 minutes and great things will happen. Rely on your teammates and let them know they can rely on you.

That's why we play the game.......

USA! USA! USA!

GO SODIUM!

Sodium Players (and Mom and sister) place in Short Track Cycle Event

To show the diversity of the Sodium players, (and their parents & siblings) below is the results of the OBRA Short Track cycle event held at PIR.

Category 3 Women 10 - 14
Erika Cook placed #2
Marisa Reid placed #4

Category 3 Women 15 - 18
Sierra Reid placed #3

Category 2 Women (the bracket was all blurry here...... :)
Pam Reid placed #2

Congratulations on an outstanding showing!!!