Happy Father's Day!

To all the Fathers who helped out this week...

The Gentleman Mr. Fulmer

The Thinker Mr. Sterns

The Friendly One Mr. Oberto

The Softy (although the picture doesn't show it) Mr. Crowe

The Patriot Mr. Edwards

The Inspirer Mr. Sedor

The Giver Mr. Huntzinger

GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!

This game lived up to all the hype. We had the best MLS team, Chivas USA versus Tigres UANL, a top club playing in the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol league. Only top flight teams are selected to the Superliga tournament, four from the U.S- Chivas USA, Chicago Fire, Kansas City, and New England Revolution and four from Mexico- Atlas, Tigres UANL, San Luis, and Santos. These games are passionate with this one being no different. We had flag waving, drum banging, whistling, chirping singing fans; non-stop end-to-end attacking football, yellow and red cards, and goals, including a unbelievable 'scissor kick' which made many highlight films for the goal of the week. The aura was electric.

Passionate Chivas Fans Playing, Singing, and Chirping for 90 Minutes

Makoto Having a Bite Before Sinking His Teeth Into Sweets

View Armando Pulido's beautiful one-time scissor kick or as Mr. Amilicar Oberto says in Spanish a 'chilena' kick here:

In the end, Tigres came away with the win 2-1.

What a beautiful evening, great time, and experience for all.

Great Times!

With Regionals out of the way it was time for some fun! So we gathered up the herd and headed to Santa Clara for a day of excitement and thrill riding at Magic Mountain. Now when I want to go and do something like this at home, having two older teenagers , I'd just yell out "let's rock" and we'd be on the road, at the park, hitting the rides lickety split. This was not the case: We discussed, planned, organized, communicated, gathered, and finally drove to the Park and gosh darn it we were there inside the park three hours later!

Hanging Out Waiting...

In Line At The Opening Gate

Inside we let the boys run wild and the parents decided to go to the Roaring Rapids (a water ride) to cool off from the sweltering sun. The employee there warned us we might get 'splashed' or 'soaked' on the ride...little did I know that on the ride one person would get soaked but another would be bone dry. Guess who got wet...

The Parents After Roaring Rapids

The Viper Roller Coaster-

Over seven spins and twists!

The Tatsu- the kids favorite Roller Coaster!

Coach Spending Some Jail Time for Regional Results

...and commiserating and consoling with a goat after Regionals.

Daffy Duck(s?)

The Boyz & Coach Hanging Out

Game 3- Oregon Summary

We began our Wednesday morning game with beautiful blue skies and temperatures hovering around 70 to 75 degrees. Though bruised and battered, our players came to play. Sparta began playing a little different formation, a 4-5-1, which allowed us to control and string our passes together a little better than against Colorado and Nevada. Though I'm not a big fan of the formation (who is?) the benefits of 'possession' soccer, rather than playing 'dump-n-run', clearly outweigh the score-at-all-costs mentality...in other words it's better to sacrifice a goal or two and keep true to the beautiful game than it is to create bad habits. The trio of Travis, Amp and Brock stabilized our midfield which frustrated and shut down Oregon and kept them from scoring for the first 20 minutes of play. Even then a very iffy goal was awarded to Oregon even though control of the ball appeared to be in Arturo's grasp. Sparta was down 0-1 at the half with plenty of time for a comeback.

The triple trouble of Amp, Travis & Brock wreaking havoc in Oregon's midfield

The second half started like the first in that our midfield & defense (Michael, Fulmer, Jordan, Mokoto, & Steven) were doing a terrific job, after a while pressures were beginning to take their toll. In particular, Oregon's 'Big Red' was creating havoc and problems for us. He scored in a fantastic individual effort by beating four of our players before slotting the ball in right-hand corner off a diving Arturo. A third goal was made shortly thereafter from a very unlikely angle. The last goal was by a PK, which Arturo came close to saving.

Daniel Fulmer finding space & time!

Conner Stearns in relentless pursuit, pressuring Oregon's defense

Chase turning back a defender

In the end, our boys played well and should be proud of their efforts; they can build from the experience they've gained.

Congratulations Sparta!

Game 2- Colorado

Remember my last post? The one where I ended by stating "We look forward to playing Colorado tomorrow"? I don't know that was necessary true...we lost big, but as a great writer once penned:

"Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."

So with that spirit in mind, I wanted to share with you some answers from our boys on what Sparta can do to improve their performance.

I asked the following players the same three questions:

Q1) What made Colorado a successful team today?
Q2) How was their play different than your usual adversaries or teams that you play at home?
Q3) Is their anything they did you'd like Sparta to emulate?

Auturo said:
A1) They switched the ball back and forth. They also had fast strikers.
A2) More aggressive.
A3) Score more!
Chase said:
A1) Really good passing.
A2) They didn't do much dribbling and they switched the ball a lot.
A3) The passing and they could read each other and knew where to put the ball.
Conner said:
A1) They were bigger and faster.
A2) Played more thru balls than we're used too.
A3) More speed workouts.
Daniel H. said:
A1) I think they were faster than us & played better as a team.
A2) Quicker paced & they controlled the ball better than any other team in AK.
A3) I don't know...move the ball better and create chances by doing so.
Jake said:
A1) Their movement of the ball.
A2) Best one-touch soccer I've seen.
A3) Move the ball and work on the basics.
Jordan said:
A1) Good speed and physicality.
A2) They moved the ball quicker and their thru balls were more effective.
A3) Place better thru balls and press up more.
Makoto said:
A1) Power and speed.
A2) They were able to pass the ball around. Taller and tougher.
A3) Grab and being stronger.
Sternsey said:
A1) They could go longer because they were from Colorado and were conditioned better. Lots of pressure.
A2) Have more time to relax and make a play.
A3) Passing and moving the ball around.
Tanner said:
A1) Every touch they had they were looking for a pass and anyone who didn't have the ball was moving to get open.
A2) They were more relaxed and we were spazzing out.
A3) They talked a lot.
Trason said: (team mentor plus he just loooks sooo marvelous I had to show you another pic!)
A1) They passed, communicated, and wanted to win.
A2) Similar to Sparta play when they're on their game.
A3) One touch passing & forwards actually passing.
Travis said:
A1) How they moved the ball and well conditioned they are.
A2) Quicker, more accurate passing, and more aggressiveness.
A3) Move the ball around quicker, make more accurate passes, and aggressive (step to the ball harder).



The answers are very, very, very interesting...but unlike Arte Johnson's old quote, not stupid.

I hope these little seeds of wisdom are something are boys can build and improve upon.

Blessings to all parents not here with us!

SpartaDad

Gracias!

I would like to begin by saying thank you and hats-off to Amilcar and Anna for contributing to our wonderful pictures, by the way, they didn't take the picture above. If you haven't seen our boys' pictures, please take a moment to do so by clicking on the Flickr icon located on right side of the viewing pane.

Seriously though, they both have done a terrific job and we all appreciate the time and effort they've put into contributing to our team pictures.

Enjoy,

SpartaDad

Game 1- Nevada

Whew! What a day. We started having a much needed sleep-in, and the boys obliged by taken full advantage of their 9am breakfast call, stumbling in at the last minute. After a filling breakfast and thirty-minute rest, Cory took them for a brief 20-25 minute jaunt. The weather was a moderate 64 degrees and sunny. After a few breaks it was to the game versus Nevada.

The game well ...was very interesting for Sparta, there was a lot of this:
and a lot of this too:

And consequently a lot of this, because of the former:

But you know, with all the theatrics, embellishments, and excuses aside, the boys played very well, and more importantly, they're learning how to play the game against varying styles, concepts, and adversaries, which will only be to their gain.

For instance, we saw Amp fight for the ball even while being double teamed: Jordan played very well and was unrelenting in drive and spirit. Here you see Jordan redirect a well-placed ball and making a heads-up run, looking for a open player to pass to. Gage showed off some of his skilz <---oh yah, I went there:

In the end, it was a 1-3 game. This is only one small step in their soccer journey, and I hope they'll continue to face many more challenges yet to come. We look forward to playing Colorado tomorrow and playing the best team ball yet.

Until then,

SpartaDad

First Day!

Started out early for everyone, regardless the team and parents were all in great spirits as we head off to match our mettle. I even found some people that were all smiles even in the wee hours of the morning!

After successful and uneventful flight (that's the way we like em') we finally got settled in at the hotel then went for a bite to eat. Please note the handsome young man (Trason Merritt) in one the pictures...he's had major surgery a week ago and as Billy Crystal used to say 'you looook marvelous!"

Tomorrow it's Nevada at 2pm.

Oh...the weather is hovering in the upper 60s to low 70s with a stiff 10-15 mph wind, which will be very nice for our boys, although Russ Edwards commented he would like to see 90 degree weather personally!

Off to Lancaster!

The Northern Lights Sparta are heading to Lancaster, CA to compete in the Regional Tournament. We'll try to keep those who have to stay at home up to date via this blog! On the right you'll see a link to a Flickr photostream, where you can view photos of the boys.