Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC Player of the Week

COQUITLAM METRO-FORD SC PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
RASHAUN RIVERS – COQUITLAM METRO-FORD BARÇA

In the Under 14 Select Division, the underage Barça boys defeated Langley United by a narrow, but well earned, 2-1margin. RASHAUN RIVERS scored both Coquitlam Metro-Ford goals to lead his team to the very important victory.

Rivers, two time winner of the award, opened the scoring midway through the first half when he collected the ball in the opponents' half of the field and, after beating a couple of defenders, rifled a world-class shot into the top corner of the net from well outside the penalty area.

Late in the game, with the scored tied 1-1, Rivers once again rose to the occassion as he took advantage of a defensive blunder, picked up the loose ball, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted the ball intothe empty net for the winning goal.

For his outstanding performance, RASHAUN RIVERS has been chosen as Coquitlam Metro-Ford Male Player-of-the-Week.

Keane: the Autobiography

From time to time, as I do with youtube clips, I will post some literature from books to assist in your development off the field. Please read it. Reading is good for you and your soccer development!

Here is a couple of pages from Roy Keane autobiography, former captain of the treble winning Manchester United team of the 1990's and early 2000's.

In 1999, Keane's United won the Premiership league title, the FA Cup and the Champions League - all in the same year! Up until that time, it had never been done. Keane was instumental throughout that season and his leadership is legendary not only at United but throughout the soccer world.

In the book, he talks about accountability and the fact you just can't phone in results if you want to win games. Good, perceptive players (and coaches) can see probelms and complacency (relaxing in the 'comfort zone') coming from a mile away by the changes in attitudes and body language not only at games but before during and after training. You have to give the same effort versus the big teams as well as the little teams - even the 3 v 3 games in training!

He also talks about what it means to play for a big club to not only the players, but the supporters. Although we aren't Manchester United, we should approach each and every practice and game in this manner. From the club president all the way down to your parents driving you to each game/practice, others are sacrificing for your benefit. Don't take it for granted. You are lucky boys! You are all well taken care of!

Click the two photos below to read the two pages from the book.

Enjoy!

Classic Bayern/Barça

Some people love pop, some love new wave, some love punk but when it comes to games played between Coquitlam Metro-Ford Barça '96 and club mates Bayern '95, nothing but a classic number will do!

Once again the Barça/Bayern game brought out the best in both teams as both went toe to toe in a grueling 'cup like' game that resulted in tonnes of action, many chances, some great saves, three yellow cards, two sending offs and an exciting 0-0 draw.

Heading into the big game CMF Bayern, currently in 1st place, riding high after hammering 3rd place Richmond United 6-0 last weekend and strengthened by a few 'A' players from CMF Sparta '95 team, have only dropped 2 points in the last 10 games recording 9 wins and one tie in that time period.

Barça has been on fire as well only dropping 3 points in the last 6 games winning 5 out of their last 6 collecting 15 out of a possible 18 points pushing them to the top half of the standings.

The early moments were close as Bayern had the lions share of possession as Barça struggled to adjust to their new 4-3-3 formation. Although the formation posed a challenging concept for the Barça midfield of Kyle Jones, Giordano Baldonero and Marcello Polisi, Barça were dangerous on the counter - so dangerous that the red hot Rashaun Rivers thought he had opened the scoring when he was played clean through on goal by a lovely pass from Jones only to have the goal called back for offside.

Bayern made some changes midway through the half and put even more pressure on the Barça defense, led by the three big men (and one little one) in Anthony Martin, Anthony McKave, James Lynn and captain Trevor Hallam. Bayern should have scored at least a goal as the chances they developed provided many cracks in the Barça defensive wall but with Jake Sundar's safe hands and stiff team defending, Barça held strong and got out of the half unscathed.

After a animated half time team talk Barça came out with vigor and took the game to Bayern creating quite a few scoring opportunities. Frustrations soon surfaced as a Bayern player was sent off after an altercation with Hallam as the Barça captain had to move into the midfield with Jones being withdrawn from the battle with a lower body injury.

The game quickly turned in Barça direction as the extra room provided many holes in the Bayern defense and Barça's chances doubled through their slick passing and movement. Rivers, Michael Mobilio, Polisi and Baldonero all came close while forward Paul Serres threw himself into every tackle and Krsto Lulic and Ryan Mobilio ran hard up and down the flanks.

Barça's defense were ruthless as Lynn, McKave and Matteo Galaccio won every lose ball, not giving the much bigger Bayern forwards a moment to breathe and using their balance and strength to win the 50/50 battles. Special mention should go out to Anthony Martin who anchored the back line outstandingly in the second half, stepping up his physical play and demonstrated why the Barça coaching staff think he can be one of the best defenders in the province.

Hemming the Bayern team in their end resulted in a hand ball in the box and a penalty shot for Barça enabling them to win the game. Polisi bravely stepped up to put Barça in the lead but the Bayern goalie guessed right (literally) and made a smart save to preserve the scoreline. Frustration surfaced and some uncharacteristic verbal barb's were exchanged resulting with the referee handing out a yellow card to the Bayern goalie and a red card to Polisi. Up until that moment Polisi was having an outstanding game and will miss the next game due to suspension. As gutted as he was after the incident, Polisi maturely took responsibility for his action, apologized to his coach and team and promptly demonstrated his class apologized to both the Bayern coach and the referee for his action.

The game continued in the same manner as Barça continued with the pressure but to no avail. 0-0 was a much deserved scoreline as both teams played their guts out and added to the classic list of games between the two teams.

Barça move on to close out he 2008 part of the season next week with a game versus Surrey United/Guildford in Surrey before the Christmas Break. Barça will want revenge as they dropped a disappointing 2-1 decision back on September 27th losing a game they had no business losing. Barça now move to 6-3-4 for 21 pts and 5th place in the league.

Game Day Routine

Here is game day routine that the boys should try and follow as most of our games this year are at 3:00pm. The routine is flexible so that the players can adjust them to fit with different game times.

This routine was designed by former soccer player, sports councillor and author of "the New Game Plan" Stephe Raghoobarsingh.

Stephe has now written two successful books and works with many amateur and professional athletes from a variety of sports helping these athletes 'get into the zone' and meet and exceed their potential.