Talked with Josh Wolff yesterday. We talked a bit about the preseason and also about the CBA...
Talkin' to Konopka
2 hours ago
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Wizards practice 3/15/2010
Stopped by practice yesterday...
Keepers practicing. First jump over the hurdle and...
Then make the save...
I think really long arms come in handy for this...
Espinoza heading ball during scrimmage...
Aiyegbusi taking the ball away from Wolff in the box...
New Wizard, Craig Rocastle...
More photos...
Keepers practicing. First jump over the hurdle and...
Then make the save...
I think really long arms come in handy for this...
Espinoza heading ball during scrimmage...
Aiyegbusi taking the ball away from Wolff in the box...
New Wizard, Craig Rocastle...
More photos...
Wizards Juniors U-18 2 - 3 Sockers FC
Through most of the first half, Sockers FC was getting the better of the play but the Wizards Juniors were holding on. The Wizards did have their chances on some set plays and counter attacks but were unable to score.
Here the Sockers show why you have a player on the post...
The Sockers player clears the ball away from goal before the keeper can get to it...
The tide turned for awhile when #00 Patrick Foglio subbed on and Kansas City instantly became more dangerous culminating in a go ahead goal for the Wizards by Foglio. Here Foglio score the go ahead goal...
This is Foglio continuing to be dangerous...
The Sockers started pressing again, first evening the score and then taking the lead 2-1. This is a goal that the Sockers slipped around the wall and past the Wizards keeper...
Center back, #16 Michael Oakley watches his header go into the back of the net off of a corner to tie the game 2-2...
And celebrates...
The Wizards U-18's fought hard for the rest of the game but were unable to keep the Sockers from scoring again to take the lead 3-2 for the final time.
More photos here:
Overall observations:
I was a little disappointed in how the Wizards U-18's played as a team. The first time I saw them play that was a strong point. Some individual play was good but the team did not seem to be in sync that day.
It is my understanding that there were several injuries that hampered starters and created a short bench so there were not a lot of options for Coach Rideout.
The two standout players for me were the two goal scorers. Foglio provided some instant offense off the bench in the first half and Oakley was a key reason the score was not greater in the Sockers favor.
Here the Sockers show why you have a player on the post...
The Sockers player clears the ball away from goal before the keeper can get to it...
The tide turned for awhile when #00 Patrick Foglio subbed on and Kansas City instantly became more dangerous culminating in a go ahead goal for the Wizards by Foglio. Here Foglio score the go ahead goal...
This is Foglio continuing to be dangerous...
The Sockers started pressing again, first evening the score and then taking the lead 2-1. This is a goal that the Sockers slipped around the wall and past the Wizards keeper...
Center back, #16 Michael Oakley watches his header go into the back of the net off of a corner to tie the game 2-2...
And celebrates...
The Wizards U-18's fought hard for the rest of the game but were unable to keep the Sockers from scoring again to take the lead 3-2 for the final time.
More photos here:
Overall observations:
I was a little disappointed in how the Wizards U-18's played as a team. The first time I saw them play that was a strong point. Some individual play was good but the team did not seem to be in sync that day.
It is my understanding that there were several injuries that hampered starters and created a short bench so there were not a lot of options for Coach Rideout.
The two standout players for me were the two goal scorers. Foglio provided some instant offense off the bench in the first half and Oakley was a key reason the score was not greater in the Sockers favor.
Wizards Juniors - Coach interviews
I stopped by the Wizards Juniors U-18 game on Sunday. The result was not good, the Wizards Juniors U-18's lost 3-2 to Sockers FC from Chicago. The next post will have some photos and comments but wanted to post a couple quick interviews. I was able to talk to Coach Parry from the U-16's and Coach Pardo from the u-18's. The U-18 Head Coach Paul Rideout was in no mood to talk...
Coach Parry...
Coach Pardo...
Coach Parry...
Coach Pardo...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wizards Intrasquad game - 3/11/2010
The Wizards white team beat the Wizards blue team 5-2 last night. You can check the Wizards or Mike's live bloging for details but I wanted to post some photos and thoughts.
I would be happy if the white team was the opening day team. Both Smith/Espinoza on the left and Myers/Harrington on the right worked well together. Their speedy overlapping play was dangerous all night. The middle with Auvray and Diop stopped and turned play back to the offense. Wolff and Arnaud made good runs as well. Besler and Conrad anchored the defense and supported the whole attacking shape. Nielsen was not tested much early and the couple goals that were scored on him can not easily be blamed on him. I was happy with his communication with the team considering how new he is still. Overall very pleased with the white team.
Myers and Wolff (1 PK) both had two and Smith with one.
The blue team had some good play as well. Kamara and Bunbury were the most dangerous but Zoltan, Zusi and Kraus showed some attacking ability as well.
My man of the match was Myers. Wolff, Smith and Kamara would be runner ups.
Despite the poor lighting and weather, I was experimenting with a new camera and was able to get a few shots...
From the end of the game, you would not expect Davy to be clean. And he wasn't...
Kamara and Harrington in the air. Kei was getting some air last night...
Wolff on the attack...
Kraus and Smith fighting for the ball...
Myers heading the ball past a sliding Kronberg...
The second Myers goal...
Leathers crashed into the boards and left the game to be replaced by Fuzetti...
Nielsen going to his left as Bunbury's shot deflects off of Besler to the other side...
For a Bunbury goal...
More photos here
I would be happy if the white team was the opening day team. Both Smith/Espinoza on the left and Myers/Harrington on the right worked well together. Their speedy overlapping play was dangerous all night. The middle with Auvray and Diop stopped and turned play back to the offense. Wolff and Arnaud made good runs as well. Besler and Conrad anchored the defense and supported the whole attacking shape. Nielsen was not tested much early and the couple goals that were scored on him can not easily be blamed on him. I was happy with his communication with the team considering how new he is still. Overall very pleased with the white team.
Myers and Wolff (1 PK) both had two and Smith with one.
The blue team had some good play as well. Kamara and Bunbury were the most dangerous but Zoltan, Zusi and Kraus showed some attacking ability as well.
My man of the match was Myers. Wolff, Smith and Kamara would be runner ups.
Despite the poor lighting and weather, I was experimenting with a new camera and was able to get a few shots...
From the end of the game, you would not expect Davy to be clean. And he wasn't...
Kamara and Harrington in the air. Kei was getting some air last night...
Wolff on the attack...
Kraus and Smith fighting for the ball...
Myers heading the ball past a sliding Kronberg...
The second Myers goal...
Leathers crashed into the boards and left the game to be replaced by Fuzetti...
Nielsen going to his left as Bunbury's shot deflects off of Besler to the other side...
For a Bunbury goal...
More photos here
Thursday, March 11, 2010
MLS players vote to strike
MLS players have voted to strike if a Collective Bargaining Agreement is not reached before the season starts on March 25th. I had really hoped to only post on the CBA when it was signed but I am thinking this is worthy of a post.
According to Steven Goff, the final tally was 383 - 2 in favor of striking. An overwhelmingly lopsided vote and an unambiguous message from the players to the league. I have to wonder if the 2 who voted against it couldn't read English or were way behind in their bills.
While both sides have agreed to use a mediator, it has obviously not resolved the differences yet.
I am not as freaked out about this as some others. While it may be painful, it is part of growing up as a league. All of MLS's older siblings have had work stoppages in some form or another. My fear would be if the work stoppage lasts very long. MLS and soccer may not be popular enough to survive an extended work stoppage and they certainly do not want a work stoppage through the World Cup time period.
After the Wizards scrimmage last night I spoke to Jimmy Conrad to get his take (do the download option on that audio). I walked up in the middle of Jimmy already being interviewed so the sound level start off a little quite but builds up to normal. We also talk about the scrimmage last night.
According to Steven Goff, the final tally was 383 - 2 in favor of striking. An overwhelmingly lopsided vote and an unambiguous message from the players to the league. I have to wonder if the 2 who voted against it couldn't read English or were way behind in their bills.
While both sides have agreed to use a mediator, it has obviously not resolved the differences yet.
I am not as freaked out about this as some others. While it may be painful, it is part of growing up as a league. All of MLS's older siblings have had work stoppages in some form or another. My fear would be if the work stoppage lasts very long. MLS and soccer may not be popular enough to survive an extended work stoppage and they certainly do not want a work stoppage through the World Cup time period.
After the Wizards scrimmage last night I spoke to Jimmy Conrad to get his take (do the download option on that audio). I walked up in the middle of Jimmy already being interviewed so the sound level start off a little quite but builds up to normal. We also talk about the scrimmage last night.
Wizards 3/10 Practice Notes - a few extra photos
I just wanted to share a few more photos from yesterday. The rest can be found here...
Coach Pascarella has a way of turning the keepers upside down...
With so many languages spoken in camp, Coach Zambrano uses some non-verbal communication as well...
If you follow Dave Borchardt's tweets you already heard about this incident. Prior to the small goal game, someone shot a ball into the small goal hard. It somehow hit the back, rolled up and shot out a little below waste high. Needless to say Ryan Smith was hit in a spot that men of all nationalities find sensitive. I am sure he found it a little less funny than everyone else...
New keeper Jimmy Nielsen encouraging Alex Horwath's pushups?
Up, down, up...
Just a shot of the ball on the line. This might become my new header on the blog...
As mentioned before, Coach Pascarella likes to turn the keepers upside down. He also likes to mix it up a bit.
Pardo over Crayton...
Crayton over Kronberg...
Pardo over Crayton...
Kronberg over Pardo...
Igor Kostrov putting one just out of Boris Pardo's reach...
Korede Aiyegbusi proving that he can play with the taller Kei Kamara
In the one full size goal scrimmage. Graham Zusi scored a goal that all the players and spectators were impressed with. This is Kei jumping in amazement...
And now Kei is learning that the goal did not count because Zusi touched it twice in a one touch game...
Boris trapping a pass of his chest...
Coach Pascarella has a way of turning the keepers upside down...
With so many languages spoken in camp, Coach Zambrano uses some non-verbal communication as well...
If you follow Dave Borchardt's tweets you already heard about this incident. Prior to the small goal game, someone shot a ball into the small goal hard. It somehow hit the back, rolled up and shot out a little below waste high. Needless to say Ryan Smith was hit in a spot that men of all nationalities find sensitive. I am sure he found it a little less funny than everyone else...
New keeper Jimmy Nielsen encouraging Alex Horwath's pushups?
Up, down, up...
Just a shot of the ball on the line. This might become my new header on the blog...
As mentioned before, Coach Pascarella likes to turn the keepers upside down. He also likes to mix it up a bit.
Pardo over Crayton...
Crayton over Kronberg...
Pardo over Crayton...
Kronberg over Pardo...
Igor Kostrov putting one just out of Boris Pardo's reach...
Korede Aiyegbusi proving that he can play with the taller Kei Kamara
In the one full size goal scrimmage. Graham Zusi scored a goal that all the players and spectators were impressed with. This is Kei jumping in amazement...
And now Kei is learning that the goal did not count because Zusi touched it twice in a one touch game...
Boris trapping a pass of his chest...
Wizards 3/10 Practice Notes - afternoon session
Not sure how these guys will line up but this is who was in the afternoon session:
Kronberg (Crayton, Pardo backup keepers)
Leathers - Escobar - Hohlbein - Aiyegbusi
Hirsig - Jewsbury - Fuzetti - Kostrov - Zusi
Zoltan - Kamara
Just like the morning session, the teams broke into defensive oriented and offensive oriented practices with Vermes and Zavagnin coaching the defense and Zambrano and Savic coaching the offensive half.
The second group seemed to have less flair but more direct play when they scrimmaged.
Player observations:
Escobar looked okay but need to see him in a full size scrimmage to make a better judgement.
Pablo Escobar...
Aiyegbusi looks like he will be the guy that is everywhere interrupting the play. He plays larger than his stature for sure.
Korede Aiyegbusi...
Kostrov looks skilled. At times he seemed to blend well and at times he looked a little out of sync. He does seem to be more in the flow than he did the first time I saw him.
Igor Kostrov and Jonathan Leathers...
Zoltan and Kamara were both finishing well in the practice.
Zusi had a beautiful blast called back but it impressed all the players and coaches watching...
Kronberg (Crayton, Pardo backup keepers)
Leathers - Escobar - Hohlbein - Aiyegbusi
Hirsig - Jewsbury - Fuzetti - Kostrov - Zusi
Zoltan - Kamara
Just like the morning session, the teams broke into defensive oriented and offensive oriented practices with Vermes and Zavagnin coaching the defense and Zambrano and Savic coaching the offensive half.
The second group seemed to have less flair but more direct play when they scrimmaged.
Player observations:
Escobar looked okay but need to see him in a full size scrimmage to make a better judgement.
Pablo Escobar...
Aiyegbusi looks like he will be the guy that is everywhere interrupting the play. He plays larger than his stature for sure.
Korede Aiyegbusi...
Kostrov looks skilled. At times he seemed to blend well and at times he looked a little out of sync. He does seem to be more in the flow than he did the first time I saw him.
Igor Kostrov and Jonathan Leathers...
Zoltan and Kamara were both finishing well in the practice.
Zusi had a beautiful blast called back but it impressed all the players and coaches watching...
Wizards 3/10 Practice Notes - morning session
The practice was split so that the two teams that will be playing an inter-squad game tonight could practice together and practice preparing for a game.
The morning session team looks like they will line up:
Nielsen (Horwath backup keeper)
Harrington - Conrad - Besler - Espinoza
Myers - Diop - Auvray - Smith
Arnaud - Bunbury
In both sessions the coaches split up the defensive half and the offensive half players. The goalies, the defenders and a midfielder practiced moving as a unit, getting the ball up field and some tactics. Vermes and Zavagnin coached the defensive half.
The other midfielders and forwards worked on receiving the ball, movement and developing shooting opportunities. Zambrano and Savic coached the offensive group each time.
They then did a small side game with 4 small goals and then a scrimmage with full size goals.
Player observations:
This was my first look at Smith, Nielsen and Diop.
Smith is quick. Not just running speed either, it looks like he thinks and acts quick as well. In the small scrimmage he was creative and dangerous. This is an early observation based on one practice but I can certainly see why they like him.
Ryan Smith...
Nielsen looks like a competent keeper. In the keeper practice he stopped shots and seemed to be athletically capable. The scrimmage did not test him heavily but he did make a very good reaction save on a point blank shot. He also was saved by a defender when he was too far off the line once.
Nielsen during keeper practice...
Diop has size and ability. I did not see enough of him to make a real judgment.
Only my second look at Auvray and Bunbury.
Bunbury is coming off an injury but showed speed and a nose for the goal in practice.
Auvray is calm and smart on the ball, professional and quick. I am very much looking forward to seeing him in a real game.
Auvray cutting with the ball...
Davy running with the ball...
Smith almost chipping Nielsen from short range in a scrimmage...
The morning session team looks like they will line up:
Nielsen (Horwath backup keeper)
Harrington - Conrad - Besler - Espinoza
Myers - Diop - Auvray - Smith
Arnaud - Bunbury
In both sessions the coaches split up the defensive half and the offensive half players. The goalies, the defenders and a midfielder practiced moving as a unit, getting the ball up field and some tactics. Vermes and Zavagnin coached the defensive half.
The other midfielders and forwards worked on receiving the ball, movement and developing shooting opportunities. Zambrano and Savic coached the offensive group each time.
They then did a small side game with 4 small goals and then a scrimmage with full size goals.
Player observations:
This was my first look at Smith, Nielsen and Diop.
Smith is quick. Not just running speed either, it looks like he thinks and acts quick as well. In the small scrimmage he was creative and dangerous. This is an early observation based on one practice but I can certainly see why they like him.
Ryan Smith...
Nielsen looks like a competent keeper. In the keeper practice he stopped shots and seemed to be athletically capable. The scrimmage did not test him heavily but he did make a very good reaction save on a point blank shot. He also was saved by a defender when he was too far off the line once.
Nielsen during keeper practice...
Diop has size and ability. I did not see enough of him to make a real judgment.
Only my second look at Auvray and Bunbury.
Bunbury is coming off an injury but showed speed and a nose for the goal in practice.
Auvray is calm and smart on the ball, professional and quick. I am very much looking forward to seeing him in a real game.
Auvray cutting with the ball...
Davy running with the ball...
Smith almost chipping Nielsen from short range in a scrimmage...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Korede and Kei interview - 3/10/2010
Talked with K (Korede) and Kei after the afternoon practice. I meant to talk to them separately but with Kei you have to be ready...
Jimmy Nielsen interview - 3/10/2010
Talked with Jimmy after practice this morning...
(1 profanity warning)
(1 profanity warning)
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