September 11th, 2009 . 2:19 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could. – President George W. Bush, September 11, 2001.

As always on this day I start out thinking about the twin towers.  I believe that no matter one’s politics, this date will always be a dark one in the United States.  In the light of such historic events the status of the local soccer team seems far less important.  It’s days such as this that remind me how blessed I am to be an American.

Still, FCD is what we do here, and on such days as this I believe we should keep doing what we do.  On with the show.

Dark clouds loom and there is a threat of rain all day.  Temps hover in the high 70s.  I took a rain coat, just in case, but didn’t need it.

News, Notes and Observations

- Guest Player (trialist?): Lee Nguyen. Dallas local, well Plano really.  Frequent US Youth International with a cap or two. Went to PSV out of high school.  Played last season with  Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in Vietnam and finished with 9 league goals (plus 4 cup goals) and 16 assists in 24 appearances.  SH called him one they are looking at for the future. Instant Scouting Report (just add water): Ok maybe not so instant as I’ve certainly seen this kid before.  Really refined technical ability, super smooth on the ball in space or without it.  A touch lacking in pace, but that’s not a huge problem in MLS as his mental speed is there.  Looks stout enough but is short.  He’s not match fit right now.  But the ball skills are fantastic.  Reminds me in style and tempo more of Oscar Pareja than say Ramon Nunez.  Relax, I didn’t say he’s Oscar Pareja, I’m just talking tempo and ball skill.

- Trialist: Alfonso Montagalvan. UCSB grad, has been training with San Jose but wasn’t signed.  Asked and got a try out with FCD.  Played at UCSB with Avila. Instant Scouting Report (just add water): Plays right back today and doesn’t make a great first impression, although not bad either.  Ok with the pace of play, but frankly they weren’t pushing hard this morning.  Touch ok, speed ok, average player. I don’t see anything that catches my attention good or bad.  One walk through type session is not remotely fair for him in terms of scouting.

- The U20s leave Monday.  Unfortunately for Anthony Wallace is looks like he might have re-aggravated his knee today rehabbing.  He had to be helped back inside.  What a tragic blow that will be if the kid has to miss the Worlds.

- Kyle Davies did a full day of rehab outside.  Hyndman said Davies had a headache on Tuesday (from the concussion) so they are holding him out this week despite the fact he’s fine to work hard on his own.  I fully applaud the caution.

- Brek Shea looked like he was feeling the weather, hacking and coughing.  For the first time in memory he was the first one off the field and in to the locker room, even leaving early and missing part of the drills.

- Andre Rocha is sick and is missing today.  It’s highly unlikely he will travel.

- George John is training and is good to go.  Hyndman said he asked out, and they pulled him, as a precaution.  The sub was right about the time of the previous injuries and fear of re-injury certainly played a part.  Coach says John was a bit nervous going in and they played it safe taking him out.

- Marvin Chavez is crazy quick, I mean just silly.  The burst over a short distance is ridiculous.  How that translates in a game remains to be seen, but man he can move.

Catching Up with Schellas Hyndman

The USSF Referee Review said that the Torres Red card was inappropriate, do you plan to appeal the card?

I don’t know…  It’s… again for me… it was… a…  a devastating call.  It was a PK… AND a red card.

But I’m so proud of the guys, how well they fought for 35, 36 minutes, down a man.  It showed a lot of character.

But you know what, it’s… at what point in time does it stop?  Let’s say we appeal the red card, so he wouldn’t have to pay a fine.  It wouldn’t count against him for missing the next game?   That’s right, he’s already missing the next game.  He’s gonna miss the next game anyway, right, unless they say…  If they wanted to do something they could have came up and did something.  Cause for us to take him on the trip hoping that they’ll… I don’t know if want to take him on a road trip, take a spot, and then they don’t pull the red card…  And they’re not going to change the result.  It’s bang, bang, bang, bang.

But if it’s for the better good of the standard and the importance of the decision, then I think it’s something we should look at.  And not just for us, but for every team in the league.

Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: We got hosed, but watcha gonna do?

Do you have a plan of attack against LA, or is it more about “let’s take care of what we do?”

Yeah, it’s again, we’re still focusing on us. We’re still focusing on us and its a common theme when you look at what’s going on, and the common theme is the number of injuries.  Timing of injuries. Kyle Davies did a very, very good job and he’s out.  George John, he’s starting to feel a little tight and it’s “maybe I should get out, because if I don’t get out maybe I could miss the next five games.”  So it’s just the injuries and now Torres is out.  I think that’s been the theme for the season and I hope to get over that.

Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: We can’t even get a starting 11 together, do you really think we can plan for the opponent?

Training

After warm up the team made a circle and did some pass and dribble through the traffic in the middle type stuff.  Up next was a 30 minute 2/3 field game played at about 75% speed.  Mainly this is about rotations and coverage.

After that was some free kicks and corners, both offensive and defensive for both teams.

Finally the always fun shooting gallery drill.  Blue is short a man, Shea having left, and swaps guys from group to group.

Green 1: Hernandez, vdBergh, Benitez, Ihemelu, McCarty
Green 2: Ricchetti, Cunningham, Harris, Chavez, Ferreira.
Blue 1: Nguyen, Guarda, Purdy, Torres, Wagner
Blue 2: Avila, John, Marosevic, Montagalvan

Lineup Prediction

With Rocha and Torres out, Ricchetti is back in defense (with Davies hurt), and van den Bergh is left… so Chavez is in the first team and will start this weekend.

Thought of the Day

This is going to be an interesting stretch run for FCD with some new faces in the team.  Not to mention the missing u20s, which will mean some strange faces coming off the bench as well.

Any delusions of a playoff push should be long gone, instead I’ll be thinking about 2010.  Where’s this team’s going, what pieces here will still be here, what can be used to move forward.  Is there even a plan?  Some important questions will be asked and answered.

Thought of the Day 2

These aren’t mine, but rather are the thoughts of a man I respect and admire who eight years ago put it into words I can understand.

Categories: Practice Observations.

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