Day#5 - A Great Game To Watch & Be Part Of

Today's game vs the Chicago Magic was played under hot humid conditions - definitely the hottest day of the trip thus far.  Here are my thoughts/comments ...
- the Chicago Magic are a good team (see previous write up)
- first half the girls seemed a bit tired and not their aggressive selves
- the Magic were winning most 50/50 balls and getting to the ball first ... especially getting through our midfield
- it was not all bad ... just not their usual self
- unfortnately we played against a 12th player today (i.e. the Canadian ref we had) and he made some very "unusual" calls
* awarded a PK against us for a great diving save that "V" came out for.  I think he said that V lifted her legs too high / aggressively vs the attacking player
* the Magic coach also shook his head on that call (and many others).  I think he went so far as to say that he hoped his girls miss the PK.
* fortunately "V" made a very good save and our definders helped out by attacking the rebound and pressuring their kicker to make the 2nd shot wide --> KARMA :-)
- the second half saw Nigel switch things around a bit positioninally to utilize more of the midfield
- this resulted in the first 10 minutes of play the ball did not enter our half of the field
- we started getting more chances and deeper penetrations into the magic end
- we unfortunately didn't capitalize on a couple of good chances and the game ended in a 0-0 tie

The linesman came up to me in the final minute of play and said "Your girls played a hellofa game".

After the game we ran off to the local Publix market to get a late lunch and then go back to the field for the players evening of festivities
- free time in the player village / hospitality tent to collect some free swag
- watching some 5 v 5 soccer matches
- wating the GU15 girls play vs Richmond Kickers in one of the highlight matches of the evening (our Caps they lost 2-1)
- get in on a USL-supplied dinner

After that, more relaxation and pool time for the girls before hitting the sack to recharge their batteries for another game tomorrow.  Tomorrow will be a tough game and will test the girls.

Pictures from the day can be found at ... FloridaDay5Nov2109Game2VsChicagoMagic#
Video of the day can be found at ... http://gallery.me.com/torosashimi#100043