Baltimore College Showcase
Bulldogs vs. Baltimore Bays
The game started well enough for us, however we were soon conceding possession to a very good team (ranked 21^st in the country). However we defended very well for 30 minutes and even created a couple of chances. A momentary lapse of concentration caused the first goal, and we seemed to stop thinking the ball was going out on the end line. At half time I thought we could get back on level terms and in the second half we created a couple more good chances. However, once the second goal went in it became even more difficult against a well organized team. However I was pleased with the effort and work rate of the players and felt that defensively we were organized, however two defensive mistakes led to the goals and that adding to the missed 3/4 chances we did have led to the 2-0 outcome for Baltimore Bays. When we play teams of the quality of Baltimore you have to take your chances in front of goal.

Bulldogs vs. Pachuca Dragons
After a slow start in this game we did create some good goal scoring chances and took the lead with a penalty from Mike DiCola. I thought we
controlled much of the first half and was confident we could win the game, but knew we had to get the 2^nd goal. Chance after chance were missed and once Pachuca scored from the penalty spot I felt we gave up a little bit and didn’t work as hard. This let down allowed Pachuca to take control in the last quarter and ultimately win the game. I was disappointed after this game because I believe we could and should have won the game based on our first half performance, however once again we gave up bad goals defensively and were not clinical enough in front of goal, we certainly created enough chances to win the game but you have to take them.

Bulldogs vs. Freestate
Once again I was disappointed with the slow start, and it probably cost us the game. At this level of tournament you cannot be 2-0 down after 15 minutes and expect to come back. However, when we scored the goal to make it 2-1 from Mike DiCola’s free kick, I thought the momentum would take us through to win the game. The second half started really strong and Freestate were unable to get out of there half for the first 10 minutes, we created 4 very good chances in that time but failed to convert on any of them, and as the game went on we became a little more desperate to get the tying goal and the quality of soccer went downhill, and we left more spaces open for the opposition to exploit which they did for the third goal. I don’t believe the result is indicative of the game itself, but goals change games and once again the theme continued from the first two games where we conceded bad goals and failed to take our chances in front of goal.

Bulldogs vs. Middletown Youth Foundation
Although the opposition may have not been quite as strong as the previous three (although they did only lose 2-1 and 2-1 to Pachuca and Freestate), we played exceptionally well and everything that we hadn’t done in the first three games we did in the last and everything clicked, we passed the ball well, kept it moving, switched the field, took our chances in front of goal and defended a lot more solidly. It was nice to see the players react well to some harsh words over the course of the previous two days. Although 7-0 looks extremely easy and comfortable we still had to complete the job and we could have won the game 2-0 and not played particularly well but we did play well and it was nice to finish with a positive result. Goals came from Jared Golestani, Bijan Eizadkhah (2), Mike Dicola (2) and Vinny Marna (2).

Overall, I think there were many positives for a first tournament, but I think the things we need to improve on were apparent and we will have plenty of practices to improve on those, and make sure the things we did well continues.

Saturday 6^th March – Scrimmage Versus PDA

I thought the first 20 minutes we looked like a team that hadn’t played a competitive game outdoors for over three months and it took a while to get into the game. But after about 20 minutes I felt we settled down and started to play a little better and although we looked rusty and were shaking the cobwebs off there were some decent moments and we started to create some chances and the corner count went up. Our pressure paid off as we broke down the right hand side and Bijan Eizadkhah played a great through ball to Morgan Ellman, and Morgan rounded two defenders and shot into the top left hand corner. The moments after the goal and up until half time I thought we controlled the game. After half time PDA came out very strong and took control of the game. While we continued to work hard we could get possession of the ball, and although we managed to sustain the initial onslaught, we started to defend deeper and deeper (and had defended very well up to that stage), and PDA started to get closer and closer with their shots from the edge of the area. When I thought we had defended very well all game and I thought we were going to see out the game with 1-0 win, a moment of confusion from the official and a quick free kick led to the tying goal. We have to learn that when there is confusion or a decision doesn’t go the way you think it should we have to concentrate quicker and get over that moment quicker, sometimes it takes us too long to mentally recover from what we think is an injustice. That was apparent for the rest of the game and PDA pressed and pressed and from another free kick two unchallenged headers were won by PDA players leading to the second header from close range going in. while I was pleased generally with the work rate and intensity shown for the majority of the game, the soccer wasn’t really pretty and we have to be able to hold onto a lead once we have it with 20 minutes to go.

 

Saturday 6^th March – Scrimmage Versus Hulmesville Thrashers

I hoped we would have improved from the PDA game earlier in the same day but I felt we looked tired and out of sorts in most of the game. Hulmesville offered something different to PDA, they were big, fast and strong and caused us problems on the counter attack and we never really took over the game in the midfield. Despite a slow start we did create chances and from a Mike Dicola free kick the ball was turned in by Vinny Marna from close range and although we didn’t deserve the lead the goal certainly settled us down and the soccer improved marginally. Half way through the first half, Mike DiCola was put through and he went one on one with the GK and slotted the ball past him to make it 2-0. Even though we found ourselves up in the game I wasn’t happy with the work rate, desire or the soccer itself for pretty much all the first half. As we have done before we switched off just before half time and after 2 good saves from Dylan Castanheira we were unable to clear the ball three separate times and that led to a tap in for Hulmesville to make it 2-1 right on the stroke of half time. I hoped after half time the soccer, work rate, and intensity would pick up but maybe the tiredness from the first game set in and we didn’t improve at all and were very poor in every department of the game. Although Hulmesville didn’t cause us too many problems they did create enough to get the tying goal, and we were unable to pick the game up after that and the game finished 2-2.

 

The most disappointing thing for me over these two games were the fact that we were up in both games and were unable to win any of them. While I knew that after 3 months of not playing a competitive game the soccer part would take time, I thought the work rate, intensity, desire, hunger and winning mentality would all be very good but it wasn’t and while there were moments that were encouraging for me I was most disappointed with not being able to hold onto either lead.

 

Sunday 7^th March – Scrimmage Versus JU Panthers

After Saturday I hoped the team would come out and play well and learn from the mistakes and things we did wrong, and play for a bit of pride in this inter club scrimmage. However, the first half could not have been worse and the less said the better. I was extremely angry with the work rate and soccer level from 99% of the players on the field. At half time we were 2-0 down to a really hardworking team. After strong words at half time, in hoped the players would come out and show some passion in the second half and I was very encouraged by the second half performance, I thought the players worked very hard, showed hunger, desire and passion and there were considerable moments of soccer quality. After pulling a goal back after a scramble in the box, we yet again made a poor mistake at the back and this led to a 3^rd goal for the Panthers. But unlike the first half or the games on Saturday our heads didn’t go down and we stepped it up again and Bijan Eizadkhah scored a great free kick to make it 3-2 to the Panthers. However after a great rally in the last 10 minutes we were unable to get the tying goal. But I was very encouraged with the 2^nd half performance and told the players that if we had played the entire game like the 2^nd half we probably would have won the game even with the defensive mistakes we made. That said we did create enough chances in the game to score more goals and win the game but wasted too many opportunities in front of goal and you cannot have a combination of playing for a half, making mistakes defensively and be wasteful in front of goal and expect to win games.  But I was encouraged by the second half performance and hopefully we can build on that.

 

Saturday March 20^th Versus FC Frederick

After a good start the game clearly turned on the sending off, and at that point I would have taken a tie if it had been  offered. I thought boys reacted very well to the situation and worked extremely hard for the entire game. We started to be put under a little more pressure towards the end of the first half as we got a little bit more tired and having just the two subs in the heat made it difficult. But I was happy to go into half time 0-0. The second half started strong again and although they had the better of the chances I think we can say we didn’t look out of place with a man down and deservedly took the lead after Tim DiBisceglie was fouled in the box and Mike Dicola converted the penalty kick. Unfortunately luck wasn’t on our side and a deflected shot from FC Frederick sent Dylan Castanheira the wrong way and we were back on level terms only 10 minutes after taking the lead. However we were able to continue to work hard and at the final whistle we got the tie, which was the very least we deserved and I was very proud of the players work rate throughout the whole game.

 

Saturday March 20^th Versus Pachuca Dragons

From the outset we looked very gassed, I don’t know if the first game took it completely out of us or not but right from the start we were flat and had no work rate, energy or bounce. Against a solid team who are ranked number 2 in Maryland we got what our effort and performance deserved with the only positive being a consolation goal from Jared Golestani late on. At the level of the opposition in all our games you cannot afford to have poor games as you will get punished as we did in this game. Final score 5-1 Pachuca Dragons.

 

Sunday March 21^st Versus Perugia Grifos

We started the game well and looked to have a lot more energy than the 2^nd game the day before, and I was pleased with the first half performance, while we had most of the possession and territory in the first half we didn’t create a ton of chances and didn’t force their GK into making a save and the best chances came from a Dylan Hammer corner that hit the post and crossbar and a Bijan Eizadkhah free kick that just went wide. I thought we could consider ourselves a unfortunate to be down 1-0 at half time after I thought we were slightly the better team without being really threatening. I thought the first 10 mins of the second half was a great response out of half time and we created 3 to 4 very good chances but a lack of finishing really started to hurt. The one time we did have the ball in the net it was called back for a questionable offside call. This would prove to be crucial because instead of being 1-1 Perugia went down the other half of the field and with their first shot of the second half made it 2-0 and a real uphill battle. My only criticism of the players at this stage was the fact that we didn’t battle back and our heads went down after the second goal, even though we continued to create chances our finishing still deserted us and the third goal conceded was academic by the time it went in. Once again poor finishing and some poor defensive from the entire team cost us and when you play at this level you have to be clinical in front of goal and solid defensively and we were neither in the game. Although I do think we were the slightly better soccer team and controlled the majority of the game, but it is the goals that count at the end of the day and we will continue to work on these things in practice. I think once we get the whole squad fit and the field together at practice and games the results will start to change, I’m not worried about that at all.

 

Saturday March 27 vs. PASCO  MAPS

After a good positive start with a depleted squad due to injuries the game really turned on the first goal and once 1-0 down to a quality opposition like PASCO it’s very difficult to get back into the game. Up until that first goal I thought we were slightly the better team and slightly edged the possession and territory but without creating a great chance. After the goal was conceded we were put under more pressure and conceded possession way to easily. Although we did limit the opposition to only shots from distance, however we could have gone 2-0 down if it hadn’t been for a great save from Dylan Castanheira in goal. At half time I thought we were still in the game and actually found ourselves a little unfortunate to be behind but we did have to improve the quality of our play considerably in the second half. We started the 2^nd half quite brightly but again could create any chances, while the opposition didn’t create many chances from open play they did create quite a few from corners and free kicks and again Dylan Castanheira made some point blank saves to keep the score down. As the game went on having only 13 players and a numerous number of them at only 60-70% started to tell on us and the opposition started to take control of the game and they scored a disappointing scrappy goal from a corner 15 minutes into the 2^nd half. We changed to a 4-4-2 formation after the goal but although we opened the game up a little after conceding the goal we never really tested the goalkeeper and the opposition maybe could have got the third goal but some good defending and in particular goalkeeping kept them from scoring again. On the whole I would still like to see more work rate and effort from the entire 11 players on the field at the same time, we seem to only have 4,5 or 6 players working really hard at one time, we also need to improve our quality when we are in possession of the ball and stop turning the ball over so easily. Overall there were some positives and I commend the players that played hurt and hope that once we get the entire squad fit we can improve in practice and games.

 

Friday 9^th April – Bulldogs 1 vs. Hackensack Royals 1 (Bulldogs won 4-2 in pk’s) – US Club State Cup 

After an encouraging start and hitting the post early, the players looked determined to get the opening goal, which after a nice move down the left and a good cross, Spenser Heller bundled in the rebound off the post from a Bijan Eizadkhah header. All through the first half I felt that we controlled the game, but still felt we needed the second goal to kill the game off. Chance after chance went begging in the first half and I started to become a little concerned with the missed opportunities as well as the lack of quality in the final third. However at half time I was relatively pleased but heeded the warning that the game certainly wasn’t over until we could get that killer second goal. The second half started brightly and we again continued to create numerous chances, that again we squandered. As the game moved to the final quarter without the killer second goal we started to become a little panicky. However, although the opposition was physical, aggressive and made the game very difficult by keeping the ball in the air a lot, they hadn’t really created a lot of chances, however a poorly defended corner and a great header from the Hackensack player proved to be enough for the tying goal. After the goal we again became very nervous and didn’t get the ball down and if it wasn’t for two outstanding saves from Dylan Castanheira the game may have been over there and then. After the non event of overtime, we went to penalty kicks (an interesting scenario for the first ever game at Falcon Field). Hackensack went first and Dylan Castanheira made a great save down low to keep out the first effort. Bijan Eizadkhah stepped up to put the first one home. They scored their second and on the retake Conor Pellas made it 2-1 Bulldogs. They scored their third to make it 2-2 and Mike Dicola out it straight down the middle to make it 3-2 Bulldogs. They then hit their fourth over the bar and left it to Vinny Marna to step up and score the Bulldogs 4^th, making it 4-2 in pk’s. while it is nice to win in that fashion, I still felt we could have performed a with a little bit more intensity and we certainly should have scored more than the one goal. But it tough conditions the players battled through.

 

Saturday 10^th April – Bulldogs 1 vs. Freehold Legacy 1 – MAPS

The Bulldogs started this game well and immediately created numerous chances but failed to take them. While we were getting beat up a little in midfield, we were still in control of the game and although we didn’t score in the first 25 minutes, I felt that the goal would come and we were dominating the possession and territory. That possession and territory did produce a goal on the half hour mark when Vinny Marna attacked the center back and beat him one on one to fire into the roof of the net with his left foot. However as the night before, we couldn’t capitalize on the opening goal. At half time the message was very similar to the US Club State Cup game and that was we need the killer second goal to finish them off and we cannot waste the chances we have in front of goal. As the second half started the game was very even, both teams had chances to score but Freehold started to dominate a little more and put us under more pressure. Eventually the pressure told when we were unable to clear a cross into the box and the ball broke to an opposition player 6 yards out at the back post to finish. After the goal we never recovered and never got back into the game and the last 15 minutes we looked tired and struggled to get out of our own half. Even with an injury ravaged team I left the game thinking that we still required more intensity and passion.

 

Sunday 11^th April – Bulldogs 1 @ NJ Rangers 2 – Region 1

For the third game in a row the Bulldogs started brightly but still had the impression of going through the motions. The first two chances fell to us but as had proved the way all weekend we were unable to capitalize on the opportunities in front of goal. After the bright start we were hit with a sucker punch and a cross that we didn’t deal with stayed around the 6 year line and in our failure to attack the ball it allowed the opposition to attack it and score. The next ten minutes we looked shell shocked and from a crossed free kick we conceded the second goal. At half time I told the players that I felt they lacked passion and the will to win and to become a little nastier, I felt we were too nice on the field and let teams push us around. I question whether the players wanted it and to show me that passion and that they cared. Well, something must have resonated because we came out and gave the best performance of any game so far this season. We dominated possession, territory and gave the opposition a physical, aggressive side to us that was needed. The passion and the caring certainly came out. After probably the best move of the game, Bijan Eizadkhah was put through one on one with the keeper and was brought down and Mike Dicola coolly slotted the resulting penalty kick home. At this point I really felt we would go on and get something out of the game. My only really disappointment was that we didn’t create enough clear cut chances in the second half even though we dominated. Even though the result wasn’t what we looked for, I left feeling like maybe we had turned a corner and we could use this a stepping stone for the rest of the season. I would like to see that energy, passion and caring in every minute of every game because I thoroughly believe if we had brought that in the first half we would have won the game.

 

Saturday 17^th April Versus HSC Heat, Region One Game – 0-0

A good solid performance in the first half, followed by a good solid performance in the second half. I didn’t think that we were fantastic in either but good in both and consistent, my one disappointment being that we created some excellent chances and were unable to capitalize on them. I thought defensively we were excellent as the shut out showed, but we were left reeling from the many missed opportunities we had and late on the opponent good have snatched victory but a couple of bad misses from them and some good saves from Dylan Castanheira, kept the game level and it probably ended in a fair result. But I thought our work rate and effort possibly deserved more.

 

Saturday 17^th April Versus AC Bethesda, Region One Game – 0-3

After a good start where we created chances, we started to tire as the game got a 30 minutes old and although yet again we missed chances, the opponent really started controlling the game but I did feel we were unlucky to be a goal down at half time. The second half was very flat and Bethesda owned it, adding a 2^nd ,and then a 3^rd after the dismissal of Patrick Smith for two yellow cards. The game fizzled out after the second goal but I did feel we had taken steps forward even with the score line as it was.

 

Sunday 18^th April Versus Lehigh Valley

After a slow start we deservedly found ourselves a goal down to an aggressive, physical opponent. The first half was forgettable, and after a stern talking to at half time, the team responded with a great effort to start the second half, we deservedly got the tying goal after a cross from the right and the ever present Spenser Heller bearing down at the back post tapped home from close range. I thought at this point there was only going to one team that will go on and win it, but within five minutes we gave the ball away cheaply in the midfield and a long ball forward found its way to the Lehigh striker who buried it past Dylan Castanheira. We suddenly found ourselves down again, but I was very proud that we didn’t give up and we kept going and we really piled on the pressure, and camped in the opponents half. Chance after chance was created and was squandered. But after good play down the right again Vinny Marna got in a position to cross and stood the ball up for the reliable Spenser Heller to head home at the back post again. We retrieved the ball quickly and we continued with the pressure and again created some great opportunities but couldn’t find the net, as the game headed for a tie, a free kick from the right produced a superb volley into the roof of the net by Bijan Eizadkhah in the last minute to give us the win, nothing more than we deserved even if it was just for the second half.

 

Tuesday 20^th April Versus Middletown Metrodogs, US Club State Cup -0-2

I thought that after the last minute winner in the previous game, that we would start the game well, particularly as we looked good in the warm up, however that couldn’t have been further from the truth. We lost the ball directly from the kick off and that was just the prelude to a poor first half. Within 4 minutes we were 1-0 down after a long ball over the defense the striker finished smartly passed Dylan Castanheira. Things went from bad to worse as we continued to be out worked, out hustled and out played. From a long throw we failed to clear and the Middletown forward was left all alone 6 yards out and finished comfortably. If it hadn’t been for Dylan Castanheira then the game may have been out of reach by half time, he made two or three excellent saves. I thought the substitutions after about 17 minutes changed the game and evened the playing field, and I was very happy with the 5 players who came off the bench to instill a little bit of business as usual, they worked hard and started to turn the game around  a little, however we still weren’t very threatening to the opponents goal. The best chance came at the end of the first half when Mike DiCola went through on goal but unfortunately shot right at the keeper. After another talking to at half time, the second half was 1000 times better, we won the physical battle and then really played some good soccer at times. Creating chance after chance, and winning corner after corner, the opponents were camped in their own half. We just couldn’t find the net, opportunities went begging time after time and when the final whistle went we were left to rue the fact that we didn’t play the game for 80 minutes just for the second half which turned out to be too little too late.

Wednesday 28^th April vs. PDA – State Cup – 0-3

After a positive opening encounter in which we had the better chances, I felt that we tired towards the half hour mark and unfortunately conceded a sloppy goal from a ball over the top. However, at half time I felt that we were still very much in the game and thought that we would continue to get chances. However, 1 minute into the second half we conceded another bad defensive goal and the task became very tough from there. Although I was pleased with our response and felt that we had a good 15 minute spell, controlling possession, moving the ball well and switching fields well but without really threatening the opposition. When the third goal went in I felt it was a bit unjust as I think the game was closer than the score line suggested.

 

Saturday 1^st May – MSSL vs. NJ Rangers – 2-2

In a game very much affected by the heat, the game had a feel of slow paced non importance to it. Once again although at least on par with the opposition, I think we created the better chances in the opening exchanges but another poor defensive goal allowed the opposition to take the lead. However, our response was good and a good spell for us led to a penalty that was coolly converted by Mike DiCola. After a slow paced first half, a tie was looking inevitable at half time. However we conceded a goal early in the second half and as time ticked on and even though we controlled the second after the concession of the goal we didn’t really look like scoring. However a great long cross from Tim DiBisceglie and a fine header from Mike DiCola from 10 yards out into the corner produced a tying goal with only a minute or so to play, it was a just end as I think the game was very even over the 80 minutes.

 

Sunday 2^nd May – MAPS vs. Parsippany – 2-1

Again the heat played a factor, but right from the kick off in this game we took control and after a brief exchange at either end, the chances started to come. One chance, then another, then another all went begging. It wasn’t long before I was hoping we weren’t going to regret all those missed chances. We controlled the game throughout the first half and we should have been 3 or 4 up at half time. At half time I told the players that they cannot keep teams in the game, we have to take our chances otherwise if you keep teams in the game they grow in confidence and then an error from us or the referee or a great goal and all of a sudden in a game that you should be 3 or 4 up in you can go onto lose 1-0. Well it didn’t even take 2 minutes for that to happen, from a ball we were unable  to clear a shot from the outside of the box went flying past Mike Renna and into the upper corner and we were 1-0 down. Our response was good though and we went back to controlling the game and creating numerous chances. However chance after chance went by and I started to think it was going to be one of those days!! With 5 minutes to go we were trying to push as many people forward as possible. with three minutes to go a the pressure told and a cross from the right fell right to Conor Kelly who had got into the box for the umpteenth time and he finished smartly after controlling the ball with his left foot, he finished with his right. I still thought that there was time for a winner and the to be fair to the players despite the chances missed they were still working hard and still pushing right to the end. With a minute to go a through ball found Mike DiCola one on one with the keeper and he slotted coolly under the goalie into the bottom corner to score the winning goal. Nothing short of what we deserved, the game could and should have been 5 or 6 to 1. But soccer is like that but I commended the players for going right to the end and in the end the right result entailed.

 

Sunday 9^th May – MSSL Game vs. SDFC – 1-1

Overall I thought we played very well, I thought we started the game with good tempo and great work rate. I thought we switched the ball from left to right very well and within 15 minutes of the game going against the wind and against a very fast oppositions forward line we had created 3 good chances. I felt the only way the opposition would score is by a long ball over the top and using their pace to go through on goal. This only really gave us a scare once in the first half s we defended very well. The story of the half was our missed chances. The speech at half time was similar to the one the week before, the missed chances are keeping the opposition in the game, and we need to finish those chances. The second half was even better for us in terms of performance, I was really happy with pretty much everything we did with the exception of finishing. Yet again we missed chance after chance and although thoroughly not deserved we found ourselves 1-0 down after a disputed penalty was awarded. Outside of one other save Dylan Castanheira made in the second half and a shot that struck the crossbar from distance it was there only attempt at goal. With 7 minutes left and was as been  a trait lately of keeping going until the end, we changed and put 3 up front and with only 3 minute to go, Jared Golestani showed great skill to beat their right defender and crossed the ball for Vinny Marna to tap in from 3 yards. Overall a pleasing performance even though we deserved more than the tie I give credit to the players for battling until the end. We just have to do a better job of finishing the chances we are creating.

Saturday 22nd May 2010 – Jersey United Bulldogs 5 @ FC Maroons Torres 1

After a quick start and a goal from Bijan Eizadkhah from a cross from Vinny Marna, we had a sloppy period for about 10 minutes. That continued after the second goal from Jared Golestani. However the field and the opposition style of play didn’t allow for a lot of soccer to be played. After conceding a sloppy goal, we started to improve and a great finish from Tim DiBisceglie, after quick thinking from a free kick increased the lead to 2 goals again, we came in at half time confident but I reminded the players that we still hadn’t been at our best. We added two more goals in the second half but the main story from the second half was the missed chances, we improved our soccer in the 2nd half dramatically and created chance after chance, we really should have scored double figures, we have to improve our finishing in the final third, against better opposition we might only get two or three chances and we have to take those chances.

Sunday 23rd May 2010 – Jersey United Bulldogs 2 @ Ramapo Valley Tornadoes 2

After a slow start, we did create numerous chances within the first 10 minutes but failed to take any of them and paid the prices as the opposition took three shots on goal in the first half and scored twice, we in the mean time while not playing extremely well still created chances and hit the post, hit the GK, hit it just wide etc. yet again our inability to take the chances we created were hurting us, likewise our inability to keep a shut out also hurt us. however we started the second half much brighter and pulled a goal back within 30 seconds of the restart from a shot from Vinny Marna that slipped through the GK’s hands. We continued to pile on the pressure and got our rewards from a free kick crossed over that Spenser Heller finished at the back post. We continued to be the better side on a very small field but again missed numerous chances to take the lead. While the opposition had their moments of pressure they didn’t really test Dylan Castanheira in our goal. But yet again, the frustrating thing was the fact the opposition had three to four efforts on goal scored twice and we had well into the teens for efforts on goal and only scored twice as well. Hopefully we can start taking theses chances that come our way and improve our percentage of goals to chance ratio. We will continue to work on this in practice.