Coaches Corner
Fall 2004

September 11-12, 2004 ***

Arlington's U11 Intensity Red girls introduced themselves to WAGS this weekend.  In an effort to assimilate themselves into the new format, defenses were split apart, shots were scattered everywhere, officials struggled to gain control, and coaches found themselves pointing and signaling with abandon - and this was before the first whistle even blew.  The new format, a developmental, side-by-side 8 v. 8 brand without a competitive focus, offered the Intensity the opportunity for each player to spend most of their time on the pitch, work for each coach, try new techniques and tactics without the fear of "losing" the match, and perhaps most importantly, just get back on the field and playing soccer.

Summer training and fitness thus concluded, Intensity Red opened the campaign with a Saturday evening trip to MCLN to play the Fusion under the lights.  Intensity did well to communicate, play with some creativity and more composure, and to work very hard to win the ball.  The play was balanced, with both sides scoring an equal total number of goals.  Emilia opened the AIR account in the first half followed by 2 tallies from Raleigh in the second.  Both second half goals reflected the high level of teamwork promoted by the AIR coaches; the first a clinical 35yd diagonal thru-ball from Gracie beat 4 defenders and found Raleigh with only the goalkeeper to beat, and the second, a dazzling run from Paula who undid the defense with her strength and pace, and laid the ball off to Raleigh for the finish.  AIR will be meeting the Fusion again later in the season and this match should serve as a nice benchmark to see how we've matured.

On Sunday, Intensity took on the SWYA Liberty in their second match of the season.  Eager to demonstrate what they had learned the night before, Intensity looked to take advantage of the scoring chances offered by their hard work.  Goals from Leah, Jessica, Susan, and Adrianna, two of which were assisted by Isabel, put the match out of reach for the understaffed SWYA side.  Overall, Intensity controlled much of the match and created the majority of the chances.  With a strong defensive effort, including shut-out halves from goalkeepers Dana and Alex, Intensity Red have created a firm foundation on which to build for this first season in WAGS.

 

Coach Chris

 

Dulles National Tournament: August 28 - 29, 2004 ****

 

Arlington Intensity Red began the fall campaign at the Dulles National Tournament this weekend.  This was the first experience for Intensity Red on a regulation-sized pitch in 11 v. 11 competition.  If that wasn't enough, Intensity played each of the matches with a maximum of 3 substitutes and demanded of tournament coordinators that the heat not be turned below 90 degrees.

Although faced with some unflattering scorelines, the Intensity Red fought bravely.  It was a team building experience, and on the dusty, sun-baked fields of Herndon, the girls of Intensity Red took the opportunity to build their character.  There are some lessons still to be learned, but Intensity Red has already learned to work harder than their opponents, and as they showed in the last match of the weekend, they will never give up.

 

Coach Chris

 

Fall Season: 2004 ***
 
It is that time of the year again.  It's the time for bagged lunches, apples for the teacher, notebooks, pencils...and soccer.  If you hear some hustle and bustle in your neighborhood, it probably isn't the kids on the schoolbus - it is more than likely the girls of the U-11 Arlington Intensity Red.

After three very competitive tryouts, the revamped Intensity Red has spent much of the summer working on the skills and fitness necessary for success in the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS).  Beginning in early September, the girls will take on the Breakers division in side-by-side 8 v.
8 competitions on a weekly basis, as well as three fall-season 11 v. 11 tournaments.  Each match will be an opportunity for Intensity Red to build and develop their skills in order to grow as individual soccer players and as a team.

The campaign begins on the morning of August 28th at the preseason tournament in Dulles, VA.
 
Coach Chris Smith

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