Final 4 games

We play at 3:00 this coming week!

Injuries and work schedules have taken many key players away from our matches in the last 3 weeks.  (Get well Sheri!  Hopefully spring?)

The later game schedule (3:00 next two weeks) plus our recent "signings" should help us regain our earlier esprit de corps and results.

We play the blue meanies this week-  so hopefully everyone who is able will be there.

We are joined by two new players, one of whom will not be here until game 6 (Debra), but Alex will be here this coming weekend.

The current full roster is reported here, along with current estimated attendance:

Goalie: Alex                                IN!

Centerback: Aaron                    IN!

Centerback: Ted                        IN!

Midfield: Gary                             IN!

Midfield: Bruce                           IN!

Midfield: Steven                          IN!
Midfield:  Jeremy                        IN!

Forward: Megan                         IN!
Forward: Mathew                        IN!
Forward : Brendan                       IN!
Forward: Mike                             IN!

Forward: Rebecca                     Out.  :-(

Forward: Joe                               Out  :-(

Forward: Debra                         Out.  :-(

Looks to be final roster for this weekend.

Team looking for a couple more players

The season has been good so far-- but we have been a bit short on players due to schedules and injuries.

Record so far:

Game 1:  Win:  2-0 Barca     vrs      Ball Busters
Game 2:  Loss  0-1 Barca     vrs     Jackie Os
Game 3:  Loss  0-1 Barca     vrs     33FC


In all three games we played well, but we had trouble putting our attacks together.  Our third game had several good shots on goal in the first half, but were very well saved by the keeper.  In the second half we were really tired-- and were not as able to play possession as well as we would have liked.  Hopefully we can bring a couple more players.  If you know of folks-- let me know!   - Ted

Fall Season on the Way!

Get ready for the Fall Soccer Season! 

In spring we started an experiment in our local soccer league based around three general goals:

1. Start with a solid defense
2. Build possession from the defense forward.
3. Maintain possession and create space with passing.

The experiment was a success-- we played well-- especially in our second to last week.  Ultimately we won three games (one against each opponent), tied one, and lost two.   But the key is that our wins came from the style of team play that we were working on.  It was great to see a more possession and control oriented style work.  Anyways, hopefully we can continue the project this fall and build in even better control and skill.

Roster:    FALL  7 V 7 adult recreational league.

• Aaron !
• Rebecca !
• Sheri  !
• Ted !
• Megan !
• Mike !
• Bruce !
• Brendan ! 
• Jeremy  !  
• Gary !
• Steven ! (1/2)
• Shannon--  probably at least some of the games

Not available for fall /  emergency reserves:   Andy, Mathew (work. schedule conflicts); Stefan-- no reply.

Who is up for a practicing some "rondo"?   Perhaps this coming weekend?

Watch this video-- no goals--  just great plays by #21 for Liverpool-- who plays a defensive midfield position.  Breaks up opponents plays and builds plays from the back.

Big Win!

Great game this weekend!   3-0 victory over the Usual Upsets--  a great result made possible through teamwork.

Special thanks to Aaron for getting up early to drive all the way from Maryland, thanks to Brendan to doing such a great job as keeper, and allowing us to play Mathew and Aaron in the center-- everything built up from there.

Great game Steven--  enjoy the rafting and I hope to see many more great crosses from you in the fall.

Congrats also to our forwards-- Rebecca, Megan (goal!), David and Stefan (goal!).  

Bruce, Andrew and Shannon-- sorry you could not make it this week-- plenty of glory for next week though.

Hope to see as many folks as possible next week for our final game, 3:00 against the Blue Meanies.

Game Sunday 5/15

Anxiously awaiting the end of the rain.


Still hoping our match will happen this Sunday.    The fields were ok before the rain today (kids practice).  Hope to see all at 4:00 Sunday for our match.

Match is on for May 8th

Hey Barca Meanies!

Our match is scheduled for Sunday at 4:00.   We will be playing on the larger field 7V7 so we will need everyone who can make it there.  Hopefully with plenty of subs we can keep our good passing game working to our advantage.

We will be playing the same team we played on the first week, the Nowhere Men.  

Hope to see everyone out there.  Please comment below or reply all to to the email so that we know who can play this week.

Possible practice Thursday at 7:30 if folks are interested.

Sun shine!

Sunshine for practice on Thursday!    Who can make practice tonight?   I will be there-- kids have games


Looks like our game will be on this weekend!!  Please let me know via email or in a comment below if you are in for the game.

May 1 **Week 3**
400PM 

Field 1 Usual Upsets  V   Nowhere Men

Field 2 Barca Meanies  V  Blue Meanies

Practice this weekend?

Howdy folks-   As of Thursday the Soccer fields were flooded [no practice Thursday night!].  Perhaps we can plan a practice during our normal 4:00 pm Sunday time slot?  At our normal game location?

Match #2 roster

Great practice today everyone! Thank you to Shannon to joining the team-- we now have a full roster of great players.  Our match is at 4:00 against the "Usual Upsets."  The players planning to attend are marked in green so we will have an extra player to substitute which will help a whole bunch.

Final team roster!  Please send me a photo so I can add you to the team photo (Andy, Shannon, Steven) and don't forget to fill out an individual release form (page one of this link) if I don't have one yet.  

• Aaron Wright
• Ted Welser
• Bruce Martin
• Masato Nakazawa
• Mathew Austin
• David Gordon
• Rebecca Mercado  
• Steven Foy
• Megan Murphy
• Andy Szolosi
• Shannon David

Great first game!

The Barca Meanies, aka the Barcalonies, had a great first match on Sunday the 10th.  We played super team football, working the ball up from the back and moving the ball around the field with great success.  We probably had twice as many successful passes as our opponents.   We also communicated much better-- which really helped us get the most out of our tiring legs.  The score ended in tie (3,3) but we held the lead for the majority of the match.  Basically-- we were worn out by the last quarter of the match and were hoping to hold onto the score.  Thankfully a last second shot by a forward of the Nowhere Men went barely wide and the tie held.

Hopefully we will have the full team for this coming Sunday and can substitute more rapidly and completely.

Practice is planned for Thursday at 7:00 pm at the playground of East Elementary.  Please bring a light and a dark shirt and a ball if you have one.  I invited the players from the Women's rec team "She Goetz what she wants" to join us.  I expect that that will only be a couple folks, but it might be nice to practice with some other players too.

Congratulations to all-- but especially to Rebecca who made her team soccer debut!

Great first match everyone!

Barca Update!

Hey folks-

1. We had a great practice on Thursday.  Thanks to everyone who could make it out to the fields!
2. We still need players!   I am still not sure if Yusuf will be able to play.   If not we will likely only have 7 players for our first match on Sunday. 
1. If you know anyone who would be interested in playing please contact them ASAP!
2. Update!  With the late signing of Andy Szolosi we are nearing our salary cap.  Exciting news and looks like we will have 8, maybe 9 players for our first match.  Hooray!
3. Expected roster for Sunday: 
1. Masato
2. Aaron
3. Mathew
4. Megan
5. Bruce
6. Rebecca
7. Ted
8. Andy
9. Rebecca's mysterious friend?
4. Not available: 
1. David
2. Steven
3. ? Yusuf?
5. See you on Sunday!
1. I plan to show up at 3:30 to warm up.

Match Schedule!

All of our matches with be at 4 pm on Sundays.

April 10th Week 1:      
4:00 PM
Field #1 Usual Upsets    V  Blue Meanies
Field #2 Barca Meanies  V  Nowhere Men

Result: 3 3

April 17th **Week 2**
400PM 

Field #1  Barca Meanies  V  Usual Upsets
Field #2  Blue Meanies  V   Nowhere Men

April 24th, No Games Easter Weekend

May 1 **Week 3**
400PM 

Field 1 Usual Upsets  V   Nowhere Men
Field 2 Barca Meanies  V  Blue Meanies

May 8 **Week 4**
400PM
Field 1? Usual Upsets V Blue Meanies
Field 2? Barca Meanies  V  Nowhere Men

May 15th  **Week 5**
400PM

Field #1  Barca V Usual Upsets
Field #2 Blue Meanies V Nowhere Men

May 22  **Final Weekend**Week 6*************
400PM 

Field 1 Usual Upsets  V   Nowhere Men
Field 2 Barca Meanies  V  Blue Meanies

Pre-Season Recruitment

Do you like teamwork, one touch passing, and not running too much?  You might be a Barca-Meanie too.   Can you picture that?  Roster negotiations are currently under way!

Organized through the Athens Soccer Academy, the matches will be held on Sunday afternoons during April and May, 2011; likely start date: April 10th.

Contract signed:

• Aaron Wright
• Ted Welser
• Bruce Martin
• Masato Nakazawa
• Mathew Austin
• David Gordon
• Rebecca Mercado  
• Steven Foy
• Megan Murphy
• Andy Szolosi!!
• Shannon

Contact Ted at  h.t.welser  at gmail.com   for more info.