Beach Futbol Blog: leaving Atlanta for the Left Coast!

So.... as I sit here in Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport - after 4 straight days of bitter cold weather at the USYS National League, the NCAA College Cup and Final 4 Girls Showcase, I have the feeling that we could have done more. We could have manipulated the matches in different ways; we could have gotten something - anything to get those valuable points.... What am I talking about you ask? Keep reading. The story...

As a coach, not getting FULL points out of games you should win is hard to handle - it's called "leaving points on the table," and we left 8 out of 12 points on the table here in Atlanta. The Beach GU16 White tied - yes TIED - all 4 of their National League games this weekend. Looking back, we have to give credit where it's due - to the other teams for keeping our midfielders and forwards in check and off the score sheet. In the end though - 4 points and no losses - that is a massive achievement, considering the kids played from behind in 3 of the 4 games. They left everything on the line, but unfortunately the opposing defenders, goalkeepers, posts and crossbars were not going to budge. Meanwhile, over at Tramore Park at the NCAA Final 4 Showcase, the Beach GU16 FC, won 2 out of 3 and tied the last game. Over the course of the 4 days, both Beach squads played against teams from South Florida, Atlanta and New Mexico, Michigan, Saint Louis, and Northern Virginia. All weekend, there were scouts from all of the major coneferences and NCAA divisions looking for players for the future.

Major props to the Soutehrn Folk and their Southern hospitality in Atlanta! I can not believe how quickly they cook their breakfasts at The Waffle House - which became a favorite of the kids after the so-so breakfasts at the team hotel! All in all - a very succesful trip for 33 young women!

Oh yeah - and stanford won their 1st NCAA title...more on that later....