[FM14] It's The Climb...

[R1zzo23]

After rattling off five straight wins to basically save Rizzo's job, JUFC promptly lost two straight games, one of which eliminating them from Verizon Cup play. While losing is never fun, the cups have not been a main focus for Jacksonville United so we were able to rest a couple key players for that one. With our first eleven on the field, we rattled off four straight wins to get back to our winning ways. We finally started experimenting with player instructions in our 4-1-2-1-2 formation and boy did it have an effect! The goals started flowing now that I had a couple defenders coming up the pitch in support along with a poacher looking to test the opposing back line. Our winning streak came to an end with a 1-1 draw at Georgia. We followed that up with a bad loss to Pocono Snow where our only goal was put in the net by an opposing defender. We finished the calendar year off with a 2-0 home win over the Brooklyn Italians.



We head into the year 2014 with a one-point lead atop the table over Vermont United. We have only suffered two Home Depot East losses all season long but Vermont has a much better goal differential so those points will be absolutely crucial as the season wears on. Either way, it's been a great first 20 games on the sidelines for JUFC.



It hasn't been all great news for us though. Just as he was about to join the club at the turn of the calendar, 15-year old defender Max Sweets tore his ACL and is now scheduled to be out between eight and eleven months. Get well soon kid and see you next season.



Still hoping to bolster the back line we needed to find another target to bring in with Sweets on the mend. We have sent out an offer to young Paul Buckley of the Seacoast United Phantoms of the NPSL. The semi-pro club isn't known for producing elite talent but Buckley could certainly carve out a role with Jacksonville United as a reserve this season and hopefully grow into a first eleven player in the near future.

[R1zzo23]

We started the new year with two abysmal performances in losses to AFC Cleveland and FC Buffalo with a combined score of 0-5. It was just one of those situations where as a coach no matter what you did or instructed your team to do it just wasn't going to happen. Nevertheless, we followed that up with three straight victories, one of which over Vermont United on the road. At the time of that game, Vermont was atop the table and threatening to build a point lead from us. With that win and a 3-0 dismantling over the Erie Admirals, we have finally righted the ship.



Now 25 games into the season and on a three-game winning streak, Rizzo has Jacksonville United in pole position with just 13 league games remaining. Their goal of promotion is within their reach. We had dropped to 4th place for a brief moment but now not only are we in first but have built a 5-point lead over current 2nd place Panama City Pirates and a 6-point cushion from the Pocono Snow in the promotion spots. Barring a bad run of games down the stretch, JUFC should have a great chance at being promoted at season's end!

[smpipkin]

Good job! Vermont really dropped off the table, eh?

[R1zzo23]

Quote: Originally Posted by smpipkin

Good job! Vermont really dropped off the table, eh?

Yeah they are in a bad stretch right now but I'm not complaining. After they beat us earlier in the season I was glad to grab a win over them as well as see them tumble down the standings.

[R1zzo23]

With 13 fixtures remaining since our last update and holding just a 5-point lead for the Home Depot East crown, things were far from over. We knew we needed to continue our good form and winning ways in order to guarantee promotion. But promotion wasn't good enough for us. We wanted a division title.



Our first six games were a mixed bag going 2-2-2 and allowing our lead to shrink to as little as just one point. We needed to get back to the dominant football I knew we could play. Over the next six games we were able to win four while drawing two, grabbing 14 crucial points. With our 1-0 road win over Pocono Snow, we were able to clinch the Home Depot East title with a game still remaining on our schedule! The board, fans, players and staff were ecstatic about how the season had finished up!



Not only were the club's supporters excited about me being their manager but I was happy to be here, deflecting any thoughts of me leaving for other squads. I want to see this team into their promotion to the next level and continue to add hardware to their trophy case. Here's a look at the final table in the division:

[R1zzo23]

We had two members of Jacksonville United in the running for end of season awards. One of them was GK Joe Barton. He was the front runner all season for the Golden Glove award and with his 15 shutouts it was a no-contest. The second closes was Joaquin Reyes with 11 shutouts but also allowing two more goals in one less appearance. Congrats to Barton! Without him, JUFC would have been doomed this season.

The second member was none other than the coach. After leading a team to a league title you would think he would be the favorite to take home the hardware. Not so fast! The voters were partial to Sean Murphy from Vermont United as his team played an exciting brand of football, scoring 75 goals in 38 games. For Jacksonville United they were only able to net 54 goals of their own in the same amount of contests. However, our defense was far better as we allowed one goal for every game played while Vermont allowed 20 more goals on the season than JUFC. We think this vote was wrong!

[R1zzo23]

When you win your division, better players want to join your squad. Welcome to the squad Kraig Chiles! The former LA Legends attacking midfielder started his career at Chivas USA in 2008. The 30-year old was offered an immediate starting position in Rizzo's vaunted 4-1-2-1-2 formation. In 43 appearances last season he was able to complile 13 assists and one goal while compiling an average rating of 7.29. Chiles will play an integral role for JUFC next season as the club looks to acquire as much talent as possible to compete in the Chevron League 2 next season.

[smpipkin]

Good job and good luck next season!

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