OT - Real Soccer

[lytic]

I did it! I'm playing with a professional soccer team in Sandgerdi Iceland. I don't have a contract yet, but the Coach has already discussed getting clearance from the USSF. I'm training with the team as the second keeper right now. I now train with them 4 times a week... so next week, I'll let you know how it goes. Until this point, I was just playing on Sunday with them as was another (3rd) keeper, who I think was last years backup. Last year's starting keeper has been training with them the whole time (4 times a week). The schedule is interesting, but I'll have to tell you another time since I have to get ready to go...

Congrats to the ones that won their series and best of luck to the ones in qual matches.

[Vince]

Congratulations lytic! You'll have to let us know how it goes.

[FrogMan]

DYNASTY!
DYNASTY!
DYNASTY!

congrats Jay, pretty amazing. You know if that's a manageable team in Football Manager? I'd gladly try them as my next career, after making sure you'd be inserted in there as a keeper, with proper skills


FM

[lytic]

It's division III (almost got promoted to II last season), so I doubt it. I actually don't own a copy of FM...

[Poli]

Congrats, cous!

[sterlingice]

Very cool

SI

[damnMikeBrown]

That's fantastic.

As a fellow "fringe" sport wanna-be who never made it (cycling), you should be very proud.

[Raven Hawk]

Congrats, lytic!

Good luck with that!

[Qwikshot]

Congrats!

How much football experience do you have?

[Icy]

Congrats! i played as keeper too for two years, but indoor soccer (so popular in Spain). Now be patient and wait for your chance, to play keeper backup is the worst place as they don't get replaced a lot, but now train hard and get the 1st spot soon

[terpkristin]

Congrats, lytic.
Hopefully your ankle will fare better than mine did and will let you continue to play for awhile!

Granted, I messed mine up playing offensive midfield, hopefully it'll be a little safer for you at GK. Great job!

~tk

[lytic]

Originally Posted by Qwikshot

Congrats!

How much football experience do you have?

ummm... 20 years.

At the Pro level = none.

I have played for my district team several times, I played with the Massachusetts State team (didn't actually see game-playtime), and had a try-out invite for the U-16 USA team, but couldn't afford the price to travel to Europe.
Of course I played for my town and high school team, were we usually made it to state semi-finals at the very least. Breaking my arm in 3 places my Junior year screwed up my chances to make a scholarship. I had finally beat out the other keeper for the #1 spot, before that we split games (and played the field when not in net)... that first game we were up 5-0 and I was having a hell of a game and on a breakaway I stole the ball and the guy kicked me anyway. Sad part was the refs didn't call anything and that then ruined my shutout and my chances to finally take over. He remained the starter the next year... I was pretty set on joining the military anyway.
Of course you all remember me playing for a semi-pro team in Nebraksa and then I got the invite to try out for the Kansas City Comets and ruptured my Achilles tendon.

So what's going to break now? I know I don't have much more time before my body just completely falls apart... so something has to go wrong, right? I'll probably happen the week after they give me a contract.

[lytic]

Originally Posted by Icy

Congrats! i played as keeper too for two years, but indoor soccer (so popular in Spain). Now be patient and wait for your chance, to play keeper backup is the worst place as they don't get replaced a lot, but now train hard and get the 1st spot soon

Indoor is my true love. It's so fast paced... I actually have ball-handling skills which is needed for indoor keepers. Like I said in my previous post, I had a tryout invitation from Kansas City Comets, which is a MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) team. Of course, they had a good keeper that they traded for, so they best I could have hoped for was to replace the backup.
If I get out of the military after my tour in Iceland, I'll probably try to get on a MISL team.

[lytic]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Congrats, lytic.
Hopefully your ankle will fare better than mine did and will let you continue to play for awhile!

Granted, I messed mine up playing offensive midfield, hopefully it'll be a little safer for you at GK. Great job!

~tk

Thanks for feeling my pain. I've come a long way since April 2003... from not being able to walk for about 3 months to now. Though I'll still never be as fast as I once was.
2003 was bad for both of us. I broke my Scapula (shoulder blade) late Dec 2002, healed from that and ruptured the Achilles and once I was able to start joggin again in late Oct, I rebroke my Scapula. I was beginning to doubt I'd be able to play sports again. Hang in there kris...

[BreizhManu]

Good Luck !

[Mr. Wednesday]

Originally Posted by lytic

If I get out of the military after my tour in Iceland, I'll probably try to get on a MISL team.

Or equivalent, considering I believe MISL just went under.

[daedalus]

Keeper training sucks?

Congratulations, lytic. Have a good time, man.

[condors]

congrats!

[lytic]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wednesday

Or equivalent, considering I believe MISL just went under.

WHAT??!?!

I don't see anything here? http://www.misl.net/

[Mr. Wednesday]

Oops. It was just a team or two (which is still not the greatest thing to be happening).

Sorry. :o

[tucker rocky]

Is there a TV contract to show MISL games?

[Mr. Wednesday]

I believe Fox Sports World has shown them in the past.

[MacroGuru]

MISL is still around and kicking, but they aren't the friendliest people to do Biz with....

[lytic]

Originally Posted by indoorsoccersim

MISL is still around and kicking, but they aren't the friendliest people to do Biz with....

Probably because they are barely above water...

Anyway, I had my first full week of training with the team and with each training session I feel more and more confident that I *can* at this level. I also feel like I am starting to be accepted and I feel less like an outsider. My Monday session was better than my Wednesday session in term of solid play. Monday and Wednesday are played on a hardwood basketball court. It's quite painful to repeatedly dive on that. I have bruises on my elbows and knees. For the first time in my life, I'm considering elbow and knee pads. So anyway, this is probably why my Monday was better... I was very reluctant to throw myself on that floor.
Friday was a better day. Friday we play "Rocky." We go to the local boxing club and train to become a boxer. We would jump rope for 3 minutes straight, 30 second break, then do 30 pushup and 50 situps and 25 leg squats and 25 reverse situp (on your belly, lifting your head and legs up). That would tak about 2 minutes and then another 30 second break and then we would box for 3 minutes. They had 14 different type of punching bags hanging... each one was a different size, weight, and length. We'd punch up on one and get a 30 second break and do the previous exercises and move to the next punching bag and repeat. Then we had a 20 minute stretching session. We did this for just over an hour. I could barely hold the stirring wheel to drive myself home... Oh and they had music playing. I was scared to think what music they were going to play, but they had a very good soundtrack for boxing training.
Even today (Saturday) I can still feel the ache. Mostly in my lats...

So Sunday I train for an hour with Sandgerdi and then I have a friendly match with the NATO base team 30 minutes later (thankfully at the same building). I'll probably go to sleep after all that and wake up for the Pats game (2330 Iceland time).

Thanks again for all of the encouragement.

[sterlingice]

Sounds really cool. Keep us up to date

SI

[BlueMage]

Awesome man! Good luck and have fun with it... I know a professional athlete!!

[lytic]

I heard from a guy that was on the team last year that they offer contracts the week before the league season starts (everyone gets paid the same contract too). Pre-season starts in Feb, the National Cup starts in April and the league starts in May. So it may be a few months before I find out if I'm truly going to make the team. He said something about his contract being about 25,000 kronur, which is just over $400. He didn't state if that was per match, per week, per month, or total. At least I know a little more of what to expect. I sent that guy an email back with a few more questions, so hopefully they will be answered by Monday.

[lytic]

So Sunday, on a breakaway, I rolled my ankle pretty bad. I got up and walked it off and was back out there a minute later. When I got home it was so swollen, I could barely get it into my boot for work the next day. Took some Naprosin and went off to work. I called the coach and let him know I would be a no-go for the Monday night practice. I hate doing that, I'm just afraid he'll go call another keeper to workout with the team when I'm gone. Why not? I'm not proven yet. I also think I sprained my big toe on my other foot... so it was like a double limp. I didn't let anyone know about the toe though. Becky noticed since it was about twice the normal size.
Tuesday rolls around and I was still limping, but not as bad. I could lightly jog in a straight line, not cutting. Wasn't looking good...
Wednesday rolls around and it still hurts, but no limping and I can cut a bit. So I decide to roll on to practice. What I didn't know is that the other keeper called out sick, so he called up the team and had a joint practice (due to space limitations, Mon/Wed practices are split into 2 groups, one keeper on each). So I showed up for my normal time. He seemed shocked to see me... so I just joined as a player in the drills that they were doing. Monday/Wed is for power and technique...

So there is my update... I'm in pain and have black and blue all over my body, but I'm hanging in there.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by lytic

So Sunday, on a breakaway, I rolled my ankle pretty bad. I got up and walked it off and was back out there a minute later. When I got home it was so swollen, I could barely get it into my boot for work the next day. Took some Naprosin and went off to work. I called the coach and let him know I would be a no-go for the Monday night practice. I hate doing that, I'm just afraid he'll go call another keeper to workout with the team when I'm gone. Why not? I'm not proven yet. I also think I sprained my big toe on my other foot... so it was like a double limp. I didn't let anyone know about the toe though. Becky noticed since it was about twice the normal size.
Tuesday rolls around and I was still limping, but not as bad. I could lightly jog in a straight line, not cutting. Wasn't looking good...
Wednesday rolls around and it still hurts, but no limping and I can cut a bit. So I decide to roll on to practice. What I didn't know is that the other keeper called out sick, so he called up the team and had a joint practice (due to space limitations, Mon/Wed practices are split into 2 groups, one keeper on each). So I showed up for my normal time. He seemed shocked to see me... so I just joined as a player in the drills that they were doing. Monday/Wed is for power and technique...

So there is my update... I'm in pain and have black and blue all over my body, but I'm hanging in there.

Whenever you think it hurts, just realizing you're doing what a lot of us would give anything to do.

[Poli]

Your cousin's wife tore an ankle ligament. We're all cursed, I tell you.

[lytic]

Oh, for those looking, the team name is Reynir Sandgerdi. That's the english version of it anyway, the second D in Sandgerdi is actually a different character that gives off a sort of short "dth" sound.

[lytic]

Originally Posted by ardent enthusiast

Your cousin's wife tore an ankle ligament. We're all cursed, I tell you.

Your mom goes to college...

[lytic]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Whenever you think it hurts, just realizing you're doing what a lot of us would give anything to do.

That's why I was out there today doing my best... pain is temporary (well sometimes), glory is forever. I really want to make this team.

[Poli]

Originally Posted by lytic

Your mom goes to college...

?

She fell down A stair.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Is the other d-like character an eth? (ð)

Edit: Er, I think that's what that character is called.

[lytic]

ja

[lytic]

Originally Posted by ardent enthusiast

She fell down A stair.

At least she didn't fall up a stair. Hope she's feeling better. Hopefully she's fulled healed in time for the 14th.

[Poli]

Originally Posted by lytic

At least she didn't fall up a stair. Hope she's feeling better. Hopefully she's fulled healed in time for the 14th.

I hope so. She's hating life right now.

[lytic]

Time for an update:
Last Sunday, the starting keeper wasn't there so they brought in a 3rd keeper (who played rather well). Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was form, but I played like crap! I redeemed myself at the end with some good saves, but the first shot I had I started diving right and it broke left, so I kicked my foot out and saved it, hit the post, bounced off me and went in. It was a nice shot and some of these guys shots just go wherever they want but I played that one badly.
Next shot, almost at me, but had a spin so I slightly dove in the direction I knew it was going to go. Hit my hands and slipped through and went in. Like I said, I got better, but I played like crap.
Monday the coach wasn't able to make practice (we knew ahead of time), so instead of breaking up into two groups, we played like a double session. I talked to the starting keeper and he said he was christening his child and that's why he couldn't show up on Sunday. So we broke up into two teams and just played soccer. 2 touch, 3 touch but must score on first touch, unlimited touch but must score with left foot, unlimited touch but must score with head, left foot only... no keepers (we played as normal players).
Wednesday, back to normal. Both my elbows were bruised so bad. I really need something extra under my shirt. I felt really winded after this practice for some reason. Even Thursday I was tired... I asked the coach if we could work on breakaways next Wednesday and he said "OK." I also told him that Becky is getting surgery on Monday so I won't be able to make practice.
Today is Friday and I had a good boxing session. It's the first boxing session that I haven't found a way to bleed. My hands are all cut up and bruised from boxing practice. I love it, I really go to town and take out all my stress from the work week. I always feel so much better after boxing. Even the boxing coach is impressed (little does he know I did karate for 7 years and know how to hit). The coach, Gunnar Oddsson (in case any of you were wondering) came up to me after boxing and said "Jason, don't show up normal time on Sunday." I knew what was coming... I wonder if I can ask him if I can continue training with the team anyway.
"OK, what's going on?"
"We have a game, but it's at a different time than normal time."
ZING!!! Boy was I wrong...
So we have our first preseason game, and it's against Selfoss, which is another 3rd division team. He was telling me that they didn't make the final game to promote but made 3rd place. I didn't find much about their team online. He also told me I will get some play time and to be prepared.
So this is it... 13 Feb will be the official start of my pro soccer career (and I use the term career lightly).

[Poli]

Followed by an anniversary and a test for advancement. Life is good!

[lytic]

life is too busy... I'm also in civilian flying school. We have our first test on 15th. Obviously studying for E-6 is more important (even though I won't make it).

[FrogMan]

hey, this is great news, very, very cool!!! Keep us posted!

FM

[sterlingice]

Yeah, some of us who don't live cool lives have to read vicariously about "that guy we know on the internet we play computer soccer with who plays professional soccer". Not like we care if it's in Iceland or what division- it's just a really cool story

SI

[lytic]

You can say Europe... it sounds cooler tha Iceland.

"that guy we know on the internet we play computer soccer with who plays professional soccer in Europe."

[sterlingice]

I think the "guy we play internet soccer with" kills us on the cool scale

SI

[Qwikshot]

How is anything cooler than Iceland?

[PilotMan]

That is so great Lytic. I am right there with the rest of us wishing that it could be me. It is one of the best stories going around here. Maybe you should consider a dynasty about it. If you can find time between hattrick, Becky and real soccer.

[kingfc22]

That's awesome news. Good luck with your PRO debut.

[lytic]

I wonder if I can get this moved to the dynasty forum... and of course renamed.

[lytic]

The START OF MY PRO CAREER!

One of my teammates summed it up best after the game. "He was in the match?"

Anyway, I have a number... and that number is: 12. I've never been 12 before, but it's my new number.

First half:
We dominated possesion and had lots of shots just miss the net. They had the first goal off a set piece. The ball was placed just outside the 18 near the top corner. The shot bounced off someone and went wide and ended up in front of a guy off to the far side who jumped sideways while blasting the ball to the near post. Tough shot to save for sure.
We responsed with a sweet goal. The ball came in, it was 2 guys against about 5 defenders. The ball was pushed forward from the middle to one of the forwards who put it on his foot and just lifted it over a defender for an oncoming midfielder at full speed who headed the ball in. It caught everyone by surprise... how that forward knew he was coming is still a mystery to me. We then scored of a set piece ourself. The ball was kickedbounced off the keeper to our defender who shot the ball prefectly in the far top shelf. The prettiest goal you have ever seen. Didn't even hit the back of the net, it was that much into the corner. Then at the very end of the half, a questionable PK was called against us. Keeper dove to his left, shoot shot to his left. 2-2 at the half.
The second half:
...was us shooting and missing (barely) like 10 shots. They had one shot on net. There was several injuries so stoppage time looked to be about 10 minutes. Near the end of regulation time, one of our guys got hurt. The last of our subs went out and from the other side of the field (The coach helped the injured player off the field on the other side) I hear "Jason, you go in too." So I go in with about two minutes of regulation time left.
...
After about 2 minute the ref blows his whistle to end the game. The coach was mad that the ref didn't allow for any stoppage time and said that he was sorry to me, he figured I'd get abou 10 minutes.
I was so nervous. I could hear and feel my heart pounding in my chest as I was out there. I haven't felt butterflies like that in a loooong time. I had people wanting to talk to me at the end of the game, they were shouting things in Icelandic at me. I just looked at them and smiled. I couldn't get the smile off my face knowing I just played 2 minutes with a professional team (and the fact that I *only* played 2 minutes). I did tell one guy that I only spoke English and he said, "OK" and decided to go talk to someone else.
So in the locker room, the coach does his speech (in Icelandic) and turns to me and says "You have tomorrow off, we have a game here on Wednesday @ 2020, so be here about quarter til." As I said before, Becky is getting surgery tomorrow and I test on Tuesday for promotion, so I asked for Monday off. I guess that's why he didn't really respond about working on breakaways last Wednesday.
One of the guys turn to me and says, "Jason, you had a really good game." We all laughed and one guy looked confused and said "He was in the match?" I said, "Yeah, thanks... all one minute of it."

Other than that, everything else was in Icelandic.

So, without much fanfare, this American Keeper wearing the number 12 got his unofficial pro start today. Hopefully the 16th will bring about more minutes. We are playing a division I team... Keflavik (yes, the town where the base that I live on is located).

On a side note: Craig Tornberg, the GM of the New England Revolution, sent an email of congrats to me.