OT - Real Soccer [Archive] - Front Office Football Central

lytic

01-17-2005, 06:58 PM

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

01-17-2005, 07:03 PM

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

01-17-2005, 07:06 PM

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

01-17-2005, 11:45 PM

Good Luck !

Mr. Wednesday

01-18-2005, 12:42 AM

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

01-18-2005, 06:07 AM

Keeper training sucks? :D

Congratulations, lytic. Have a good time, man. :)

condors

01-18-2005, 06:30 AM

congrats!

lytic

01-18-2005, 12:02 PM

Or equivalent, considering I believe MISL just went under.

WHAT??!?!

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

Mr. Wednesday

01-18-2005, 04:06 PM

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

Sorry. :o

tucker rocky

01-21-2005, 07:48 AM

Is there a TV contract to show MISL games?

Mr. Wednesday

01-21-2005, 11:01 AM

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

MacroGuru

01-21-2005, 12:17 PM

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

lytic

01-22-2005, 07:43 AM

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

01-22-2005, 01:13 PM

Sounds really cool. Keep us up to date :)

SI

BlueMage

01-22-2005, 08:03 PM

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

lytic

01-23-2005, 07:24 AM

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

02-02-2005, 08:19 PM

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

02-02-2005, 08:22 PM

Poli

02-02-2005, 08:24 PM

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

lytic

02-02-2005, 08:29 PM

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

02-02-2005, 08:30 PM

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

Your mom goes to college...

lytic

02-02-2005, 08:32 PM

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. :cool:

Poli

02-02-2005, 08:48 PM

Your mom goes to college...

?

She fell down A stair.

Mr. Wednesday

02-02-2005, 09:29 PM

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

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

lytic

02-03-2005, 05:07 AM

lytic

02-03-2005, 05:11 AM

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

02-03-2005, 02:17 PM

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

02-11-2005, 06:16 PM

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

02-11-2005, 06:42 PM

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

lytic

02-11-2005, 06:54 PM

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

02-11-2005, 07:15 PM

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

FM

sterlingice

02-11-2005, 08:13 PM

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 :D

SI

lytic

02-11-2005, 08:45 PM

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

02-11-2005, 08:46 PM

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

SI

Qwikshot

02-11-2005, 08:49 PM

How is anything cooler than Iceland?

PilotMan

02-11-2005, 09:09 PM

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

02-12-2005, 02:55 AM

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

lytic

02-12-2005, 06:20 AM

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

lytic

02-13-2005, 05:39 PM

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. :p
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.

sterlingice

02-13-2005, 09:09 PM

GO http://www19.hattrick.org/Common/images/dresses/back/n12/dressback04.gif!

SI

PilotMan

02-13-2005, 10:39 PM

DUDE! SWEET!

Now see if that qualifies to get you officially into FM2006.

finkenst

02-13-2005, 10:47 PM

Congratulations, Lytic!

Go http://www20.hattrick.org/common/images/dresses/back/n12/dressback01.gif!

lytic

02-14-2005, 04:50 AM

I guess I failed to mention that the keeper jersey they gave me for the game was purple... and it had a fish on it (the sponsor is a fishing company). We played a team that was sponsored by Bonus, who's logo is a pig piggie bank (it's a grocery store).

I dunno if it will be purple everytime, but I'll get a picture soon (if I can get Becky out for a game).

Becky's surgery went well.

lytic

02-14-2005, 04:50 AM

DUDE! SWEET!

Now see if that qualifies to get you officially into FM2006.

If we get promoted, I don't see why not...

Vince

02-14-2005, 05:06 AM

That is tremendously amazing lytic -- I'm just as jealous of this as you are of my Superbowl trip :)

What a fantastic story -- and good luck in your future matches :)

lytic

02-15-2005, 06:33 PM

PilotMan

02-15-2005, 06:46 PM

Just a quick update... Craig Tornberg sent me another email since I had some question for him regarding the team (and the signing of Doug Warren - yes I know none of you follow MLS teams, so I won't bore you). He did say though he wants me to keep him update on my progress with the Icelandic team.

Game tomorrow!
I was wondering how you knew him? I am just starting to follow MLS. I figure in a couple of seasons I should have a handle on it. Anyway, first playing pro soccer, now talking to a GM from an MLS team. Very Cool.

lytic

02-15-2005, 07:32 PM

When I was home in between Nebraska and Iceland, I was recovering from Achilles Tendon surgery. I was just starting to jog again... what a better way to keep the physical therapy up than playing soccer for the first time since the injury? So I played ever Monday night @ Topsfield Arena. Two of the 5 nights, he was out there and was impressed with me (which was strange since I could barely move and had to take 2 tylenol #3 with codene before playing to even get through the pain of playing). After I played, my mother said, "Oh that's the GM of the Revolution. He goes out there to just play every once in a while."
I was like, "Fuck, had I known that I would have tried to play better."

My mother (yes the 50 year old soccer mom) plays at that arena with an over 30 woman's league. He actually approached her later on that month and said that he was impressed with my recovery and my bravery. He was also impressed with my natural intincts. My mom just kind of laughed it off.

So that's how I know him... through playing soccer with him in Topsfield, Massachusetts. I somehow left an impression with him (which he did say that in his email), he did find out I was playing professionally through my mother. He asked her the other day how I was doing and if I was still playing.

I guess I could post his email:

Hello Jason-

I definately remember you. For quite a long time!

Your mom mentioned you are playing in Iceland. All the best to you. Let us know how you progress -

We did sign Doug Warren (to a full contract) and continue to have Kyle as a developemental player.

Look forward to hearing from you when the matches begin-

CT

Craig Tornberg
New England Revolution
General Manager
One Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035-1388
508-384-9285
508-384-9128 (fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: Jay Gargan [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:54 PM
To: [removed]@revolutionsoccer.net
Subject: RE: Hello!

I can't believe you remember me! It's been over a year now... wow, thanks for making my day even better!

So anyway, I've been following the Revolution like I always do and noticed you signed Doug Warren. What about Kyle Singer? Is he still on the team?

I played in my first unofficial pro game tonight. It was just a preseason game, but it was a start. I am playing with an Icelandic team named Reynir Sandgerði. How did you hear about me playing all the way over here?

Well, good luck with the season... I'll be watching from Iceland!

V/R,

Jason Gargan

lytic

02-15-2005, 07:45 PM

Here is his bio: http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=10695

He's worked his way up from ticket sales to GM at the end of 2003. I've responded back to him (today), so hopefully I get can get some good inside info on developmental players and what it takes to be a GM of an MLS team.

Poli

02-16-2005, 05:17 AM

Hope you did well on your test!

KevinNU7

02-16-2005, 09:07 AM

I love this thread

lytic

02-16-2005, 12:33 PM

Hope you did well on your test!
I won't find out until Julyish... but I'm pretty sure I screwed that one all to hell. Thanks anyway :p

Poli

02-16-2005, 12:51 PM

Much like the one I'm taking in 2 weeks. Since I started working at GNC part time, I don't want to study for the exam.

lytic

02-16-2005, 06:02 PM

Game 2!
This game didn't start out so well. I remember watching and saying to myself, this is a professional team? We were missing passes, couldn't control the ball, couldn't stay onsides... The first goal was a breakaway that the starting keeper just didn't get a good position on. He made the intial save, but the ball went straight up in the air and the guy just knocked it in. The second goal shortly after that was a PK. Again the Keeper dove left and he shot right (2 times now he's picked his left and the ball went the other way, I'd love to see what he's seeing). We made a quick sub and started doing a little better. Near the end of the half they scored another. A quick pass from the right and the defender missed the slide tackle and the forward knocked it in off the keeper. Now, don't get me wrong, that starting keeper had a lot of good saves, including 2 breakaway saves and one point-blank shot.
The half time was interesting... you could tell the coach was pissed, but he talked very quietly. *shrugs* No clue what he said.
About 5 minutes into the half, he turned to me and said get yourself ready. Well I had been re-warming up since half time. So a few quick runs down the pitch and a few good stretches of the legs and I was ready and reported to the coach. He said, "I told you to get yourself ready!" I said, "I am." He kind of looked at me in disbelief and went back to the game. He yelled at some of the bench players and they started doing laps and then turned to me and said, "Go take out Ethnier." So after the missed corner kick in our end I subbed in. The place just went quiet. I lined up to take a goal kick and it wasn't very good. It made it to a player, but was very weak. "Oh great, I really look warmed up now."
Shortly after they had a breakaway, I could see it forming. "Ahh fuck, what a way to start." He touches it just outside the 18 and I hear people starting to scream at me in Icelandic (I don't think, they think I'm going to move). I start to lean forward like I was going to rush but wait. I didn't like the timing of that touch so I was betting on the fact that he'd try to touch it again instead of shooting. He did and as he touched it I raced out at the ball and slide and ended up kicking it (he tried for the far post). My defender tried to clear it, but it ended up hitting a guy in the ass. The guy that was on the breakaway broke to his near post (which was now the far post). I had to come out again after that guy and he passed it to the guy on the post who put it in out of my reach, but wait... he was sooo offsides, he was next to me. No goal!
Another botched kick by me barely got the ball out of our end (I actually kind of hit my big toe on the turf on that one)... damn that hurt. I better stop screwing up these free kicks. A little later I got passed the ball and I passed it back. This happened a few times over the match, I didn't screw those up as much.
Here they come with 4 attackers... from the left, they center it and miss the middle guy, but the winger gets in and brings it to the top center of the 18 and winds up, I tipped it over the net. Corner kick, a guy gets a head on it and it going for the corner, but rather weak. Another fairly easy save. They had a few Set Piece shots like that.
Another shot from the middle, low and hard and a short diving save from me (still not too tough). People are clapping, not sure if it was for the shot or the save.
38 minutes of play time for this game... against a division I team. I think by then end they had their B players in (like we did). We shake hands with the other team... I tell you what, that was the roughest friendly match (2 yellow cards and tons of penalties) I have ever seen.
My team all says well done after the coach is done talking to us (lord knows what about). I start for the locker and decide half way to go talk to the coach since I have no idea what he said during the game. He winks at me and said "well done" (seems to be a common English phrase I guess). He also said no boxing on Friday (damn that sucks), but to train on my own and meet at the arena on Sunday, normal time. That's about all I get out of him. Man I must stick out, because I just feel like everyone is staring at me. No one says anything really. I get dressed quietly and leave.
So I didn't let any goals in and I had about 5-6 saves (including the one breakaway). Also, I did real well on my free kicks after those first 2 (forgot to mention that)...

sterlingice

02-17-2005, 01:25 AM

Cool. Another game or two under your belt and some of those jitters will be gone :)

Sounds like you did good for your first significant playing time.

SI

MacroGuru

02-17-2005, 08:00 AM

Alright, you need to make this a dynasty....oh, and you have to get a translator to tell you whats going on...the fans could be calling you names! LOL

KevinNU7

02-17-2005, 10:57 AM

Let us know when you pop to wretched experience

FrogMan

02-17-2005, 10:59 AM

hey come on, it's gonna be a while on that pace. He's got what, 0.2 points of experience? Two friendlies, not even international ones, that's about 0.1 point per friendly... :D

Seriously lytic, great, great reading. Keep us posted!

FM

lytic

02-17-2005, 02:37 PM

well if that's the case, what does 20 years of "friendlies" count as? :p

I gotta at least be poor by now.

FrogMan

02-17-2005, 02:40 PM

they don't count, you were not in the right league :p

FM

lytic

02-17-2005, 02:40 PM

Cool. Another game or two under your belt and some of those jitters will be gone :)

Sounds like you did good for your first significant playing time.

SI

By the end of that game I felt comfortable... I've never been a backup before. It's hard to come off the bench and go play. Unless I start a match, I don't think I'll ever get rid of the jitters.

Qwikshot

02-17-2005, 03:46 PM

Alright, you need to make this a dynasty....oh, and you have to get a translator to tell you whats going on...the fans could be calling you names! LOL

Probably best not to get a translator if they're calling you names.

lytic

02-17-2005, 06:16 PM

96% of the people speak here enough English to have decent communication. Icelandics are usually quite direct... if they have something important to say, I'm sure they'll say it in English.

lytic

02-20-2005, 01:50 PM

Had practice today. Most of the team was off since try-out for the U-23 team was today or something... I dunno. Only notable thing was the coach pulled me aside after practice and said I need to "...push yourself more. Practice is the place to really push youself." I was thinking to myself, I know I didn't have the greatest practice and my toe still hurts but I didn't think I wasn't trying at all times. He was pretty heated when he said it. I had some good saves, but I let some goals in that were just out of reach (due to well placed shots). I dunno... the other keeper said that he was impressed with my performance on Wednesday (game 2).
After post-practice push-ups and sit-ups, I asked him if the schedule is normal this week. He said no, we have a game on Tuesday against Njardvik. He said he would let me know the time tomorrow.
Game 3 coming soon...

sterlingice

02-20-2005, 11:31 PM

C'mon. You need to bust it harder, rook ;)

SI

Vince

02-20-2005, 11:49 PM

Keep up the good work lytic -- sounds like you're getting some good PT out there.

lytic

02-21-2005, 07:11 PM

Tonight's practice was better. He only had one bit of coaching for me. He said that I was making my move on breakaways too soon (I finally got that breakaway practice I had been asking for), in that I was going down too early. Other than that, I had some good saves. I'm definatly seeing the ball better than I did 2 months ago. The double curved balls don't trick me as much and I can recognize the lack of spin on those shots. So either the shots are slowing down or the game is slowing down for me.
Game tomorrow is @ 1830 GMT.

kingfc22

02-22-2005, 03:14 PM

Good luck tomorrow lytic.

Raven Hawk

02-22-2005, 03:40 PM

Good luck, lytic. Get some good saves!

lytic

02-22-2005, 06:21 PM

So I asked the coach before the game if they were in the 3rd division also. He said "neigh" (no). They were just relegated from division I to division II. Zing! Gonna be a hard game...
First half, we go up 1-0 on a PK. The guy was taking a cross-pass and the defender knew he was beat so he stuck his foot up there and kicked the guy in the head. I think he was going for the ball, but he got all chest and head. Before I go on, let me just say that there was 8 yellow cards issued, 4 for us - 4 for them.
I gotta say that the starting keeper had an awesome game. The only reason the team is still in it is because of his awesome saves. He had about 3 point blank saves and 2 breakaway saves and 1 or 2 top corner saves. When the whistle blew I had to run out there and congradulate him. That was just brilliant goaltending.
After the half, they look liked they scored. It was a beautiful set up on a cross, the guy got sideways and blasted it in. They actually had brought the ball all the way to the center. I guess they couldn't hear the ref's whistle because he stayed in the back with his hand up in air signaling offsides. I think we got a gift, but I couldn't tell from where I was standing. After that I started to rewarm up. As I was jogging down the sideline, we had a huge swing in momentum and brought the ball down the right sideline. The forward faked the pass and shot it... most beautiful top right corner shot you'll ever see. That offsides call really deflated the other team. Up to that point, we were pretty much even.
They ended up scoring a goal shortly after that. It almost looked identical to the one called back.
We ended up scoring one more before I went in net. It was a long shot that just floated in.
Before I go on I have to say this: in all honesty, I looked at that other keeper and said, "wow, I am so much better than him." I know I'm not super-keeper or I'd be playing in the MLS right now. Hell, I'm probably not even the best keeper on my current team. That team isn't going anywhere if he is the starting keeper. They only had the one keeper, so I'm hoping for their sake that he was their backup. I almost wonder if I'm playing for the wrong team... I'm really thankful that Gunnar Oddsson has really given me a chance to prove that I can play at this level. Since I'm only in Iceland for this season, I'll stay with Sandgerdi. I just wonder if I could be starting somewhere else.

Anyway, I got 15 minutes of playtime. Not sure why it was cut down from last game. The stats don't lie... I haven't let in a goal yet. I thought I proved myself last game. Maybe it was my "lack of effort" in practice, maybe it was the fact that we were beating a former division I team and he's comfortable with the starting keeper, maybe he just forgot about me since he was really into this game, maybe it was a combination of both.
You could tell after the 3rd goal and with 15 minutes left, we were pulled back playing defensively. I touched the ball a couple times, mostly deflected shots that I stopped from going out of bounds. I only really had one save. It was a corner kick. The ball was put out on the 18 and the guy just teed off and shot it hard at the top shelf. I dove up (sound weird) and off to my right and punched it with my left just over the bar and landed on my back and rolled over my head and on to my feet (can you picture that?). So I sorta had to dive back to get to it. It was a really nice save. The applause was audible and even my whole team came and patted me on the back (you know, since it was a corner kick and they were there anyway). "Nice, nice save Jason." The next corner kick was cleared out and I never touched the ball again as they just wasted the clock with some keep-away.

As I walked off the field, I was shaking hands with the other players when my coach came up to me and said, "That was a real nice instinct save Jason! Good job tonight!" He didn't talk to any of the other players until we got in the lockerroom. Made me feel a little better. Still not sure if he was mad at me or disappointed in me or whatever. Doesn't really matter I guess... I'm a gametime keeper. The adrenaline doesn't flow in practice like it does in a game. I wouldn't have been able to make that save in practice.
Ever see Miracle (the movie)? The coach tells the goalie that he has another level and he needs to get there. Maybe he sees that in me.
(On another note: my good hometown friend plays the Captain in that movie... Patrick Dempsey plays Mike Eurizone. I don't talk to him that much anymore, but that's what happens when you move away.)
In the lockerroom, his speech was really short (30 seconds maybe) and you could tell he was happy.

Not sure when the next game is... but got practice tomorrow. Good night.

kingfc22

02-22-2005, 07:35 PM

Awesome!

Coffee Warlord

02-23-2005, 11:44 AM

I didn't get to reading this till yesterday. Wow. Just...wow.

Kick. Ass.

lytic

02-23-2005, 06:06 PM

Just wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone for the support, it's really made this a lot of fun for me.
So after practice today, there was rumors about a keeper trade. The possible incoming keeper was a premier league keeper who got hurt last season and was replaced. That leaves me to speculate that the starting keeper will be on his way up or I'm on my way out. I didn't hear my name brought up in the conversation, but I did hear the starting keepers name a few times. I'll see what info I can get from the coach on Friday at boxing practice.

lytic

02-25-2005, 09:36 PM

Someone linked this thread from bigsoccer.com, so I might as well link back.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143545&page=7&pp=15

lytic

02-25-2005, 09:44 PM

The keeper in question is a Former U-23 National Team Keeper who just turned 24. Should make things interesting since we'll have 4 keepers in camp starting Sunday... starting to get a little crowded.
As of right now, the coach said I will remain in the #2 spot. It's mine to lose.

Desnudo

02-26-2005, 01:49 PM

Good luck. Like everyone else, I'm enjoying this thread immensely.

lytic

02-27-2005, 01:53 PM

... and for my 2000th post here at FOFC.

Today, all 4 keepers showed up. I guess I really am #2 on the depth chart. I played keeper the entire practice while the other 2 did laps. I really felt like I was looking over my shoulder the entire time. They were like vulchers waiting for my to slip. I'd say I had a fairly productive practice. I was yelled at once for a bad distribution. I rolled the ball to a guy to his outside, he was running with the ball and a guy intercepted it. It was my fault for not telling him he had a guy on his back coming hard. I had several good saves and the goals that went in, no one could have saved. I only let in one that I should have saved, I was screened badly and the shot slipped in between my hands since I couldn't react fast enough. I didn't let a goal in the second half of practice though. I did hear quite a few "Good save Jason!" from him today.
After the practice I asked the coach how we were going to do practice on Mon/Wed with 4 keepers, he said, "That's my problem." I said, "That's very true." I hate suspense like that. If he doesn't know then fine...
Now I don't blame him for bringing in more talent in probably the deepest position on the team. I would have done the same thing in his shoes. You can never have enough talent on the team in any position... it also brings the competition up within the team. This should be an interesting week though. As for the former U-23 keeper. He's really short (5'6" maybe?), obviously I didn't get to see him play today, so I don't know how good he is. I think he'll be on the squad regardless. From what I've heard he's their keeper of the future. I'm going to have to play a lot better than him since, just a little better won't cut it for a 1 year player. Do you really think Phillip Rivers could lead a team better than Doug Flutie? Technically, this is a different situation since he's 24 and I'm about to turn 26 and he probably has more experience than I do.
Note to self: Stop pissing the coach off.

In other news, we play the U-21 Icelandic National team later this week. Coach said it looks like Saturday. He'll have more info @ Wednesday's practice.

Desnudo

02-27-2005, 04:20 PM

Is it just you that has some problems with the coach or is he just a bit of a hot head?

lytic

02-27-2005, 06:30 PM

Honestly, I dunno... I can't figure Icelandic's out. *heh* All I've been told is that they are very direct and don't beat around the bush.

Soccer is his passion, he takes it very seriously.

PilotMan

02-27-2005, 06:52 PM

Hey, whatever happens, happens. I love this thread though. Keep it up, I need to live vicariously thorough someone.

lytic

02-28-2005, 07:08 PM

Not a big update, but I continued to take all of the play time during practice tonight.

Tha game is on for Saturday... not sure of the time yet.

Desnudo

03-01-2005, 12:56 AM

Honestly, I dunno... I can't figure Icelandic's out. *heh* All I've been told is that they are very direct and don't beat around the bush.

Soccer is his passion, he takes it very seriously.

Have you tried talking only in quotes from Arnold Schwarzenegger movies?

lytic

03-01-2005, 04:26 PM

No. I tried Napolean Dynomite, but that didn't work either. I was gonna try Team America next.

sterlingice

03-01-2005, 05:31 PM

Next, you might want to try good movies.

SI

lytic

03-02-2005, 03:25 PM

Was out sick yesterday from work, worked a half day (1100-1630) today, but Theraflu came through for me again today. I warned the coach that I wasn't @ 100%, he asked if I wanted the day off and I said I wanted to play and I would just do my best. Dunno if I get bonus points or not for that, but again I got all the play time @ practice. In fact the other keeper wasn't even at my session. I did my best.
The coach told me we play 1430 Saturday in Kef against the U-19 team (I've been saying U-21 but I was wrong... my Icelandic isn't that good). We also have a game Tuesday in Reykjavik (the capitol and largest city in Iceland). Sad part is, today I was notified that I will be working full shift Sat & Sun and a 12 hour on Monday in preperation for a big inspection next week Tues-Friday. I'm really pissed off about it too. It's not like we are behind or anything. The Major just wants us to come in, to come in (because he can). So my bosses are telling to have things to do this weekend at work or the Major will find things for me to do. I think that's utter bullshit, but I am a military member first and a family man second and a soccer player third.

*sigh*

lytic

03-04-2005, 06:47 PM

Didn't go to boxing tonight... my lungs and sinuses are still filled up and congested.
However, I don't have to work tomorrow!!! I called my coach to let him know that I will be there for the game and he seemed happy about that.

I'm going to bed. Stupid virus.

Maltby

03-04-2005, 06:51 PM

be careful in what you take for it..don't wanna fail a drug test :)

lytic

03-05-2005, 04:23 PM

Today we played the U19 Icelandic National Team. Kind of a trip if you think about it... this is the future National Team and I played against them. They were quiet good. They always seemed to be in the right place and always put the ball where it was supposed to go. No one was ever out of position or too tired to run up or run back when needed. Quite an amazing bunch of athletes. It was fun to watch them from the bench and nerve-racking to be the keeper against them.
I played the last 10 minutes of the game. I had 3 shots, none were on net (2 barely went wide, but I had it covered). So no saves recorded. I was kind of disappointed that I only got 10 minutes. I was really hoping to see some significant time against them.
One of our other keepers was there on the bench with us. He wasn't dressed for the game, so I'm wondering if I'm getting play time because he's injured. Anyway, other than screwing up another goalkick, I did alright.

Coffee Warlord

03-07-2005, 01:30 AM

Talk to your wife. She knows her shit when it comes to set pieces. Sounds like you need some help here. :)

Did that new keeper (the former National Teamer) play this one?

lytic

03-07-2005, 01:17 PM

nope, he wasn't dressed for the game.

lytic

03-09-2005, 12:53 PM

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I was quite busy. So we played our first away game against a division II game. 2 of my friends came with me and took some pictures and one video taped some of the game (when he wasn't distracted by the Icelandic women around him). The coach knew they came so I think I got some extra playtime because of it *shrugs* They were the only Reynir fans there...
The Arena was AWESOME. It wasn't turf with sand like the one we play on in Keflavik (home turf), it was fake grass with black rubber balls and gave a real grass feel. You could slide on it and not get hurt. It slowed the ball down considerably compared to the astroturf with sand and bounced a lot different... but it was super sweet to play in that huge arena on this awesome fake grass field. They had huge locker rooms and overall was just a really nice place to be. The seating wasn't as nice as the one in Kef though...
Anyway on to the game.
5 minutes into the game the other team scored on a PK. The keeper picked the right direction, but just missed under his hand. They scored again like 5 minutes later on a breakaway that looked offsides to everyone. They scored their 3rd goal on a nice through pass about 30 minutes into the match. The outcome didn't look good at all. That's the worst I've seen the other keeper play, but he still have one nice save. We ended up scoring 1 about the 40 minute mark on an awesome effort by our best midfielder, he basically dribbled ball through 3 defenders and did like a fake kick with his right and brought his left around back lighting fast and kicked it to the other post.
3-1 was the score at half time (did that seem hattrick like to you?)
We scored one very similar to our first goal a few minutes into the second half by the same guy... he dribbled through 3 guys and blasted one away. They scored one right after that goal on a corner kick. We scored on a PK about 5 minutes after that and then I was sent in. I got about 35 minutes of play, not sure since they don't have a big visible clock like Kef. I had one nice grab shortly after. A guy brought it down our right flank and almost down the end line crossed it to an open forward. I jumped up and to my left and tipped it up and then grabbed that out of the air before the cross was made. I felt "Like Mike"... I just barely got up for that. They had 2 long sends to just outside the 18 that I had to come out and get. The first one was off to my left and wasn't going to enter the box... I came out and faked the big kick to get the forward to jump and passed it to my open defender on the line. The other one was more centered and I just blasted that one. I had another one from my left that I had to run out for and just beat the defender right at the 18. With about 2 minutes left in the game, my shutout streak ended. :( It was on a corner kick. They had a guy assigned to me. They put 3 guys in front of me, but one was facing me and not the ball. He was shorter than me so I wasn't too concerned. The ball was just about where I made my grab before, but as I took my step back I dropped my arms so I could help myself up higher (by throwing my arms in the air), but the guy in front of me grabbed my arms and pulled me down a bit. Obviously the ref didn't see it because he was out of position and the assistant ref (aka lineman) was blocked by the other 2 guys in front of me. So as it sailed over me they booted it in. I should have pushed off that one guy, but I didn't expect to be pulled down by him. I have played that corner over in my head for the past 20 hours and I'm so discusted that it went in. I'm mad that the ref was out of position, I'm mad at myself for thinking the guy wasn't going to touch me and was just being a pest, I'm just really disappointed that it went in. It looks bad on my part because I couldn't get up high enough for it.
Oh well, off to practice. Game Sunday @ Home and another game the Sunday after that in the biggest arena in Iceland (also where I saw Metalica back in May).

PilotMan

03-10-2005, 08:02 AM

I was a cheater in soccer. I went to trip a guy in our penalty area by running perpendicular to him and intending to sweep his leg. Anyway I missed his leg, but thought there is no way he is getting this shot off. I swung my arm on the follow through and my fingers caught under his shorts on his shooting (left) leg. I pulled for all I was worth and could hear the tear from his shorts. He blew the shot and the refs missed the call. I can hear him screaming all the way up the fields at the refs. It was great, and I knew I was lucky.

lytic

03-12-2005, 02:35 PM

We ran 10 km (about 6 miles) today in -3c temp (26f). It just happened to be the coldest day of the past 2 months... I'm so tired.

Boxing was yesterday and we got a game tomorrow against a division III (same as us) team at our home. I'll try and get a pic posted from the last game.

finkenst

03-12-2005, 02:43 PM

We ran 10,000 km (about 6 miles) today in -3c temp (26f). It just happened to be the coldest day of the past 2 months... I'm so tired.

Boxing was yesterday and we got a game tomorrow against a division III (same as us) team at our home. I'll try and get a pic posted from the last game.
i hope you're dead-tired, lytic, you just ran 6000 miles.

bjceac

03-12-2005, 06:44 PM

They had a guy assigned to me. They put 3 guys in front of me, but one was facing me and not the ball. He was shorter than me so I wasn't too concerned. The ball was just about where I made my grab before, but as I took my step back I dropped my arms so I could help myself up higher (by throwing my arms in the air), but the guy in front of me grabbed my arms and pulled me down a bit. Obviously the ref didn't see it because he was out of position and the assistant ref (aka lineman) was blocked by the other 2 guys in front of me.

One of my red cards back in the day was on a situation like that. From experience, head butting is not the answer. But it makes you feel better.

lytic

03-13-2005, 07:33 AM

i hope you're dead-tired, lytic, you just ran 6000 miles.

Yup I sure am... in fact I was so tired I totally typed that wrong. (I meant 10 km :P)

lytic

03-13-2005, 07:35 AM

Today was an official league preseason game, so I wasn't aloud to play since I don't have a clearance from the US yet. The starting 11 and 5 official subs had to sign forms to play.
We ended up winning 3-0.

PilotMan

03-13-2005, 08:42 AM

Today was an official league preseason game, so I wasn't aloud to play since I don't have a clearance from the US yet.
What's the process and timeline look like?

lytic

03-13-2005, 03:28 PM

First I have to get a contract. Then I have to get the league to sign a few forms that I have to fill out (already downloaded from the ussoccer.com). Then I have to send them to the US and then they do a background check. They check every state that I've ever played in to make sure I'm not suspended and that I'm going to represent the US in a good light. Then once I get approval, I have to show the league.

lytic

03-15-2005, 06:12 PM

The game Sunday is another official League game, so I'll probably be sitting on the bench again.

lytic

03-15-2005, 06:19 PM

hit tab enter by accident...
... but I did get all the play time at Monday's practice. How bizarre is this whole situation turning out? If they want me as the #2 why don't they just sign me now and let me get my clearance from the US? Maybe they just can't yet... *shrugs* Oh well, I'll just keep doing my thing.

PilotMan

03-15-2005, 06:49 PM

It sounds like given the number of keepers currenly on the team that they are giving a very long, hard look to see if it is going to be worth the trouble to make you go through the whole process. I am sure they would hate for you to do it all then get cut.

lytic

03-19-2005, 07:57 PM

A little preseason action for Jason Gargan with Reynir Sangerdi.

This is a shot for the far post:
Picture #1 (http://www.mwr.is/~gargan/images/b4shot.jpg)

The ball was tipped up and grabbed, this was moving the ball for the punt:
Picture #2 (http://www.mwr.is/~gargan/images/aftershot.jpg)

Shortly after there was a corner kick, this is setting up the coverage:
Picture #3 (http://www.mwr.is/~gargan/images/cornerkickcoverage.jpg)

Shortly after distributing the ball to the wingback:
Picture #4 (http://www.mwr.is/~gargan/images/distribute.jpg)

Edit: I'll just do links until I get time to shrink the pictures...

Coffee Warlord

03-19-2005, 09:07 PM

The backwards hat and the glasses just scream 'badass keeper'.

lytic

03-20-2005, 07:38 AM

I wish I got eye correction surgery before I left for Iceland... Those "Glasses" are actually my gas mask inserts. If I make the team, I'll go buy semi normal looking glasses.

The backwards hat is a tribute to Walter Zenga, the greatest keeper EVER.

Coffee Warlord

03-20-2005, 01:21 PM

No, keep the goofy glasses, as long as they work.

It's your flair.

lytic

03-20-2005, 06:23 PM

At least I don't have 12 pieces...

lytic

03-20-2005, 07:45 PM

So today we beat the team that beat Reynir last season in the semi finals. They ended up losing in the finals for a chance to promote to division II. We beat them 3-1! This is quite the feat since we lost 2 guys to injury (both required stitches) within the first 5 minutes of the game. We lost another guy to injury near the end of the first half. He got elbowed in the back... We ended up losing a 4th to injury about 75 minutes into the match. It was a rough match... very very physical. That was a very enjoyable match, the crowd was really into it and the "underdog" team pulled out an amazing win away from home.
The Arena we played in, is the biggest and best in the country. It's also where I saw Metalica last May. State of the Art. Just had to throw that in there... next time I'm there, I'll have to get some pictures.

Anyway, I was the official Assistant Coach of the match. Since I'm still not under contract and it was an official preseason match (where people had to sign in with SSNs), I couldn't play. However, I rode with the coach since I was near out of gas and I was going to follow him anyway. He told me that I was still the second best keeper on the team in his eyes. He also said that he sees more "will" from me than the other two. He can tell that I really want to play for the team. I told him the other day that my parents will be visiting in July and I wanted to know the projected schedule of July's games. He made me a copy of the projected games and was interested in meeting my parents, so this is all good signs that despite me not getting PT right now, I'm still the favorite for the spot. Oh yeah, there was no backup keeper tonight. The other two weren't even at the match.

bosshogg23

03-22-2005, 04:51 PM

Just started reading your thread/dynasty yesterday. I have to say its pretty interesting. I think its great that someone is getting to live out a dream and it makes a helluva read!

lytic

03-25-2005, 11:20 AM

We have 6 days off for Easter... they take the holiday pretty serious over here.
Good for me, my body needed the break. Get some hold em and a LAN party in.

Desnudo

03-25-2005, 02:26 PM

So what are the work permit requirements for you to play in a legit match?

lytic

03-25-2005, 06:31 PM

Contract, League Approval, USSF approval.

lytic

03-28-2005, 01:01 PM

I just got news that I'll be traveling to the Faroe Islands for 6 days with the team, 01-06 June. I'm pretty excited about it actually. An international player playing an international game with the team. Granted Faroe Islands isn't exactly that much different than Iceland and I think they even speak the same language... but still it's pretty cool.
We are now done with the Easter Holiday (like I said, they take Easter seriously, the whole island shuts down mid-Thursday and doesn't open again until Tuesday)... practice starts up again tomorrow.

Well I finally got KOTOR 2 for PC, so I got stuff to do.

MacroGuru

03-28-2005, 03:01 PM

So, are they going to move forward getting your requirements done now?

FrogMan

03-29-2005, 11:02 AM

unrelated to your real life soccer playing, but this link found on the General Discussion forum made me think about you:

The Goalkeeper PC game (http://www.winterwolves.com/pc_mac_games5.htm)

Ever wanted to take the role of a great goalkeeper?
Now with The Goalkeeper game you can!
Create your own goalkeeper, choosing between Handling, Reflexes, Jumping and Charisma skill. Then select your starting team from 6 different leagues: England, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Netherland.

The game features the Training Screen, where you can train yourself to increase your skills and your chances to do well in the next match. Then there's the Statistics Screen, where you can take a look at every possible stats you want! Lastly, the Contract/Coach Talk Screen will let you choose your attitude towards the team, if you want to stay there or move, and also talk to your coach to convince him to make you play the next match (in case he don't think that way!).

http://www.winterwolves.com/images/gk01.jpg

I thought it looked pretty interesting :)

FM

lytic

03-31-2005, 04:55 PM

I wish I had better handling...

lytic

03-31-2005, 04:58 PM

So, are they going to move forward getting your requirements done now?

I'm always left in the dark... and I don't want to ask. I am friends with the assistant coach's son (now a Hold 'em player as well as soccer player :cool: ), he said that he think's I'll be getting the contract soon. Other than the starting keeper (and also team captain now), I've had the most play time. However, I hurt my back and cannot play in Sunday's game. :(

lytic

04-03-2005, 07:14 PM

Still have a bad back... brought my boys to the game and left at half time. It was 2-0 them... 2 defensive blunder goals. Keeper had no chance. It was funny, I was thinking of that hattrick line as I saw the 2 goals.

Desnudo

04-03-2005, 09:44 PM

Were they probably due to a lack of experience?

lytic

04-04-2005, 06:55 AM

One of the central defenders is 17 (but very good). We actually had a new guy on the Wingback and the normal Wingerback as the other central defender, so I think they just weren't used to playing with each other, so yes... out of lack of experience.

Raven Hawk

04-04-2005, 01:16 PM

I just got caught up on the story line. I hope that contract comes soon. Also, does a trip to the Faroe Islands conflict with any USAF responsibilities that you might have? How is that being handled?

lytic

04-06-2005, 03:16 PM

I requested leave from 01-07 June... I have 58 days of leave saved up. :) So yeah, it would have majorly interfered, but I like to keep my leave balance around it's max for things that come up like this.

My back is finally well enough (definatly not 100%, but that's what my Flexeril is for), but it snowed and it was about 25F degrees out today with a 20 knot wind. Needless to say, practice was canceled. We are off tomorrow and practice is on for Friday and Sat. It's supposed to be snow/rain on those days, but in the 40s, so it won't be so bad.

Desnudo

04-06-2005, 05:49 PM

When does it warm up there?

lytic

04-09-2005, 05:15 AM

It warms and cool with the north and south winds. About a month ago it was in the 60s. It's in the mid 40s, so if the wind wasn't blowing it would be pleasent.

Anyway, I was back on the field yesterday and it felt GOOD. I split time with the former-U23 backup. I did a LOT better than him. In fact, my coach, who was playing on the other team (you know, we just divide up who was there) came up to me at the end and said, don't worry about that last one you had 2 really good saves today. That last one refers to the last goal wins and the losing team does suicides. The shot was not very fast... I had it covered but it bounced off my defender which I didn't expect. I was diving up and to the right, but I had to kick my legs out to get as long as possible. I got a finger on it and it hit the post and went in.
I played the left wing position when the other keeper was in. He let 3 goals in that hit him in the hands and just overall had a lackluster performance. I did OK as a field player. It's fun as a keeper and going out to the field, they don't expect much of you. Most of the time if I get it, I just send the ball in the middle if someone gets close. The fun part is that one or two times that I fake and go around them. They usually look like a total idiot. :D It's also good for my stamina since I haven't run but twice in like 2 weeks.
My "good" saves were decent, but nothing I thought were above and beyond. The first one was a corner kick. The ball was curving away from me and landed right at a forwards foot, who blasted it at my far post. I dove and hit it which stopped it at the line and jumped on it. The other was partly my fault. I rolled the ball out to a guy, who at the split second before I rolled it hurt his ankle and fell down. I couldn't stop myself in time which cause my roll to be really weak and straight to a guy for a breakaway. I came out a few steps and he went near side (never go near side on me). I kicked my right leg to my left to force myself down faster and just pushed it past the post. The other was just a big mess with everyone in front of my goal during free kick. One of the guys grabbed my shirt and another grabbed my arm but I still found a way to bring them with me as I dove on the ball. The guy who grabbed my shirt was the one that grabbed my shirt last time and reinjured my back. He got up and said, "You fouled me Jason," with a smile. I said, "Faaack you" and lightly punched him... "Now that was a real foul," with a laugh. I was really pissed while I was getting pulled in every direction, I was ready to throw a real punch to get him off me. After I got the ball I was better though. Last time when I hurt my back, he ended up scoring. If there was a ref, more than likely a foul would have been called both times.

Well I'm off to Saturday morning practice.

On a side note... I won $200 at our friendly friday night hold 'em game last night. So overall it was a very good night for me.

jddurango

04-09-2005, 02:49 PM

I too just got caught up...

Man Jason, i definitely wish you the best in pursuing your dream! This is a really neat story and I already can't wait for the next update.

You'll remember this for the rest of your life!

PH

lytic

04-13-2005, 07:05 PM

After a good week of practice, probably my best week (solid/excellent form, if you will), I finally got enough courage to ask the coach his plan with his 4 keepers.
He told me he currently plans on taking 2 keepers on contract and 1-2 keepers on the B squad. He said currently I am the #2 keeper, but he can't give me a contract yet because another keeper (usually listed as the #4 keeper by me in the past since I never see him) has a bad back and he's waiting for him to come back to take a better look at him. He said he more inclined to give him a contract because he is a local and will be around (unlike me, who will be gone next year). He said that if I don't end up getting a contract he would allow me to continue training as the #3 keeper and sign on the team as an Assistant Coach so I can go to all the games. So I may have a number in the 20s instead of 12. He said he doesn't like to go into a season with less than 3 keepers. The #1 Keeper is 31 and could get injured. The guys he's waiting for is in his late 20s and is having back problems. I've played through all of my injuries, and I'm a fast healer. I think I currently have a broken pinky toe on my right foot, I think I may have actually cracked my right arm slight. I can't carry heavy objects right now and I don't have as much rotation in my wrist. My left Achilles hurts more than usual. I think I pulled a muscle in my lower stomach. On top of it, my back still hurts from a few weeks ago (Obviously not as bad). I'm just getting old... but I keep telling myself the old cliche "Pain is temporary, Glory is forever."

Anyway, we have a game tomorrow and I'm going to ride with the coach again, so maybe I can pull some more info out of him. I'll be the Assistant Coach tomorrow since it's another official friendly.

Honestly, I think my biggest knock is that I haven't been consistant and that can be frustrating from a coach's perspective. At first my confidence was low and I was nervous. The game has slowed down for me and I feel that I'm really playing at this level instead of playing up to the competition. My confidence is a lot better. The shots on net no longer look like 70 MPH shots. Today I was a little shakey after an awesome week of practices. I gave up on a breakaway that I shouldn't have. I don't know why I do it... I wouldn't do it in a game, but in practices sometimes I hold back if I don't think I have a chance of getting it, probably to avoid a possible injury. I need to get over that mental hump. Some of my distributions were less than perfect resulting in a turnover near our net (we only play half field right now). However, I had a few assists off distributions today too. How can I look brilliant on one throw and then totally biff another? I believe I have more of a physical talent than the other 2 keepers currently playing (I don't know enough about #4). I'm taller than both of them, I am at a good weight for my height, while #1 is quite a bit overweight (even though he doesn't move like it), and #3 is very underweight and very short. I just need to work on the mental part of my game.

Well thanks to everyone who continues to read this. I hope I don't let you down.

Vince

04-13-2005, 10:45 PM

You've already done enough to assure that you won't disappoint my friend.

Maltby

04-14-2005, 05:06 PM

I doubt anyone would say you've squandered your opportunity.

lytic

04-17-2005, 11:06 AM

I didn't get out work fast enough to ride with the coach, so I drove to the game. It was an awesome looking sports complex with about 10 different soccer fields of different shapes and sizes to include an indoor style outdoor field and a street style (with authentic chain-link fence) around it. The main arena (where we played) was a fake grass with the black rubber balls on it, even though it is an outdoor field with a cover seat stadium to seat about 2000-3000. Only 30-40 showed up. I guess they have some U20 Matches at that stadium.
Anyway, we played a team that was bumped out of division I to division II. We had 3 red cards (2 were 2nd yellows) and 4 yellows. The other team had 6 yellows. Funny thing is that this was less violent than most of the other games we've played. The reds were all basically swearing at the Ref.
I think the final was 6-0.

Practice the next day... and I didn't play so hot. My form must have dropped. The wind was blowing hard and I always felt like an inch behind the ball. I just missed shots by an inch most of the time. My throws and kicks were off... I can only blame the wind for so much. This is Iceland so I have to get used to the wind. Hopefully I play better today.

sterlingice

04-17-2005, 02:55 PM

Wait until your form update next Thursday. You'll be good to go again.

SI

lytic

04-17-2005, 04:09 PM

My form changes daily... which sucks.

lytic

04-25-2005, 04:40 PM

Well, my week continued to suck. It was my worst week of soccer in a looooooooong time. I rode with the coach to our game last night here (http://egilshollin.is/). On the way back, we discussed the keeper situation some more. This other keeper, the one I've been calling #4. His name sounds like Ingly, BTW. He's been playing with a recently demoted from division I team. Not sure why he wants to play on the division III team, but it looks like he may never come out since he got a well paying job as a manager of a grocery store. He appearantly was going to push the #1 keeper and captain of the team for the job of #1 keeper. We also discussed my struggles this week. He noted that I had a really good week last week and that I looked like the best keeper on the team... he also said that bad form is just part of playing. He said that I've come around and overall am looking better.
He should find out by the end of the month if that Ingly guy is going to come out or not. If he doesn't I have a very good chance of making the team.

As for today, I felt a little better, but not much. I had the game winning assist in practice. They kicked it back to me and I had a guy sprinting I faked like I was going to kick it and made him look like a fool. I faked the pass to a defender and burned another would be attacker. I saw a guy streaking down the wing and placed it perfectly in stride for the shot. It was sweet. The guys looked at me stunned since I had pretty much been below average all day (and week). I had a few good saves, but mostly I still didn't get good positioning on the shots. I hope my form swings back soon... maybe a change of scenery will help. We start playing on grass next week.

It's not over yet!

robbgmaier

04-25-2005, 06:49 PM

keep up the good work dude (do they say dude in iceland?). maybe your form is just from you being sore and beat up?

sterlingice

04-26-2005, 01:47 AM

Not sure why he wants to play on the division III team, but it looks like he may never come out since he got a well paying job as a manager of a grocery store.
Such is life in "minor league" sports. "Darn, I can't play, coach. I got a promotion and now have to keep watch over the cabbage."

SI

RPI-Fan

04-26-2005, 11:14 PM

My U19 soccer season starts tomorrow night! Hopefully I can get in form early on and have a good time.

lytic

04-28-2005, 04:50 PM

This week was better in terms of last week, but I still feel a little mechanical. Not as fluid as I should be... though I did have a lot better saves today than I have had all week. Today was also the first day we played on grass. What a relief... that sand and rock pitch was killin' me.

I did get news yesterday though, I have been accepted to ROTC and may be leaving the Island in September instead of Feb. This may cut my season short. 2 dreams in the same hand and you can only hold one. Being that I am a family man with 3 kids, I need to take the one that is financially stable. I'll know more about that on 11 May. Until then I have to keep it out of my head and focus on winning the #2 job.

lytic

04-28-2005, 05:05 PM

I forgot to post that it's been 2 years since my Achilles Tendon repair surgery this month. I don't remember the exact day (it may on this forum somewhere), but I think 24 April rings a bell.

RPI-Fan

04-28-2005, 07:09 PM

My U19 soccer season starts tomorrow night! Hopefully I can get in form early on and have a good time.

Great practice last night... we have some guys who can play this year.

FrogMan

04-29-2005, 07:27 AM

can I post here that my son has been selected for the intercity U9 squad?

Well, I'll do it anyway :) Andrew's indeed been selected, after 5 or 6 Sundays of weekly practices, to play in the squad that will represent the City of Lévis in the Québec Métro Soccer League. Instead of simply playing locally, he'll get to play against kids of other cities in the immediate Quebec City area, and I'll get the pleasure to drive him around :)

Seriously, I'm very proud of him, especially that he just turned 8 in March, so he's a year younger than many of the other kids. He's still gotta work on many skills, but he's a natural stay-at-home defender and such things/instincts are hard to find in 8-9 year old little boys...

First on board, the Dynamo Cup, a 7 men soccer outdoor tournament that'll kick off their season in the May 21-22 weekend. Hopefully, the snow we're getting right now will have stopped by then...

That is all...

FM

finketr

04-29-2005, 01:58 PM

well, FM, with him playing before his 9th year, he'll have better experience and get more stars when he's 9.

FrogMan

04-29-2005, 02:01 PM

yeah, I only hope that since the next three weeks are still officially offseason, they won't train stamina too much. Wouldn't want him to be in bad form at home ;)

FM

hhiipp

04-29-2005, 02:13 PM

At 8 years old have you started training him in grassmowing yet? Need to get him to at least passable so you can take advantage of his skills until he is 18.

FrogMan

04-29-2005, 02:15 PM

LOL! :D

I'm simply gonna have him run footing drills with his cleats up and down the backyards, no need for a lawnmower that way ;)

FM

lytic

04-29-2005, 04:13 PM

Congrats guys...

As for practice today, I did a lot better. My distributions were right on (despite heavy winds) and for the most part I saved all the goals I should have and took a few break-aways away.

The wind did catch a few that wouldn't have gone in normally but did because of it. Too bad we have tomorrow off, hopefully I can keep my form up over the weekend.

MacroGuru

05-12-2005, 12:08 PM

Wow....13 days since the last update.....paging lytic.

lytic

05-14-2005, 04:16 PM

Sorry, a lot has happened in the past 2 weeks. I'll get everyone up to speed soon.

Just a quick news flash, my career will be ending shorter than expected. I will be back in the states in Aug. No more Iceland, no more Turkey, no more USAF. I got accepted for a 2 year AF ROTC program. So I'll be back in Nebraska for 2 years earning a commission.

More to come.

PilotMan

05-14-2005, 11:08 PM

Congrats on the getting into the program. You don't really have to say that your career is over though. You might be able to get a tryout with some teams here. In fact I demand that you do that. I need the fix. :)

RPI-Fan

05-15-2005, 11:57 PM

I can post updates on my U19 team to keep people entertained.

:p

lytic

05-31-2005, 08:56 PM

I'm sorry for not updating this... between soccer and getting ready to move, I forget the little things that I enjoy doing.

Anyway, Ingle did come back and take the #2 spot (so far). I am #3, it also doesn't help that I won't be able to finish the season since I am moving sooner than expected.

I leave in a few hours to go to the Faroe Islands, I will be the #2 keeper for the team during that week. I'll hopefully get some time to update this.

Oh yeah, season started, we are 2-0 with 13 Goals and 0 against.

damnMikeBrown

06-04-2005, 12:12 AM

Congrats on rotc. You're going to just be stunned by the kids in the program. They're all such...kids...

lytic

06-07-2005, 10:28 AM

Thanks DMB :)

So I'm back. The trip was flat out awesome. They treated me like a real football star. I ate wonderful feasts, drank too much Faroe beer and was in a parade with VB (the team that invited us). Sadly, I only played the last 15 minutes of the big match. Our coach went into the game as a midfielder and forgot to put me in earlier. Our starting keeper played like shit and was a big part of the reason we lost (he let in 5 goals). VB is a very good team and deserved the win though.

I took some pictures, but I actually thought I lost my camera one of the nights I was drunk, so I missed a few days (it was under the couch). I'll gather my pictures and see if I can get some "in game" pictures from the guys that were hired to take pictures.

I'll tell you what, I wish I could do that for a living. Even though Vágur is a small town with 1500 inhabitants, I think all 1500 were there along with some more from surrounding towns. When I came into the game, the roar of the applause I got from that crowd was like nothing I've ever felt before. It really boosted me. I didn't let any goals in and made one really nice save (that my teammates are still taking about) and the crowd response was just amazing. It was like I could all hear them hold their collective breathe, sigh, and then applaude and cheer for the entertaining save. Other than that, I touched the ball 3 times in that game.

We played one other game in front of a couple hundred against a team called TB and I didn't let any goals in for that one either. I was the only keeper of 3 to have a clean sheet for both games.

We also lost our (local) cup match and are now out of the cup.

I'll update more soon, I promise.

lytic

10-29-2005, 01:43 PM

Had to dig this one back out... I know I never finished my story. Maybe someday I will... but I just got news that Reynir won the league!!! That means they promote to division 2!!!

CONGRATS REYNIR!!! :cool:

lytic

10-29-2005, 01:52 PM

oh, and my former teammate also gave me a link for some pictures of the team. I'm in one, but you can't really see me since it's all blurry and I'm in the distance.

http://www.picturetrail.com/reynis_myndir

I'm in this one: http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=7698120&uid=3732310

This is the game I brought my parents to:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=7960837&uid=3732310
If you look at the corner, you can see my black Dodge Ram in the distance.

lytic

10-30-2005, 12:05 AM

Sorry... links were wrong for "me" pictures.

http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1088/3732310/7698120/101241567.jpg (me standing by the bench, pretty much any bench shot you'll see me [heh])

http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1088/3732310/7960837/105323564.jpg
(My truck [heh] at the corner... my parents were in the truck, I was... near the bench which was on the same side as the picture taker)

http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1088/3732310/7698275/101243065.jpg (one of the few times I wasn't on the bench... that's me sitting with my Pats cap on backwards sitting on the right, I think I was injured and was sitting with the crowd)

http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1088/3732310/7963940/105322600.jpg (the guy on the left was my coach... he's a former Iceland National Team midfielder. I think he had like 40 caps with the team)

lytic

11-10-2005, 01:46 AM

So a quick ending of my story. In June, I was the second best keeper on the team at times, especially when Ingle decided to retire after another injury. However, I wasn't good enough to give a contract to since I was leaving. I told my coach the day after the Faroe trip that I would be leaving in Aug. My parents came out to visit in July and we took a week and went around the country. I came back to find out that the then #2 keeper got injured, and one of their former keepers who had been attending college in the US came back, so they made him the #2. The week I got back from my trip, he had taken over the #1 spot. The #1 keeper and captain just started playing badly and so the other guy took over. At the end of July, he had to go back to the States, but I got injured in a friendly match against some Russians while playing for the NATO squad. It costed me 3 weeks, I had a lot of internal bleeding and everytime I started to play again, it would start bleeding causeing my leg to turn black, blue and eventually green. I finally decided to go to the hospital and they said that I needed to take a break from contact sports. So I played in the softball league on base to keep myself active. I returned to find out that if I didn't get injured and wasn't leaving I probably would have been given the contract. Since I was injured and leaving, they traded for a keeper on another team. He was from some Eastern European country. He had the build of a keeper, tall and quick. He took over the #1 spot right away and I sat 3rd fiddle, despite playing as good as him at times. He was just more consistant than me. Finally, the young keeper Aron, came back from injury and he took over #3. I was able to play in Aug for a week as the #4 until I left.

Circumstances, timing, and unconsistancy cost me the contract. I came out of there a better keeper and have lifelong memories. The coach told me before I left, that if he had me for another 2 seasons, I would probably have been the starting keeper. I just needed to get more consistant and I needed to focus more on my soccer career, by getting in better shape and eating better. He's right, I had a lot going on at that time and didn't focus most of my energy into soccer. How could I? I wasn't getting paid...

When I came back to the State, the university coach said that it was just too late to give me a try out this season. He had already picked up a 3rd keeper and all 3 were freshmen. I think he was planning for the future. Maybe I'll try out with them next spring? I did end up playing in the Nebraska Amateur Mens League this fall and led the team to winning the whole league and led the league in GAA. If I don't make Bellevue, they said they'd love to have me back.

Anyway, I think this chapter in my life is over. I'll go back to just playing amateur. I just don't have the time or the courage to try it again here in the States while I'm doing my Masters Degree.

I want to thank all of you that gave me the boost I needed by just reading it and responding. It really did help me. If you got this far, congrats!

-Signing out... the keeper.