The Chelmsford Sunday Soccer Club's Blog

Still early, but the weather looks unseasonably warm for this Sunday. It looks like soccer weather to me.

We had a nice game last week with 7 v 6. Would love to see every one of you out to play this Sunday at Harrington. Kick-off at 9:00 AM. Bring a white shirt. Bring a dark shirt. Do not bring a grey shirt as it seriously makes us concerned about your listening skills.

And…just because the USMNT has yet to call me, does not mean that I should let up on my training. You have to come out to help me get ready (should they call).

Lawrence

We’ve had very good games recently. We’ve sized the field for the number of players who show up. The weather is supposed to be perfect tomorrow, it is not any holiday (that I am aware of), and some former Australians may even show up to play (looking at you Dave Barlow and Jamie). Hope to see you all on Sunday.

Bring a white shirt and a dark shirt and never a grey shirt. Let’s see if we can get started close to 9:00 AM. Just a reminder that we are still at Harrington.

Lawrence

Today is awesomely perfect weather. The forecast for Sunday is less clear. Since we are playing on grass, know that we are NOT playing if it rains. We don’t want to beat up the field.

We hope that the rain holds off until after our game. However, we won’t know that until the morning.

L

Last week we had a very nice game at Harrington. Since it is perfect weather for soccer, I am expecting everyone to show up this week.

Not all of you are on teams that train five days a week. They’re excused. Everybody else is expected to be ready to kick-off at 9:00 AM.

Oh, and no grey shirts.

L

Sorry for the confusion

Sorry for the confusion. Our game is moving to Murphy. Murphy.

Lawrence

With all of the E-Mails flying back and forth, I seemingly got confused. We are at HARRINGTON tomorrow morning. Sorry for the mix-up. I had kind of a “grey shirt” moment.

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CYSA would like us to move our game to the 11 v 11 field at Harrington.

There are clinics at Harrington on Sunday morning, but not on the 11 v 11 field. We’re using that.

Tony…if Eric is back from France, please tell him where we’ll be.

Weather looks great. See you guys there.

Lawrence

For twelve years now our Sunday morning pick-up game has been a lot of fun for a lot of us.

The game started out as a way for CYSA soccer coaches to play the game ourselves. It is our belief that playing soccer makes people better coaches who are more understanding of player errors. At some point, the game morphed to include older teens and others.

This season, the feel and tone of the pick-up game feels a bit different than it has in the past. People are dragging a bit, everyone seems to only want to play offense, people are not coming properly prepared to play with two shirts, we’re starting later and later, and clearly there have been too many instances of people not respecting each other or the game.

A few points to consider:

• Although a game for coaches, we greatly discourage coaching during the pick-up game.
• Give other people a chance to play up. Take your turn playing defense. It is an opportunity to play positions different than you might normally play. It is a safe place to try stuff out.
• When communicating with each other, be respectful. It is okay to be intense. It is not okay to be rude.
• If a disagreement is starting to build between you and someone else, consider moving to a different part of the field. If you’re playing up, perhaps that is the time to move back to defense.
• Play hard, but realize that all of us are going to make mistakes. Soccer is a game of mistakes.
• Try to show up on-time, prepared, and willing to switch sides to balance the teams. A fairly balanced pick-up game is more fun for everybody.

Anyone who was at the game Sunday saw a situation escalate that never should have happened and saw people unwilling to deescalate it. In future, anyone (and everyone) who would be “red carded” will be asked to call it a day and come back next week. If you’re involved in an incident that gets out of hand, we’ll ask you to leave and come back on a future Sunday when you can be cool. So, be cool and don’t let things get out of hand.

We particularly hope to see all the adults this coming Sunday. Please try to arrive by 8:45 for a 9:00 AM kick-off. The weather is supposed to be perfect. Let’s have some fun.

Lawrence and Bruce

This Sunday, the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship is hosting a blueberry pancake breakfast fundraiser at Brickhouse Pizza in the Center from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The blueberries are from Parlee Farms and the real maple syrup is from Cooking Buckets here in Chelmsford.

So, after soccer I am going over there for some yummy pancakes. Hope to see you guys there too.

Oh, yeah. The weather looks good for soccer Sunday and stop bringing grey shirts with you. It makes everybody crazy. See you Sunday.

L

In order to let the grass rest on the fields at Murphy, we’re moving our game to the turf field at McCarthy. Among other things, this gives us the opportunity to play when it is raining (if we so choose). Although, we won’t play if there are thunderstorms.

Bring a white shirt and a dark shirt and be prepared to kick-off Sunday at 9:00 at McCarthy. The game for people wearing grey is at a different field.

July and August are hot weather anyway. The turf is a bit hotter. Please make sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.

L