The Chelmsford Sunday Soccer Club's Blog

Tropical storm Henri may or may not ruin our plans for Sunday morning. Keep an eye on the weather.

Since we are still on the turf field, we could play in the rain. We’ve done that before when it is not raining heavily. I have been watching the forecasts and there is a possibility that it will be light rain in the morning. Hard to really tell.

When we play on grass fields, we leave them alone when they are wet. One advantage of the turf is that it can be used when it is wet.

We are actively working with CYSA to figure out where our game will move next. I anticipate an answer very soon. I will post as soon as I get this information.

Lawrence

It was a good day for soccer yesterday. Of course, I think almost any day is a good day for soccer. But it wasn’t my favorite outing.

To be honest, the amount of arguing and “chirpiness” yesterday took some of the fun out of the game. Play hard. I am all for that. Go after the ball. Lean in. Great. But too many arguments over whether or not elbows were up, who’s ball it was, etc. We had a guy hurt on the field and people arguing over who would get the ball. Priorities, people. For the record, the elbows were up kind of a lot yesterday.

The game is a friendly. It is open to all skill levels and ages (high school and older). Err on the side of sportsmanship.

Just because it is a friendly, does not mean that it is chaos. Or, it shouldn’t be. If you have to get going, I would appreciate it if you would tell someone on your team and make sure that your team adjusts the formation. Our defenders kept leaving yesterday without notice. Some of us from the mid-field dropped back in, but there were breakdowns. Just let the players around you know that you’re leaving. If you are on defense, perhaps wait until the ball has gone down the other end before you exit.

We’ve been playing the Sunday game for about fifteen year. It works best when people get their whole side involved and cooperate.

We have been sliding the start time later and later. Please try to make an effort to be ready to kick-off at 8:30 this week. Thanks. The turf field gets hot. I am also trying to make sure that our game is going before other people show up to use the field.

Next week I will try to return to complaining about grey shirts or joking about the rain making the field nice and green. I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday. Kick-off at 8:30 at McCarthy.

Lawrence

All of the weather reports I checked this morning indicate that we’ll be able to get the game in this morning. If we were playing on grass, we’d have to bag it. But the turf should be fine. See you all for an 8:30 kick-off.

Lawrence

P.S. with all of the rain we’ve had, the field will be nice and green.

We are playing on the McCarthy turf at 8:30 for the next several weeks. We will be there until Pop Warner football resumes.

Bring a white shirt. Bring a dark shirt. Bring water. Even on a cool day we needed two water breaks. Water is essential.

We try to blend the ages, skills, and inclinations of the people who show up to make the game as even as possible. Not always easy, but we know most of you and do what we can. I ask you to play in such a way that you get the other members of your team involved. Our group and our game are kind of special.

Lawrence

The blistering heat should break and the temps should be cooler by the weekend. But what could be cooler than we are? Just sayin.

Bring a white shirt and bring a dark shirt. When everybody has a dark shirt and a white shirt it allows us to balance the teams. The more even we manage to make the game the more fun it is for all.

Bring a drink. Hydration is so important at anytime, but in the summer it is especially important. We will have an 8:30 AM kick-off at the McCarthy Turf this Sunday.

Although it is Independence Day the Chelmsford Parade will be on Monday the 5th. So, us being at the McCarthy will not interfere with any of their prep.

Lawrence

We are playing at 8:30 on the McCarthy turf this week and for the rest of the summer. We had a good turnout and a good game last week.

One reason that we had a good game was that everyone brought both a white and dark shirt. This allows us to balance the teams and make it as even as possible.

Now that we’re back to the turf, we have the big goals. Sometimes we have dedicated keepers. When we don’t, we take turns playing keeper minding the net.

Just a reminder that we will be be playing on Sunday, July 4th too. The Chelmsford parade is on July 5th this year. So, we should not have a problem being at McCarthy.

If, for any unexpected reason, the turf is not available to us, we can play across the street at Graniteville. However, I do not expect any issues.

Lawrence

Good crowd and good game today. The perfect weather did not hurt either. Things are pretty much back to normal.

I am so pleased to be playing in games with adults who I helped coach when they were teens. I love that our game is a blend of ages and abilities. It is a game where you can just come and play without it being a big deal. I am so happy that we are back to playing. I really missed these Sunday games. I’m still not in shape, but fun anyway.

Speaking of normal…let’s go back to throw ins instead of kick-ins. We still ask people who are not vaccinated to wear a mask and anyone who is feeling ill should not come to soccer until they are feeling better. Be honest. Be respectful of the others in the group.

Starting on Sunday the 20th, we are moving to the Turf Field at McCarthy. Game time changes to 8:30 AM kick-off. We have found that works best with the turf field in the warm weather. Big field with the big goals. Playing with keepers if we have enough people for full field game.

This year, July 4th is a Sunday. We are still planning to play as usual. If you are shooting off fireworks on a Sunday morning, that is not cool. Playing soccer on a Sunday morning is very cool. Playing on July 4th at McCarthy turf will not interfere with the staging of the parade. When July 4th is a Sunday, Chelmsford holds the parade on a Monday. No conflict.

From what was discussed this morning, people seem interested in playing on July 4th. So, it should be business as usual.

If the turf field is unexpectedly not available, we will retreat to Graniteville (across the street).

We are still working on a field assignment for September.

Those of us who are playing are getting in a good groove. Those of us who have not yet started the season will perhaps have some catching up to do. Not specifically thinking of anyone in particular. There’s lots of reasons that people can’t play. But, hoping to see some more familiar faces this Sunday as well as the new ones too. Heck, y’all come.

9:00 AM at Graniteville.

I don’t know when the turf field becomes available for the season. When it does, we’re going to shift our start time to 8:30. Stay tuned for that. But this week is Graniteville.

Andy…if you are coming, can you bring the pop-up goals with you? We’ve been using the Lacrosse goals, but do not know when they’ll get put away.

Lawrence

I will say that the weather on the long weekend was not nearly as nice as I’d hoped that it would be. But, into each soccer season some rain must fall. And it did. And it was cold. And I was the only soccer player at the field. There was a man with two dogs who chase the geese. But there were no other soccer players. Makes sense.

There were not even any cricket players. Perhaps they were on a snack break.

This weekend looks perfect for soccer. We need to make up for last week’s lost opportunity. 9:00 AM at Graniteville. White shirt and dark shirt.

I am hoping that more of our regulars are now vaccinated and feel comfortable coming out. The numbers have been good. But, you know that I love it when we have a big crowd. I hope to see you all there.

Lawrence

We’ve had good numbers each of the last three weeks. I am hoping that trend continues this week.

We are playing on the field at Graniteville (as we have been). We’ve been using lacrose goals.

I look forward to the day when I do not have to say “bring a white shirt, bring a dark shirt, and don’t bring a grey shirt.” Today is not that day.

Lawrence