Wanted to share this link. It's an analysis of the recent RM vs Barca game.
Pride*Passion*Perseverance
Azkals - Philippine Football
Let Us Talk About the Azkals Here!
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Posted 4 months ago #
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Well we have a big weekend ahead of us...both boys are in tournaments, and extremely excited...JM however, is in an important tournament, and I highly dislike that I will not be there. He has at least 4-college scouts that may be dropping by to catch one of his game. They have emailed us to let us know this. I am sure he is going to do great, but it kind of sucks not being able to be there. He will be in good hands though, so I am sure it will all go well. He is still a junior, so we have many reasons to stay positive!
JJ is pretty excited as they had a good draw in their bracket. However, this should not change the mindset, because you just never know who will bring it! LOL!
OK, so JJ's club and the club that we live in the boundaries of are merging. I am not sure if I mentioned this before, but just in case there it is. The official merging is finalized, and as teams try-out's approach they will be trying out for the "new" club, so the older boys come up first. Anyhow the new name was put out to vote, and although the new name is not horrible, it really is quite boring, to say the least...it will now be called "Pacific Northwest Soccer Club" and I don't know why they did not call it "futbol" instead of soccer, but oh well...I have been staying out of club politics these days....
The video camera is connected, and the propane tanks are ready for the portable heater...I will do the best I can to get some footage of JJ...
Wish my boys good luck!!! NI will be cheering them on!
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 4 months ago # -
Day 1 of the FC Portland Winter College Showcase - JM's team wins, 1-0, and JM has the lone goal assist...very good, and a very happy bunch of boys who struggled through State Fall League...today at 2:10 PM our WPFC 94 Black faces off against FC Portland 94 Navy, the strongest Oregon team at this age level...let's see what happens...in the meantime Congrats to them!
Day 1 of the GRFC Winter Classic - Game 1: JJ's team had a very stomach wrenching upset, 2-0 against a team they have beat by far all season...the boys stepped on to the field during a down pour of rain, and wind looking like they had just stood up from their video game consoles...ugh!!! JJ, I cannot complain, he did his job and executed smoothly...but this is not a one man sport. A few of the boys just could not get over the cold, and the ones who could, could not make it happen without the help of their team. Game 2: The boys showed up in the afternoon. They had beautiful passing, and the sun decided to make a showing for their game, clearing all clouds away, therefore, chasing away the rain. One of the things this team struggles with is finishing...they have an awesome defense, and good mid field, but they just cannot finish for the life of them...however, after giving up a really silly goal they came back to tie the game. Today they play at 1 PM, for the quarterfinals, if they win they move on, so they need this win. They are up against the team of the club their current club is merging with...Good luck FORCE!!!
No video footage because it was raining and blowing pretty hard...it is snowing right now, and is suppose to be snowing for the rest of the day, so I might be able to put something together today. :o)
Over and out! Have a great day!
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 4 months ago # -
So I have been gone for a little bit...but only mentally, not physically. LOL! A lot of things going on in my life right now, and between making some life changing decisions, and running the boys around, I have not really had that moment to myself to just think.
The boys are doing OK...we made it through the snow, ice and rain storm...but it appears the rain is back, as half of my yard appears to have decided to become a swimming pool.
I am at the boys games, but in all honestly I am like physically there, but simply disconnected, so I apologize for not having some great recaps...
Take care everyone!
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 3 months ago # -
Pre occupied with the life changing decisions. You are indeed an adult. Hahaha.
Making football known in the Philippines.Posted 3 months ago # -
LOL! @Azkals indeed...indeed...
Having to decide what to do in terms of employment...I have been interviewing out of state, and the boys are all over the place with this. If I am able to find something out of state, I don't believe anyone but myself will move immediately...I will probably move the two younger boys over the summer, but the older will stay with my husband, as he is going to be a senior. If I were to move, my husband would not follow until the older is out of high school, and we are OK with this, but the issue is FINDING that job! LOL!!!
Ugh...
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 3 months ago # -
OK, I am back just briefly today. Or maybe not so briefly! LOL!
I have not been so great at posting anything about the boys, but have been very much the busy soccer mom. =)
JM's 2011/2012 season is over. They managed to stay in Div. 1, did not move out of group stage in state cup, but sounds like the coach has some major changes up his sleeve for the 2012/2013 season. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to discuss these, so I will just leave that carrot dangling. Also, we got some info on a couple of potential colleges; very early in the recruiting phase, so really not much to share, and honestly, until I see what types of scholarships they are willing to put out in the open, then to me "it ain't no thang but a chicken wing!" LOL! in other words, its nothing! High School and club tryouts are coming up at the end of the month, so should be busy for JM. Once HS starts, he will be training everyday with his HS team, and club will be dormant with the exception of a few gatherings on an occasional Sunday.
JJ has been performing beautifully, I really cannot ask more of him. Of course there is always room for improvement. His team has been struggling this start of the Spring League...ugh...they cannot finish for the LOVE of them. We get compliments from mostly all the teams we play, "your team has the best defense we have ever played" but we still lose! There is only so much the defense can do. A few more games of Spring League, than off to state cup for them...
NI starts soccer practices later this month! LOL! He says he is ready, so let's see.
Take care you all, and wish me luck on my continuous job hunt!
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 3 months ago # -
WOW! It's been forever and a month! LOL!
OK, where did I leave off? Oh yes, try-out's for JM...well, he made his team for club try-out's (YEAH!!!) and they are on break for high school soccer. He made his high school varsity squad for the 3rd year in a row!!! Yeah!!! The Conks have played two games so far, and have tied both. They have a lot of new players, but they look like they are coming along. I will post some clips shortly. So that is what JM is up too...oh and he did his job shadow for the Sounders FC and absolutely loved it!!! LOL! He spent the majority of his time with the players, and well I have to poke fun at this, but we are not going to sit here and cry out to the media with his locker room experience...LOL!
JJ is doing great! Wish his team could finish, but it is what it is...I will report that his coach switched him from Center-D, to Left-D, and he has scored two goals and had quite a few assists! He is happy, as this allows him to push up and spend a little more time on the offensive. The team looks great and controls the ball really well, but we have like 27 shots on goal, and sometimes rarely even get one goal, whereas the opponents might have like 1 or 2 shots, and manage to squeeze one of them in...UGH!!!
OK, here goes my new venture...NI...he had his first game yesterday, and my husband and I became those ugly sideline parents coaching our kid...but if you were there you would understand...I will upload video for this as well...he literally was in dance world or something, but he was NOT playing soccer. We decided to start laughing at what was happening, because he is after all our baby, and we could not be too upset for too long...after in the second half we just took a seat and plenty of deep breaths!!! Yes, it became true, I became my worst nightmare for about 20-minutes...but I was quickly reminded that he is 5, and despite the fact that he literally has spent most of his life on the pitch or the sideline he really does not watch the games. My husbands theory is that when the bulb goes on, he is going to turn it on and there will be no stopping him. We will see....
So, JM continues with their high school varsity run, JJ starts state cup this coming weekend, and NI will continue in his rec league...
It seems all is well in our little soccer family...
BTW did anyone catch David Estrada's hat trick during the Sounders FC opening MLS game yesterday? David is an amazing athlete, extremely hard working and better, he is an amazing person...nothing has been handed to him, he has earned every bit of what he is...
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 2 months ago # -
I was updated with MLS last season, I used to visit the MLS site almost on a daily basis. I don't know why I no longer visit the MLS site this often, maybe I should now. I'm a fan of Freddy Montero. But I root for the Galaxy.
Maybe should look for David Estrada in Youtube. First time I read about him from you.
Making football known in the Philippines.Posted 2 months ago # -
@Azkals, if you don't find the video on YouTube, you can find it on Facebook...David Estrada is extremely hard working and dedicated, and it is always nice to see these types of players come throught like this. OMG, on the opening season game to score a hat trick?!?! Simply great!
OK, I am off to NI's practice, then arriving a little late to JM's varsity game. JJ left with JM to the game. It's been extremely cold here, weather has been all over...but I have my handy dandy portable heater, so we should be fine at the game!!! :-)
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 1 month ago # -
hi sp great posts keep it up i see a lot of our own experiences mirrored in your posts as well... eager to hear how JJ does with the state cup.
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning,
studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing
or learning to do." PelePosted 1 month ago # -
Thanks!!! =) I am hoping to actually get the handy dandy camera to state cup! LOL! I have such an issue with multi-tasking these days...
JM's team won!!! He scored the first goal, and they ended with a 3-1 win over a rival school...
NI had a great practice, what a relief! LOL!!!
Just got back from JJ's practice and he did great as well...first state cup this Saturday...
Here is my Saturday:
JJ game at 9AM
JM game at 4PM
NI game at 4:10 PMGuess I am missing JM's game... =(
Keep you all posted...
BTW @Teddys Dad, it does not matter where we are in the World, we all share so many things in common, don't you think?
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 1 month ago # -
yup, when it comes to soccer mom-hood, things are much the same. we have 2 boys now age 12 and 10, who both play. not as complex as your schedule with 3 but still lots of fun. we are going to tarlac this weekend for a big regional tournament with lots of teams from pampanga, bagiuo, etc. should be a good test for our boys. we are staying over night and hope to get some horse back riding in as well! hope the food is good in tarlac, getting tired of kfc :(
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning,
studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing
or learning to do." PelePosted 1 month ago # -
LOL @ the food comment...I have learned over the years to pack up the car with edible delights. I try and cook meals, and put these in microwaveable containers. All of the hotels we stay at have at least a microwave, or a common kitchen area. We stay at places that serve free breakfast, and we typically have to stay at hotels sanctioned by the tournament.
The team will do a team meal at a restaurant if it is an entire weekend tournament, and we don't really ever have time to squeeze in our surroundings.
Because most of the traveling tournaments are in the summer the boys are always drawn to the pool. Most coaches will not allow swimming...but between you, I and this forum's silent walls (LOL!) I allow them to sneak in some pool time. My goodness, we live in the Pacific Northwest, where we have rain all year round and 2 weeks of summer! LOL!!! I am not taking that away from my boys, they just know they cannot do any aggresive swimming, and most of the time they just want to splash around anyway....
It is so expensive to travel far for tournaments, it does not matter if we all go or some stay, it ends up costing about the same. But we do what we can so the boys have a productive activity...
By the way, I invite you to visit this forum we have in Washington State...I have the same nic there as I have here...but you can read some of the happenings in youth soccer in our state...just don't sell me out! LOL!
http://www.washingtonpremiersoccer.com
I will update on tomorrows results!
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 1 month ago # -
Hi Soccerpride (the Soccer mom) :)
Nice to meet you. I made a quick reading of the first page of your postings...will read later the rest. he..he.. I am actually new here in this forum. I live in Canada. I became interested in soccer or football recently after seeing the Azkals all flashing in the news. I like to support groups or people who uplift the spirit and make the Philippines proud. I became specially interested after reading the Guirado/Lexton ordeal and this whole racist remark thing. I hate to see people being treated unfairly and unjustly. Well, I hope to see the Azkals do well in their future games. And I enjoy reading your comments.
J
Posted 1 month ago # -
J, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Canada, aye?!?! LOL! The link to the Washington Premier Soccer forum has a section for Canada...we also have Oregon...only because soccer was a bit more popular in WA as far as youth goes, and we have lots of neighbros up North (Canada) and down South (Oregon) who contribute!
I have been a long time soccer fan...I grew up in Mexico watching the sport...although I come from a volleyball family...except I am short, but I have a mean serve, a killer set, and in my day I could return on a spike with not even breaking a sweat! Its what happens when you spend so many hours practicing...my uncles played on full scholarships all the way through their masters degree, and one was offered a professional contract, but he opted to take a break and fall in love. <3 My father played in a league, and I spent every hour outside of school and chores playing...they say I was great, but one thing I can tell you is I trained, trained and trained...and when I was not training, I was building my mental confidence...
My boys have always been in love with soccer...but they were first exposed to the typical sports in our area; baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. One of the boys, JJ did karate for a while, and was so naturally gifted...in the black belt club, and had earned three color belts in less than 6 months...he placed top three in all his tournaments and even sparred at a higher age level...but it was not his thing...
I understood soccer, my husband did not. He thought it was extremely boring, until he became more involved with the boys...my husband is Filipino, and for whatever reason basketball seemed to be his thing...LOL! I am the one that knows all things Azkals in this house...they all think I am crazy following the Azkals instead of my husband...he keeps in the loop through me, and the few matches I am able to find, he watches with me...
When I married him, I made a very concious decision about marrying into the culture...my mother is Native American and Spanish, and she fully embraced my fathers birth country of Mexico...so I had a role model, and knew it was the right thing to do...my husband has also embraced my Mexican/Spanish roots, while at the same time adapting to the American way of life...I don't really know if he realized what he was signing up for when he married me...LOL! I am all about family, heritage, customs, traditions and values...my family can trace their lineage very far back, and it was difficult for me to comprehend that my husband really could not...not because no one knew, but because he truly never gave it thought...so I fully emerged myself into this area of my husbands life. At some point in our life I would love to move to the Philippines, even if it would be temporary...I would love nothing more then to dive right in...I look more Filipino than my husband does, that's for one...LOL!
Anyhow, thanks for the lines, and sorry to write you a book... ;-)
Take care!
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 1 month ago # -
It's very nice to know about your family set-up and I am glad that you want to learn and be an integral part of your husband's culture. Maybe your boys could play for the Azkals when they grow up??? ha..ha.. I live close (about 4 to 6 minute walk) to a soccerfield here. We are surrounded by many schools and I always see a bunch of kids practicing in the sandy oval field and then on the grassy side for soccer and baseball one. It is unfortunate that in the Philippines, there are not a lot of places to have this kind of thing esp. in Manila bec. most everything is cemented. There is one area in Manila for all the sport activities but if you are coming from a different area of Manila, the traffic or travel time would certainly take half of your energy away, LOL!
Posted 1 month ago # -
Thanks! Yeah, it's tough, but even in Mexico our fields are almost all dirt if you are not in one of the newer areas...its tough also because everything costs money, so just getting the space sometimes is trivial...
The Vancouver Whitecaps are doing an amazing job with their youth program...I am very impressed!!! They are really taking the model most European and South America has, starting really young...I tell ya JJ played in a tourney last summer with a Whitecap team and WOW!!! Lucky we won!!! But we all commented how this year we either stepped up our game, or the Whitecaps were going to give everyone a spanking!
LOL! I don't know about my boys playing with the Azkals...I suppose heavenly father will guide them which ever way is best for them...
OK, so yesterday we had a good day of soccer in this house...
9 AM - JJ's team won!!! 3-1, and JJ scored a goal, and had two assists...
4 PM - JM's team won!!! 2-0, and JM had one assist...and the other goal was made off of an awesome save and return he made...
4:10 - NI's team does not keep score at this age, but I did and they won...NI had a much better time focusing and at least running in the direction of the ball...then he was hungry and didn't want to be there anymore the last 10 minutes...of course it did not help that it was our snack day and he had been eye balling those snacks from the moment we arrived at the game.
=)
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 1 month ago # -
I found a new recipe which uses french onions....yum and easy!!!! Sorry, its the little things that get me excited especially when the boys enjoys this so much!
So JM has a game tonight, let's go CONKS!!! Below is the most recent article on the sport at the high school level, done by local paper...enjoy the reading, I thought I would share. JM's team is Kentwood....
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/highschoolsports/2017846057_fivethings27.html
Pride*Passion*PerseverancePosted 1 month ago # -
Any chance you could load some games on You tube? Would love to see the action in motion!
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning,
studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing
or learning to do." PelePosted 1 month ago #
