I'm the kinda driver that doesn't like to stop until we get there. Of course, a junk food stop is always a must.
We'd leave at six in the morning so we get there by two. We'd have time to do a bit of exercise and kick the ball around.
On Saturday, team welcomed SK Dynamo Ceske Budejovice of beer fame for the second league game. Son scored the first, again on a penalty kick, and set up the second before being subbed out early in the second half. Slavia won 4-1, which was probably closer than most thought it would be. But CB has a genuine academy, and the players were pretty skillful if a bit on the small side. Coach praised him for his probing long passes, and suggested afterwards in the locker room that he should have captained the team that day... Seems to be in the coach's good graces. As per norm, the start of the new season seems to bring cuts, son's best friend on the team was told he was too slow and is being let go. Was with the team the longest, came to the first tryout when he was four. Now, only two players on the team who've been there longer than Alex, who is one of two kids from Prague...
Slavia’s U14s joined their year-older counterparts, busing down to Pribram, a sleepy, former mining town, just southwest of Prague on Wednesday for a rare mid-week fixture. Pribram has one of the better programs in these parts, and a few years ago in 2016 made a run all the way to the quarterfinals of UEFA’s Youth League, losing on penalties to Benfica in a game that got lots of coverage here. Son’s never done particularly well in these games that come right after a long school day, but yesterday was different. Scored two, one on a freekick, and added three assists to lead the team to a resounding 11-0 win. He’s becoming something of a freekick specialist, taking most of the shots on the right side, since he’s a lefty. Also, has taken all penalties so far. Coach praised him and all the boys after the game. Told him to stay on the coach’s good side, so key in sports. What was also a positive was that he played the whole game, which,now at this early part of the season, appears to have been the best effort to date. Slavia is now leading the league with an eye-popping goal differential of 36 to 1.
This past Sunday, Slavia's U14 hosted FC Hradec Kralove in another league match. Again, not much of a game. Slavia won this one 10-1. Son had a goal, but didn't have any especially strong game. Everyone seemed pumped to score, so lots of soloing. So, after four games the team is top of the table with 46 scored and 2 let it. It looks like it will come down to Slavia and Sparta for the title. No real excitement there.
So, camp at Heerenveen complicated a bit. Team here not happy with the timing, which comes just after a game against Bayern Munich in Germany on Oct. 26, probably the highlight of the season. The following weekend is a big game against Sparta Prague, which could go a long ways to settling the league title. So, looking for a new time, which could be in late November.
Also got word today that Alex will be taking part with the Prague U14 select side this season. Another interesting development is that his current coach is also an assistant now with the U15 Czech national team. Had a talk with him about Alex's national allegiance and whether I had any preferences...
Yep it was all good natured fun and games but now: CONCACAF is basically the level of Czech third division, and United States doesn't care about football! jeden z nás, jeden z nás. ... In all seriousness I wouldn't envy feeling like I have to decide at that age as it seems like would be a very odd question to have to answer if you've legitimately grown up with a sense of dual-nationality. Luckily, the decision should be made easier knowing that it kind of doesn't really matter until if you make it to the senior team and a lot will change in that time.
Well, if he would rock the boat at Heerenveen (he's 15) by the time he's 20 we Dutch have given him a passport so he can join the Orange team Edt: It would be hilarious if my post to Philly would end with a star in the Orange shirt
Still don't know. Last year, when the team was in the Europa League, we got a reduced-price tix, and kid got in with his team pass. When they played Chelsea though only he got in with the pass. So, I dropped him off at the stadium and rushed back before the game ended to pick him up. All wondering what the deal is with Champions' League seats. Definitely want to see Dortmund and Barcelona. The idea of Messi running around at Slavia's Eden Arena is nearly unimaginable.
this is such a fantastic glimpse into growing up at a club, thank you again for keeping us updated here!
Saturday morning, Sept. 21, and everyone's up at six. Son needs to be at Slavia at seven for the team bus to take them to their next league game some 60 miles north to Jablonec, a smallish town situated in mountains. The days of carpooling are a thing of the past. Starting at U14, the team bus transports the boys to all away games. Even though the U14s won't play till 12, they leave at 7:15 because the U15s take the field first at 10. The U15s won their game 3-0, and maybe the U14s were thinking they could be in for a tough game as well. But, again Slavia's U14s dominated, winning 14-0. Son played second half, scoring three and assisting on three. Now team leader scorer with 9 goals (and about 9 assists). Slavia considers this age group -- 2006 -- to be one of the strongest they have. In five league games they've now scored 60 and let in 2. That may be one for the records. Glad son bounced back after a blah game the week before. Told him if he didn't step up, could find himself on the bench or worse. Glad he took the advice.
Maybe it was getting sprung from school at eleven this morning, but whatever it was son was up for the game today with the Prague U14 Select side against Karlovarsky Kraj in the first game of this Bohemia-wide competition. Played all game; first half as a center-middie; second upfront, as the lone striker. Scored a total of five as the team won 11-1. Probably best game from him in a while. Said had another goal, a header, called back for offsides. Seems to be getting into a good groove now, hope he can keep it up....
A sunny Sunday, September 29, was the date for the sixth league game. This time Mlada Boleslav's U14s bussed down the D10 highway for the thirty-mile trip to Prague. Maybe the boys had watched the "A team" struggle and win with a bit of luck the night before 1-0, against the same team, or maybe it was due to key boys missing, but the game did not go to script. At the U14 level, seeing lots of teams with one or two boys who are off-the-charts adolescence-wise. Yesterday was no exception. Mlada Boleslav had a sweeper who must have been at least 5' 10" and a striker about the same. Plus, we were without our top back and starting goalie. Anyway, the game was the closest this season by far, 7-5 for our guys. Coach wasn't too pleased. Alex, who's about 5' 7", had a good second half, scoring two, one on a freekick from about 20 yards out. There's another kid on the team who scored three. He's a monster, just way bigger and muscular than all the other kids on the team. Few believe he can be only 13. Should probably play up given his physical dominance. After six games, Alex still leading scorer with 11 goals now. Team has scored 67 and let in 7.
Sure... "luck"... (For those who don't follow Czech football, a former Slavia player for Mlada Boleslav completely Baggioed an equalizing penalty in added time; so conspiracy theories abound...)
If he did get tickets , I imagine that was a frustrating match from Slavia supporters standpoint. Not one, but two players mucked up 1-v-1 with the keeper situations and in general had the better of play for much of the match despite losing. They definitely don't look completely out of their depth (except for composure in front of goal) in a tough Champions League group so far though. Atmosphere looked great on broadcast too.
General consensus here was Slavia did themselves proud against Dortmund, giving the Westphalia side a handful, footful? Anyhoo, didn't get into that one. All sold out. Team gave comps to the 08s that night. Son will get a ticket for the other two games. So, he's looking forward to that. Night of the game was bedlam around the stadium. Work about two miles from it, and when I got out of work and got on my bus, it was halted by a phalanx of riot police cordoning off a procession of Dortmund fans who disgorged from the subway and heading down the road to the stadium. Crazy. Cars honking. People abandoning buses for the subway. Germans everywhere.