Yesterday was the second of Grace and my Season Ticket Holder benefit thingies, the private practice session in the stadium, and was also followed by the STH team autograph session. Unlike last week's practice session, we could hear the majority of what Schellas Hyndman was telling the players, and while I still find some of his personnel decisions highly questionable, I can at least give him that he does know what the team is doing wrong and is trying to correct it. After warmups he had them playing a lot of posession drills, one of which the players had a hard time understanding (which explains away a few opposition last minute equalisers/winners a little) - after splitting the players into two teams, the idea was that the team in posession of the ball was a goal up with 5-10 minutes to go. They had to hold on to posession (obviously) for as long as possible, preferably in the opposition's half. As soon as the other team won the ball, the roles switched, so the new posession team was the one who was 1-0 up. Several times, Hyndman had to stop them as, after winning posession, they'd be going all out to "equalise" instead of hold the ball up. Hyndman apparently does not like passing back to the keeper either (something I can definitely agree with). On individual players: - Avila was a beast. The kid was tearing apart the whole starting backline, and his distribution was flawless. Just needs to work on his shooting and he'll be the complete package. - Dax was forced into the DM role and didn't suit him. Not much play came through him and he didn't look confident on the ball. It's starting to really piss me off to see what this team is doing to him. - Cooper's shooting was a little off too, but again was very vocal and did a good job of losing his marker on several occasions. - Maybe I just wasn't paying much attention to him, but Guarda was fairly invisible again. I don't recall anything he did, good or bad (other than making Grace feel sorry for him at the autograph session. I'll let her explain that) - Rocha looks very confident right now, whether it's as provider or shooting. Maybe Hyndman benching him did light a fire under his ass, or maybe he just works better when he's allowed to go more central. Whatever it is, it's working. After the practice was the autograph session in the VWC. Air conditioning was nice, and I'm sure the players liked being in the cool, but I preferred it on the stage last year. For whatever reason, they seemed to be trying to get through everyone really quickly which meant we had practically no time to chat to the players or take photos. Also on the photo front, they had them sitting in front of the windows which meant (yuk) horribly backlit photos, despite which, the flash on our camera just did not want to work, except on Blake Wagner and Andre Rocha. Shame too, as the photos of Saragosa and Oduro would have been great if they'd come out. Talking of Oduro, he nixed the rumors that he's getting married. Notable absences were Brek Shea and David Wagenfuhr (who's not even in the new team photo). It's a real shame, but I would not be surprised to hear him announce his retirement before next season. Photos: 56 goals in a game? Now there's one for the neutral Team warmup Lambo. Missed by that much.
Coach, coaching RayJ breakdances I can now die safely in the knowledge that I have taken at least one great photo...
Turnout for the practice was... well, kinda lame Rocha, Blue Steel Grace proves that she too can take a great photo
Now appearing in "The Hunchback of FC Dallas", QuasiAvila Avila avoids typecasting by also appearing in "Chicken Run" Rocha with Baby and Mrs Saragosa
Rocha taunts the baby For the second year running, Richetti is first up for autographs. I guess he just showers quicker than everyone else. Sala signs Grace's jersey: "Who is this? Toja??"
Dax, despite the backlight, this photo came out. Must be his bright red hair and incredibly pale skin. He liked my jersey (except for the strangely faded 'a') More here
It's just that he looked so sad. He was sandwiched between the other two Brazilians and didn't say anything. When my jersey came across, he looked at the jersey and then ran his finger across the #8 (my jersey has Toja's name on it) and he just looked really down. I mean, he's not dumb. I'm sure he's heard the stuff everyone (including me) has been saying and it made me feel sorry for him. (Well played, Bruno. Well played!) My other tidbit is that I took my "Welcome Baby Welcome" poster that I made before the second LAG game. That is what Serioux "allegedly" taunted at Beckham before getting a red card. Serioux laughed when he saw my sign and while he autographed it for me said that wasn't what he said. He said that he told Beckman, "I love you, baby". He liked it because it has McCarty across the back. And, I'd like to point out that you took a little ribbing for it. The others guys kept joking that you must be related to Dax.
So, before I let fly with my knee jerk reaction to this story, is anyone aware of whether there's anything going on in the kid's personal life that would have him so sad at an autograph signing? I really do hope that everything is ok, but if not, then he gets a pass.
My photos, taken mostly with my cell phone, because of the icky backlighting. This one as with my Pentax, though. My Dax photo. Kenny and Avila behind him
Lambo and Spencer Wadsworth . . . okay, if you look at the "mugshots" on the FCD webpage, don't Spencer and Bruno look A LOT alike? Table #2 Dom, Andrew Daniels and SH in the background
Exhibit A . . . Exhibit B . . . okay, not quite the same, but I thought Spencer was Bruno when I first saw him in the autograph session.
I've felt pretty bad for him for the past couple weeks. It has to be pretty depleting for him catching slack for something that is out of his control. Renew before Dec and you can right the wrong tho.
I spoke with Bruno on Tuesday and he was pretty upbeat and really excited about his first goal. One of the other players saved the ball and the whole team signed it and gave it to him. He seems like a really nice guy.