Game Summary - Methacton

I held off posting this because we were oh so close in 3 games last week.
Where do I begin?
We score first. Then they score 3 and are winning at half. 3-1.
Surprise, surprise - we show some real character! We score 3 in the next 10 minutes of the second half to take the lead 4-3.
They tie it up just a few minutes later 4-4.
Both teams are back and forth for the next 20 minutes - scoreless.
Then all of a sudden - someone hit the switch.
The switch that turns everything off.
Turns off our movement off the ball.
Turns off our stepping to the ball.
Turns off our talking and listening.
Turns off our desire.
Like Deer in the headlights.
You get the picture.
They score 5 goals in the next 10 minutes. That is one goal every 2 minutes on average.
And I can not figure it out.
I made changes last week.
Kane and Kelly to the outside. Strawley to the middle. Alec back to play.
It did work.
In all 3 games last week we had the lead for a considerable time.
Then someone does something dumb.
Why? Heck if I know.
Why don't we recover from that mistake?
It's called leadership and character. It is missing. Someone needs to step up on the field.
Here is an idea: How about you all take that leadership role for your position?
Let's see how many players ask me about this.
How about you care how you play? You should be so tired when you come off the field that you do not feel like talking or fooling around. Even on the bus ride home it should be relatively quiet.
But it's not.
Don't feel you get enough game time? Ask yourself these questions:
How about running hard to and off the ball instead of jogging?
How about going up for a head ball with your eyes open?
How about showing for the ball ALL of the time?
Are you listening AND doing what your teammates tell you on the field?

3 weeks left. 6 games. 4 are pac10 games. Can you beat last years record? 4-12 & 3-10
L 9-4. Game grade B- (for 80 of the 90 minutes) Overall record: 2-10. pac10: 1-8.

Housekeeping:
Notes for going home with parents after an away game:
Due to players not being able to follow a simple rule of giving the coach the note before getting on the bus the following is now in effect:
If anyone attempts to give the coach(es) a note after the coach is on the bus (either written or via email) all privileges of riding home with your parents will be revoked for the whole team for the rest of the season. No exceptions. This has gotten to the point of being out of control.
JV Game:
I talked, harassed, encouraged some of the JV players to do better when they came off of the field. Told them what they need to fix.
Did it work? For about 2 minutes when they went back into the game. The same old stuff.
Where is the desire?
Where is the want to win?
Where is your first thought on the ball? Where is space? Where are my teammates? Where is the other team?
None of this happens.
We still panic when we get the ball.
You passes are either so slow or like rocket blasts.
You STAND and watch after passing the ball instead of supporting the receiver.
Run? Running on JV is slower than me.
For those that want to continue to play, think about this:
Not next year - but the year after, there will be a ton of boys looking to play soccer at the new school PP2. If you do not fix these things now - guess who will not be playing soccer in high school in 2010?