Earlham 3 Wilmington 0

After the disappointment with our play at Thomas More you got the feeling the team would make a statement in this game. Wilmington arrived having beaten Thomas More in Lexington 1-0 in OT but we were prepared to do the necessary.

That is, after we survived a scare in the first minute where a Wilmington player missed a "sitter" in front of our goal. We got control thereafter and in the 6th minute Alex Ferreira finished in front after Ameer Yusuf was set free by a long ball from Frank Mbaya. I had spoke to Alex throughout much of preseason about following play into the box and it was gratifying to see this goal. So often Ameer's "mazy" runs forward end in a cul-de-sac of defenders but here things worked to perfection and Alex was there to score a simple goal.

In the 29th minute Mike Nsoesie recovered a ball in our half, played Frank in and Frank played up field to Jacob Ebbs. Jacob sent a diagonal ball across to Ameer behind the Wilmington back line and Ameer ran in to finish, wrong footing the keeper and rolling the ball in past his left. The whole move was a classic counter but Jacob's ball over the back's head was a real beauty. The half ended 2-0 us.

The second half saw WC with a bit more possession and a couple of chances which resulted in one great clutch save by Aaron Falsetto in goal for us. In the last minute of play a goal kick from Aaron found its way to Jacob who volleyed over a defender to Ameer. Ameer played a one-two with Tiqi Brown to split two defenders and ran in to score a clincher for a 3-0 final score. A good win over a good team.

EC 0 Thomas More 2

ON yet another record hot day in September we head to Crestview Hills, KY to play Thomas More. A conference champion and NCAA tournament participant last year, TMC has added a transfer from Northern Kentucky that we had spoken to when he was in high school named Austin Juniet. I thought he'd be a significant add for them---and he was.

Not to make excuses, but the lack of a warm up area meant we had to improvise as the TMC women's game ended (half hour late as it went to OT). We came out flat and paid the price in the third minute as a sloppy pass gave possession away and TMC #6, Juniet, made us pay. In the half hour following we began to have possession and made some headway against them but got no results. As we came in at halftime, we were flat as a pancake and needed to re-energize quickly.

We came out in the second half with a good bit more aggressive an attitude but we left some of our control of possession behind. We struggled to possess at times but by battling we had about a 20 minute period where we had them under pressure. With about 5 minutes to go Juniet got to a loose ball between our keeper and the backs and made it 2-0.

Neither our best nor worst game but disappointing because the goals were soft and we fouled far too often (17 on the day). Late yellow cards may also come to haunt us.

Road Weekend at DePauw, Wabash

Second weekend: DePauw 2 EC 0, Wabash 0 EC 1


We play DePauw, who are ranked 20th nationally, and Wabash away on a hot early September weekend. DPU are a bit more direct than past teams of theirs have been and provide a stern test for us. We play an excellent first half and have an edge in possession, forcing a good save from their keeper on a header from a corner. DePauw have the deepest team we'll see this year---they dress over 40 players and in the second half they gain more control. In the 58th minute they score on a nice combination in front. Now down one, we press and DePauw have more chances but Sam Embry, in his first appearance since his injury last Fall makes some key saves to keep us in it. A lovely ball played over the top by Ameer Yusuf to Tamru Taye almost gets us level but with 5 minutes left they get a second following a mixup in our back. Games ends 2-0. Center backs Frank Mbaya and Mike Nsoesie have very solid games for us in the back. Ameer plays only the first half after a foot injury.

One thing learned is not to send kids who went on Wilderness (Pelle Tracey in this case) to chase balls over the fence because they'll come back with every variety of burr or wild seed imaginable.




















After serious refueling at Pizza Hut in Crawfordsville, we prepare for Wabash on Sunday. The game opens with us getting some excellent chances early on and holding a clear edge in possession. In the 38th minute, Ameer breaks through and plants the ball in the upper near corner with his left and we lead 1-0. At half time we appear to be in control. Early in the second half, Arsene goes into a tackle best forgotten and gets red carded. We play more than a half hour with 10 men and face some real pressure. Again, our goalkeeping, this time Aaron Falsetto, comes to the rescue and with one really excellent save and some secure work at the back, we see the game out. We're 2-1 on the year and looking at a busy (3 games) week ahead. Ameer's foot injury and cramps limit him again to one half of play but Jacob Ebbs, David Jones, Alex Ferreira and Musa Ibrahim have solid games in midfield for us.

Frank McParland, ASE Camp regular, Liverpool Academy Director and Earlham Supporter Interviewed

Liverpool’s U18s participated in a August youth tournament in United States and the club’s academy director, Frank McParland, came away impressed what he saw.
As the United States men’s national team continues to ascend in the rankings and Major League Soccer is starting to retain its high-profile American stars, McParland believes that soccer is entering a new phase in its evolution in America.

Juan Agudelo has been heavily scouted by European clubs over the past few seasons. (AP Images)

“Every season that goes by, American soccer is improving,” McParland told Sporting News/Goal in a phone interview. “The world rankings are getting better, the talent is improving so it’s a fantastic situation for football out here.”
McParland and the U18s were involved with Newark’s Liberty International Soccer Summit hosted by St. Bendict’s Prep high school. The man who helped developed many of Liverpool’s top young first teamers, including Raheem Sterling and Suso, took some time to touch on various topics including Clint Dempsey’s decision to return to MLS, Marc Pelosi’s recovery from a double fracture on his leg and how the club scouts North America for prospects.
[Editor’s Note: Responses have been edited for length]
Goal: Frank, what your thoughts on American youth talents especially considering that you are facing a few in this tournament that Liverpool’s U18s are in?
McParland: We delighted to be a part of this really prestigious tournament. It gives us a chance to look at some of the American players and it’s a really good competition. [American youth teams] They are always well coached with good technical players. As you know at Liverpool, we signed the captain of the U20s, Marc Pelosi, and he’s a very good player.
Where can youth teams improve?
As the league [MLS] gets better and it gets more [top] American and foreign players, it’ll improve. I think what the league has done is based on good concepts. They had Beckham come over along with real top players and I think his legacy will continue to help it grow. I think it’s a terrific place to play football and be involved with it as well.
Speaking about MLS signing top American players, are you surprised to see Clint Dempsey back in the league? It’s no secret that Liverpool tried to sign him just a year ago.
Obviously, I know that our manager [Brendan Rodgers] is really keen on the player because he was a fantastic footballer and a proven goalscorer. When you can score goals in the Premier League, I’m pretty sure you can score them in any league around the world. I’m not surprised that he’s come back. It’s his country, he probably got a really good deal and he enjoys playing football there so it’s a fantastic situation for him.
Back to Marc Pelosi, how is he recovering from the double break in his leg?
I was at the game when he did it and it was a really bad break. I speak with Marc and the physios everyday. He’s really way ahead of schedule because of his professionalism and his determination. He’s such a good professional and a good athlete. He’s desperate to get back quickly. He’s a couple of months ahead of schedule so everyone at the club is delighted for him.
Timetable on his return?
We would hope that he would back before Christmas. It’ll probably a year out [since his injury] but because of his age, we don’t want to risk it and bring him back too quickly. But he is chomping at the bit and I don’t think it’ll be too long before he’s training with the squad. He’s actually already weight bearing and running, so he’s certainly on the way back.
Speaking about young American talents, Juan Agudelo, a guy that trialed with you guys two years ago signed a pre-contract with Stoke. What are your thoughts about his talent?
Yeah he’s obviously a very talented and athletic boy. I think if he keeps on improving and gets comfortable... obviously we didn’t have him for too long but I know the coaching staff really liked him. Let’s wait and see but I think he has a good chance to do well in England.
Obviously, American soccer fans always want to see top prospects sign for clubs like Liverpool. How often does the club scout North America?
We don’t go scout colleges but we do scout a lot of leagues and the national teams [from the region]. I don’t have a major spreadsheet with all of the stats for example but we do scout the national teams a lot. I’m sure that the scouts have a number of targets that they look at.
How do you make sure that a player is the right fit for a team like Liverpool?
The best thing to do is to bring him for a few days and have a look. With Pelosi [for example], I had a number of meetings with his parents and you could tell by speaking to him and looking him into the eye… you know that he was someone who is very rounded and is able to cope with things. With the guys on the U.S. national teams, they are usually used to being away from home anyways.

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Practicing at the Stadium

 One of the neat things about having a turf field on campus is the opportunity to practice on the surface before you play on turf---as we will this coming weekend at Wabash. From the players' perspective this is a mixed blessing since their coach can schedule a 6:30 practice under the lights. Oh, yes, that's 6:30 AM on Thursday September 5.

ElRo Classic Day 2: Los Vinotinto

We were set to play Maryville (TN) on Day 2 (Sunday) in the ElRo Classic but mother nature intervened and persistent storm and lightning forced a cancellation after hours of waiting. All I have for it is this pregame photo of the locker room with our maroon kit ready to go. As a consolation, we were awarded the tournament championship on goal difference with 3 points and a +5 versus Maryville with 3 points and +3.

More than happy to share colors with Venezuela, Hearts of Midlothian, Russia and a host of other fine sides

El Ro Classic Day 1: Los Blancos

On the first day of the "Classic" we wear our all-white strip resembling some obscure Spanish side. Number 11 is English, too. Yes, English, not Welsh. The locker room has been great all year with the boys taking care of it like it's ours permanently---which it is.

EC 5 CCU 0

Video link to game:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZdaT5k31ho&feature=youtu.be

Ameer scores first hat trick for EC