Perhaps it was the bagels that were the key to our most recent road victory down at the Towson Tigers' place or perhaps it was the most influential man in all of sport for the great city of Philadelphia, Meseur Rocky Balboa (suddenly Sly Stallone is French...the Don would not be pleased with me...sorry Don, I meant Signore Rocky Balboa). That is right, I said it...Rocky Balboa the most influential Philly athlete... ok, that is silly it is a movie and Wilt, Dr. J, Schmidt and Reggie all were fantastic...but you get my point and Rocky was never booed (false, even Lil' Marie gave it to him when Rock-o did a good deed and walked her home from hanging with the "coconuts" on the corner).
But you must admit, the Italian Stallion gets the blood flowing through the old ticker and has inspired many a men (side note; I run by him just about every time I run in Philadelphia, he gives me a wink, raises both gloves over his head and with a curdled upper lip, whispers to me "Yo Doug, do it!"). We watched Rocky I on the way down to Towson (and II on the way back...had ten minutes to go when we arrived back at Vidas and no one stood up to get off - I think they were just appeasing me - but regardless, the boys were able to take in one of the greatest speeches ever made...or not really made, it's a movie right?...(false, Rocky's life)...by a Philly sports legend (that never really was)...after Rocky takes down Appollo in Part II in a rematch that was never supposed to happen...simply awesome!).
Four simple life lessons from the no-good bum (a bit harsh Pauly)... I have to tell you, the end of Rocky I gets me every time. From the point when he wakes up, heads down to the arena, back to the apartment, and lies down next to his beloved Adrian. The self doubt that creeps in... "I can't beat him...He may punch my head off..." And then, the words - "I just need to go the distance, no one's ever gone the distance against Appollo..." AWE-INSPIRING!
1. Immediacy / Urgency - "There isn't going to be a rematch," says Appollo as they hang on one another after 15 round war. "I don't want one," replies Rocky.
Lesson for Us - Embrace the opportunity of the day!
2. The Commoner... A man with absolutely nothing, from no-where fighting the Heavy Weight Champion of the World.
Lesson for Us - Picked 10 of 11 in the CAA...
3. Pursuit!!! From Adrian (the love of his life) to Appollo (his protagonist)
Lesson for Us - You see something you want, you must be intentional in your pursuit of it...it won't just happen!
4. Belief...Desire...Will "I can't beat him... I just want to go the distance."
Lesson for Us - The Distance is measured one step at a time!
A huge week for us grabbing 6 points on the road in the CAA; never an easy task for those of you that have experienced life in the Colonial. It was pleasing as a coach to see our guys grind through the ebbs and flows of both games, as well as the UNCW game the week prior. Soccer is a ninety minute game of near continuous motion, so it goes without saying that you will have moments of positive play and others of...hmm, let's just call them less than positive moments... If you can bend and not break in those times, you will find yourself on top more than not. This is precisely what we have managed through this most recent stretch. We know we have conceded opportunities to our opponents, but we have stayed with the game and been fortunate to keep them just as that...opportunities, not results.
Some solid play from our entire team, but I would be remiss if I didn't highlight Nathan's goal per game in this stanza, Tim's three clean sheets (and our back four), Kenny's strong midfield play, the ability of our front six to keep the ball for stretches time and not just keep it but create forward play.
Also, been great to see some of our Alum's get out and support us...a solid showing at the Alumni Game on Oct. 6th (40+ in attendance)... some supporting emails (Bruce Etter is an absolute wizard of encouragement, I'm sure those that played with him know full-well what I am talking about) ...and some of our former Dragons have been getting in the cars to track us down on the road... Justin Johnson, Bryan Ruff... even Fish (Brandon Fischer) got out of bed Saturday morning for the Towson game, thanks Fish! Oh and a family affair down in Charm City...Mike Pellegrini came out with his family and Brother (Towson Soccer Alum)... Mike you have bragging rights!
So if last week was huge, this week has got to be humungous (which is slightly bigger than huge and a touch shy of monumental for those keeping track...). Two more CAA opponents (including the Blue Hens - which my oldest, Abby informed me that we have nothing to fear, they are a chicken basically and you are a Dragon - just burn them and eat them), the RPI coming out on Tuesday, Top of the Table looming, Blood Drive on Thursday (that was for you K'OB...subliminal messaging, now you will have like a million thousand sign-ups - no need to thank me, first one's free), our pets heads are falling off (just seeing if you were still with me...)!
Get Red (that mean's wear Red clothing) and Get out to Vidas (a.k.a. 43rd & Powelton Ave.) with us on Wednesday night, 7 pm...Drexel and Delaware have a date...don't be late...or I will send Buddy the Blood Drop out after you!
All the best,
Doug
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