Hello again and welcome to the 3rd edition of Across the Midwest Pitch.
What an exciting day for the US National Team. I can’t believe we advanced with everything happening the way it did. Simply beating a very confident Egypt squad by three goals was a large task, but also having Brazil do the same thing to defending World Cup champion Italy? What were the chances?
We didn’t get to watch all the drama unfold because we were playing a SuperLiga match against Atlas but the news circled through the locker room after our game. Most of the guys were shocked and surprised, just like I was. It definitely brings some passionate excitement back into the tournament. Obviously, Spain is going to be a tough opponent, but as a spectator, you can’t ask for a better match up and test. I’m looking forward to it!!!
Speaking of our SuperLiga match against Atlas, it was easily one of the hottest games I’ve ever played (maybe the hottest). Kick-off was at 3:30 PM and the temperature was around 95 degrees. It was also extremely humid, which made the heat index 107 degrees.
The first 20 minutes seemed like 60 minutes. We tried to play like we usually do with an uptempo pace and high pressure, but quickly realized it wasn’t the day to try that. The heat and humidity took a toll on us early so we decided to slow it down a bit and possess more. The first 30 minutes was back and forth with both teams trying to feel each other out. Each team had a couple smaller chances, but nothing to show.
The last 15 minutes of the 1st half I felt like we got into a rhythm. We started moving the ball around quicker and created some good opportunities, but weren’t able to capitalize on any of them. Halftime was 0-0.
The locker room at halftime was very interesting. Everyone was trying to find ways to cool their body off. A couple guys took cold showers and most everyone had an ice towel around their neck. Personally, I was a feeling a bit dizzy from the heat so I tried to drink as much fluids as possible (I had at least 2 Gatorades and 2 waters). Coach talked about the conditions and how we wanted to manage the game. It was obvious that in the 2nd half, we wanted to be the ones with the ball, not the ones chasing it. We came out from halftime confident that we were the fitter team and going to get the first goal.
The 2nd half was a lot more open than the 1st half because of the heat. Both teams were fairly tired and were hesitant to make too many runs forward. I thought we were definitely the better team in the 2nd half, creating more dangerous chances. Unfortunately, we were unable to score and the game ended 0-0.
It would have been nice to get 3 points in our first game, but we also realize it’s a 3 game tournament and will take 1 point. We must move forward and focus on winning our next game in New England on Wednesday. If we win, we can put ourselves in a good position to advance.
That’s about it for this week, if there’s anything in particular you guys want to hear about or want me to write about let me know with your comments below! Talk to you next week.
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“My Last 3”
Last 3 Books read: Deception Point by Dan Brown, My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult, Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Last 3 Movies seen: The Hangover, The Count of Monte Cristo, Marley and Me
Last 3 TV shows watched: NBC coverage of US Open, Entourage, John and Kate Plus 8
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Q: Does the team (and yourself) prepare any differently for SuperLiga matches? How much importance are the players and coaches putting on showing well in this tournament? Is it a distraction from what you guys are trying to do in league play? - Brett C.
A: I think the team goes into every match with the focus on performing well and winning the game. Coach always talks about each player playing to their potential, and the result will take care of itself. In SuperLiga, there is money and a championship on the line, so that is an added incentive for us. Showing well is definitely important and winning SuperLiga has been something we have talked about since the beginning of the season. Although it’s in the middle of our league schedule, it’s not a big distraction at all.
Q: Matt, did you expect to become an everyday starter for the Wizards so quickly? To what do you attribute your quick rise into the starting lineup and do you feel any pressure week-in and week-out to perform in order to stay in the starting XI? - Tim A.
A: As a professional player, you’re goal is to always be on the field and be a starter. However, I realize as a rookie it is tough to get a chance to make an impact early on. I attribute my chance to play early to my coaches and teammates. I know both Coach and my teammates believe in me and as a player, and that’s the most important thing. There’s always pressure to perform no matter where you are in the squad. As a starter, there’s even more because everyone else wants to take your spot. You really have to concentrate and focus on each training session as an opportunity to improve and perform well.
Kansas City Wizards defender Matt Besler returns with a new installment of 'Across The Midwest Pitch' each Tuesday on MLS Daily. If you have a question that you'd like answered in next week's segment, please send it HERE. Our sincere thanks go out to Matt for taking his time to write each week!
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3 comments:
Yeah Matt kudos to you for the effort out there. Watching you doubled over from the heat after the first 45, I was surprised you made it out for the second half. Just standing still and singing made me think I was going to pass out.
I never heard the 107 number, but that seems more like it than the 100 I got off the web. We're from KC. We're used to hot and humid, but that was another level.
Really, I think it's kind of reckless and stupid to schedule afternoon games from June to August, but I'm guessing it was a Telefutura mandated time.
Sorry the Cauldron was a couple minutes late, we had to see if the US could hold on. I would've bet anyone 1000 dollars or more before the game that we wouldn't advance. I wonder what kind of odds you could've gotten.
Those Telefutura afternoon games are ridiculous in the middle of summer. Besides the obvious affect on players, crowds at these games tend to be smaller as well. I guess it's part of their contract with the league that these games have to go off at that time, but it's something that needs to be looked into and changed before something serious happens.
I heard that Herculez had to be pulled in the first half because he was about to pass out. Not cool...
Thanks for your contribution to the game Matt - I'm sure it wasn't very fun out there, but the team pulled together to get a good result. Now let's beat New England!
thanx for the weekly updates Matt!
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