What a Year! Bring on 2013!

It's been an incredible year for Soccer Boss! Here are some of my favorite and not-so-favorite-but-still-memorable moments!

Kickoff! FutbolforLife 2013

Want to kick off your new year right? Join us for the eighth annual Kitsap Cup tournament FutbolforLife benefiting children in Sierra Leone!

Kitsap Pumas 11-3 Tumwater Pioneers

Kitsap Pumas Dazzle in Exciting and Physical Home Opener

My Life as a Teenage Club President

My senior project, which I get to share with two of my best friends, was to establish a football club for a community in Miwani, Kenya called Nehemiah. The farm that we are located on is surrounded by farmers, primarily of sand and sugar cane, who were looking for positive recreational activities to participate in rather than drinking and gambling. Nehemiah FC was born out of a hope of uniting communities and creating strong leaders to benefit those communities. It has its struggles but those far outweigh the laughter at meetings between the USA team members and the humorous early morning Facebook messages from our Kenyan counterparts. Here is a small look into what we are up to at Nehemiah FC...

FC Basel 4-0 Grasshopper FC

Frei makes no mistake in beating Burki
blick.ch

FC Basel played hosts to the current league leaders and their Axpo Super League rivals at St. Jakob Park this afternoon, putting on an exceedingly impressive display of tactical organization and individual skill.

Kitsap Pumas Defeat OC Allstars in Preseason Friendly

The Kitsap Pumas put on an entertaining display against an equally enticing OC squad. The Pumas could have easily netted more than their eight goals but it was a convincing win and well-rounded performance from the team!

OC Rangers

Your 2012/2013 Kitsap Pumas Indoor Team!

The Pumas next match is the opening game in their 2012/2013 PASL campaign against Tumwater on December 1st, see you all there!
Find Soccer Boss on Facebook for more images from tonight's match!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.376068499147282.94298.280319388722194&type=1

Soccer Boss's Week in Review - Because I'd Rather Blog Than Start My Homework

Watt the f*ck just happened?

So much football, so little time! Seriously, it pains me to allow all of these 90 minutes of brilliance to pass me by as I slave away over textbooks and worksheets... in other words, school has started up and is interfering with my football spectating schedule, but only as much as I'll allow it.

FC Zurich 1-2 FC Basel

Basel's Alex Frei ends his 647 minute goal drought
blick.ch

Basel claim three vital points on a snow covered pitch in Zurich

Since taking over a week ago for Heiko Vogel, former FC Basel and Swiss National Team player Murat Yakin was in dire need of a positive result. His first game in charge of the reigning champions ended in a 1-0 defeat to the side he coached to a second place position last season, a deserved result after a poor performance from Basel. His second game in charge took place at Videoton in the Europa League. This time around Basel were the better side but were unlucky to concede two goals early on and then even more unlucky to not be able to convert their multiple chances that followed into goals.

Managerial Change at FC Basel

Heiko Vogel (pictured) has been replaced by Murat Yakin

FC Basel have announced that Heiko Vogel will be replaced with Murat Yakin. The former Basel player will be making his return to the club and will face the task of helping the defending champions climb back to first place after a less-than-satisfactory start to the season.
A press conference will be held later today to introduce Yakin as a new member of the club and to discuss the change in position.

Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

A screamer from Arango and a clinical finish from De Jong sealed Borussia Monchengladbach's second win of the season

Arango celebrates his fantastic goal
express.de

After struggling to find their form and team chemistry, Monchengladbach were able to pull off a home win. Their home defeat at the hands of Turkish side Fenerbahce that came straight after a hammering from Borussia Dortmund. The Foals were able to pick themselves up and dust themselves off as they played host to Eintracht Frankfurt in the seventh round of the Bundesliga.

Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Hamburg SV

Dominguez celebrates his stoppage time equalizer against Hamburg with teammate Xhaka

The young Spanish center back Alvaro Dominguez nodded home a stunning equalizer in stoppage time robbing the visiting Hamburg SV of all three points from their midweek meeting in the Bundesliga. 

FC Basel 4-1 FC Sion

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Philipp Degen nets two stunners as Basel claim all three points against FC Sion

FC Basel secure some much needed points against FC Sion, closing the large point gap between them and their fellow Axpo Super League side. They were in need of a confidence booster after struggling in the domestic league but earning an important draw away to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.

Sporting Lisbon 0-0 FC Basel

Streller and his men settle for the draw
blick.ch

The reigning Swiss Champions FC Basel secure an important point in Lisbon with a display of tactical brilliance which can be credited to German coach Heiko Vogel and his assistants.

The Kenya Soccer Project: In My Words

"Football is not just a simple game. It's also a weapon of the revolution." ~Che Guevara 

From Che Guevara, the South American Marxist revolutionary with a soft spot for football to the committed members of the Trinity Youth, the founders of the Bundesliga super power Borussia Dotrmund, we are all catalysts of the beautiful game. We recognize the power and awe that this sport brings to spectators, players, referees, critics, writers and all other witnesses to the magic that occurs on the pitch week in, week out. With its global popularity, simple rules and incredible malleability, football is an ideal tool for empowering the youth of third world nations and giving an outlet of leadership and expression to those who are in need of it.

Switzerland-Albania: A Demonstration of Passion

blick.ch

Switzerland are the victors in an intense match against Albania

Help Us Reach Our Goal!

Nehemiah FC staff in the United States are currently organizing our first trip to Kenya, but we need your help!

Being the slight OCD perfectionist that I am when it comes to blogging and publicizing, I wanted to wait until I had video footage, an etsy page, tons of photos, a nearly perfect club website, and a whole bunch of other things BUT there is no time like a present, so I am sending this post out with hope and faith that the information I am about to present to my faithful Soccer Boss readers and Nehemiah FC fans will be enough to convince you to spread the word about our effort to raise money for our coaching trip to Kenya! 

FC Basel 0-0 FC Zurich

Streller was one of the only ones on frame for Basel
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FC Basel played out a goalless fixture against their rivals FC Zurich in St. Jakob Park

Rough Ride In The Champions League

FC Basel is upset by Cluj while Monchengladbach nearly fight their way back in Ukraine in the last qualification round of the UEFA Champions League.

Basel and Gladbach were sent packing
fcb.ch

The UEFA Champions League shows no mercy. After upsetting in the group stage and the first leg of the knockout stage last season, Swiss side Basel were sent home with a bitter defeat after they conceded one goal on the night, three overall against Cluj. Borussia Monchengladbach played out an exciting fixture, keeping the fans on their toes until the final whistle blew but unfortunately their Champions League campaign also came to a close this evening.

A Sneak Peek Into The Nehemiah FC Curriculum

For those of you who don't know, I started a football club in Kenya called Nehemiah FC. We recently sent a group there to bring the first wave of supplies and check in on progress. I was thrilled with the results! Along with sending down shirts and cleats, I send down a thirteen page curriculum for our general manager. I swear by the Brazilian philosophy but I also included descriptions of other styles of soccer so that the team could choose a style that suited them, or pick the best features from all of them to create their own Kenyan style! In August of 2013, we are hoping to travel to Kenya to structure our youth academy and perfect the team that has been established by our hardworking GM, Shebby. Little bits of the curriculum will be published leading up to the trip and I want your advice! Soccer specialists, coaches, players, fans... anyone! Feel free to let me know what you think! This is a community effort, this club is the people's club. Our style will be dictated by what everyone can bring to the table. Happy reading!

St. Gallen 2-1 FC Basel

Regazzoni scores the winner for Sion
blick.ch

The reigning Swiss Champions are struggling to find their form as they fail to maintain their early dominance in the match and concede two to lose the 1-0 lead that Jacques Zoua gave them in the first ten minutes of the game.

Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 Hoffenheim

Xhaka proved to be a smart signing for Lucien Farve this summer
borussia.de

Borussia Monchengladbach kicked off their Bundesliga campaign with a late home victory against Hoffenheim after taking the lead in the first half. They conceded in the second half, but were able to come back when they drew another free kick from the Hoffenheim defense, resulting in a winning goal from the home side.

Dundee United 3-0 Dundee

Russell was both a hero and a villain as he scored a brace and saw red
eurosport.com

Dundee United Take The Points In The First Dundee Derby In Seven Years

The orange side of Dundee, Dundee United "hosted" their neighborhood rivals for the Dundee Derby this afternoon in the Scottish Premier League. That atmosphere rivaled the intensity of the fans at the Old Firm (the Glasgow derby notorious for its passionate fans) with the sounds of the home side, Dundee United, blasting throughout the city, surely causing a rumble when the home side struck their three goals to give them a victory in the Dundee Derby, which hasn't happened in a competitive competition in seven years.

FC Basel 2-0 Lausanne-Sport

Salah caused some serious problems for Lausanne's defense
blick.ch

FC Basel are back on track now with two consecutive wins in the Swiss Axpo Super League. Their campaign hit a bit of a lull early on after they struggled to play in their usual dominant form and earned themselves only draws against some of the tougher teams in the league, but they have now secured two decisive wins and are now in second place in the Super League.

Long Time No Post!

Lexi and I are planning a mission to Kenya!

Apologies dear readers for not posting anything in a while! I've been working away at my soccer project in Kenya recently and I am thrilled to announced that in August of 2013, I will likely be posting from Miwani, Kenya! The arrangements have been made and my co-president and I are now working feverishly at assembling a team of coaches, players and soccer fanatics to go to Kenya and spend a month structuring the youth academy for Nehemiah FC and running kids camps to get the youth excited about soccer and to use the camps to educate coaches that we will seed into the youth academy! We are SO excited to be making headway like this and I am SO excited to be able to go over and finally see all of the hard work that we have been putting into this pay off! I am also excited to announce that Nehemiah FC is playing in their very first tournament. Shebby is away from the internet right now and can't send me many details, but so far I know that we have drawn the first game 1-1 and it was a very good match. If anyone would like any more information on this mission trip that we will be taking or how they can help, please refer to this link.
English Premier League is kicking off this weekend and I am totally stoked. I will be posting full reviews and possibly individual match reports for the better games or the game of the week in addition to match reports for FC Basel and other smaller league games that I view!

USA Stun Canada With Last Moment Header

Alex Morgan has secured her spot in the highlight reel of the greatest Olympic moments with her fantastic header against North American neighbors Canada to send the United States through to the final where they will get their rematch against Japan and battle it out for the gold medal.

Molde FK 0-1 FC Basel

Zoua strikes again for Basel
blick.ch

The Swiss visitors were lucky to claim the win on their trip to Norway for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Despite being a man up for the majority of the game, Basel looked unconvincing in terms of their finishing but were strong in possession. They will have the 1-0 aggregate lead and a precious away goal when the two sides clash in Basel next week.

Liverpool FC 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Well it looked as though the players on the pitch were having just as torrid of a time as I was controlling their body temperatures in the killer heat in Baltimore today. The cloud coverage, which was few and far between, provided little relief from the humidity and the sky-high temperatures; something I am not used to coming from the frigid state of Washington. The boys still worked hard to put on a show and for many of them, merely showing up did the trick. Liverpool fans outnumbered Spurs supporters by about 4:1 and they were thrilled even by the likes of Andy Carroll, a player who fails to impress me still. Nonetheless, we were dazzled by the incredible talent of some of the young players both teams put on to the pitch. Nearly every single man was rotated in or out at some point in the game, partly for the entertainment of the 42,000 or so fans who had braved the temperatures, and partly because the boys were simply not conditioned for the heat.

Liverpool vs Tottenham!!

Photos of fans from the game can be viewed here and my thoughts on the match along with some of the nicer pictures of the game will follow shortly!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.335413686546097.81892.280319388722194&type=3

The First Photos!

My mom stumbled (well, actually they were doing the stumbling) upon some footy fans at the Irish pub across the street :)

All the Fun on the LFC Tour 2012

The Jersey and I Have Landed :D

Well, I knew this day would come. The day when I make the transition from objective (well... with everything except Basel) writer who is more comparable to the title "journalist" than the title "blogger" to a full blown blogger. And one that is also a borderline stalker as well. I've just checked in to the hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, a lovely place so far with some incredible nightlife but probably not somewhere I would just pick up and go to if it weren't for football.

This Weekend...

What is potentially coming your way depending on my internet feed...

There's only so much a 17 year-old blogger can do, and sometimes I bite off much more than I can chew. This week has been a fine example of me seeing these mouthwatering fixtures in all different leagues (Olympics, Swiss Super League, USL and a whole bunch of preseason games) and then realizing that as much as I'd like to, I can't dedicate the full 24 hours allotted in a day to watching the beautiful game. Trust me, I've tried. There were several games that I was looking forward to covering this weekend, until I realized that they either coincide with each other or I will be sitting on a flight from Seattle to Washington DC at the time the game is played. Just a look at what's ahead:

Switzerland 1-1 Gabon

Frustration for Switzerland and a glimmer of hope for the Olympic newcomers

Aubameyang strikes for Gabon
blick.ch

After a scrappy game in Newcastle, England, neither Switzerland nor Olympic newcomers Gabon were able to take all three points in what was really anyone's game as the battle for the first place spot in Group B continued. Earlier today, Mexico and South Korea battled it out but the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Both Gabon and Switzerland knew that if they could capitalize on their fixture today, they would take the top spot in the group.

FC Basel 3-0 FC Flora Tallin

Zoua strikes twice for Basel and Diaz nets his first goal for the Swiss side and in European football as Basel roll on to the next round

Zoua Strikes Two for Swiss Champions
blick.ch

The reigning Swiss Champions and one of the Cinderella Stories of last year's UEFA Champions League campaign are now one step closer to their return to the European stage as they defeated Estonian side FC Flora Tallinn 3-0 on the night in St. Jakob Park and added to the two goals that were scored in Estonia by Alex Frei last week. Basel will move on to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League with the 5-0 aggregate score.

FC Basel's Home Campaign off to a Rocky Start

Sommer makes a dramatic save against Luzern
fcb.ch

FC Basel were able to savor a point against FC Luzern thanks to a late goal from club captain and hero Marco Streller and lots of acrobatic saves from young goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Basel could have taken home all three points at several stages in the game, claiming to have a penalty appeal on more than one occasion and watching Alex Frei's perfectly placed shot bounce off the inside of the post in the first minute of stoppage time.

Thank You!

The Pumas post-season picnic is one of my favorite events of the year. Fans get to acknowledge the players that we followed obsessively for three months and we get to send them on their way with warm wishes for a successful future in football hoping to either see them at a higher level or back on the Puma's roster next season. Unfortunately this season I will not be able to express my gratitude in person so I will do it in writing.

'Ballers be Warned

Well I never imagined that my eventual claim to partial football blogging fame would come from this photo. All I have to say is "there's more where that came from." True story. 

See Kickette's take on the Kodak moment here: http://www.kickette.com/edin-hazard-ball-check/

What a Wonderful Season!

Happiness and love are really two of the only emotions that we are frequently unable to put into words. Often we can describe sadness, hate, anger and even loss with a series of carefully plucked adjectives, similes, metaphors and common cliches that have been waiting at the front of our brains for the opportune moment to make themselves useful and make themselves heard. With happiness and love, those fall through the grid and we are left wide-eyed, our hearts brimming with this warm, somewhat bubbly feeling that is among the elite of indescribable emotions because it is so deep and so profound that simple words don't do it justice. This season, the Kitsap Pumas consistently filled my heart with this emotion that has no identity yet is one of the most universal feelings a human can experience. Late goals, impressive victories, strong tackles, incredible signs of strength, leadership and individual skill all left me tingling with delight and a large smile plastered on my face. I can't describe it in anything less than a million words, I truly can't.

Pumas are Playoff Bound

The Kitsap Pumas are facing off against their hated rivals (and the rivals of all teams around Puget Sound...) the Portland Timbers today for a spot in the Western Conference USL/PDL Playoffs in Ventura, California next weekend! I don't want to get too far ahead of myself by booking a flight into LAX, and I'd hate to think that this is where the road ends this season, but let's take a moment to reflect on a really, really good season.

FC Basel Takes Three Points Against Servette

Basel's captain Marco Streller
fcb.ch

Basel with a dominant performance and a good display of unity with renovated squad 

FC Basel kicked off their Axpo Super League season with a full three points after they defeated FC Servette 1-0 on the opening day of the season. The Friday evening fixture was met with fair weather and a good reception from the faithful Servette fans in the French speaking region of Switzerland. FC Basel, despite several new signings and the promotion of some of their talented youth from their well-structured academy, fielded an experienced side with many familiar faces.

Archive Collection

I have been collecting the links to full matches, Youtube highlights and match reports for Puma games from this season! If any of you Puma players or staff are in need of any of them, the link is here and if any of you fans would like to re-live some of our most wonderful moments of the season those are easily found here!

The archive page is located on the left hand side of the blog under the Home link and above the Kenya Soccer Project link or by following this URL :)

http://soccer-boss.blogspot.com/p/player-footage-archive.html

Your 2012 Kitsap Pumas!

Click here to view this video

Shooting Drill

Click here to view this video

The Pumas Stay on Top and Collect The First Ever Ruffneck Cup

The Kitsap Pumas took all six possible points from their fixtures this weekend with two narrow home wins. Their first victory of the weekend came on Friday night against their Puget Sound rivals Washington Crossfire. In addition to the usual friction caused by the Ruffneck rivalry, the Pumas were also playing to claim their top spot and avoid any results that would be catastrophic to their contention for the first place finish.

Our Weekly Catch-up

Hello Soccer Boss Readers!

Wow! What a week! I was hoping to do individual posts for all of the incredible things that have happened, but due to a time crunch and some last minute trips to the doctor, this is the best I'm going to be able to do this week. Updates include some news regarding the Kitsap Pumas and some exciting news from Kenya!

We are Looking for Venues!

My co-president Lexi (L) and I!

Hello Soccer Boss readers! I went over this briefly in a previous post but I will say it again for first-time readers. I have founded a football club in Nehemiah, Kenya and we are in need of all sorts of things (including a president who actually knows what they are doing, if there are any takers). I was tempted to provide a nice, touchy-feely but extremely lengthy anecdote on this wonderful community and all that it has given me, but I will save that post as an epilogue to this one and cut to the chase.
I recently sent down a shipment of 16 boots, a ball pump and 17 soccer balls with my co-president to "get the ball rolling" for lack of a better term, but we are supporting a football club with several players of all ages and will accept as many donations as people can spare. We would have been able to collect more before the deadline, but asking people to drop off their donations at my house was too complicated and asked too much out of someone who was already going out of their way to help us. What we are looking for are local business owners who would be willing to allow us to have people drop off donations for the club at their shop, store, restaurant, building or whatever it may be rather than having to find me or bring it to my house, which is out of the way for many of the people who offered things up.
If you or someone you know owns a local business that would be willing to have a large donation box or posters advertising our interest in old soccer gear, please send them my way!
On a side note, I am also looking for a venue to host a large scale fundraiser for our club before the end of the summer or any time that we can arrange at their convenience.
For more information or to contact me please message me via Facebook or email me at soccerboss98110@gmail.com
For more information on the project, please visit our blog http://kenyasoccerproject.blogspot.com/ or "like" Nehemiah FC on Facebook.
Thank you all so much for reading my blog and supporting us!

Kitsap Pumas Play Out A Draw Against Vancouver

Often times my match reports are very professional and subjective due to the professional (but not the least subjective) image I attempt to portray when I am behind the lens of the camera. However, my match report on last night's game is not going to be subjective at all and although I will aim for professional criticism of the tactics of the visiting side and the "quality" of the officiating, I am not likely to adhere to it. Although the result wasn't all three points, it was far from disappointing and was made even better as Puma legend Taylor Hyde made his home return from a long hip injury. 

Portugal Are The First Side To Advance

Portugal go through over Czech Republic

Portugal will face the winner of Spain vs. France in the semi-finals of EURO 2012 after they grabbed a late and narrow 1-0 victory against the resilient Czech Republic in the quarter final match in Warsaw, Poland.

NSCAA Educates Young Coaches From BIFC

On Tuesday, NSCAA coach and Director of Coaching at Emerald City FC, Erik Oman, came out to the Commodore fields on Bainbridge Island to educate a group of coaches young and old, but mostly young players who are products of the BIFC academy themselves, on the basics of coaching young children. He demonstrated a coaching philosophy that revolved around fun, positive attitudes and encouragement and most of all, nurturing a love of the game and self confidence in young children.

An Explanation of my Lengthy Absence

Well Soccer Boss readers, I am only stating the obvious when I say that I haven't posted in a while. As finals week(s) approached in both college and my remaining high school class I could feel the helpless sinking feeling as I looked ahead at my busy school schedule that collided quite nicely (NOT) with the start of the equally hectic and slightly overwhelming schedule of EURO 2012 group games. With finals out of the way, I thought "at last, some time to focus on blogging!" but, alas, another project of gargantuan proportion, but a hugely satisfying final destination, landed in my lap.

EURO 2012 in Review

Round One Comes To A Close In Poland And Ukraine 

Ukrainian striker Shevchenko was nearly left out
 of the starting lineup but struck twice for the
co-hosts against Sweden
mirror.co.uk

The action of the tournament kicked off on Friday with the other co-host Poland hosting Greece in Warsaw and closed today with the other co-host Ukraine securing themselves a surprising three points against Sweden. In between, hated rivals faced off, stunning goals were scored and powerful shots were saved. Two red cards have been shown so far, both coming from the same ref in the opening game between Poland and Greece. As the first round of group play comes to a close, some teams sit on top unsurprisingly while other nations are having fairytale starts to their EURO 2012 campaigns. 

EURO 2012 Group Preview

worldcupblog.org

This summer the footballing world will turn it's attention to Poland and Ukraine as they host the 2012 EURO Cup. The qualifying stage for the European nations began shortly after the 2010 World Cup, and now sixteen of the best National Teams in Europe are ready to shine on the world stage. Here is a look at the first round of fixtures in the group stage and the groups themselves for this tournament, which kicks off on June 8th in Warsaw, Poland.