Well this week the days ticked below double digits before we leave, so it is becoming more real, but also more important. Another big week of intense training and development of style of play and tactics. So the work continues to be put in to prepare us as much as possible, but nothing will prepare us like just being there and competing in those games. That will really be the true test, and we will find out soon enough how we fare.
On Tuesday, I along with thousands of people in the football world received some surprisingly devastating news. Tony DiCicco, former US Women’s National Team World Champion and Olympic Gold coach, SoccerPlus Camps founder, Fox Sports commentator, and many more roles, sadly had passed away. It came as a huge shock as all my memories of him were spent on a field training young kids and giving inspirational lectures, not so long ago. I came to know Tony when I first joined SoccerPlus Camps in the summer of 2013, and I spent the next few summers with the organization and working alongside Tony. The best way to describe Tony was as an incredible teacher. He didn’t just coach the athlete, he taught the whole person, and that had so much more of an impact on all the kids that attended our camps. But the way he worked also impacted the other members of staff, holding us to higher standards, teaching us about life and the impact we can have, but also sharing some amazing stories about his experiences and what it takes to be successful. However all of this was always shared in the most humble way. He achieved something that I’m not sure many other coaches ever have, winning a World Cup and Olympic Gold, but that didn’t stop him from learning every single kids name at a camp of 250 kids within the first day. I am very grateful to have gotten to experience Tony and I am better for it, on the soccer field and in life. I know he will be watching over my experience as I continue to chase my dreams.
My final weekend in Chicago was one I had been looking forward to. My Mum’s cousins who live around where I have been staying own a boat on Lake Michigan, and I had very fond memories from 7 or 8 years ago when we got to take a trip out on the boat, so I had requested the opportunity to go out on the boat again, and Saturday was the day. I invited a couple of the lads and one of the lads wife joined. We had a wonderful afternoon on the water, although a little choppy, the water was blue and the sun was out and it was a magical feeling. Unfortunately, because of the choppy water we were unable to get all the way up the lake towards Navy Pier and Downtown, but the view from where we got to wasn’t half bad either. We spent the remainder of the afternoon at the dock chatting away and enjoying a lovely BBQ meal from Wayne. A wonderful way to wind down my time.
The real countdown starts this week as a handful of lasts will occur and the real purpose of being here soon becomes a reality. Stay tuned for an update from Denmark next week!
Well summer has truly arrived and the temperatures were soaring and our skin was burning. It was another ‘game week’ and our trainings focused on preparation for a trip to St. Louis to play against St. Louis FC who play in the USL, America’s Second Tier of competition. During the week, Coach had settled on a new formation that he felt would beneficial and successful with the personnel that we have. Sessions were intense, and Coach continued to challenge us all to be better. On Thursday we headed to St. Louis, a place I am very familiar with, with various family members living in and around the city, so The Arch was a welcome sight as we crossed the bridge.
This is crucial at the higher level and some are still learning the importance of this and many other aspects of the game. Although it wasn’t the result we wanted, it was progress and that is what Coach had asked for. I was also fortunate to see some family after the game which is always special.
p well except for the minor mishap of heat exhaustion last Sunday. Still room to get fitter, and in time that will come, but nothing beats match fitness, and its nice to know that our next game is on the horizon in St. Louis on Friday June 16th.
On Friday night, the five guys who were at the apartment for the weekend decided to head into Wheaton for some dinner. After our meal we wandered around and stumbled upon the ‘A Taste of Wheaton’ festival. There was a great cover band playing some absolute classics from Journey, Neil Diamond, Queen, etc. We had a blast, although we may have been on the younger side of the crowd!
Erik Panzer 