ODP GIRLS

Day 8

After a full day of shopping and site seeing, it was onto our last day of competition on this ODP Tour.

It started with a team meeting for the 98s, with 96 Coaches, Sarah Curtis and Ann Germain. They shared some of their own expereinces (Coach Curtis played at University of Virginia and Coach Germain played for our National Team0. They discussed commitment, leading a balanced life, how to deal with disappointments and then Coach Ann made everyone cry! She proudly spoke of the 96s National Championship run and how their team MVP never played a minute, her role off the field and to her team mates had s HUGE impact. Great lessons again on this trip.

The 96s were up first verses the local FC Juvisy. This is one of the few girl's only clubs in France. This team had a mix of senior and U18 players, a bright balanced start for the visitors, with the home team siting in a compact shape and showing a few moments coming forward. The 96s would open the scoring via a PK in the waining stage of the half. Into the second, the match lost it's rythem and the home side got the equalizer midway through. Match finished 1 -1. Some bright spots for the 96s and we look forward to seeing them compete at Rider.

Unfortunately for the 98s, their match was cancelled at the last minute. The hosts offered a compromise with their team staying to play the young team, and then a follow up scrimmage with the 96s. We are thankful for the opportunity, nevertheless, the moment was ceased. The 98s got back to their strengths and dominated possession creating chances with good movement and combinations. Making the tired teams run resulted in goals from Yoo, Dinga, Ferantino and Sayahaydian.

[98s and 96s with FC Juvisy]

After a quick social with the hosts, we were off to do some shopping, subway back to the hotel and mealtime. We leave early on Sunday.

Day 9

Home... hope you enjoy our stories.

BOYS ODP

Day 7

The boys teams took the metro to shop in the morning (hopefully picking up gifts for their parents). After the 223 boutique shopping experience they traveled to the Parisian based AS Brondy club to play back to back games at their hosts training facility.

[Metro in Paris]

The 98's took to the field first and lost to a very skillful group 2-0. The Brondy club was fast and very technical but the boys played well, made individual adjustments and tied the second half 0-0. We observed big improvements in the players as they now became more aware of the French systems and styles of play. Our hosts provided the players with drinks and finger food after as they graciously thanked us for the match.

The 97's lost their match 1-0 as they too had a much better effort. They battled their quick and skillfull opponents. And grew in confidence and stature as the match progressed into the chilly Paris evening. The # 3 for Brondy had already been identified by Tottenham Hotspurs and will play in England next year. His speed and skill was something to behold as the boys battled to stay with the young pro and learn from his playing ability.

Day 8

On their off day the boys took the metro to the heart of Paris. They went though the Louvre, walked the Champs Élysées, took pictures up close of the Arc de Triumphe and strolled underneath the Eiffel Tower. A busy but very productive day as the 65 degree and sunny weather cooperated with the group through their Parisian excursion.

[Guess what we are looking at?]

Tomorrow is a game day so a healthy dinner followed by a 10:30 curfew will bring the group back on track for the final task ahead.
Bonsoir.

We would also like let you know that we had a female player who had contracted a staph infection while here in France. The player was taken to the hospital where she had the issue addressed and was subsequently kept over night for observation. The hospital determined that the strain was not contagious and she was released to her mother.

GIRLS ODP

Day 7:

Another quality day in France. Today we toured Versailles... this wondrous museum/castle left our coaches speechless and am sure the pictures that our players took, it will be astounding to you as well. Then off to one of the richest "futbol" clubs in the world, Paris Saint Germain.

[Versailles with Girls ODP]

A sprawling facility was on tap for the girl's games today with the 98s up first. We started brightly and soon realized that we were physically going to over match them. A couple of goals in the first half by Dinga and Yoo on balls played in behind resulted in a 2 nil lead at half. PSG came out the better team in the second stanza and kept the ball more than we did, they score after we can't clear a free kick on a header and we reply in stoppage time through Ferrantino on a breakaway to get our first international win, 3-1.

[98s and PSG]

The 96s were now up against an experienced U18 PSG team. The match initially had sprinklings of bright play from both teams and then settled into a see saw battle. The technical proficiency of the French side started to create some chances and they led 1 nil at the half. We tried to keep the ball a bit more and the French countered with a diagonal ball behind our backs and made it 2 nil. That seemed to wake us up and we played with a ton of energy, got back to 2-1 but ran out of time. Good lessons today for our side.

[96s and PSG]

Back to our hotel for some local cuisine and off to Paris site seeing on Day 8.

Day 8:

The day that we dreamed of became reality. The pictures will speak and our stories when we return will echo the sites of the day. We visited the Louvre, Champs de Elysess, the Eiffel Tower and of course, did a little bit of shopping.

[Photo op!]

Taking the subway into the heart of the city was great fun, imagine 4 teams making their way in the tunnels of the subway system, in blue jackets, moving like a river into trains. Yes, people were taking photos and asking us who we were. Great fun though.

Our last full day is tomorrow with matches and more French memories to come.

We would also like let you know that we had a female player who had contracted a staph infection while here in France. The player was taken to the hospital where she had the issue addressed and was subsequently kept over night for observation. The hospital determined that the strain was not contagious and she was released to her mother.