dtown1414

Thompson is only 15 but is headed for the senior squad by next season. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Tough away game here! Salvador Estrada from distance with his "first ever goal" for Savannah. Huge mistake by their keeper, coming pretty far out, then couldn't backtrack to keep it out! 1-0 Savannah Both teams hit the crossbar after this goal, but no further damage from either side. Tremendous win for the club, as we got another clean sheet. Defense was superb, and we even had a third goal called for offside. Flight back to Savannah will be a good one! Pondy was really good today. All three of their shots on goal really tested him. Heading down the home stretch, with just five matches left, four in May, and one in June. Team is in good form, hopefully it will continue.

We need to take advantage of a club that's been struggling, and keep our momentum going! Early penalty gives Ruthven a chance, and he doesn't miss! Comfortably ahead, 3-0 26 minutes in, but then gave up a free kick goal late. Need to stay focused! Nice to "sit back and enjoy some good soccer by the players. Nice win! The "Fox" was on the run today!! Oh yeah! I'll take that 4k. More than I had yesterday, lol. As will my coach too! Next up, we fly to Tempe, Arizona to take on Real Salt Lake Arizona!

Hi Blarney, I would test them together first. My first go at this I had used England Pyramid Down to Level 11 by Dan FM Database, USA 7 Tier Promotion Relegation, the Canadian Megapatch and some others that I don't remember now. I could get to only August of the year I started, and then it would crash. So I started with different combinations to wittle down what would work. I would "go on vacation" and try and "sim" for six months or so. Game would crash, so I'd take away one of the mods, and do it again. Finally, I decided to start in the US, and when I chose the England Pyramid Down to Level 11 by Dan FM Database, and the USA 7 Tier Promotion Relegation, it worked. I "simmed" for an entire season, and since it didn't crash, that's when I started out my career. I also found quite a few mods that just don't work due to the update of the game. Hope this helps.

And thought I'd might try this to get their reaction. Will remember this going into the end of the season! Staying with this against Reading Utd. We fall behind early on a corner kick of all things, but then in the 28th minute, Henderson does this with an assist from Ross Shinault. Solid first half as Jose Torres scores from in close on a deflection, and we lead at the half 2-1. Gave up the lead in the 65th minute, but a big improvement from the last time we met them. I'll take a draw away from home!

April 2024 Our April schedule Have to think these over, but potential is there for most of them: Richmond Utd up next: And somehow still making money! And this is good news! Henderson 12 goals and 3 assists in 31 league games for us. And still satisfying the board. And Samuel Ikoba makes it onto the Team of the Week! And more good news! Now on to win some games! And in other news here in the states: And now, back to that Richmond game: Going back to this formation as we are the slight favorites. Breakdown of Richmond per our scouts: We had two good chances in the first half, but their keeper came up big both times. We're playing good defense so far. Even after an own goal by their defender Josh Jensen, it was still nip and tuck the entire second half until Dennis Hitchcock sealed the win for us in the 91st minute. Not really that dominant of a win, but feels good to win at home. Up next, a revenge match against Reading United, who embarrassed us at home in our first meeting, 1-3. We also signed all our staff for next season, which includes our Assistant Manager, Coaches, and Scouts. We had already signed our Head Physio.

We got our Assistant Coach. I'll be offering them all contracts. Mostly 16-year-olds. And we're in negotiations with Adam Price. The 18-year-old left back has been really good for us this season. My tactics against Westchester: A big break for us when their left back Corey Fuller received a red card from a rash tackle on Dennis Hitchcock, but we still couldn't break through in the first half. Going to a more familiar "offensive" mode in the second half. And what a break again. Just when it looked like a 0-0 draw, a penalty sets up Larry Ruthven's winner in the 91st minute! And we jumped to 7th place with that win! And once again, like in several previous months, we end the month on a high!

I like proving the "media experts" wrong. I offered him the position. He's capable, and it's only for three months. They are missing a couple of key players. Not sure it will make a difference. We'll see. Well, he's at least up to 75 minutes, from 60 minutes. I'm going to start him, as we need his mid-field play. Their set up. We're tight marking the striker and pressing the attacking mids. Horrible 1st half for us, starting with an own goal, and then going downhill from there. My goal now is to not get embarrassed. Will turn to the "five defender" set up second half. We made a game of it in the second half, as we got one back early, and had another goal called offside. A rare mistake by our keeper cost us the 4th goal. Definitely played better once I changed the formation. Next up, we go from the fire into the pan as we host second place Westchester.

Nice start. Always good to start the season going in the right direction.

My running buddy is from Brentford. Has been in the states for over 20 years now. We celebrated when they got promoted. Being a Man United fan, it sickens me to see how much money this club, and the other "big six" just waste away. I admire Brentford for their recruiting vision, and how they find those "diamond in a rough" players seemingly every season. I've read many football books, and when recruiting and academies are discussed, Brentford is always mentioned. Good luck and I'll be following.

I have to start paying more attention to the "Data Hub." More on the right side where it makes suggestions on tactics. March 17th - Miami Kendall Rush vs Savannah Clovers - Took the seven-and-a-half-hour bus trip to Miami, to play the Miami Kendall Rush, a club currently in 18th place. We had beaten them at home back in September, 2-0, so I'm hoping we can repeat that here. And they play on an actual soccer field. Huge stadium, Ricardo Silva Stadium. News back in Savannah. Still looking for an Assistant. Still need to keep an eye on our best player. And it's back to basics! Not much to report in the first half. Our players just look tired. Gonna make some changes at halftime. I think the fans fell asleep in this 0-0 draw. I subbed in the second half, changed to attack mode, encouraged, nothing worked. Keepers had the easiest day ever. Next up - An away match against first place Long Island.

I was going to talk to Billy, but his mind was made up. Will start one level below us, but wish him all the best! I think at times, the only reason this club is put on this planet, is to drive me crazy. We have good practices, only not to have it carry into a game. And we still struggle at times, to play the whole 90 minutes. We have a drop off in intensity and concentration, and it costs us points. And I'm so tired of seeing us give up leads late, or unable to hold a lead. So, with that said, here's our new formation. Call me crazy but....... And I know it's tabu to be changing formations too many times during the season, but I need to bolster what is the worst defense in allowing goals in the league. At least that's what the book says. My lone coach was surprised, as were the players but I need to see if this will work. March 10th - De Anza Force vs Savannah Clovers - Made the long flight to Saratoga, California, to take on the Force. They play at De Anza College Field, and what a surprise, a genuine soccer field. We got off to a quick start, as Larry Ruthven fed Jack Henderson with a peach of a pass, and Henderson finished things off. We carried that lead into the half, but once again we had a second half collapse, as in the 66th minute, their striker Ben Parmiter scored, and the match finished at 1-1. The formation I used, did help defensively, but hindered us somewhat on the offensive side. Giving them 28 shots, is a lot, although only six on target, while we had just nine, four on target. I think this is a formation I would use late in the game, either protecting a lead or hoping for a draw when we are underdogs, as was the case in this game. Not sure I'm going to use it to start out in our next match. We want to get our solid keeper, Jack Pondy under contract for next season, so started negotiations. Went back and forth a few times before he tentatively agreed to this. And after losing our Head Physio last month, we had promoted Joe Zimmerman, and decided to extend his contract into 2025.

A bit of a surprise, and I won't stand in his way if he accepts this position. It's a level below us, but he probably feels he needs to start somewhere. March 2nd - Savannah Clovers vs Charlotte Eagles - This match makes me nervous as once again we're playing a club at the bottom half of the table (20th). After a fairly boring first half, which saw us heading to the dressing room all square at 1-1, we took the lead in the 55th minute on a corner kick, and a nice header by Larry Ruthven. I believe it was just our second goal from a corner for the season. But unfortunately, our defense wasn't up to the task, and we gave up two goals, losing 3-2. Another team we should be beating and couldn't hold the lead. Didn't hold back in the dressing room. Tired of seeing us collapse in the second half on mental mistakes that we shouldn't be making. And in other news: This came as a total shock! Despite the loss, things are still stable with the job. And I got my grade up from a C+ to a B, lol.

Thanks for the advice. Had not thought about that. Good to know.

Definitely some promising youngsters with loads of potential.

Closing out the month with a home game against PA Classics, from Manheim, PA. I'm sure they'll be glad to get to a place with some warm weather. Despite "laying an egg" against The Villages, I'm staying with the same set up. And yet another club at the lower end of the table, 22nd. Hopefully, we can change our luck against these types of clubs. Wonderful header by Jack Henderson in the 23rd minute giving us the lead. A nice win as Larry Ruthven gets a brace and we get another clean sheet. But this one came at a cost as Dennis Hitchcock, our best player all season, went off with an injury. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's not serious. We like that "home cookin", having won four of our last five. And so much for the "fingers crossed" thing working out. Not good at all. Like that color green! Maybe that will mean more green in my paycheck someday! Looks like practices on attacking setup has helped, and we practice defensive setups every week. Our passing completion has dropped some, as it was hovering around 80-81% in the past. Can't complain though, as we're winning again. Would still be nice though to get those goals per game up. Not bad sitting in 6th as we finish February. With 14 matches left, nearly impossible to catch Ventura, but there is an opportunity for 5th. And we're finally back in the plus for "goal difference." One match at a time as they say.

Our track record overall against clubs at the bottom of the table hasn't been great. Need to get a win here. Well we "sleepwalked" through the first half. We are consistently bad when it comes to playing the clubs near or at the bottom of the table. Notice the "notable events", none. We had two good chances in the second half, one on a header from Michael Johnson our sub, and the other on a shot from outside the 18 yard box by Larry Ruthven, but their keeper was up for the challenge. A disappointing draw. And here was a good defensive battle. The Flames are currently in second place. Nice supporter turnout.

Congrats. Club is on a roll.

Obviously need a run of good games. Hopefully, the schedule will be kind to you.

Time running out. And the Liverpunks have a game in hand. Get back on that winning streak.

I normally let my assistant, Billy Martone handle practice while I observe, and at times, work with a player one-on-one. But for the next two weeks, I changed up our routine, and emphasized attacking more on two of the days. Well, got blindsided by this. Last day of the transfer deadline, and we lose Leon Shaw, who has started 24 of our 29 games this season. He has been solid at right-back. Told me he had family in the San Diego area and decided to make the move. And we get no compensation. Speaking of transfers, Baltimore just lost their leading goal scorer, Ricardo Gomez, to the Maryland Bobcats who are one level up in the USL2. Gomez had 12 goals in 28 starts for Baltimore. He is now a full-time professional with them, not semi-pro anymore. Joey Bendik comes in to right back to replace Shaw. Alex Harding can also play there, also he's only played as a central defender this season. Henrique Bandeira is in for Ross Shinault, who is not fully fit, but can play. In our last meeting, it was a highly entertaining 3-3 draw. And a peach of a pass from Jose Torres to Larry Ruthven who applies a brilliant header as we go up 1-0. A breakaway by Jack Henderson made it 2-0. In between goals, I had to replace Samuel Ikoba with Alex Harding, as Ikoba sustained bruised ribs in the 26th minute. And we were lucky in the 45th minute, as a Baltimore goal was ruled offside. Those two first half goals were all we needed, as both teams were a bit sloppy in the second half. Too many turnovers. I'm excited about the win, and also that we got our 4th clean sheet of the season. A step in the right direction. And we moved up the table to 7th, with a very winnable game coming up against The Villages.

February 2024 Started out the month by flying to Plano, Texas to take on 23rd place Solar FC. They've been really struggling of late. Russell Creek Park - Big surprise playing on another football field. And we really should've won this match by at least three goals. Been concentrating on finishing in practice, but our players don't have the composure in front of goal. Forgot to list the standings at the end of January, so here's the update after our win over Solar.

This one won't be easy. We played them tough at home earlier in the season, losing 1-0. But they were in 8th place then but have been in great form and sit at the top of the table now. No changes, going to keep Harding and Ikoba together again for now. Why They're in First Place, and We're Not! I'm just hoping for improvement from last year's 10th place finish, with hope that we could be competitive with the top of the league teams, but we were totally humbled in this match. Ventura County dominated from the start, and never took their foot off the gas. Not much to say here, will just let the stats speak for themselves. And their dominating performance was in front of 918 fans. Must be nice, as we're lucky to get 100 or so. January at a glance!

We got our second player under contract for next season. Young keeper, who could be a future star player at this level, and possibly beyond. January 20th - Savannah Clovers vs FC Miami City - This was a match we should've won and we "took care of business" as Larry Ruthven said afterward. And he's allowed to boast a bit as he scored a brace in a convincing 3-0 win. If we can continue to beat the teams we're supposed to beat, then we'd be fine. But we keep "stubbing our toe", or as I told my Assistant, "two steps forward, one step back." Ruthven showed some magic with the ball on his first goal. Got the fans and me as well off our seats! And 18 shots are still too many for the opposition, but many of those were nowhere near testing our keeper. Headers over the bar, shots wide, etc. And our first "Player of the Week." Well deserved!

Didn't take long. The first firing (sacking) in the league. The Villages currently sitting 21st. Good news! Daniel Antley, our young 19 year-old backup keeper is going to be really good in the future, at least according to our scouts. So, we wanted to tie him down to another year, and he accepted. Home sweet home! I hope! Great start in the 8th minute as Dennis Hitchcock, who decided to stay with the club slams one in from outside the 18-yard box. Match ended up a good old western shootout. We broke the team record with 23, and a late goal by Jack Henderson sealed a much-needed home win, in a match that quite frankly, we should've won.

January 2024 Thankfully, for the rest of 2024, no weekday games. Maybe now we can work on some things in practice, knowing the fact that we'll have more than one a week. Appears the club is well into the black. Not sure how we have so much cash laying around, but I'm more concerned with wins! Things are still stable. Need to turn that C+ into an A, lol This is interesting. Don't offer contracts to two of our defenders. My Chief Scout sees the same thing I do, we're weak at the back. Albertson has the lowest goal tally in the league with just 22. I'm trying a 4-1-3-2 with Richie Fox in a defensive midfield position. Hopefully, he'll give our defenders the help they need, and I'm asking Torres and Shinault to be in a more attacking mode. Well, we played better defense, but once again help a team battling relegation, to move out of the zone for now. Will be good to get back home and hopefull turn things around. January 7th - And to add "salt to the wound", our best player may be gone. I'm gonna try and talk to him and see if he'll stay.