(note: This is not the same article that will be published in the 2008 Hanover Park Forum, as this version has been deemed “too controversial and offensive” for print.)
Soccer is often regarded as the “Beautiful Game” in other parts of the world. It is a national pastime that is supposed to showcase the beauty, creativity, ingenuity and pure craftsmanship that comes with it. But where is this joy and fun on the field during our boys' matches? The look on the faces of our team is often described as blase and uninspired.
Chelsea. Real Madrid. Manchester United. Brazil. Argentina. These are examples of teams that have experienced a great deal of success in the world of soccer over their existence in club and international play. While they are not short on talent, they exhibit a passion for the game that is unrivaled. They truly love the game. Players such as Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered true geniuses on the pitch. They are talented, but pure talent alone does not take a player alone to stardom. Those two possess a passion for the “Beautiful Game”; they play with joy and grace in their games. Genuine love for the game translates to success in soccer. We just don't see a team at Hanover Park that shows a desire to play for the entire ninety minutes; there are a few exceptions of course on the team, but winning is not determined by an individual effort, but by the effort of the entire team.
Coach Donald Manfria was brought in last year to reverse the trend of many consecutive losing seasons since the 90's. In the beginning of his stay here, the team was given shirts that were adorned with the slogan “Hanover Park Soccer, A New Era”. Now I hope this “New Era” calls for excellence, but it got off to a rough start last year when it actually reduced by half the number of wins the previous year as the 2007 Hornets only won one game.
This year, captains Dave Gallo and Jimmy Cicchino lead a team comprised of mainly juniors and seniors. They will adapt to a new formation, the 3-5-2, as opposed to the 4-4-2, which the team played mainly in the past. The new formation will stress ball control in the middle of the field, as teams in years past were out-muscled in the middle of the field. This new ball-control scheme will allow for more opportunities for shots on goals and less shots give up. In the back three, our Hornets have Michael Varesano in the middle, with Steve Wong and Joe Cardoso manning the sidelines. Robert Jeanette, Bobby Wong, Pat Brown, Dave Gallo, and Gerrard Zarra control the middle of the field. Up top scoring is Vittorio Carenzo and Jimmy Cicchino. (Note: Starting lineups are subject to change.)
There is talent on this team, no doubt, but unfortunately our Hornet's physical gifts are not up to par to back that ball skill up. Size is not present on the pitch on our side of the ball. How can the passion and creativity of the game be nurtured in an environment where one errant pass can lead to a public chastising by the coach? A fear for committing mistakes inhibits these player's natural abilities. It seems like every year has been a rebuilding year.
When is it time for soccer to come out of the depths of the unappreciated?
When will boy's soccer cease to be the butt of every joke?
Can this be bulletin board material that will ignite the best season the Boy's Hornets have had in years? Maybe. Hopefully.
An accurate portrayal of the state of soccer at Hanover Park?
Sadly more likely.
Listen, the best medicine doesn't always tastes good, but it's necessary.
Will this be a “New Era” of supremacy or futility? Only time can tell.
Boys, choose your destiny.
Michael Juan's Top 100 Football Players for 2008 season
1 LT 51 Derek Anderson
2 Brian Westbrook 52 Tony Gonzalez
3 AP 53 Greg Jennings
4 Joseph Addai 54 Roy Williams
5 Steven Jackson 55 Matt Hasselback
6 Frank Gore 56 Roddy White
7 Clinton Portis 57 Lendale White
8 Marshawn Lynch 58 Jonathan Stewart
9 Tom Brady 59 Hines Ward
10 Randy Moss 60 Dallas Clark
11 Marion Barber 61 Calvin Johnson
12 Jamal Lewis 62 Justin Fargas
13 Ryan Grant 63 Dwayne Bowe
14 Willis McGahee 64 Marvin Harrison
15 Terrell Owens 65 Jerricho Cotchery
16 Reggie Wayne 66 Lee Evans
17 Maurice Jones-Drew 67 Chris Cooley
18 Braylon Edwards 68 Kevin Smith
19 Larry Johnson 69 Donald Driver
20 Willie Parker 70 Tony Scheffler
21 Peyton Manning 71 Santana Moss
22 Andre Johnson 72 DeAngelo Williams
23 Larry Fitzgerald 73 Laveranues Coles
24 Tony Romo 74 Joey Galloway
25 Brandon Jacobs 75 Marc Bulger
26 Laurence Maroney 76 Chester Taylor
27 T.J. Houshmandzadeh 77 Felix Jones
28 Marques Colston 78 Matt Shaub
29 Drew Brees 79 Eli Manning
30 Plaxico Burress 80 Kurt Warner
31 Ben Roethlisberger 81 Chris Chambers
32 Torry Holt 82 Heath Miller
33 Michael Turner 83 Chris Johnson
34 Darren McFadden 84 David Garrard
35 Steve Smith 85 Selvin Young
36 Chad Johnson 86 Anthony Gonzalez
37 Wes Welker 87 Javon Walker
38 Reggie Bush 88 Ahmad Bradshaw
39 Ronnie Brown 89 Ahman Green
40 Carson Palmer 90 Alge Crumpler
41 Edgerrin James 91 Bobby Engram
42 Earnest Graham 92 Philip Rivers
43 Brandon Marshall 93 Chris Perry
44 Jay Cutler 94 Rashard Mendenhall
45 Antonio Gates 95 Bernard Berrian
46 Jason Witten 96 Deuce McAllister
47 Santonio Holmes 97 Nate Burleson
48 Kellen Winslow 98 Jake Delhomme
49 Donovan McNabb 99 Donte Stallworth
50 Anquan Boldin 100 Patrick Crayton
*Note: Made before news of Tom Brady's season ending ACL injury
