Saturday Aug 3 Fusion vs. Shetland

The lack of internet access is killing us chaperones. It is not available in the dorms so we either have to trek to the management center, a good 15 minute walk each way, or find a pub. With a full schedule like ours it’s difficult to get away and post updates, let alone make them coherent.

Off campus we’re worse than teenagers when we realize there’s WiFi. Six adults gathered around a table and every last one of us is basking in the glow of a device.

Meal times are staggered, so often when we arrive at the Pathfoot building there are teams just finishing up. On Friday evening when we arrived players from a Scottish 2001 team called out to ask how the boys did. John said, “We won both games, 4-0 and 6-0”.  The boys replied with a, “Whoa”.

As an American team our boys are a novelty, which was evident at the reception following the Opening Ceremony. Jherson in particular has drawn attention because he’s tall, dark skinned and his hair is braided. He takes his Rock Star status in stride and has been gracious with the Scottish lads, most of whom have never seen an African-American before. In fact, watching the Scottish teams interact with the Fusion in the cafeteria has been one of the highlights for the chaperones. Unfortunately, there aren’t any teams within our age group staying in our dorm. Maybe that’s a good thing otherwise they would’t get any sleep.

The third match of the tournament, against Shetland, was scheduled at 9am which meant the boys had to wake up at 7am to have enough time to eat and walk to the pitch. Several boys are difficult to rouse, especially with all the football they’ve been playing, but by the time they make it to the Pathfoot building they’re awake. That morning, the Shetland players had already finished their breakfast and surrounded the Fusion, chatting them up.

Shetland were friendly at breakfast and feisty on the field. Their match that morning was Fusion’s toughest one yet. The weather was cold and the pitch located at the top of the hill near Airthrey castle exposing us to the wind. Fatigue and overconfidence left the Fusion, in Coach Matt’s words, “Flat”. Shetland’s defense was much better than the previous too teams, effectively shutting down our offense. Sam scored our only goal in the first half. In the second, a Shetland player let one loose from outside the 18 and the wind carried it out of Matthew’s reach for the equalizer. Unlucky, to use one of my favorite British terms.

Fusion had chances, though. Eric M sent a solid shot from outside the box but the wind blew it wide. Overall Fusion didn’t have the cohesion that made them so successful the day before which was unfortunate because Coach Matt’s parents, who were in town from Manchester, were in attendance.  Final score 1-1.

Matt has been instructing the boys on the pitch and off. When games are super early boys are told to eat lightly, lots of carbs and easily digestible foods, no yogurt. Hydrate and no coffee. The boys are following his lead.

More photos to come but the weather was so crappy they're are hard to come by.