Club Party
Big winner of the night: Hunter wins a trip to Montreal for two to watch a professional soccer match: the Montreal Impact.
Francois' Amazing 3K Run
At the Catholic system track and field meet on Wednesday:
An amazing 3:28m/Km pace.
16-Year Old Gabriel "Gabigol", Newest Santos Star; 50M Euro Release Fee
Following the steps of other teenage prodigies like Pele, Robinho and Neymar, Santos has now signed 16-year-old sensation Gabriel Barbosa to a three-year contract with a 50-million-euro release fee.
The club announced Tuesday that it had beaten off interest from rival clubs in Brazil and Europe by signing the young star, known as Gabigol.
Gabigol's father Valdemir Silva Almeida: "There were clubs in Europe interested in him but we are very happy that he has joined Santos."
Gabigol is currently top-scorer in Sao Paulo's Under-17 championship with nine goals, already boasts several sponsorship deals including a lucrative contract with Nike.
"This is something I have wanted since I was eight years old," Gabigol said. "I still have a lot to learn but I want to train as hard as I can and climb the ranks as soon as possible."
Fall Fun Game Photos
These photos from our fun game are from Eric (Wolfe's dad). Click to enlarge.
Oscar's PK (saved by Shar)
What a jump!
Look at the smiles all around. This is why we play.
The coach's PK shot...
...went in, 1/2 inch from the post!
Trevor's Amazing Army Run
Congratulations to Trevor who ran the Army Run's 5K this morning with an amazing time of 23:43, for a 4:45 pace (watch time 23:17). Wow!
Good job Trevor!
Also congratulations to his dad Gary, who completed the half-marathon in 5 minutes under 2 hours, and to our Peter (24:34), Julian and Ryan from the U12, who all did around 24-26 mins.
Dida: Life Starts at 38; Shy, or Captain?
Can a really shy person be team captain? A very nice story, based on an article on Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo (translated by MS/Google and then again by the coach).
Dida: a very shy person, except as a goal keeper, when he commands the team.
Dida: a very shy person, except as a goal keeper, when he commands the team.
Motivated by the need for an experienced goalkeeper and following the successful example of other clubs filled with veteran players, Portuguesa decided to risk it: hiring Dida as goal keeper. The famous Dida, from the Brazilian squad and Milan.
After ten years in Milan, the contract of goalkeeper Dida had not been renewed in July 2010. He did not receive any good proposals after that. Since then, the only concrete thing was the beach soccer World Championship that he played, again for Milan. "It was not a retirement. Only a break, " says dona Eugênia, an aunt who accompanies since the beginning of his career.
It was then that the invitation of the Portuguesa was received.
"I think he wanted to prove that it was possible to play at a high level. It is proper of the human being, " says coach Geninho. "I imagine that he misses the stadiums, the routine. Must be very bad to stay still," says Caio, also a former player and a Portuguesa football manager today. (coachescan attest to that too - after season is awful for coaches, who suddenly have 3 or 4 free days a week)
The record after three months: 19 games and 17 goals conceded. The club's assessment is that already Dida was worth bringing back. He surprised everyone by shortening the periods of physical recovery and is already playing at a high level. "The only difference in his training to others is the intensity's Experience and his sense of positioning are unmatched," says gk preparer Alex Gregory. "I'm not a substitute for a player that works only with his name. He still plays a high level," confirms Gledson, the main gk until the arrival of Dida.
The opinions of the coach, the aunt, the reserve goalkeeper try to fill Dida's own silence. Wanted for interviews, the goalkeeper declined to comment. This is one of the key differentiators of his career - the other is to be a great catcher in pk shootouts. "We need to squeeze him to say "Good Morning", jokes coach Geninho. "It's his way. He is a lone wolf."
Shyness. Dida does not stutter, does not have a lisp, nor is his voice thin. The only difference is the accent that still carries from Irará, the town where he was born in the interior of Bahia (northeastern Brazil). Barriers for interviews are therefore invisible.
Dida, however, has a curriculum that can speak for itself endlessly. He was the first black goalkeeper to defend the Brazilian team after Barbosa, who played in 1950, became WC champion in 2002; he won the Champions League with Milan in two seasons, and was world club champion with Corinthians in 2000 (yes, Corinthians, ever heard of it? club world champion).
Transformation. Dida only loosens his voice in two situations: under the goal posts and on the festival of St. John. He leads the team unceremoniously and justifies the captain stripe. To coach Geninho, he does not need to come loose. "If a player like him, rich and WC champion, practices like it's the beginning of his career, how can a new player who is still seeking his own space not train hard?"
Dida also attends the Brazilian June festival (a very popular event in Brazil) at Irará. It's a street party where the main attraction are two parades: the Jeguerê and Mule Foot. As the city's most illustrious son, Dida is in the two parades, singing and dancing behind the 'trio electrico'. He is the player who leads the revelry from the street to the family place, the same place where he was born. There, they organize competitions, like the old sack race and pot breaking, and guys become kids again. "It's Dida who makes the mess," says Dona Eugenia. The dour goalkeeper is the most playful of five brothers who meet annually in St. John
This year, Dida failed to attend St John Irará. The feast day - June 23, was on the day of its debut in Portuguesa, a 1-0 over Sao Paulo in Canindé. Even with the distance Bash's homeland, Dida showed late in the game a grin as if behind an electric trio
The opinions of the coach, the aunt, the reserve goalkeeper try to fill Dida's own silence. Wanted for interviews, the goalkeeper declined to comment. This is one of the key differentiators of his career - the other is to be a great catcher in pk shootouts. "We need to squeeze him to say "Good Morning", jokes coach Geninho. "It's his way. He is a lone wolf."
Shyness. Dida does not stutter, does not have a lisp, nor is his voice thin. The only difference is the accent that still carries from Irará, the town where he was born in the interior of Bahia (northeastern Brazil). Barriers for interviews are therefore invisible.
Dida, however, has a curriculum that can speak for itself endlessly. He was the first black goalkeeper to defend the Brazilian team after Barbosa, who played in 1950, became WC champion in 2002; he won the Champions League with Milan in two seasons, and was world club champion with Corinthians in 2000 (yes, Corinthians, ever heard of it? club world champion).
Transformation. Dida only loosens his voice in two situations: under the goal posts and on the festival of St. John. He leads the team unceremoniously and justifies the captain stripe. To coach Geninho, he does not need to come loose. "If a player like him, rich and WC champion, practices like it's the beginning of his career, how can a new player who is still seeking his own space not train hard?"
Dida also attends the Brazilian June festival (a very popular event in Brazil) at Irará. It's a street party where the main attraction are two parades: the Jeguerê and Mule Foot. As the city's most illustrious son, Dida is in the two parades, singing and dancing behind the 'trio electrico'. He is the player who leads the revelry from the street to the family place, the same place where he was born. There, they organize competitions, like the old sack race and pot breaking, and guys become kids again. "It's Dida who makes the mess," says Dona Eugenia. The dour goalkeeper is the most playful of five brothers who meet annually in St. John
This year, Dida failed to attend St John Irará. The feast day - June 23, was on the day of its debut in Portuguesa, a 1-0 over Sao Paulo in Canindé. Even with the distance Bash's homeland, Dida showed late in the game a grin as if behind an electric trio
Another Cow Feint
A (double?) cow feint in Brazil yesterday, around 2:20 in the video. Plus Lucas (Brazilian squad) participates in or creates 3 goals.
16.5Km Run
A new record distance today: 16.5Km.
Gorgeous place at the end by the river, had never been here before. Stunning views.
The approach was 1K run, 1 min. walk, or roughly a 6.2:1 ratio. This is clearly seen by the dips in HR and speed on the charts below. When you do this it feels like you can keep running forever. Today, timing suffered though.
HR steady in the 140 range (fairly low)
Temperature was cold initially (+7C), then warmed up with the sun as this was a very long run. Removing and carrying extra clothes (hat, gloves) was a bit of an issue..
St. Anthony's Player and Family Party - Please Respond
This is a party for the players and their families. Although we are one of the few teams that has done prizes, awards and festivities, there will be even more prizes and activities for our dear players, including some videos that are very appropriate, funny, and eye openers. It's a secret, so please come and join us.
Players eat and drink free. Would you very kindly respond by Thursday Sep. 20.
Link to form, or respond below.
Can't see the submit button? Please use the direct Link to form,.
September 15, 3 More Months To Go
A good turnout today! A great group of kids and parents today enjoying what turned out to be a beautiful day outdoors.
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