Rochester Pride - RSC Lightning '96

In their inaugural foray into the ranks of select soccer, Thunder accomplished everything I hoped they would do all weekend long: [1] To learn what it was to play high caliber competition. [2] To use the tournament to acclimate to a new level and style of play [3] To continually improve as the weekend progressed. These points were achieved over the weekend – and the 3rd point, to continually improve as the weekend progressed, was achieved to a degree far beyond my greatest hopes. The 1st game came Friday evening against Shelby USL was the rude awakening that one might have predicted. Not only was this our first select match, but in addition they were older, bigger, and well established. As we discovered, we would spend the weekend playing 3 opponents not only a year older, but also all 3 opponent were from the state’s premier division. Unsurprisingly, USL dominated that match and won handily 5-0. It was important not to focus on the loss, but to use the match to identify items for improvement, and then put those points for improvement to work. For the next match against Windsor United Saturday morning, we met early and discussed areas where we could improve. Out of the suggestions the girls came up with, we decided to narrow the focus to 2 main points: marking/tracking and defensive organization. Over the course of the match, the defensive backs appeared more confident playing against the generally bigger & stronger u14 opponents than they did the evening before and the midfield (both wide and central) did a far better job of dropping back to aid in the defensive needs of the team than they did Friday. The high work-rate of the collapse-expand nature of the wide midfield assignment could gradually be seen to be taking hold among the players. And, although, in the end the 5-0 scoreline mirrored the previous match – the effort and quality of play far exceeded the previous day’s standard. There was vast and marked improvement in Thunder’s game and we were definitely headed in the right direction. The afternoon match would pit us against GSPA Breakers from Grosse Pointe, coached by a friend of mine, Dan Kelly. This would be an important test because Breakers had earlier in the day manhandled the Shelby team that only the day before had manhandled us. Once again, looking to adjust and improve on 2-3 focus points for this game, Thunder made strides forward that were both obvious and significant. The defensive organization continued to improve. And overall, the team played much in unison with each other; in short - more as a team. And despite the 2-0 loss, the day was an unquestionable success by every standard I am looking for. Thunder, we played 3 teams that are a year older, that have been playing together many years and that compete at the highest level the state has to offer. These teams should have beaten us this weekend – and they did. That’s fine. I care very little about the final scores. What I saw happen this weekend was far more important than any scores. I saw excellent attitudes. I saw the ability to respond & adapt to match situations. I saw steady improvement. I saw forethought and insight. I saw everybody work very very hard. And even more impressively, I saw everybody continue to fight and work hard, even toward the ends of matches that we were clearly going to lose. 2 different coaches (USL & Breakers) actually came up to me privately to compliment you girls on your play, and especially on this no-quit spirit you displayed. That sort of spirit and work ethic speaks volumes of the character of this team and the players on it. It tells me that Coach Joe & I made the right choices when we selected you for a place on this team. And we improved markedly every half of soccer that we played throughout the whole weekend. Like I told you at the team party Saturday – I don’t much care what the scores were, I care about what I see happening on the field. And what I see on the field are a hard working group of players, hungry to play, willing to work, and able adapt and improve very quickly and very effectively. Let’s make this weekend the tone-setter for this season. I am very serious about that. Because with this work-ethic, this determination, this capacity for quick adjustment and improvement, we have exactly what we need for an amazing and successful season. Concentrate on those things, and the results will take care of themselves. Because of this weekend, I am more excited about this autumn and our prospects this season than I have been ever since tryouts. Great job girls. Very well done.

This year, we move to the select side of the club. Rochester Select Soccer Club (RSSC) generally carries 2-3 teams within any given boys or girls age group. But they are always designated Lightning, Thunder, and Storm. We are designated the Thunder '90 team ('90 representing the age group of the players). And so we are. All official reference to the team (roster submissions, banking matters, league business, etc.) will, from now on, carry the Thunder ’90 designation. We will, however, carry over our long-standing moniker of “Pride” and use that as our own nickname. There are several reasons for this. First, a full two-thirds of this team are, in fact, previous Pride players from the old recreational team. Over the last two years Pride have created for themselves an excellent atmosphere team-first thinking, full effort in training, sportsmanship on the field, and a manner of class and dignity in conduct and bearing. These are highly admirable characteristics. To create such a positive, energetic and pro-active environment is not an easy thing to do. Many players never have the good fortune to ever be a part of such an atmosphere and I think this team will be better served by considering itself as a continuation of that fine tradition and embracing what they have built in the last two years rather than discarding it. Also, there is nothing novel or unprecedented about a team having a separate nickname. D.C. United also call themselves the Eagles; Manchester United also are call the Red Devils; Arsenal are called the Gunners. This is the same thing. And finally, and from a more practical standpoint, the prospect shelling out the money to create a new website, not to mention spending countless hours to put it together, only to end up with essentially the same material and information that exists here seems pointless and silly to me, and holds no appeal. Beyond that, a great many people visit our site based on coaching forums and discussion groups I have participated on for years and know where to find us. Over 4,000 visitors have found us at our “rochesterpride” address. Many return regularly to watch our progress throughout the season. Many have and expressed thanks for information we have been able to share with them. I don’t wish to throw that away either. And so, Thunder we are – Pride we remain. From here on out you can expect that I will refer to either interchangeably both here on the website and out on the field.

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Rochester United Soccer Camp is was formed with the idea of providing a top-quality option for Rochester area players right here at home. With that in mind, the varsity high school coaches of all three of Rochester’s high schools decided to pool their talents and resources. And so, assembling a staff of some of the area’s most prominent coaches representing Rochester Adams H.S., Rochester H.S, Rochester Stony Creek H.S., Oakland University, Rochester Youth Soccer League, And Rochester Select Soccer Club, the result is Rochester United Soccer Camp. Our Goal is simple: to provide first rate camp of excellence that teaches, challenges, and develops aspiring players in a positive, fun environment. The combination of outstanding, highly qualified staff, excellent facilities, and community setting help to create our first-class soccer training experience.

1st downloaded test Rhythm vid 2nd downloaded test 2nd downloaded Toca Touches - 1 - Rhythm - Flv Rochester Pride wish to thank the following companies for their generous sponsorship to the team. Their contribution is greatly appreciated. Their sponsorship denotes an interest and outlook that extends far beyond the bottom-line interest that necessarily must be a primary consideration of any company, and shows that company to have a more far-reaching community-based interest as well. We would ask that you please think of these companies 1st when opportunity allows. THANK YOU SPONSORS!