Daily Log:

Friday, April 11th:

We made it to New Orleans Safely. Experienced some windy weather in and out of Baltimore, but had no delays and actually arrived about 20 minutes early.  All the boys host families were on time so for a first day everything went smoothly.

This morning we met at the hotel then went and had great training session.  Boys in a short amount of time have really gelled. Field we trained on is the field we play on Saturday morning and was a bit spotting in places, but overall excellent. We left training and headed back to the hotel and changed. We then went to lunch. One of our host families recommend a hole in the wall restaurant that served poboys and other seafood items from New Orleans.  Highly recommend and worth the recommendation.  

We then headed downtown to the Aquarium. Went through the aquarium rather quickly. A little too boring I suppose, although I know for myself the endless stream of elementary school kids was a tad bit annoying. We left the aquarium and strolled a little down their riverwalk. Saw some street performers, that reminded me of England and Covernent Gardens for those of us who went on the UK Tour.

Then it was back to the hotel for a little rest and a pre-game sandwich. We then passed out uniforms. The boys are wearing the jerseys that will later this summer be worn by our Super Y teams. All Black. Looked very impressive I have to say. 

We started the game a little early at 7:20. Right from the beginning it looked like this game was either going to be high scoring or won by a goal.  Unfortunately for us we came out on the short end of the 1-0 score. Goal scored in the 75 minute of an 80 minute game. Team played extremely hard defensively to some very speedy attacking players. Their central midfielder was very crafty but was not much of a factor in the outcome. We created several great scoring chances but couldn't muster a goal. Boys deserve a lot of praise for this result that just as easily been 0-0 or us winning 1-0. Lafrienre who we played tonight is currently the #1 seed in their

upcoming state cup.

Saturday morning brings us our second game, this time playing the defending

state champs from Jackson MS. then more sightseeing downtown. We have a

dinner scheduled for the evening with the Lafrienre guys we played tonight.

Saturday, April 12th:

Today was a great day!

We met at the fields at 9am for our 10am game. Everyone appeared rested even with having left the fields last night at around 10pm.  The game started much as the game last night, with both teams showing quality sides. We from the start put a lot of pressure on their defense but could not muster a goal. But in the 25th minute we got an excellent goal with Carter Headley scoring on a header from a cross from Robbie Mann. The play started with Mason Covington sending an excellent ball into the corner to an on running Robbie. We continued to control the play, giving up few chances. We did give up one tremendous opportunity which goalie Aaron Klansek stopped point blank. The half ended 1-0 to the United.

In the second half we again controlled the tempo of the play. Play kind of went back and forth for the first 20 minutes, but no really goal scoring opportunities. Then again in about the same time as the first half. Daniel Jenkins sent a long cross putting Robbie Mann in virtually one on one with

the keeper and calmly buried it to make it 2-0. We gave up one scoring chance in the final 5 minutes but the game ended with another tremendous outing and a 2-0 win.  Tim Carr, Tyler Romaine, Mason Covington deserve a lot of credit for the result today. Completely shutting down a very quality side. Remember they  are the champs from MS.

So after the second day we are 1-1 but both results are making the locals talk. Word on the street was "did you see the u-15 game Friday night" We had dinner with the host team tonight and they talked constantly about how we brought highest intensity and level of play that they had seen for a long time.

Sunday at 8am brings our third game with a side not quite at the level of the teams we played in our first two games, but a team that Lafrenre was down to 1-0 at the half before winning 3-1. It will be interesting to see how the boys are physically having traveled across country, played two

games, and probably not slept too much hanging out with host team.

Boys did a little sightseeing today visiting the French Quarter, and walking Bourbon Street for a few hours. Don't worry it was during daylight and the real trouble hadn't even woken up yet.

Sunday, April 13th:

Day 4 of a pretty long weekend.

With a flight scheduled for later in the day our 3rd and final game of the tour was schedule for 8am against a New Orleans local team that had showed pretty well in its previous days games.. Losing both but showing a quality side.