Meet the Team

For those who are new to this site, we are using the nick names of the players at the parents request.

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TAZ

Simply put, Taz is the leader of this team.  He is one of our team captains.  Taz is a very skilled player.  He can dribble and shoot with both his left and right foot, though in my opinion he ignores his left foot too often.  He has a powerful right foot.  So much so, his old nick name was "the leg."  Taz plays in the midfield, center mid, so he is usually all over the field.  One issue Taz has is a tendency to play it safe at times.  Some refer to it as playing not to lose.  What Taz has to learn is that he is at his best when he is playing all out, going a hundred miles an hour with his hair on fire.

Taz hates to lose.  I have always said that I do not know anyone who hates to lose more than I.  I may have found that person.  Taz hates to lose at anything.  Taz will do whatever needs to be done to secure a victory for his team.  If he needs to score alot of goals for us to win, he will score.  If he has to set up other players to score, he will get the assists.  If the team needs him to shut down a player on the other team, he will lock down the player.  If he needs to play keeper, he can do that also.  But, he loves to score as much as any ultra competitive nine year old boy.  To his credit, he will accept whichever role gives his team the best chance to win.  

What I like the most about this player is that he plays hard.  Despite his skills, he is not a prima donna.  His teammates gave him the name Taz, because during a scrimage in practice he was all over the field causing as much havoc as he could.  He also plays with his head in the game.  For example, during the last indoor session, we were playing a travel team in our second game.  It was a hard fought game.  Our opponents took the lead in the second half, when Taz came out with leg cramps.  Taz reentered the game and scored the tying goal.  As the second half progressed, there was alot of physical play.  On one play late in the second half, Taz passed the ball and got fouled.  The pass went to Sonic who passed to Izzy who shot and scored.  Just as Izzy took the shot the whistle blew, no goal.  The referee called the foul commited on Taz.  While everyone on the field, in the stands, and coaching (including me) were yelling about the call, Taz ran over, picked up the ball, and asked the ref where to place it.  The ref signaled for the direct free kick.  Before alot of people even realized what was happening, Taz scored  the game winning goal.  He had his head in the game even when his coach did not.  

To be fair, I should also mention that Taz is the coach's son.  As his coach, my opinion of him is biased.  But even to an unbiased eye, Taz is a very good player and a great kid.  As the coach of this team, I know he is an intricle part of this team and our success.  As his Dad, I cannot wait to watch him play in Florida.  As both, I only hope he plays a hundred miles an hour with his hair on fire.

Continue to log on and follow Taz and the team.  Check out our up coming fundraisers.  If you would like to make a donation, please send it to U-10 National Team, 315 North Street, Paw Paw, Michigan, 49079.  Please make any checks payable to: AYSO Region 250.

Go Crushers!