Updated April 12, 2008

I have just returned from Heritage where I watched Futura Juventus beat Northland Soccer Academy 2-0 in Champions Cup play.

Both teams have entered the Governors Cup and could be in our pool.

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We lost 1-3 to Northland Academy in the Border Battle, however we were missing a few players and certainly did not play to the level we are at now.

Today Northland tended to play whack-ball, were quite physical, but were easily rattled.

They frequently got caught out of position on defense where they played one-on-one rather than as a unit.

Their goalie played out of control as he did in Jeff City. He cost them the game by playing over aggressively and trying to look like a hero. Obviously not a team player and something we can exploit if we play this team.

We can beat Northland if we play to our potential, play tough (but fair), use our speed, and use full field when attacking.

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Futura Juventus is more of a finesse team, played position extremely well, and is very strong on set plays and corner kicks.

They have good ball skills, are also very strong in the air and won the majority of 50/50s.

We will need to play these guys tight, guard closely on defense, and contest everything in the air

They move the ball around up forward to set up an open shot when they get within range.

On defense when under pressure they tend to funnel in, even when close to goal, which creates opportunities for turnovers.

They did not look very fast today.... but that could have been the miserable weather conditions... windy with snow and sleet most of the game.

A good team, but certainly beatable.

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No doubt we can be very competitive at this elite level if we play at our top.... However we all have a lot of work to do before The Governors Cup.