Virginia ODP Paris/Bordeaux 2018

It is amazing to see these young men and women evolve and mature on such a trip. When they return home in a couple of days, we know you will see/feel a difference. That comes from facing adversity in tough situations where you learn to control the controllables. After a relaxing breakfast, meaning we got up a later time. We make our way to the Regional Football Center, the home of FC Girondins de Bordeaux. If you are a fan of World Football, the following names will mean something to you, Zidane, Dugarry, Lizarazu, Giresse, Tigana--all played on the pitches of this historic club. A lunch made for athletes in the Center and off to matches for all 4 teams. The 03 Boys, do well to win their encounter vs FC Bordeaux. Our 04 Boys, cling to the thoughts of keeping the score at 2 nil, in their loss to FC Bordeaux. Our 02 Girls lose a bruising match against FC Toulouse who travelled 3 hours for the game. And the 04 Girls drop a close 2-1 result to an intelligent FC Toulouse. A some what...

Breakfast at 6:00AM (France time, that's midnight back home). Bags packed onto a van while we hop on an hour bus ride to catch the high-speed train. Averaging a little over 140 miles per hour, we make the 7 hour car ride in 2 hr 15 min. Pretty cool experience through the French country side, not sure how many saw it through their naps.... trust us, it was amazing. Bienvenue a Bordeaux! A truly local lunch, with the choice of duck, salmon, steak or chicken and french fries. Some sightseeing for the boys as the girls made it over to the Regional Football Centre. The 02s had a match vs Girondins de Bordeaux. The huge pitch and various changes in weather brought an interesting match to the spectators who could handle the wind, rain and periodic sun. The hosts dominated possession, some key players on the French side ping the ball around and they open the scoring with a quick counter as we lose possession in the build up phase. Late in the first half, they fail to clear a corner...

Finally, we get a chance to fully rest and regenerate after a busy arrival. Games came fast on this trip, two matches in 3 days. Let's not forget, travel from the other side of the world. A day of some relaxed sightseeing, shopping and field time to reflect on the efforts we have made. The 04s jumped onto the field to go over defending situations that were cause for concern in Game #1, we are anticipating the 2 games in Bordeaux to be of a similar level. Then a combative soccer tennis tournament with one coach officiating and the other proceeding to complain about every call. Laughs by all.  The 02s had a stretching session and a group chat, reestablishing team roles. A challenging couple of days and matches that were tight, we had chances in both games and are very positive the results could have gone our way in the second match. Onto the main event of the day, sight seeing and shopping. We went over our original plan that got us rained on a couple of days ago… Champs E...

The morning training began with a little technical session in the warming Parisian sunshine. Midway through the session the ‘03s and 04s played a 20 minute half against a touring U14 team from the Houston Dynamo Academy. After lunch the boys toured the famous Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre district for a little shopping and site seeing.   After that, a boat tour was the order of the day where the players got the chance to see Notre Dame and the Eiffel tour while cruising the Siene river. They returned back to the hotel happy and exhausted and after upon consuming the evening meal fell into their beds well before curfew.  Tomorrow brings both team’s 2nd match against the highly regarded academy team of Evry.

Bright sunshine greeted our squads as we prepared for a day in Paris and matches vs. Paris FC. In the morning, the 04s did some regen and goal setting, the 02s a light practice on the hotel field. Notre Dame, the Eiffel tower and some local haunts in the Spanish corridor for lunch. You could feel the history as we made our way around, making deals for souvenirs and asking questions about those who built these magnificent wonders of the world. To be honest, bartering for a deal is a Worldwide social artform and all of us will be taking lessons from the 02 Asst. Coach Jamil, his ability to peacefully negotiate secured many a deal. 04s started slowly vs Paris FC, possession was equal and a set piece goal had us up 1 nil at half-time. Some tactical adjustments in the midfield and a great player response to the ask, a goal with 10 minutes left secured a strong 2nd half with a 2 nil win. Rain! Down pour and non-stop rain for the 02s as they battled a strong home team. This open gam...

The 2004 and 2003 boys, after enjoying much sought after sleep, awoke to the springtime Parisian rain. Thus, a meeting inside with coaching staff and Dr. Dan was the order of the morning, rather than an on-field session. The weather, however, didn’t dampen the day as the group set off to see the Louvre, Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. After lunch downtown, both teams then drove to their first match against Paris FC. The 04s took the field first and after some opening jitters and fatigue, managed to right the ship and accord themselves well against the young hometown professionals and play to a 1-1 draw.   The 03s then took the field to delight of the crowd and after scoring one in the first half and one in the second, hung on for the 2-0 victory. Both teams, buoyed by their respective efforts returned to the hotel late to find a high quality meal laid out by chef LaPorte and his fine kitchen crew. No injuries to report and the teams are quickly acclim...

One may see that name and ask, why are we talking about philosophy on this trip? The history of the area, the brilliant minds that helped shaped many ideas...all wrong assumptions. A rainy morning greeted our weary group as we had our first foray into the breakfast buffet, our host hotel really is equipped for athletic teams. Great variety of food, even a gluten free area! Both teams then met with Dr. Dano on "being the boss of yourself." To Paris we go... A walking tour of the Louvre, Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe, lots of picture opportunities were not dampened by the European rain. The 2004G kicked off an evening game against a well organized French U16 team from VGA Saint-Maur. Their #5, reminded the coaching staff of that famous Brazilian player, Dr. Socrates (RIP)! She just gently glided through midfield with possession to lead her team that featured a number of nationally identified players. A 3 nil loss and a shared post game snack with our hosts f...