Welcome to "In The Net"! 

"In The Net" is a new section on the Empire USA - Syracuse website, designed to help me share articles, information and thoughts about the game of soccer.  I hop you find the information shared here useful.  If you have questions about a specific topic, or would like my opinion on something, please feel free to contact me.

Yours In Soccer,

Mike

Mike Paolini
Director of Soccer
Empire USA - Syracuse Academy
eusasoccer@twcny.rr.com

In early September, there was a Division I game between two Top Ten teams, one from the West Coast and one from the East Coast.  It was an early season special.  Two big time programs went at each other; each hoping to make a statement for the 2008 collegiate season.  It was a beautiful day and the stadium was full. After observing the game for the first half, it was clear that the West Coast team had better soccer players.  Pound for pound they were more technical than the home team.  The West Coast team lost 3-0 - and it could have been more.  Good soccer players; who played good soccer but didn’t compete.  They PLAYED the game; they did not COMPETE the game.