Dom_Wren

Im 3rd from left. My assistant Coaches Cesar, Graham, Chumah.

Thats the thing! She said, cos im married im now old! Cheeky little mare.

One of my students called me old toay (I just turned 32), pissed me right off.

more highlights and interview: http://www.cn2.com/web/guest/sports

Keeping it! Its going to be a special one for sure, the heart and belief these kids showed, to break a school record with a 27 win season, after losing four of the best players to ever play in SC and the NATIONAL high school player of the year, well it will be worn with pride! We should get them in August/Sept as we do a big half time presentation at the high school American football game vs the big rival school, would be like parading the European cup against the flithy inbred knuckledragging scum

Cheers lads! Genuinely hasnt sunk in yet! I knew we could do it, but we would have to play our hearts out and play the best game of the year, and they did!! Getting rings measured on Thursday :)

and probably my fav pic: Youtube highlights http://tinyurl.com/2b34f32

Oh mate, it was NUTS! So ok, we make the final, against the same team from last year, and the team that beat us (I thought comprehensively) earlier in the season 3-1...... So as per usual, I prepared, I studied them (we hada dvd of our game), watched the tape 5 times in 3 days. We changed our whole formation. They played 3-5-2, so we matched up with them defensively, but also made them worry about us with our strengths up top. So we went 3-4-3. Well the game kicks off our biggest fears were realized, as they pusehd there defensive mid high, now this did leave us 3 on 3 at the back, but we couldnt find them. So we dropped our central forward to an attacking mid, and matched up man for man in a 3-5-2. Not gonna lie they were putting us under alot of pressure, especially at set pieces, because we were not organized. Which dissapointed me, because we had given them a game plan. So half time comes, and because of the noise, this is our only time to be able to talk to the lads. So we stressed organization on set pieces, delay on counter, and play the forwards feet, well the rest as they say is history!! We came out and went 3-0 up! they managed to come back to 3-2 thanks to two own goals, then Dennis Moore iced it in the last seconds to make it 4-2!! Unreal, i will post all the articles etc.. when i get to school tomorrow, but this has to have been my best coaching job! All credit to the boys though, they were faultless!

Won 4-2!!!

Cheers mate!!!

Yes it is mate, Each state has different classifications based on size, normally they are classified as A AA AAA AAAA etc... We play in the largest classification in South Carolina, AAAA. Each region has 4 qualifiers, that enter into a knockout tournament (32 teams) very similar to world cup. It is split into upper and lower state due to geographical size. So were upper state champs and Irmo is lower stae champs. Different states play there soccer at different parts of the year. Once you win a state championship, there is no national tournament it just ends there. Hope this helps, any other questions id be happy to answer.

HAHA!! They call it a sweater vest over here so havent heard tank top for ages, ACE! Im going Pep Guardiola on Sat. All black Suit and Tie, prob no jacket tho as it will be bloody hot!

Mate great spot! It looked even better in real life speed, he had to touch it far enough infront so he wouldnt break stride or the defender would catch him, and also far enough but not too far to draw the GK out! It was a lovely goal. Just finished the final pieces of the 9 page dossier for the boys. Were meeting as a coaching staff to watch the tape one more time. Then brining the boys in @ 6pm to jog, stretch and go over the game plan. Then Sat in to eat subs and fruit and plenty of water, and watch the CL final on the big screen, then head down. Then its time to put the women and children to bed, as the Trojan Army are in town to take care of buisness! dont know if its free but the game is on this link if your up late on Sat night. 7pm EST kick off, midnight UK time! http://www.schsl.tv/events/10755 Might pop back on if we get any more coverage but other than that, will post a final on the blackberry on the way back. Cheers for al the support, its been a wild ride....ONE MORE!!! Dom

http://www.cn2.com/web/guest/sports Highlights!!!!!

Won 4-1! Report and video to follow when I get to work tomorrow!

I think Adam Johnson, as if hes given the cahnce has that wee bit of imperious skill about him, he might come off the bench in the early games, but at international level you need that certain ability to produce something out of nothing (which i think hes got), and ive seen him improving, he seems confident not cocky and youth has no fear. But of course I could be dead wrong.

Appreciate it mate! Well Irmo beat Wando last night, so if we win, we set up a rematch of last years final....

This is from last years thread, but kind of gives you an insigth to how I run my program:

Thanks Laura, Anthony and Stew (aka legend!). If im honest, of course i do it to win and build a good program, but there is someting more meaningfull to my work. I geniunely care for my players, now dont get me wrong I am as demanding as they come as a coach. I set high standards and hold my players to it, but I call a spade a spade, not a big spoon. When they do well i tell them, when they dont, i tell them! They know that there is a time they have to perform, but also they know i will help them with anything, Ive bought clothese, cleats and meals for kids. Ive picked them up and driven them to school, if they are in trouble they know I will help them. I kind of feel like these young men will be the future of our soceity, so in a way, its the least I can do is help. Now im not perfect, and dont pretend to be, but i encourage them to learn from my mistakes and take the advice of people that have been there and done it. I think in a way this none preachy way of approaching it with them helps. One of my favorite sayings is "Everybody makes mistakes, just make sure you learn from it and dont make the same mistake again." Kind of rambling here, but when Alex told me he wanted to be a PE teacher as he wanted to be like me, and Enzo (his brother) said he wanted to be a coach to help kids like I helped him, and Dennis Moore, a Liberian orphan, whose story is told on this page, tells me he wouldnt be where he is today if it wasnt for me. This sort of stuff is nice to validate that you make a difference in a positive way! Choffer, we actually went to hooters for a team dinner last tuesday. Its kind of a tradition after first round playoff game. We do fine sessions during the year, and collect a bunch of money and take them out to eat with it, great craic and just another little thing that I hope makes a big difference tomorrow night! apologies for poor grammar!

Game postponed till weds!! highlights @ 1:30min http://www.cn2.com/web/guest/sports Story on Alex

Through to the upper state final (final four teams) for the 5th time in my 5 years as head coach. Play Tuesday. Won 6-1 on Sat night.

Wife beater.

Cheers mate! Here is the highlights: http://www.cn2.com/web/guest/sports

Won 5-0 again!