Sorry for the brief intermission in the journal series. I guess I was basking in all the luxuries that C-bus has to offer while we trained in the 'Bus for about a week after our stint in Phoenix. Since my last installment, there has been a plethora of activity for the Black & Gold, so allow me to sum up what went on in Arizona.
The plane ride from Florida to Phoenix seemed never-ending. Upon arrival, everyone was very tired and we looked forward to the upcoming games. Our first game was against an FC Dallas squad rife with new faces. We quickly got out to a 3-0 lead and kept them under constant pressure in the first half. The second half was a little more even, but still saw us come out on top. We also saw a fantastic hat trick by forward Kei Kamara. It was great to continue our winning ways with a 4-1 victory.
Our next game was a few days later, so we found ourselves with an abundance of free time. The only problem: no transportation. Therefore, we were forced to fight our boredom within the confines of our hotel. Many players found their way to the lobby to use the wireless internet or to the hot tub to rest weary legs. Once again, you could find me dominating crossword puzzles and trying to hitch rides to the nearest Starbucks. If I were lucky enough to get a ride, I would pick up enough to last Duncan, Frankie and me for at least the day.
We also attended a few team dinners while we were there. The first was at a local Italian restaurant where we were greeted with open arms. The family style dinner left everyone full, even Moss. That's a testament 'cause Moss basically lives in the kitchen. Also, Phoenix native Brad Evans and his family invited us over to his house for another team dinner, Mexican style. His family was a phenomenal host and the food was great.
Our next game fell on Ash Wednesday so a few of us were seen walking around the hotel with black crosses on our foreheads. After Mass, we met up with the team for a walk and then most of us returned to our rooms for mid-day naps or a PSP session.
The game against Juarez was a different style than we were accustomed to playing. It took us a little less than a half to figure out a pressure scheme and then we became the dominant team. With three great goals from Eddie (Gaven), Jason (Grey), and fresh-off-the-plane Ricardo (Virtuoso), we rounded out our three-week stint with yet another victory. It was a great exclamation point to the trip.
Everyone was excited to get back home to their loved ones so the plane ride seemed to fly by faster. Rusty (Pierce) and I managed to get our bankroll up to 14 million. For those who are familiar with MLS salaries, you probably know that I am speaking fictitiously. In fact, we won the World Series of Poker on his PSP. With a fortune like that - even a pretend one - we finally knew what it was like to walk in Chad Marshall's shoes. And it felt great.
Lacking a proper salutation,
DO
