Moving Forward...

     Its just about 9 am on a Thursday morning and I have been up since 5:30.  My asthma has been kicking up a little bit lately since I moved back down to SoCal...I just think the Bay Area in general is a much cleaner and fresher place to live.  Don't get me wrong I luv my LA and I'm a socal boy through and through (Come on Lakers!!!) but San Francisco and Berkeley, it doesn't get much better.  

     So now I am back in Los Alamitos staying with the rents for the time being so I can get myself back on me two feet.  I immediately started coaching a boys U14 club team out of Long Beach.  So far I have no complaints.  They are the youngest age that I have worked with as a team but they all work hard for me, don't mess around when we are working and of course can make me laugh with their middle school stories.  Reminds me of the good ole days.  We have a lot of work to do but I think we will make good progress over the course of time.  

    My next project that I started last week was another first.  I became the assistant coach at Santa Ana College women's program.  It is a first because I never have coached women before in my life!  We have only had two training sessions but I think I am going to enjoy it.  The girls all have a good attitude, work hard for me, and enjoy being out there.  That's what futbol is all about right?  Although I am finding out that it is a lot different than working with men.  I will have to adjust accordingly.  Of course Patty isn't toooo happy that I am coaching women, but I'm a professional and that is just a line that you do not cross.  Don't worry luv.  

    Finally on the coaching end it sounds like I will be picking up a u19 boys team in the same Long Beach club.  This is what I'm talking about.  This is where I thrive the most.  Older boys/men, who just want to compete, play at the higher levels, have a much higher understanding of the game and are just good players.  I look forward to working with this team immensely.  

     And now on the playing side...Well as all of you who know my long and tiresome preseason or should I say preseasons with various teams I believe I have finally settled with the Galaxy of all teams.  When I was playing for the Earthquakes against the Galaxy I noticed that the Galaxy bench was very shorthanded.  When I moved home I gave Paul Bravo a call, the Director of Soccer for the Galaxy and asked if they needed players.  He said absolutely, gave me a call back a few days later and played against Houston Dynamo the following weekend.  I played about 35 minutes in my first game with the Galaxy at forward of all places.  Cobi Jones, the head coach of the 2nd team told me I was going up top right before I went in.  I looked at him a little puzzled and I told him that I play in the midfield.  He told me that's where they told him I played.  I said fair enough, no problem, lets get on with it and game on.  So I went in and did my job, we were down 2-1 when i came on and unfortunately we couldn't find the equalizer but overall it was a much better second half by the boys and a good personal performance on my part.  The best part about it is the Galaxy want me to play the rest of the reserve games this season.  I'll get to travel with the team and do all that good stuff.  And of course its just another opportunity to get a full team contract...what every player wants in life.  My next trip is next weekend to Salt Lake City to take on Real Salt Lake.  Until then I just need to put in the dirty work, keep my ankles healthy and do what I do best.  Oh and maybe work on my forward skills a little bit, just in case I go up top again...

Cheers...MikeE  

Soldiering on...

A little recap of the Earthquakes reserve match the other day against the Galaxy. We won 2-1 and played down a man for most of the second half. I came in with about 10 minutes left and had a very defensive role since we were protecting a lead with a man down. Not exactly the ideal situation to impress the coaches but nonetheless we got the job done and look forward to the next match. I know for a fact that the quakes want to continue to bring me in to reserve games. What I don't understand is why they just won't throw down a contract so I am put some ink on it. There are still five developmental contract roster spots available yet they refuse to sign anybody. Well they are willing to fly me around for these games and that only provides more opportunities. Its a start and I just have to perform when that opportunity comes.

Unfortunately and fortunately I am moving back to Los Alamitos in southern California where my parents live. My sister, who I share an apartment with in Berkeley is heading off to the peace corps in Guatemala for TWO years!! She amazes me. Not only did she graduate before her big bro who had two years on her in the same major, history...but shes been studying for the lsat and now heading to Guatemala to work with the youth in rural communities. She's planning on establishing a youth soccer academy with the help of my former employer Soccer Central who were generous enough to donate balls, bibs cones and other basic stuff. Only a Munoz would want to establish a futbol camp in another country. But honestly a two year commitment in a very poor country, and shes not going to be in a major city...amazing and takes a special person. I don't know if I would have the metal to do that.

Anyways so we are moving out of our apartment for good and heading back home. I have an u14 boys team already lined up that I will begin training. Eddie Soto, my mentor and old coach got me the gig and I only hope I can bring my valuable experience to these boys and the club. It is very important to me that we nurture the soccer around where I grow up. I got nothing but hometown luv and will do anything to make sure the football stays at its best down there.
Without a doubt I will continue to keep training and working hard and keeping sharp in case of a call up. I will continue to contact teams and let them know my services are there for the taking. It's a long season and things have only just begun. Did you hear about the baseball player who had been coaching in the minor leagues, got an opportunity to tryout again for a team, made the squad, is now batting over 400 on the season and could get called up to the Majors? Anything is possible with the right attitude and a good work ethic. That is something that I can control and something I always remind my players and myself. You cannot control the referree, the weather, the state of the pitch, the opposition and even your own teammates. But you CAN control how hard you work and your mentallity and thats all that matters. The rest will fall in place.

I have 16 units until I graduate from Berkeley and I will also be taking summer courses wherever I may be. I promised my parents years ago that I would finish school and that is something I am keen on doing. I have taken a little longer than most, and maybe a more unorthodox approach but it will be done...that I promise. Until then I look forward to moving home and starting a new chapter in my life. I'm excited to see my parents, my best mates, my girfriend and of course that home cookin.
I leave you with a quote from Sir Alex's book..."These are the facts of life. Nobody but yourself can guarantee a first team place. Whatever you do on the field determines whether you are on the first team or not. Any bullshit promises from scouts or managers should be ignored."
Cheers...

After shock

I just got a call from San Jose Earthquakes. Flying down to LA to play the galaxy.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile