Friday, January 31, 2025
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Thursday, January 30 (Day No. 18)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Met with a regional club president via Zoom, and hosted a Zoom meeting for the Maine Soccer Hall of Fame.
Daily Time: 2.5 hours
Total Time: 47 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 291 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Headlines: 2025 U.S. Open Cup Format Finalized
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US Soccer has released the format and list of all teams participating in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament proper. Sixteen MLS teams will participate, doubling from the 8 that participated in 2024, but still not 100% participation as formats had in 2012-2023. MLS teams for this season and in 2026 will be limited to a maximum of 2 North American cup competitions in a given season. Those cup competitions are defined as Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, and Canadian Championship. This means that for US teams already qualified for Champions Cup and Leagues Cup, they will be excluded from the US Open Cup. MLS teams qualified based on the following criteria.
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Wednesday, January 29 (Day No. 17)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Hosted a Zoom with a fellow regional clubs to plan 23U programming this summer, which has helped us extend the developmental pathway for Maine's soccer stakeholders that last couple years.
Daily Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 44.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 291 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
36/36 Bankroll: Wednesday, January 29 (Wager No. 14)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Delta Downs (Vinton, Louisiana)
Race No. 2 (6:18p)
#4: La Grand Slam (+500 ML)
Race No. 3 (6:46p)
#6: Toms Lucky Mo (+200 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 46% (12/26)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $174.60 (+385%)
*Soccer*
Men's Champions League (UEFA)
Game No. 1 (3p)
Borussia Dortmund (-285)
Men's Champions League (UEFA)
Game No. 2 (3p)
Lille (+115)
Soccer Hit Rate: 50% (13/26)
Soccer Bankroll: $34.34 (-4.6%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 48% (25/52)
Total Bankroll: $208.94 (+190.2%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Tuesday, January 28 (Day No. 16)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Sick and unproductive.
Daily Time: 0 hours
Total Time: 43.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 291 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Monday, January 27 (Day No. 15)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Sick and unproductive.
Daily Time: 0 hours
Total Time: 43.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 291 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Monday, January 27, 2025
Headlines: Maine Town Names Podcast
Throughout the year, Maine Calling will examine the stories behind "naming"—how names for different entities and people come about, and what makes them prevalent, unusual or notable. We start with a show about town names in Maine—including the many towns that are named after other countries or cities (Mexico, China, Paris), as well as those that are uncommon (Owls Head, Meddybemps, Friendship).
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Sunday, January 26 (Day No. 14)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Discussed potential infrastructure investments with a non-soccer colleague who's familiar with economic and infrastructure development. These investments will be required when we develop more local and regional clubs in Maine.
Daily Time: 0.5 hours
Total Time: 43.5 hours
Daily Miles: 58 miles
Total Miles: 291 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Saturday, January 25 (Day No. 13)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Scouted a site for a potential men's and women's tournament that we could host in Maine every year to expand the number of multigenerational clubs and the scope of multigenerational programming.
Daily Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 43 hours
Daily Miles: 58 miles
Total Miles: 291 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Saturday, January 25, 2025
36/36 Bankroll: Saturday, January 25 (Wager No. 13)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Gulfstream Park (Hallendale Beach, Florida)
Race No. 4 (12:31p)
#2: Dreaming of Mo (+1500 ML)
Race No. 5 (1:02p)
#12: Coppola (+400 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 42% (10/24)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $70.80 (+96.7%)
*Soccer*
Men's Serie B (Italy)
Game No. 1 (9a)
Frosinone (+120)
Men's Jupiler Pro (Belgium)
Game No. 2 (3p)
Club Brugge (-525)
Soccer Hit Rate: 54% (13/24)
Soccer Bankroll: $36.34 (+6.5%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 48% (23/48)
Total Bankroll: $107.14 (+48.8%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Friday, January 24 (Day No. 12)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Shared my work on regional clubs with a couple allies, and started the data sheet and map for local clubs.
Also started writing out drafts of memoranda of understanding for local, regional, and state-level clubs and programming.
Daily Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 41 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 233 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Friday, January 24, 2025
36/36 Bankroll: Friday, January 24 (Wager No. 12)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Mahoning Valley (Youngstown, Ohio)
Race No. 1 (12:15p)
#5: Buckeye Takeover (+160 ML)
Race No. 2
#6: Gracie Dance (+1500 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 45% (10/22)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $72.80 (+102.2%)
*Soccer*
Men's Serie A (Italy)
Game No. 1 (2:45p)
Torino (+115)
Men's Championship (England)
Game No. 2 (3p)
Sheffield United (-130)
Soccer Hit Rate: 55% (12/22)
Soccer Bankroll: $38.34 (+6.5%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 50% (22/44)
Total Bankroll: $111.14 (+54.4%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Thursday, January 23 (Day No. 11)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Finally finished plotting all of Maine's 482 communities on a color-coded Google Map that showcases fourteen regional clubs' geographical footprints, and finally finished the regional club spreadsheet complete with population data (including student enrollment data) for each community.
This information should be the foundation for next steps, just as regional clubs need to be the connective sinew for Maine's soccer ecosystem.
Daily Time: 3.5 hours
Total Time: 39 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 233 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Thursday, January 23, 2025
36/36 Bankroll: Thursday, January 23 (Wager No. 11)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Mahoning Valley (Youngstown, Ohio)
Race No. 2 (12:43p)
#7: Reinvestedinterest (+160 ML)
Race No. 3
#7: Crossed Up (+350 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 50% (10/20)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $74.80 (+107.8%)
*Soccer*
Men's Europa League (UEFA)
Game No. 1 (3p)
Eintracht Frankfurt (-220)
Men's Europa League (UEFA)
Game No. 2 (3p)
Lazio (+155)
Soccer Hit Rate: 50% (10/20)
Soccer Bankroll: $32.93 (-8.5%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 50% (20/40)
Total Bankroll: $107.73 (+49.6%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Wednesday, January 22 (Day No. 10)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Continued plotting color-coded towns on the Google Map for regional clubs and updating the regional club spreadsheet. Have to update only about 50 communities on both the map and spreadsheet, now that about 430 cities and towns have been added to both resources.
Scheduled next meeting with a club president.
Daily Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 35.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 233 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Tuesday, January 21 (Day No. 9)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Continued plotting color-coded towns on the Google Map for regional clubs. General footprints for fourteen regional clubs are taking shape, but still need to fill in gaps.
Daily Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 29.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 233 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Headlines: The Secrets of Scouting
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A scout’s aim is to assess every aspect of a player under consideration. There are variations on the theme from club to club, but most will broadly follow a "four-corner approach" analysing technical (ball control and positioning), psychological (decision making and awareness), physical (movement and balance) and social (communication and teamwork) qualities. Scores are given for each, entered into the club’s database and, eventually, lead to conclusions drawn.
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Monday, January 20 (Day No. 8)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Finished cross-referencing the high school demographic spreadsheet with the regional club demographic spreadsheet, and started plotting each town with color-coded pins on a Google Map. More than 180 towns have been plotted with the nine largest MSPL clubs accounted for.
Daily Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 25.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 233 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Monday, January 20, 2025
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Sunday, January 19 (Day No. 7)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Finished double-checking the list of Maine's 481 towns and cities with the local and regional club representation spreadsheet, and will now cross-check Maine's 116 public high schools that rostered soccer teams in 2024.
Also started outlining the narrative of this project to complement the project's spreadsheets and maps.
Daily Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 20.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 233 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Sunday, January 19, 2025
36/36 Bankroll: Sunday, January 19 (Wager No. 10)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, California)
Race No. 8 (6:07p)
#3: Che Evasora (ARG) (+3000 ML)
Race No. 9
#2: Nadette (+1000 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 55.6% (10/18)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $76.80 (+113.3%)
*Soccer*
Men's Premier League (England)
Game No. 1 (9a)
Nottingham Forest (-230)
Men's Jupiler Pro (Belgium)
Game No. 2 (1:15p)
Antwerp (+105)
Soccer Hit Rate: 44% (8/18)
Soccer Bankroll: $29.05 (-19.3%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 50% (18/36)
Total Bankroll: $105.85 (+47.0%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Saturday, January 18 (Day No. 6)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Attended a round-robin among 17U Girls teams representing ODP programs from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
It was a good opportunity to see programming among northern New England's state teams.
Daily Time: 4.25 hours
Total Time: 18.5 hours
Daily Miles: 192 miles
Total Miles: 233 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Saturday, January 18, 2025
36/36 Bankroll: Saturday, January 18 (Wager No. 9)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Delta Downs (Vinton, Louisiana)
Race No. 2 (6:18p)
#5: Otter Creek (+350 ML)
Race No. 3 (6:46p)
#5: Tensas Lu Lu (+300 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 57% (9/16)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $78.80 (+118.9%)
*Soccer*
Men's Championship (England)
Game No. 1 (10a)
Sheffield United (+110)
Men's Jupiler Pro (Belgium)
Game No. 2 (2:45p)
Club Brugge (-450)
Soccer Hit Rate: 38% (6/16)
Soccer Bankroll: $25.92 (-28%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 47% (15/32)
Total Bankroll: $104.72 (+45.4%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Friday, January 17 (Day No. 5)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Continued to identify which Maine communities have been attached (or remain unattached) to potential and existing local and regional clubs in the demographic spreadsheets, and got a really helpful lead that will help reduce the number of unattached communities.
Daily Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 14.25 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 41 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Friday, January 17, 2025
Headlines: More On NASL vs. MLS, U.S. Soccer Lawsuit
The Athletic:
The trial for their civil dispute is now underway in Brooklyn federal court, where dozens of lawyers have gathered since Monday for marathon, eight-hour days as they begin to argue their sides before a jury of 10. With more than $500million in damages on the line, the trial has the potential to pull the curtain on the quiet world of professional soccer in the United States at a time when the sport is the most popular it’s ever been.
36/36 Bankroll: Friday, January 17 (Wager No. 8)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Aqueduct (Jamaica, New York)
Race No. 5 (2:10p)
#4: Akinmusire (+350 ML)
Race No. 6 (2:40p)
#7: Princess Mischief (+500 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 64% (9/14)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $80.80 (+124%)
*Soccer*
Men's Jupiler Pro League (Belgium)
Game No. 1 (2:45p)
Gent (+125)
Men's Championship (England)
Game No. 2 (3p)
Burnley (+120)
Soccer Hit Rate: 43% (6/14)
Soccer Bankroll: $27.92 (-22.4%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 54% (15/28)
Total Bankroll: $108.72 (+51.0%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Thursday, January 16 (Day No. 4)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Lightest work day so far, largely because soccer budget time-wise had to be devoted to Maine Soccer Association and Rosevelt Soccer Club admin.
Daily Time: 0.25 hours
Total Time: 13.25 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 41 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Headlines: Opening Arguments in NASL v. MLS, U.S. Soccer Trial
The second iteration of the North American Soccer League was a lower-tier league that existed for only a handful of seasons, and it went defunct more than seven years ago. But a lawsuit the league filed attracted dozens of lawyers and an overflow courtroom in Brooklyn federal court Monday. That first day went more than six hours for opening arguments, and promised testimony from NBA royalty. That’s because NASL’s antitrust trial against the U.S. Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer threatens to rip the veil off the cozy world of American professional soccer, with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Wednesday, January 15 (Day No. 3)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
More work on the spreadsheets featuring the demographics of Maine towns, high schools, existing and potential local clubs, and existing and potential regional clubs.
Have made enough progress to start going through the alphabetical listing of Maine's cities, towns, and high schools to ensure each community and high school are represented by existing or potential local and regional clubs.
Daily Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 13 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 41 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Headlines: Hearts of Pine's First Maine Signee a Role Model
PPH:
Khalid Hersi knows he’s a role model. It’s not something that was thrust upon him last week, when he became the the first Mainer to sign with the Portland Hearts of Pine, the men’s professional soccer team that will begin its inaugural season in just a couple months. This is something Hersi has embraced for a while. "To be the first Mainer signed to the team is an honor," Hersi, 20, said, "but there’s a lot of players motivated now to do it, too."
Special Maidens: Wednesday, January 15 (Wager No. 11)
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(This feature will consist of a $2 wager on a first-time starter in a maiden special weight race.)
Gulfstream Park (Hallendale Beach, Florida)
Race No. 6 (3p)
#5: Win After Win (7-2 ML)
Pick Success Rate: 20% (2/10)
Total Bankroll: $99.40 (-0.6%)
36/36 Bankroll: Wednesday, January 15 (Wager No. 7)
(This series will feature $2 Double and a $2, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer over a 50-day period. Any profits will be donated to the Futures for Standardbreds and/or Street Soccer USA.)
*Horse Racing*
Delta Downs (Vinton, Louisiana)
Race No. 1 (5:50p)
#6: Sarah's Court (+250 ML)
Race No. 2 (6:18p)
#6: Biloxi (+200 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 67% (8/12)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $82.80 (+130%)
*Soccer*
Men's Bundesliga (Germany)
Game No. 1 (2:30p)
Bayern Munich (-900)
Men's Bundesliga (Germany)
Game No. 2 (2:30p)
FC Union Berlin (-120)
Soccer Hit Rate: 42% (5/12)
Soccer Bankroll: $29.92 (-16.9%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 54% (13/24)
Total Bankroll: $112.72 (+56.6%)
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Tuesday, January 14 (Day No. 2)
(This series is the documentation of a 365-day project to help develop more local and regional soccer clubs in Maine, help improve the connectivity among new and existing local and regional clubs in Maine, and cultivate a more purposeful and accessible local --> regional --> state developmental pathway for all of Maine's soccer stakeholders.)
Today's work focused on both vertical and horizontal growth.
First, met with the president and the executive director of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) via Zoom. This meeting is part of the newly-elected president's effort to host one-on-one meetings with each state association, and the focus was on how we can continue to develop our 23U programming.
And then met with two directors of a couple different clubs located in southern Maine. It was a good start to what hopefully will be an ongoing discussion on how to formalize and strengthen a local, regional, and state developmental pathway here in Maine. Also clarified informal networks among a few clubs that already exist, which will ensure the spreadsheets featuring demographics and other info for towns, high school programs, local clubs, and regional clubs are more accurate.
Daily Time: 3.5 hours
Total Time: 11 hours
Daily Miles: 41 miles
Total Miles: 41 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
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