Monday, June 30, 2025
Bookshelf: Inverting the Pyramid (Chapter No. 2)
Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics (Jonathan Wilson)
Chapter 2: The Walz and the Tango
Wilson opens this chapter by tracing the role the British Empire plays in planting the seeds of soccer in various parts of the world, and spends most of the chapter in Austria, Hungary, Argentina, and Uruguay.
A key individual profiled is Jimmy Hogan, an English player and coach credited with influencing the Danubian School of soccer in the early 20th century, Total Football in the 1970s, and modern soccer tactics today.
RSC 365: Sunday, June 29 (Day No. 34)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Didn't do any work related to Rosevelt SC
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Sunday, June 29, 2025 (Day No. 163)
(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.)
Didn't do any work related to Maine soccer.
Daily Time: 0 hours
Total Time: 206.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Sunday, June 29, 2025
36/36 Bankroll: Sunday, June 29 (Wager No. 44)
(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*
Belmont at the Big A (Jamaica, New York)
Race No. 1 (12:40p)
#1: Leonora's Secret (6-1 ML)
Race No. 2 (1:10p)
#1: Neshika (4-1 ML)
Horse Racing Hit Rate: 30% (26/86)
Horse Racing Bankroll: $150.40 (+317.8%)
*Soccer*
Men's Club World Cup (FIFA)
Game No. 1 (12p)
Paris-St. Germain F.C. (-550)
Men's Besta Deildin (Iceland)
Game No. 2 (3:15p)
Vikingur Reykjavik (-300)
Soccer Hit Rate: 49% (42/86)
Soccer Bankroll: $4.73 (-86.9%)
*Total*
Total Hit Rate: 40% (68/172)
Total Bankroll: $159.13 (+121.0%)
RSC 365: Saturday, June 28 (Day No. 33)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Didn't do any work related to Rosevelt SC
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Saturday, June 28, 2025 (Day No. 162)
(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.)
Didn't do any work related to Maine soccer.
Daily Time: 0 hours
Total Time: 206.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Saturday, June 28, 2025
RSC 365: Friday, June 27 (Day No. 32)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Didn't do any work related to Rosevelt SC
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Friday, June 27, 2025 (Day No. 161)
(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.)
Didn't do any work related to Maine soccer.
Daily Time: 0 hours
Total Time: 206.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Friday, June 27, 2025
Bookshelf: How Soccer Explains the World (Chapter 1)
How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization (Franklin Foer)
Chapter 1: How Soccer Explains the Gangster's Paradise
Foer's book features ten chapters, with each chapter focusing on the various anthropological, geographical, historical, political, and/or sociological aspects of ten different microcosms of global soccer.
In his opening chapter, Foer focuses on the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, the club Red Star Belgrade, and the roles Red Star Belgrade's supporters' group and the capo of that supporters' group played in brutally enforcing Serbian nationalism during the wars.
Cumberland Pick 3: Friday, June 27 (Meet Day No. 23)
(Below are three selections for First Tracks Cumberland selected by Isaac Salisbury, Steve Morgan, and John Morgan. Each handicapper will start with a mythical $408 bankroll, and each selection will be bet with mythical $2 Win and $2 Place bets.)
Isaac Salisbury
$331.60 (- 18.7%)
Isaac is a Skowhegan native who became a passionate fan of horse racing when he discovered a knack for handicapping races when he was a senior in college during the pandemic in 2020.
Race No. 3
#3: Bo Master (7-2 ML)
Race No. 4
#3: Polyester (2-1 ML)
Race No. 9
#3: Kreacher (5-2 ML)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Morgan
$383.20 (- 6.1%)
A partner in the Ivory Pine Syndicate, Steve has been attending and betting on races in Maine since the grandstands were full and Leigh Fitch was the leading driver.
Race No. 2
#6: Gowestyounggrace (5-2 ML)
Race No. 4
#5: Miss Quality (5-2 ML)
Race No. 8
#5: Rise N Grind (5-2 ML)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
John Morgan
$368.40 (- 9.7%)
John is the founder and managing partner of the Ivory Pine Syndicate.
Race No. 3
#3: Bo Master (7-2 ML)
Race No. 5
#2: Maximus (7-2 ML)
Race No. 6
#2: Pembroke Red (2-1 ML)
RSC 365: Thursday, June 26 (Day No. 31)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Reached out to a local non-profit about business mentorship
- Reach out to a local hotel about renewing a business relationship that provided our club with our most productive and helpful directors' meetings before COVID-19 restrictions were implemented in 2020
- Worked on roster offers
- Talked with a parent about a roster offer
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Thursday, June 26 (Day No. 160)
(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.)
Didn't do any work related to Maine soccer.
Daily Time: 0 hours
Total Time: 206.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Thursday, June 26, 2025
RSC 365: Wednesday, June 25 (Day No. 30)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Talked with a director about roster offers and budgets
- Texted with a 23U coach about schedules for training sessions
- Texted with a facilities director about facilities availability
- Texted with 23U coaches about game schedules
- Texted with other club coaches about 23U game schedules
- Texted club directors about a meeting
- Worked with a director to update registrations and roster offers
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Wednesday, June 25 (Day No. 159)
(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.)
Worked on logistics related to this summer's 23U programming.
Daily Time: 0.5 hours
Total Time: 206.5 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Bookshelf: When Towns Had Teams (Chapter 1)
When Towns Had Teams (Jim Baumer)
Chapter 1: War Is Over: Let the Games Begin
Baumer opens his book in post-World War II Maine, when a confluence of factors lead to the brief resurrection of semi-professional baseball in the Pine Tree State.
The Auburn Asas, Augusta Millionaires, Brewer Bluebirds, Eastport Lobsters, Farmington Flyers, Kennebunkport Collegians, Portland Pilots, Presque Isle Indians, and Sanford Goodalls are most of the teams mentioned in this opening chapter. And the Down East League, North Franklin League, Northeast League, Timber League, and Twin City League are most of the leagues mentioned in the chapter.
Ultimately, it was relatively high overhead costs* of running these teams, inconsistent leagues and schedules, and the 1954 debut of televised Red Sox games that led to the downfall of semi-professional baseball in most of Maine by the 1960s.
According to Baumer, here are some of the costs incurred by the Augusta Athletic Association to field a team (Augusta Millionaires) in 1949:
$30,000: Renovation of Capitol Park to accommodate up to 2,000 spectators
$16,000: Lights for night games
$1,800: Baseballs
$1,200: Insurance
Special Maidens: Wednesday, June 25 (Wager No. 16)
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(This feature will consist of a $2 wager on a first-time starter in a maiden special weight race.)
Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
Race No. 4 (2:13p)
#8: Miss Complicated (8-1 ML)
Pick Success Rate: 20% (3/15)
Total Bankroll: $121.00 (+21%)
RSC 365: Tuesday, June 24 (Day No. 29)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Didn't do any work related to Rosevelt SC.
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Tuesday, June 24 (Day No. 158)
(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.)
Prepared for a Maine Soccer Hall of Fame induction meeting, and hosted the induction meeting for the Maine Soccer Hall of Fame.
Really proud of identifying the need for a Maine Soccer Hall of Fame back in December 2023; hosting the first project-related Zoom meeting with two of Maine's top club and scholastic stakeholders on December 19, 2023; and gradually shepherding the process of inducting an inaugural class of inductees by including representative stakeholders from all aspects of Maine's soccer ecosystem.
Last night was the culmination of that process, and it's a great example of the good work that can result when all of our state's soccer stakeholders can step out of our respective silos to work toward a common goal.
Daily Time: 2.25 hours
Total Time: 206 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
RSC 365: Monday, June 23 (Day No. 28)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Talked with a director about roster offers and budget issues
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Monday, June 23 (Day No. 157)
(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.)
Worked on logistics for 23U programming this summer, and worked on logistics for an upcoming Maine Soccer Hall of Fame meeting.
Daily Time: 2.0 hours
Total Time: 203.75 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Monday, June 23, 2025
Bookshelf: Inverting the Pyramid (Chapter No. 1)
Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics (Jonathan Wilson)
Chapter 1: From Genesis to the Pyramid
Wilson spends most of the chapter tracing the evolution of the various early rules and conventions in the 19th century that define the game of soccer that we know today, but he closes with an historical analysis of what's considered to be the first formation of the modern era: The pyramid, or the 2-3-5.
Headlines: FIFA Chief Promotes Pro-Rel, Criticizes American Youth Soccer
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[Gianni] Infantino, who lives in Miami, spoke at length about his vision for soccer in America. Aside from suggesting the nixing of the long-criticized "pay to play" model for youth soccer, which Infantino called "a problem here in America," he also hinted that introducing promotion and relegation could help bring more excitement to the sport.
RSC 365: Sunday, June 22 (Day No. 27)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Didn't do any work related to Rosevelt SC
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Sunday, June 22 (Day No. 156)
(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.)
Didn't do any work related to Maine soccer.
Daily Time: 0.0 hours
Total Time: 201.75 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Sunday, June 22, 2025
RSC 365: Saturday, June 21 (Day No. 26)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Didn't do any work related to Rosevelt SC
Maine Soccer Roadmap: Saturday, June 21 (Day No. 155)
(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.)
Didn't do any work related to Maine soccer.
Daily Time: 0.0 hours
Total Time: 201.75 hours
Daily Miles: 0 miles
Total Miles: 4,260 miles
Related: Now is a Good Time to Reimagine Maine Soccer (December 11, 2024)
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Cumberland Pick 3: Saturday, June 21 (Meet Day No. 22)
(Below are three selections for First Tracks Cumberland selected by Isaac Salisbury, Steve Morgan, and John Morgan. Each handicapper will start with a mythical $408 bankroll, and each selection will be bet with mythical $2 Win and $2 Place bets.)
Isaac Salisbury
$338.40 (- 17.1%)
Isaac is a Skowhegan native who became a passionate fan of horse racing when he discovered a knack for handicapping races when he was a senior in college during the pandemic in 2020.
Race No. 4
#3: Skyway Ballet (2-1 ML)
Race No. 6
#1: Time For George (3-1 ML)
Race No. 10
#4: JS Peyton (2-1 ML)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Morgan
$389.20 (- 4.6%)
A partner in the Ivory Pine Syndicate, Steve has been attending and betting on races in Maine since the grandstands were full and Leigh Fitch was the leading driver.
Race No. 3
#3: Forrest Blu (7-2 ML)
Race No. 5
#1: Odds On Brexit (3-1 ML)
Race No. 9
#6: Miki De Vie (2-1 ML)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
John Morgan
$380.40 (- 6.8%)
John is the founder and managing partner of the Ivory Pine Syndicate.
Race No. 5
#3: Edelman (6-1 ML)
Race No. 6
#3: Tobins Burke (6-1 ML)
Race No. 8
#3: Redbreast Hanover (5-1 ML)
Special Maidens: Saturday, June 21 (Wager No. 15)
(This feature will consist of a $2 wager on a first-time starter in a maiden special weight race.)
Monmouth Park (Oceanport, New Jersey)
Race No. 2 (1:21p)
#5: Oriole Way (8-1 ML)
Pick Success Rate: 14% (2/14)
Total Bankroll: $91.40 (-8.6%)
RSC 365: Friday, June 20 (Day No. 25)
(This time of year is the always the busiest for our club because it requires us to wrap up our current season while also preparing for next season by finalizing budgets, coaching appointments, and roster offers. Throw in a few potential changes in Maine's club soccer ecosystem and a big change to age groupings across the U.S. next year, and the next 365 days could be topsy-turvy for our club with a small margin of error. Here's documentation of the upcoming 365-day stretch between now and May 27, 2026.)
- Talked with a director about roster offers
- Talked with a coach about next season's programming
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