United Hampered by Inexperience
Sunday June 7, 2009
Times Colonist - Sunday, June 7, 2009
Up until this season, the top men's soccer players in Victoria played for Victoria United. That all changed when the Victoria Highlanders took to the pitch. Now United, a perennial championship contender in the Pacific Coast Soccer League, is full of new faces aspiring to learn their way to the top.
"It's tough. The coach (Eddie Mukahanana) has an uphill battle," said Ben Hooker, after United lost 2-0 to the league-leading Vancouver Thunderbirds (7-3) yesterday at Royal Athletic Park. "We're hoping to find our stride, before the end of the season."
A 10-year veteran, Hooker is one of just five returnees to the team, which has won four league titles and four playoff championship in the last five years.
According to a story on the team's website, eight starters joined the Highlanders for their inauguaral season in the United Soccer League's Premier Development League, seven players went to the Highlanders Reserve squad, and four retired. At halftime of Saturday's game, the club honoured Dave Gustar, Will Moore, Dean Anderson, and Kevin Mennie for their many outstanding seasons with United.
Hooker, a player-coach last season, said the defection to the Highlanders main team was expected, but losing so many bodies to the non-playing Reserves was a blow.
"They were snaffled by the Reserve team. I didn't see that happening," said Hooker, who decided to stick around to help with the transition. "I want to get these young guys to feel what it's like to play for Victoria United."
From his position at the back end, Hooker watched as the inexperienced players, many just 16 or 17, attempted to cope with the speed of the Thunderbirds, the summer version of the University of British Columbia varsity team. The visitors took advantage of some early tentative play to post their goals - Aaron Richer in the 18th minute, and PCSL-leading scorer Steve Deblasio in the 38th minute.
"We got caught up knocking the long ball. It's not our style," said Hooker.
It's been a grind, but Hooker said he keeps playing, because he's still having fun, despite being worried about the future of the team. It's a worry, however, that Mukahanana doesn't share.
The coach is enthusiastic about building a new foundation for the team. He has 18 players at practice, and many of them realize United is their springboard to another level. It's a matter of finding a comfort zone with each other, and the team.
"We need to build the shape of the squad --- how we play, understand each other --- and our expectations and goals," Mukahanana said. "We just need to get them over that hump."
I think this can be a really competitive squad."
United (1-2-1) is back on the field at RAP today, when they take on Surrey United at 2:30 p.m.
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