The Great American Adventure Episode I: The Beginning

Introduction

Here is my new story. My database(s) are more polished and at a stage I feel really good with. As I was saying the thing of no awards was bothering the hell out of me. Also since I started the first story there have been some good tweaks to the CCL and Canada side. For more background info please visit my old story for the first few post Background.

This story begins during the Spring of 2015


Bloomington FC 2015-




The Great American Adventure Episode I: The Beginning

April 23, 2015: Bloomington, Minnesota

Hey guys hope you are all well I just wanted to check in and say what is up and letting you know what I am doing. What the heck am I writing hey guys for? This is a journal for myself haha. Well my name is Douglas "Doug" McKenzie and I am hopefully going to start my first my first coaching job soon. The reason why I am hoping is that I am going to be interviewing with this club called Bloomington FC, they are a club in the NPSL Midwestern Division One League. Why am I taking this job despite being from so far a way. Let me give you a little background.

Well I am 30 years old and have been involved in the sport almost my whole life. It really wasn't until a few years ago that I wanted to start coaching. There is something really cool about doing that especially now that the US structure has changed so damn much and that is why I am here. I am looking to make my big break to the top of soccer here in the US. Hell I would even consider coaching in Canada but right now I want to focus on the states.

Now let me tell you this. My wife Allison is a bit confused why I chose to interview all the way out here. I told her this club looks really cool and they have something that I might like and that is a chance to start my coaching career.

This club is known as the Stars and is a homage to the old Minnesota North Stars of the NHL who played in the same city. The colors are the same as the old team so that is just as awesome. I have no clue if they will hire me or what but I am ready.

Finally you ask if I get the job will stay with them long term, all i have to say is we will see?

Good luck and as usual i will be following

interesting, though im not a big fan of custom databases ill be following

April 24, 2015: Bloomington, Minnesota


So I have been in Bloomington a day and it is lovely, I have spent time at the Mall of America and went to pick up some stuff for the wife as a surprise. It is huge and I got lost a few times haha. So now I have to get ready for my interview for the head coach job here with the Stars. I have to head to the Bloomington Soccerplex where the club is based out of. I am nervous but confident that I will get this job.

A few hours later

So I arrive to the soccerplex and I am impressed, it is huge and holds three fields and I guess has a hockey rink as well. I arrive to the room and meet Arthur White. He is the clubs chairman and the genius who came up with the name and colors.

"Mr. McKenzie I would like to start off this interview asking why us?"
"Well I am looking to start my career and felt this club would be the one to start, both me and the club are new so I thought why not grow together, plus I absolutely love how you brought back in a way one of the coolest and most iconic brands back, I know it is not the North Stars but damn close."
"But you are from Virginia other than the connection from hockey why travel all the way here?"
"I love Minnesota and the Twin Cities, back in 2011 I tried out for MNUTD and was cut. I vowed to come back in some form and now here I am."
"Fair enough, I am very interested in you anyways as i got you to come all the way here so what is you vision for this club?"
"I don't want to blow smoke up your ass or make a false promise but I will work my hardest to get Bloomington FC to a very well known and respectable position in the country. I want the fans of the Twin Cities and state to love us like the old North Stars."
"Tell me the type of players you want?"
"Obviously ones that would play for us and contribute to the main goals you and I set forth."
"If hired do you think you can get us a promotion or two within three years and a cup win? \
" I can easily say yes to promotion and give you a maybe on the cups. I will strive for doubles though."
"Well I like what I am hearing and would love to have you as our first coach. Here is the contract. This will be for a one year period starting July 1 and ending on July 1, 2016. You will be paid 46,000 during the year and we will open contract negotiations towards the later part of the season if you are still in good standing. Do you agree?"
"Of course I agree and I am very happy to accept this contract."

Wow I got my first job and it is with Bloomington FC here in the NPSL Midwest Division One (8 levels from the top). I call Allie who is at work and she is so happy for me. Before leaving Arthur gave me a little tour of the place I will be coaching. The team plays at the New Metropolitan Stadium. This is a 5000 seat stadium near the Mall of America. Funny thing is that the old stadium this is named after was right near where we are now.

Now it is time to head back home and get ready to move out here as well as find a place to live. I want to move to Edina as it is the home of the cake eaters haha. Well that is it for now.

July 2,2015 All Day Bloomington, Minnesota

After months of tryouts and setting up we are finally ready to get the clubs inaugural season underway. For myself I am now living in Edina a nice little town just both of Bloomington. It is expensive but worth it. Reason why I picked this place is because of the jokes that came from the Mighty Ducks Films. Anyways my first meeting with the team here at the soccerplex is about to go down.

"Hey guys good morning and welcome to the first ever training camp for Bloomington FC, my name is Doug McKenzie and I am the head coach. Obviously you know that but just wanted to formally introduce myself. Lets start by going around the room and introducing yourselves."
Everyone does their introductions.
"So now that we have that done lets talk about the upcoming season. I feel very positive about this season and feel that we will make the playoffs. What are your thoughts?"
Luis Ruiz says "That is going to be a lot off hard work but I feel that it is an acceptable goal. It will talk a lot of hard work but I know we can do it."
(Everyone nods in agreement)
"Excellent Luis, does anyone else have anything to say?"
(Room is silent)
(A new player walks into the room it is Adam Johnson who I signed on a free from local side Morningside Village.)
"Well everyone I would like to introduce Adam Johnson he joins us from Morningside Village."
(Some people say welcome aboard while.....)
David Escobar says "Why the hell is this Cake Eater on this team?? We do not need assholes like you on this club...."
(Adam starts to speak but...)
"Men calm the hell down we do not need this crap in the club, now lets talk about tactics. We will be running these two formations 4-2-4 and the 4-2-3-1"

After more talk things calm down and we head to the field for a scrimmage. I have two teams set up, Team A and Team B. I wanted to have an intrasquad match to see how the players work together and get a good early opinion on the players. Well Team A came out on top winning 4-0, Johnson scored and it was beautiful. After that match we go back into one of the rooms and finish up the rest of the day with meetings and what not. Here is the schedule for the season.



I really hope we have a good season. There seems to be a few players not liking each other due to the whole Edina thing but that shouldn't matter. If this shit continues it will be a long year....

If you keep up with the Mighty Ducks references I am all in! (cake eater...)

QUACK!
QUACK!
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QUACK!
QUACK!
QUACK!

2016-02-27 14:09#226796 Griffo : If you keep up with the Mighty Ducks references I am all in! (cake eater...)

QUACK!
QUACK!
QUACK!
QUACK!
QUACK!
QUACK!

Don't worry haha

August 3, 2015- Bloomington, Minnesota


The first preseason for the club was very successful on all accounts. We worked hard and the players were starting to fully understand my tactics. Also i noticed that the squad harmony is still pretty decent. Yes there has been some issues between a few players but they are starting to get over it all. These guys are adults and need to act as such.

In the matches we were expected to win we won and the ones that we were expected to lose we lost. That was a pretty fair trade off in my opinion. I got to see how the players reacted in several different situations and am pleased that they were able to pass my test if you will. The biggest highlight was facing Minnesota United as they are considered the big boys in the state. I could not believe we lost to them by only a goal.

So with that our first month in league will be very interesting. We have three teams from Missouri, one from Wisconsin and one from Ohio. I have no clue how we will do but I am looking forward to playing these teams and traveling. The match at KC Spurs will be the highlight as they ground share with Sporting KC.

Well that is about it for the preseason.

Bloomington FC route St. Louis Stars for their first ever win as a club
By: Peter Patrick AUGUST 13, 2015


It was an exciting day for upstarts Bloomington FC as they traveled to St. Louis Stars in their first ever league match. In front of 5,737 fans the visiting team would outshine the former NASL club by a score of 7-2.

Bloomington would open up the scoreline in the 1:11 minute as Striker Victor Brown would score his first ever goal and his first of three. This goal was also the first in club history. Brown would add his second goal in the 8th minute. St. Louis couldn't answer and it was looking to be over before it really started.

At the 18th minute St. Louis would finally respond by a beautiful goal from John Marsden. The Stars looked like they were ready to make a comeback. During the next five minutes the club would control the tempo of the match until.... In the 25th minute David Garcia would make a huge mistake by scoring an own goal. At this point Bloomington leads 3-1. St. Louis would get one more opportunity as Andrew Haines scored before the halftime whistle blew.

At the half Bloomington lead 3-2.

The second half started with a bang for Bloomington as Brown completed his hatrick during the 46th minute. After that it was all Bloomington for the rest of the half. Carlos Benitez would contribute two goals of his own (50',59'). Marcus Storey finished the beat down adding his own in the 67th. With the victory the club moves up to second place.

"Wow, this was one hell of a debut and honestly am speechless. The guys came out to play today and we will keep this up all year. - Doug McKenzie (Bloomington FC Head Coach). This was his first ever victory in his career that started earlier this year.

Bloomington FC's next opponent is the Missouri Comets and the match takes place on August 15th at the New Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.

ugh, your layout is sublime mate! keep it up!

2016-03-01 17:20#226935 InfraRed : ugh, your layout is sublime mate! keep it up!

Thanks!!

7-2?! Away?! Great result and layout as always!

Decent result... (WOW)

Jack and Griffo Tell me about it. i think my team is too overpowered for their league as i moved them down two leagues and forgot to change the stats. Not a big deal at all.