Keeper Club training continues in April on Thursdays with Roland Sikinger at 6:30pm for Senior keepers (high school age) and Mondays with Jim Walker at 5:30pm for Junior Keepers (10 years and younger) and 6:30pm for Intermediates (10 years and older). For information, email jwalker@dynamossoccer.com or dherrod@me.com, or phone 281-217-1612.

Calendar for keeper training at Dyess Park in April:

4—5:30pm, Juniors, 6:30pm--Intermediates

7—6:30pm, Seniors

11—5:30pm, Juniors; 6:30pm—Intermediates

14—6:30pm, Seniors

18—5:30pm, Juniors; 6:30pm—Intermediates

21—6:30pm, Seniors

25—5:30pm, Juniors; 6:30pm--Intermediates

28—6:30pm, Seniors

"Tell me how to get on in life," said the kettle.
"Take panes," said the window.
"Never be led," said the pencil.
"Do a driving business," said the hammer.
"Aspire to great things," said the nutmeg grater.
"Make light of everything," said the fire.
"Make much of small things," said the microscope.
"Never do anything offhand," said the glove.
"Just reflect," said the mirror.
"Be sharp," said the knife
"Find a good thing and stick to it," said the glue.
And that's why the kettle sings as she works, and works as she sings.
--this list obviously was compiled by a goalkeeper, someone who keeps on keepin' on

Ethan Urrutia came out strong for a high ball, collided with an incoming forward, and was called for a foul in the penalty area. The U13 Dynamos Gold goalkeeper admitted he felt a heavy load on his shoulders as he went to the line to face the penalty shot. Just before the shot, he said later, he felt a surge of confidence and, eureka!, he made a diving save!

Dynamos trainer Roland Sikinger shares with us his years-ago encounter with recently-deceased soccer legend Johan Cruyff when the great Dutch player, and Roli, a young goalkeeper, played in the North American Soccer League:

"I first met Johan Cruyff in 1979 when the Houston Hurricane played the Washington Diplomats in Washington D.C.'s RFK Stadium. It was in August, and the temperature on the field was 104 degrees at kickoff. Johan was questionable with a groin injury right up to game time. Injury or no injury, he played with such ease and elegance, his feet seemingly floating above the ground. Johan carried the Dips on his back. He would go deep to get the ball from the keeper, who would just roll the ball to his feet, and that's where the magic started. He would dribble the ball down the field, sometimes combining with others, eluding our entire team. It was truly amazing to witness such a great player. His signature move would leave our defenders in the dust. Johan had a hat trick and two assists against me in a 5-3 game. The most amazing goal against me (that I was honored to be part of!), came from a free kick outside the penalty arc. Johan was poised over the ball, with a very short approach to the ball, maybe two steps. A million things raced through my mind, but I was convinced he was going over the wall. On his first step to the ball, his head was up and he watched me cheat to my left and with one step, he hit the ball so hard over my right shoulder that I could have just stuck my hand up to make the save. Except I didn't even see it! One of the greatest players of all time, he left his imprint on me, and the world, that always will be remembered."

(An All-American high school player in Milwaukee, Roland Sikinger played three seasons for the Houston Hurricane of the North American Soccer League and also performed with the Houston Summit and Wichita Wings in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He played for the U. S. National youth team at the 1979 Pan American Games, also was a member of the 1980 U. S. Olympic soccer team which qualified for Olympic Games but was unable to compete when President Jimmy Carter decided that the United States would boycott the games due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.)

Welcome to new Keeper Club members Piper Stone, Sean Green, and Lucas Dyer. . .Spring Break injury list included Junior Keeper Andrew Nelson, who reported for duty with taped leg and arm, diving left but not right, after a skirmish with a rock pile, and Claire Juenke, who suffered a broken wrist while skiing but missed only one training session. . .Future Stars trainer and longtime Keeper Club member and instructor Kevin Hobart has joined the United States Army and reports to Fort Benning, Ga., for basic training in May. He will be missed at Dyess Park. . .U12 Dynamos Silver goalkeeper Samantha Nichols was inducted March 22 into the National Junior Honor Society at Schultz Junior High School in Waller. . .Hope Solo collected career shutout number 96 as the U. S. beat England 1-0 in the SheBelieves Cup at Tampa Fla., on March 3. . .Speaking to the Denver Post about the signing of U. S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard, Colorado Rapids technical director Paul Bravo commented: "Tim gives us instant credibility just from a name recognition. More important, he steps into this league as by far--with all due respect to the other goalkeepers in this league--the best player in his position." The Rapids signed Howard from Everton as a Designated Player...Quiz question for March was: What does Roli the Goalie suggest is the most important key to improving the quality of goal kicks? Answer was practice or repetitions, Samantha Nichols wins again!--a $25 gift certificate as winner of a drawing from correct answer responses.This month's quiz question: when a kitten goalkeeper looks in a mirror, what should be looking back? A one-word answer will suffice and can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. Email reply to jwalker@dynamossoccer.com for entry in the February drawing for a $25 gift card.

Goalkeepers who attended Keeper Club training during March:

> 3—Ethan Urrutia, Steven Franke, Casey Jones, Victoria Martin, Piper Stone, Matthew Shaw, Maddie Saucedo, Autumn Driskell, Krysten Rhodes, Ashlyn Brewer

“You can’t do it.” “You’re not good enough.” “Don’t even try.” “Who do you think you are?” “You’ll never make it.” “Settle down.” “You don’t deserve it. ”Somebody better than you should have it!” That is Coach Jack Canfield, bowing to the vulture of unworthiness sitting on your shoulder. But, he says, when the kitten looks in the mirror, she sees a lion looking back. When a striker looks up to set a target, he or she should see a hulking steely-eyed bigger-than-life figure with oversized hands looking back. Gracious, that’s you! Believe in yourself!--Keeper Club’s recipe for preparation.

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”--Louisa May Alcott

Learn techniques, and practice. Then learn how to make decisions using those techniques. And practice.

Knees and elbows aren’t areas of the body needing protection if a goalkeeper is diving with proper technique. If you are landing on your knees, or elbows, consult your trainer for the correct methods of getting to the ground. Knees will suffer when collapse diving and extended diving are executed incorrectly. Landing on the elbows can be dangerous, so correct your technique to avoid falling on your elbows.