The final chapter 8/12/12

Yesterday, we played better water polo but still could not overcome a slow start. After going down 3 - 0 against Spain, we battled back and lost a close game 8 - 7. In the end, we could not score on our critical extra man and then we could not make the critical stop. Another disappointment. It has been tough to overcome our broken dream. The 48 hours after losing to Croatia were very difficult to say the least. Walking around our players rooms was like being in a funeral home. I don’t blame them. I know I was having a very difficult time processing our loses and getting myself out of a fog. We had a few good meetings as a team and talked about playing the last two games out with pride and for each other. This is the last time this team will play together. Ryan Bailey stepped up and challenged the guys “to play for their character as men. He said, even if we get beat, we need to go out there and give it our best shot. Do not have any regrets about the way that you play”.



I shared a story with the team about my final game with the national team in 1992 at the Barcelona Olympic Games. We had lost to Spain in the semi-final game. In a similar situation - our dream was over - and we had to find a way to get ourselves ready for the bronze medal game against Russia the next day. The bottom line is that we could not overcome the loss in the semis and we played with very little passion or excitement. We finished fourth in the tournament and left with no medal. To this day, not being able to get the team (or myself) ready to play in the bronze medal game has been biggest regret as an athlete. It was after all my final game as a national team player and my final Olympic games and it has always left a sour note in my mind. I shared this story because I do not want these guys to have that same experience and have the same regret.



As I have reflected, processed and prayed about our situation it has occurred to me that part of our pain has been the super high expectations that we placed on ourselves. Going in it was almost as if we did not win the gold it would be a failure. Part of this had to do with our success in Beijing. Going into the Olympics in Beijing, no one expected us to do well and certainly no one expected us to win a medal. There was virtually no pressure on us going in and we were able to relax and play. Here we felt an enormous amount of pressure. Our goal was no longer to “get back to the podium” as it was in 2008. Our goal now was to climb the highest mountain and stand on top of the podium by winning the gold. We like to say “go for the gold”. Perhaps it is the American way that success is only achieved by reaching the top. While this is definitely not true, as an athlete and a coach id I don’t dream about being on the top of the podium or going for the gold - I feel I will never reach that goal. So there lies the conundrum - if we don’t dream it, say it and talk about it how do we ever reach it? There has to be a balance in there somewhere and obviously we somehow lost that balance this year.



I also realize how difficult it is to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games and how this is especially true in a team sport like ours. There are so many pieces that all have to come together at the right time and for us in this Olympic Games some of those pieces did not come together. My hat is off to all of the gold medalist here at these games - especially Coach Adam Kerkorian and the USA Women’s water polo team. They beat Spain on Thursday night to win the first gold for America in water polo in 100 years. They played an outstanding game and won 8 - 5. It was a special moment.



The village is quieting down. Many athletes and teams are done now and have left. There is a totally different vibe now - especially since we are playing on the final day for 7th place instead of a gold medal. Even though this is a difficult, we have to realize that God has a plan and that our dreams and goals do not always fit into that plan. The journey that we have shared together is very special and we have all learned from each other and often times in life the toughest situations and the greatest defeats or loses teach us the most. Traveling the world with this team, we have shared some tremendous experiences. We have laughed until our stomachs hurt and cried on each others shoulders - we have experienced together the full spectrum of human emotions. We have learned about love, trust and respect and built a relationship as a team based on those traits. I would not trade this experience for anything. I read an article the other day that said “the Olympics are less about who wins the gold, and more about a gold standard of living.” I would agree and it is my hope that this experience has made us all better men, better friends, better husbands and better dads.



I close this final chapter with gratitude. First, I want to thank my staff. Robert Lynn, Marco Palazzo, Rick McKee, Karen Bloch, Alex Ash and Jack Kocur for all of their commitment, dedication and hard work. They are rarely recognized for what they do and yet they are vital for our success. I would also like to thank all of the athletes that were a part of this team (whether they made the final team or not). I am very proud of their sacrifice and their commitment to making their Olympic dream come true. Many of these guys will retire and move on to their careers outside of the pool. I wish them all the best as they transition out of sport and into the “real world”. To the guys that will continue on, I wish them all great success in their future - perhaps there is a gold medal out there. I hope I can be involved at some level with the National team going forward. I would also like to thank all of the families of the players and coaches (including mine). Their love and support allow us to do what we do and they share in our pain at this time. Finally, I appreciate so much all the support that so many in the Conejo Valley have given to me and our team. I am thankful to the Ventura County Star for allowing me to share our journey with all of you. Although, it has not turned out the way that any of us had hoped for - it surely has been quite an adventure. Tomorrow is a new day and it time to move forward with some new goals and new dreams...



And yes, I will still see you at the pool!



Coach

Most difficult Blog 8/9/12

 I would have to say that this blog has been the most difficult to write.  I have never even thought about trying to write what I am about to write.  The script in my mind was so different.  I always believed that we would climb Mt. Everest and make it to the top and win a gold medal.  Unfortunately, that dream ended last night with an 8 - 2 loss to Croatia in the quarter-finals.  To say that we struggled offensively would be a huge understatement.  I give Croatia and their coach Radko Rudic a great deal of credit because they played very well and executed a great game plan against us.  We did many things well.  Our defense was strong enough to win.  In fact, eight goals was the lowest total for any of the winning teams in the quarter-final.  On offense, we were moving well and working the ball to our center very effectively.  We just could not score.   We had 15 chances on the power play and managed to score just one goal.  I am not sure I have ever been on a team as an athlete or a coach that went 1/15 on the power play.  A decent percentage on the 6 on 5 is 50%, which means 7 - 8 goals for us - we scored just one.  Very frustrating and sad to say the least.  The bottom line is that on this day Croatia was the better team.

We all left the pool deck with our heads down.  I felt terrible - like I had let the team down.  I waiting inside the warm up pool area and talked to many of the players one on one before leaving to go meet with my family.  My message to them was one of gratitude for allowing me the opportunity to work with them.  It has been a very special journey and I know how much they all gave up trying to reach their dream.  It has been a privilege for me to work with this team.  I did not want to walk out of that pool area.  There was a sense of finality to moment and I did not want it to end just yet.

As I left the arena and crossed the bridge to meet with my family I felt a swirl of emotions that made me feel very sad and empty.  I tried to hold back tears as I approached families and was greeted by a round of applause and USA cheers.  There I met my girls and we united into a family hug.  As I held them, I knew deep down that my family, that I held tightly in my arms was my true gold medal.  I am a lucky man to have the love and support of a beautiful wife and two awesome daughters that have been there for me all of the way on this Olympic journey.  I did not want to let go.  Many of the parents came by to hug me and say thank you for being there with their sons on this journey.  I could no longer hold back the tears.  For me as the coach, I get most of my joy out of the relationships with the players and the families.  We have shared great moments of accomplishment together and today we share the same pain and sadness of a broken dream. 

Sports in so many ways mirrors life.  There are highs and lows.  Moments of great joy and times of pain, suffering and loss.  It is difficult at this moment to keep it all in perspective but our loss is but a game.  Yes - we have all sacrificed together to make a dream possible, yet is it really sacrifice when you have such an amazing opportunity to do something that you love to do. It really has been an incredible chapter in my life with lots of laughter and fun interspersed with some tears today, we cry together for a dream that was broken. I am still very proud of these guys.  They are and forever will be a part of my family.

We are not done here at the Olympic Games.  We still have the opportunity to finish strong against some very good teams.  On Friday, we will play Spain in the semi-finals of the consolation bracket.  The winner on our game will play the winner of the Hungary vs. Australia game.  The four teams left fighting for Olympic gold are Montenegro (which we beat), Serbia, Croatia and Italy.  Three of the four teams are from what used to be Yugoslavia.  Pretty incredible...

These consolation games are difficult to play in.  Every team had high hopes and is not happy playing for 5th.  Can we recover from three difficult loses in a row?  Actually, I am not sure that we can, but I am going to do my best to get these guys fired up to play with all of their heart and finish this Olympic Games and in some cases their careers with some pride. 

Thank you for all of your support.  I have received so many emails and text messages from fans back home.  It has been really appreciated.  If you would like to send a note to the team you can use my email and I will forward it to them.  tschroeder@usawaterpolo.org  

See you at the pool

Coach

Beat but not defeated 8/6/12

  After beginning the tournament 3 - 0 and feeling pretty good about ourselves we fell flat on our faces in the last two games.  First, it was Serbia that ripped our defense apart.  They came down on their very first possession just :33 seconds into the match and scored.  We seemed flat from the beginning and by the end of the fist quarter it was 4 - 1.  We actually played a decent second quarter.  We scored the first goal of the quarter to make it 4 - 2 and then had a couple of good chances to make it 4 -3, including a power play.  Serbia would keep us off of the scoreboard and add one themselves to make it 5 - 2 at the half.  By the end of three quarters it was  8 - 4 and then 11 - 6 at games end.  Merrill Moses played solid in the goal and ended with 12 saves.  Ryan Bailey had two goals, Tony Azevedo, Peter Varellas, Tim Hutton and Jeff Powers all added a goal.  Certainly not the result we wanted.  My observation was that we seemed to be playing on our heels.  Timid at best.  We allowed Serbia to take it to us at both ends of the pool.  Our defense - which needs to be strong if we have any chance to win a medal here - was porous.  We allowed too many easy goals, including four counter attack goals and one center goal this is bad - these are our golden rules - we do not allow counter goals or center goals.  Anyway, I have to give Serbia credit. They played very well and dominated us.  They showed everyone that they are the team to beat right now.

Two days later, on Monday we would come back for our final game of the preliminary round.  Our opponent - Hungary, the winner of the last three Olympic Gold medals.  That is right, they have won the gold in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.  Although, they had not played that well here in London, we knew what they were capable of.  Our situation going into the game was as follows.  We had already assured ourselves a birth in the quarter finals.  A win or a tie against Hungary would mean that we would finish second in our bracket; a loss would mean that we would finish fourth in our bracket.  Basically, how you finish in your bracket determines who you would play in the cross over (quarter final game).  Finishing second would mean Spain or Italy in the cross over and fourth would mean Croatia.  More importantly, I tried to get our guys to focus on ourselves.  Getting back to playing good USA water polo.  Four quarters of good solid defensive water polo.  No easy goals for the other team.  We came out playing strong defensive water polo.  At the end of one quarter, Hungary was up 1 - 0.  Definitely, our style of game.  We had some good scoring chances ourselves but could not find the back of the net.  Regardless, we seemed to be back on track with our game.  We totally fell apart in the second quarter allowing Hungary 3 unanswered goals to take a 4 - 0 lead.  Finally, we scored a nice goal but then the Hungarians came right down and scored on their very next possession. We traded goals again at the end of the quarter and found ourselves down 6 - 2 at the half.  The third quarter was just as bad as we were outscored 4 - 1 by the Hungarians again and by the end of three quarters the came was essentially over.  We were down 10 - 3 and although we showed life and won the final period 3 - 1, the final score was once again 11 -6.  So much for one goal games. We left the deck with our heads down totally defeated.  Hungary had totally outplayed us.  They looked and played like the defending champions. I felt sick to my stomach.  We had been beaten badly two games in row.  As the head coach, I have to first look in the mirror to find the answers.  Much of the responsibility falls upon my shoulders.  Why have we played poorly on the world’s biggest stage?  Once again, that begins with me...  We gathered for a short meeting in our very somber locker room.  I reminded them of a couple of things.  Here is a summation of what we talked about. We had been beaten by two of the best teams in the world.  They played well and we did not.  Both of these games are in the past now. We can only learn and grow from our loses and many great teams have said that their defining moments have been in their most humiliating loses.  We are very much alive.  Beginning in the quarter finals everyone in the tournament is 0 - 0.  Everything begins all over. 

We do need to find the answers and as I mentioned above that begins with me. I spent some time with my family and then just hung out by myself in the Olympic Park for a couple of hours.  I walked and reflected.  I sat and prayed for guidance.  I searched my mind for answers.  Where is that team that I have seen play so well in the past?  What has happened?  As I sat in one area of the park. I read this quote etched into the marble wall. 

“That which we are, we are

One equal temper of heroic hearts

Made weak with time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield”

As I thought about it and reflected, I realized how true it is here at the Olympic Games.  We are all tested and often times defeated, however loses are only temporary.  We must never give up, we must stay strong and to seek to find the answers. We must stay the course and continue to strive for the goals that we have set out to accomplish. 

Although, I did not sleep well. I woke thankful that we have the opportunity that we have in front of us.  It is a new day and we are very much alive. We are here at the Olympic Games and as Yogi Berra once said “it’s not over till its over”. Today we will spend the day preparing for Croatia.  We will spend time watching video and developing a scouting report and game plan that gives us the best possible chance against Croatia.  They are a great team and they are undefeated here in London.  They have played very well and will be a very tough opponent.  The coaches will work hard to help get our guys back on track and get ready to play at our best level.  I still believe that we can do this...

We may be a bit beat down right now but we are far from done.  Keep the faith.

See you at the pool.

Coach

Full Capacity 8/2/12

 Team USA went to 3 - 0 with a solid win over Great Britain last night.  Merrill Moses played only the first quarter in goal - helping us to a 5 - 0 first quarter lead. Chay Lapin saw his first Olympic action in the goal when he replaced Merrill and played the final three quarters.  A very spirited crowd cheered loudly for Great Britain with each goal or save they made.  It was a fun atmosphere. On the offensive end, we were led by team captain Tony Azevedo with 4 goals.  Ryan Bailey had three, Shea Buckner added two, Peter Varellas, Adam Wright, Jeff Powers and John Mann all scored one. 

In our pre-game meeting we had talked about the importance of getting off to a good quick start and setting the tone.  Although, they are not considered one of the powerhouse teams in the tournament they have been playing well for a quarter or two with all the teams that they have played.  After building a good lead (7 - 0), we were able to rest a few of our veteran players that have been playing a majority of the minutes.  Everyone played a good deal and although it was not our best game - it did not need to be.  We did what was needed to do and now it is time to prepare for the Serbians.

In my opinion, Serbia has been the best team in the world for the past few years.  They are very strong and well balanced with highly skilled players at each position. We have not beaten this team since Beijing in the semi-final game. Along the way, we have suffered a coupe pretty embarrassing loses to this team. They have in the past taunted us and laughed at us. We have something to prove... I know this for a fact - they do not have what we have.  We have a group of guys that truly care and love one another.  We have spent the past seven months together preparing for this moment.  I believe with all my heart that we can beat them.  Serbia showed some vulnerability yesterday in their game with Montenegro.  After taking an 11 - 9 lead they let Montenegro come back and tie the game at 11.  Basically, our bracket shapes up like this. We area on top of the bracket with 6 points (2 points for every win) and Serbia is next with 5 points (2 for a win and 1 for a tie).  We beat Serbia on Saturday and we will win our bracket no matter what happens against Hungary.  This would mean that we would cross over in the quarter-finals against the fourth place team in the other bracket.

In the other bracket, Croatia looks very strong.  They beat Italy yesterday 11 - 6 behind a solid defensive effort. Spain and Italy will battle for second and third in that bracket while Australia and Greece fight it out for fourth.  Lots can happen in the next two games so I definitely don’t want to get ahead of myself here.  We can only control one thing and that is how we play.  The coaching staff is now spending hours reviewing game footage on Serbia and together we will come up with the best possible game plan to beat them on Saturday.  We have put ourselves into a good place and it is very exciting.

The village is buzzing now.  Inside the village, there is a lot going on.  Walking around yesterday, it appeared to be “rush hour” all day long.  Swimming is still going on, track and field is going to start and most events are in full swing.  It seems that the village must be at full capacity.  Even the huge dining hall (which was empty when we first arrived) is now full at meal times.  The energy is palpable.  I ran into Usain Bolt (the fastest man in the world) and Pau Gasol yesterday.  There is so much excitement and anticipation. It is after all, the Olympic Games and there is nothing that compares.

On a side note, I was able to get tickets to tennis on Wednesday (our half day off).  The girls and I all went and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Wimbledon on Centre Court.  What a special place!  It was beautiful and inspiring.  We all enjoyed the day and saw some great tennis.  We actually watched Djokovic beat Leyton Hewitt and then saw most of the Andy Murray match before we had to go.  Definitely a great experience for the entire family.  All the team enjoyed an afternoon off with their families before getting back to work.  Once again, I believe in keeping that balance as much as possible.  Some relaxing down time with our families will help to keep us a bit fresher as this tournament goes on. 

See you at the pool.

Coach

Royalty in the House 7/31/12

 Over the past two days, I have stressed to the guys the importance of staying mentally focused on the next game.  Game one in the Olympic Games is always so emotional and draining.  We put a lot on the line vs. Montenegro and I was afraid that we had spent a great deal of emotional and physical energy in that first game victory.  In my mind, I was thinking back to 1988, my team had beaten Yugoslavia  - the reigning World Champion and reigning Olympic Champion - in our first game.  In game # 2 we came back to play Spain, a team that we had beaten 16 -6 just a month before the Olympic Games, and lost 9 - 7.  We had also spent a good deal of energy against Yugoslavia and then had come back thinking that Spain was to be an easier match.  This is one of the biggest mistakes that any athlete can make.  When we think that our opponent is “easy”, we get into big trouble.  It’s amazing to me that, this occurs even at the highest level in sports.  Also, it is incredible how being just a little off mentally makes such a big difference.  I was a bit concerned that we were heading into a similar situation.  Montenegro is a medal contender and Romania is not supposed to be as good.  I tried to emphasize this point to the guys - “we have to go out and prove ourselves again today,   we can not take Romania lightly.”

Even during warm-ups, I sensed a different energy.  We seemed a little flat and sure enough as the game vs. Romania began we just did not have that same swagger. We were struggling.  Romania was playing very physical and we seemed to be back on our heels.  After being down at one point 5 - 3, we began to get ourselves into the game.  Down 5 - 4 at the half, we jumped on Romania and scored three unanswered goals.  Merrill Moses came on strong in the second half and recorded 12 saves by the end of the game.  He is an emotionally charged goalie and when he makes a couple of good saves the entire defense comes alive.  We also had some great leadership in the water by some of our veteran players who kept their focus and really helped to get us back on track in the water.  Adam Wright has been punched, kicked and head butted during the last two games.  He actually had a dislocated tooth in game one that had to be reset and cemented in place.  He played last night with a mouth guard and once again had a great game.  Winning this type of game takes a team effort and every player deserves recognition.  Peter Varellas and Ryan Bailey each had three goals, Adam Wright had two, John Mann and Layne Beaubien added one and we came out on top 10 - 8.  The game was really won by our defense.  In the second half, Romania became very frustrated because our defense came alive.  Our five man defense (when the other team has a 6 on 5 advantage) was excellent in the second half.  After giving up 4 power plays goals in the first half - we gave up just one in the second half.  This was a highlight of the game for me.  When it comes down to the medal games - five man defense is going to be a huge factor in who wins. 

Two games - two wins.  We are positioning ourselves nicely in bracket play.  The top four teams advance to the quarter-finals next week, with first place in the A bracket playing fourth place in the B bracket.  Second in A plays third in B and so on.  There are already some interesting results coming in.  Hungary which has won the last three Olympic gold medals has started this tournament with two loses.  They lost to Serbia in game one and then yesterday lost to Montenegro 11 -10.  Only three teams are 2 - 0 at this point - USA, Serbia and Croatia. 

Last night Prince William was in the “house” watching our game.  I did not see him but was told after the game that he was sitting up in the stands with a t-shirt and a baseball cap. From what I have been told, Prince William was a pretty good water polo player himself so perhaps we have a good fan. Lori and the girls saw him and took a few pictures.  The girls are having a wonderful time.  They have been all dressed up in their red, white and blue cheering on Team USA.  It is nice to have them here with me to share in the Olympic experience. 

Earlier in the week, I was able to get the girls into the village on a day pass.  I gave them a good tour and at the end of the day we were all treated by a visit by the Queen.  I had no idea that this was happening but the girls visit coincided with the Queen’s.  Another special memory that we all will be able to share together.

Today, we are having a light training and then giving the team the afternoon off to spend with their families.  This will be one of the only breaks that they will have over the next ten days and I feel that it is very important to let their minds and bodies rest and enjoy the company of their families. I will enjoy the day with mine too.  We will get back to work on Thursday morning with a meeting and training and then in the evening we will play Great Britain. Although the Brits are currently 0 - 2 we will have to be mentally prepared to come out and battle. After a good lesson yesterday, I believe that we will be ready to play at a high level. 

See you at the pool.

Coach