Big weekend in Belgium for the USMNT!

This past weekend the USMNT gathered in Belgium for training and friendlies against Belgium. Although the games where lost the weekend was a big step forward for the program.

“It was a great opportunity to expose the team to international competition. We had a fair amount of young players, several recently moving on from the U19 level, and I think they all learned from the experience! There was plenty for all of us to learn,” says one of the team captains Derek Moser.

The event was held the 7^th to 9^th of November in Tielt about an hour outside Brussels.

The team was indeed a mix of young players stepping up to the adult level and players with many showings with the USMNT.

Unfortunately, one of the two coaches, Joel Olofsson, was hit by the flue the days before the camp so coach Nick VanPatten was given the opportunity to step up and step up he did, taking the lead in all the coaching. Injured player Andreas Sievert was also able to help coach in this unexpected situation.

Beyond two high energy practices Team USA also got the opportunity to visit an Ostrich farm and enjoy the Belgian countryside.

Team Belgium turned out to be a big challenge and won both games, the first by 1-9 and the second by 2-18 but it was still an important weekend and a great learning experience.

“As we are seeing our players develop better skills and physical attributes, I think we are able to better recognize where we are really struggling- in thinking the game and learning to play with each other.  We were not cohesive in our play, and that was exposed by a team that played as a unit,” Derek Moser continues.

Saturday’s game was played in a packed arena and many spectators expressed enjoying seeing Team USA there and where impressed by the team’s fighting spirit and tenacity.

The weekend was in important step towards the coming World Floorball Championship Qualifier against Canada in Texas in March. All players showed they want to be a big part of the USMNT moving forward.

The question some might have is, was the weekend really a success considering the scores?

“Yes, despite the scores, I think this was a success. We had many young players gain international experience and learn from our veteran players. We also were able to play together with players we rarely get the chance to play alongside, which helps build chemistry for the future. As a whole for our players, I think there’s now the recognition that we cannot beat a team by relying on athleticism. The game must be played as a team, with proper structure and intelligence.  Our structure struggled, exposing our ability to think the game as a unit, not as an individual. Studying these games can provide a lot of information for all of us players, but we have to want to move forward and stay humble,” Derek Moser concludes.

There were a lot of lessons that can be learned from the weekend as the USMNT continues to build towards the WFCQ.

You can find stats from the games in the IFF App.

Up next for the USMNT is a camp at the Golden Gate Cup this December, read more here.