USA Ultimate

Japan, Japan, GOLD

Photo Gallery: 7/21/09
Photo Gallery (Scobel Wiggins): 7/21/09
Video Clip: USA vs. Japan (Pool Play, Part 1)
Video Clip: USA vs. Japan (Pool Play, Part 2)
Video Clip: USA vs. Japan (Pool Play, Part 3)
Video Clip: USA vs. Japan (Gold Medal Game, Part 1)
Video Clip: USA vs. Japan (Gold Medal Game, Part 2)
Video Clip: USA vs. Japan (Gold Medal Game, Part 3)
Video Clip: USA vs. Japan (Gold Medal Game, Part 4)
Global Post Article
Team USA on Sportscenter (Top Play #8)

Even though the team was 4 - 0 going into Tuesday, the tournament could play out in my different ways depending on how the first two rounds of the morning played out. After the first two rounds finished everything worked out so the last pool play game, our match with Japan, wouldn't have any impact on who was in the finals. No matter how the game ended the finals were going to be USA vs. Japan.

That didn't slow the game down for a second.

After waking up and taking off from the hotels at a comfortable 9am, we grouped up in the locker room and soon after ran through active warm ups. During our locker room time we shared the space for a bit with the Great Britain team who was making use of the shallow ice bath. They are quite a group! Great singers! The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme songs sung by 8 Brits with strong accents is damn cool!

About 20 minutes before game time I headed up to my video/tweet perch, high up on the lower level of the second tier of seating. (I'm going to miss such a great place to record games!)

Japan started off the game by going up 2 - 0. This was the first time the US had been down by more than 1. The US fought back and kept the game close, but a series of unforced errors in the first half helped Japan take half 7 - 4. This was the first half the US had not won the entire tournament. The US came out a bit calmer in the second half and took it 7 - 6, but it wasn't enough and Japan won 13 - 11.

Team USA was not happy about losing, but were quite confident that they would take full charge of the second game. What went wrong in the first game was correctable and confidence was strong all around the locker room in the post game discussion. After getting cleaned up we grouped together and headed to the catering center.

Back at the stadium the team enjoyed a couple hours of rest before our 7:10pm game. A group made use of the massage table room and others watched some of the 3/4 AUS/CAN game. At around 5:30 the team started to gather in the locker room and get geared up for warmups. Players danced it out. Beau helped Chelsea color her hair. At 6pm the team gathered in the locker room and headed out to run through active warmups.

The intros for the game were longer this time around. Team USA was led onto the field by local children. The US and Japanese national anthems were played. The the game was on.

The US started out on fire and never looked back. Points were traded for a while but then Japan made a few unforced errors, the US played terrifically impressive D, and the US didn't turn the disc over. Beau took over the deep game on D and O. Bart made a gorgeous, 6-feet-off-the-ground-layout D block in the endzone as well as ran the O, Deb powered the handlers, Cara ran her defenders into the group, Chelsea was everywhere, Gwen made some huge receptions and point point throws, Dylan was a force of nature, Gabe was an unstoppable cutter (too bad they took back his greatest!)... everyone played very well. The US took half 7 - 4 and then kept up the momentum winning 13 - 6 off of a Bart to Beau huck that Beau flipped in to Dylan. (#8 on Sportscenter's top 10!). Team USA wins gold!

After the last point the teams immediately went into mixing with one another. The teams then did a lap, going right up to the stands to slap hands with fans. Chelsea ran around with an American flag. A bunch of players then threw discs into the crowd. Everyone then grouped up inside the stadium and took a bunch of pictures. Soon after we were all lined up and brought out onto the field for the medal ceremony. We walked behind the podiums and then team by team we stepped up and all the players received their medals from WFDF and World Game's officials. All of the players also got medium sized plus dolls of the mascots.

All three medal teams (AUS 3rd, Japan 2nd), stayed around the podiums for a while after the ceremony to take pictures. The fans were still out in force at this point and we did lots of waving. After many pictures we made out way back to the egde of the inside of the stadium and the teams socialized some more. Jersey trading began and shortly it was very hard to figure out who was really on each team. About 30 minutes later almost everyone was cleared out except Team USA who donned their tie dyed t-shirts and gold shorts to get a group shot on the empty field. Out on the field we took the photo and then circles up with Japan to talk about the game. Both teams spoke very well and then we found the bus outside the stadium.

Back at the hotel everyone got cleaned up while I ordered some (well, alot) of pizza. It turns out that it takes about 5 people to help in ordering pizza. The team devoured the pizza and then headed over to the Garden hotel for the player social. I joined them a few hours later and found them well integrated into the party social which was being dominated by a group of singing GB players. The social lasted late into the night.

The next morning Greg took off early to catch his flight. The team spent the day all over the city, with the bulk of them heading to the 4-person gymnastics event that involved vertical formations. It was apparently very, very impressive. The team bussed up at 5pm and by 5:30 we were all at the Zuoying train station. By 8pm we were back at the Cosmos hotel where we took a short rest and then headed out to the Shihlin night market.

It was the first time to the market for most of the group and they soaked it in with a terrific intensity. The group ate just about everything and picked up some nice new shoes, tie dyed dresses, and various other local items. After a couple hours of navigating the torrent of people, we grouped up back at the metro and headed back to the Cosmos where no one went to bed too early.

This morning (7/22) 9 members of the group woke up early to catch a 6am bus to the airport. Several hours later the rest of the group woke up and decided to head to the National Palace Museum. Others went to the Taipei 101. I'm currently enjoying the air conditioning of a Starbucks over looking the Taipei Main Station.

The rest of us take off for home in the next 24 hours.

Here's what Matty Tsang had to say about the day (7/21):

The US had a dominating performance in the finals after losing to Japan earlier in the day.

The US went up 6-2 on Japan before they had their 1st turn. They had only 4 turns total in the game. The US didn’t allow any Japan any second chances  after they made a mistake. This offensive efficiency was demoralizing to the Japanese team.

The difference in the 1st two games was dramatic. 1st of all the temperature was manageable. In the morning the temperature climbed to 96F. It definitely had a huge affect on the 1st Jap vs Usa and Can vs Aus matches. A couple of players in both matches were unable to play because of heat stroke.

Second, the defense was much, much better. Markers were smarter and more dynamic. Lane defenders played close to their check. A common misconception when playing Japan is that there can be a bigger cushion on D because of the height disparity. Against the Japanese it is important  play D with the assumption that they are faster than you are ('cause they generally are).  The buffer has to enable you to be able to gain immediate inside position on a deep cut when you hear the "up" call. Japanese hucks don't float, so you don't the luxury to reposition once you hear the "up" call.

3rd the US made plays. They came out amped up and when the opportunities presented themselves, made the big play. This came from every member of the team. In the 1st 8 points the US effectively shut down Japans deep game.  By the time Japan adjusted it was too late.

The MVP of the finals was without a doubt Beau Kittredge. On both O and D he controlled the deep space and the air. Most of time he was matched up on Japan’s best player Masahiro Matsuno. If Beau is the best athlete in our game Masahiro is not far behind. He can’t be more than 5’9 or so but has jaw dropping leaping abilities. Masahiro’s great throws, vision, and tireless work ethic on both O and D made him arguably the best player at this tournament.

On the women’s side there were strong performances across the board, but Alicia White stands out. She spent much of her time on Japan’s top female threat, Eri Hirai. Alicia managed to limit where Eri got the disc and got a key point block on  her, very difficult to do considering Eri’s quick release. Alicia’s tireless cutting kept the O going earned her a couple of goals on offense.

For the tournament 3 people stood out on a ridiculously talented team. Bart Watson had a MVP performance. He probably had more touches in the handling position than any other player. He often was the iso cutter in pull plays. He D’d up both handlers and cutters and had a numerous key plays in the air.  Gabe Saunkeah was another standout. His dynamic play especially on O made the US attack unpredictable. The offensive connection between Bart and Gabe was particularly effective. This was only the second time I have ever seen Dylan Tunnel play.  He does so many things well.  Large bodied cutter, good in the air, great disc skills. I was impressed with his decision-making abilities despite being such a young player.

Finally, it was nice to see Cara Crouch and Chelsea Putnam finally earn a medal. These are 2 players that I have admired and coached against since their college days. They have been leaders on all the teams that they have played for. Fiery,  competitive, and entertaining players, they still have the ability to acknowledge those they play against. They are great ambassadors of the sport. . Many great players never get a chance to win a championship. I am glad these two finally got their shot and earned one.

More of Matty's thought's on the day:

I feel so fortunate to have gotten to watch these games. My description cannot do justice to what has occurred these last 3 days.The 78 athletes from 6 countries have gotten to something that has never happened before for ultimate, and most likely will never happen again. They have been treated as professional athletes for the last three days. They have played in a $150 million dollar stadium dedicated to their sport. They have been shuttled from place to place in their private busses. At the stadium: locker rooms, media rooms,live commentary and stats. Their teams have dedicated guides, team officials, and trainers. On the field: restricted access, dozens of volunteers, and today they added.... INSTANT REPLAY!

So awesome! Replay of all highlights on the Jumbotron. Was it a foul? Just wait for the replay. Sick grab? You get to see it 3 more times. Wonder how the injury occurred? You'll get to see it close-up. Is the coach chewing out the team? You'll get to read his lips on the screen. Don't have a ticket to get into the stadium? One of the 2 jumbotrons broadcasts from both sides so you can watch the action from the food court outside.

Real crowds with actual fans. Fans that want autographs. Fans that make banners for players that they have no personal connection with. Two different strangers (young ladies) made #24 signs for Bart Watson. There was a big Dylan sign as well. So many fans wanting you to sign things that you are late to warmups or getting back to the team bus. Fans that want you to take a picture with their young child. No joke! Seth Wiggins was getting his picture taken with a stranger's baby in his arms.

And the athletes came through on the field. They showcased what is best about our sport with exciting competitive and spirited play.

I agree with everything in Matty's post except for one thing. I am absolutely certain that we will see these kinds of days again, on a daily basis. What an honor it was to see such a vivid preview of the future.