In Training

 Building Mental Strength: Winning the Game Within the Game

Soccer isn’t just physical.
It’s psychological.

You can have skill.
You can have speed.
You can have talent.

The Game Within the Game

Every match has two layers:

1. The visible game (passes, shots, defense, goals)

2. The invisible game (emotion, composure, focus, response)

Championship teams win the invisible game.

In high-intensity moments:

• Referees make tough calls.

• Opponents try to intimidate.

• Coaches get loud.

• The crowd gets emotional.

• Energy rises.

That’s when mental strength separates players.

What Is Mental Strength?

Mental strength is not about being emotionless.

It’s about:

• Staying composed under pressure.

• Refocusing quickly after mistakes.

• Not reacting to distractions.

• Choosing discipline over impulse.

• Playing your role no matter the noise.

It’s the ability to say:
“I see the chaos. I choose clarity.”

Control What You Can Control

Great players understand something simple:

You can’t control:

• The referee.

• The opponent’s behavior.

• The crowd.

• The scoreboard.

You can control:

• Your effort.

• Your communication.

• Your body language.

• Your next decision.

Mental strength lives in the “next play.”

Mistake? Next play.
Bad call? Next play.
Opponent talking? Next play.

Championship mindset = Short memory. Long focus.

Energy Management

Soccer is emotional. That’s part of what makes it beautiful.

But strong teams learn how to channel energy instead of being ruled by it.

Instead of:

• Yelling back.

• Losing shape.

• Dropping heads.

• Playing rushed.

They:

• Reset.

• Organize.

• Communicate calmly.

• Stay disciplined.

When others escalate, they stabilize.

That’s leadership.

The Calm Team

When a team stays calm under pressure, something powerful happens:

Opponents get frustrated.
Officials respect composure.
Momentum shifts quietly.

Mental strength isn’t loud.
It’s steady.

And steady wins.

Practice Mental Reps

Mental toughness isn’t built on game night. It’s built in training.

Ask yourself:

• How do I respond to correction?

• How do I respond when I’m tired?

• How do I respond when I lose a drill?

• How do I respond when I’m not starting?

Those moments build the player more than the goals do.

Final Thought

The best teams don’t just play soccer.

They master themselves.

When the game gets intense, loud, and emotional — the team that controls its mind controls the match.

Win the game within the game.

Perfect Game Day Weather

 The Empire Strykers have a home game on this rainy day at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. The doors open an hour prior to the game and the game is at 6:35. 

There is also a home game on Thursday at 6:35. Parking is $15 per car every game. 

The next home game after Thursday is on Sunday at 4:05. 

Lyric's

 You choose who you are, what you represent and who you want to become. 

Bask

It was a hot day today in the winter. 

I sat with the sun shining on my arm.

There was silence and stillness to bask in. 

I watched the pulse in my wrist like a metronome. 

Then I stared at the piano wondering what it sounds like. 

Stryker Game Next Thursday Night

 The Empire Stryker's indoor soccer team has another home game this Thursday night vs. Utica City FC, who typically usually has a solid team. It should be a great game considering the level the Stryker's have been playing at. The overall intensity of the team has increased monumentally this season. I don't know if you're familiar with "runners high" or not but if you are, you understand that when you're running, you go through a period of time where you don't think you can make it through any more strides. Once you push through that point where you thought you couldn't keep going, your body rewards you with the "runner's high". 

This is when you feel as if it's easy (pleasurable really) to keep going and feels completely natural to continue. It seems as though the Stryker team has found their "runners high", so to speak, in the flow of the games. It makes it so fun to watch because of the gorgeous plays that emerge in that state of the game. I hope this level of play continues and the team is consistent with this type of improvement. The fans have been helpful, the entire Toyota Arena is increasingly welcoming, and the Stryker team is pushing past former performance boundaries all around, improving the overall experience. 

The next home game is on February 5th is at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California at 6:35pm. Parking is $15. For more information, visit theempirestrykers.com. 

Stryker Games this Season

 The Empire Strykers have two upcoming home games. The first home game is on Thursday, January 22nd vs. the San Diego Sockers at 6:35pm (doors open at 5:35) and Sunday, January 25th vs. the Kansas City Comets at 4:05pm (doors open at 3:05). The home games are at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Parking tickets have increased and are now $15 per car. For tickets to the game or more information about the Empire Strykers, visit TheEmpireStrykers.com. 

Blackbird by Harvard Opportunes