Continentals Dream of Luthi/Chase Strike Force

It is no secret that the Continentals have been known to suffer goal droughts.  Goals are often a rare commodity in matches, and too often shoddy build-up play or lackluster finishing has plagued an otherwise hard-working and capable team.  Often times the inability to chalk up points on the board leaves the men on the pitch feeling frustrated and deflated, one of the key factors in the porous final 30-minute defense the squad has become notorious for.

During the three years and four competitive seasons of Morristown 1776 AFC, two players have stood out as prolific goal-scorers and playmakers; the kind of players who can take a game on their shoulders and make a difference in one moment of skill and determination. 

The tragedy is that these two players, David Chase and Peter Luthi, have never been active at the same time.  Chase was THE impact midfielder of the inaugural season.  Luthi, with the aggression of a raging bull and the unstoppable power of a runaway train, became the club's all-time leading scorer during the second year in the MCSSA and the following fall in the NJSL, while Chase was not part of the roster.  Last summer, Chase returned to the Continental lineup at the same time Luthi suffered a season-ending knee injury.  Chase would go on to be the leading goalscorer of the summer yet the Continentals remained winless. 

It's not a naive thought to consider the Continentals could see at least 4 goals per match between the two, were they to play up top together.  The idea continues to titillate and tantalize players, fans, and management alike. 

Great news from the 1776 camp this week came out when it was confirmed that Luthi has begun to attend practices and seems to be ready to return to his previous dominant form.  Doubts on Chase still remain, though, as he continues to hold out on talks for the summer.     

News and Notes From Continental camp

Morristown NJ,
   Spring has finally hit, and the lads have hit the pitch. Assistant coach Russel Bauer has been at the helm during Sunday afternoon training and made a statement. " the lads are focused and getting fit. We have a lot of returning players and some new faces. We just need to start fixing mistakes that we made last summer and come back better than ever"

    Watching the training it does seem like a year off has payed off, many players seem eager to see action and contribute, a year has done well for Bauer, coming off recent shoulder surgery seems to gained the touch he has been lacking in past seasons. Mike Pollock made an appearance last weekend coming off of a severely pulled hamstring which required months of rest.


Old Faces Return:

It seems like former striker Peter Luithi might make a return this summer after having major knee surgery. Together with the hopeful re-accusation of David Chase could give the Continentals the firepower that has been lacking since 2007.



Loan Report:


Dan Clayton made his return to the pitch for rival Sportsfriends on Sunday afternoon leading to a 2-1 victory. He played outside midfield and played 60 minutes. He looked rusty at times but no reported injuries or ill effects. Ryan Vinton has been training with the Trenton FC of the GSSL since September. Playing mostly keeper, he has played in 4 games and has allowed 2 goals on 30 chances.  Both players will come back from their respective loans once the season begins in May.


Little more than a month to go before the season begins, so far it's looking up, more to come next week.
 

BREAKING NEWS : Clayton Signs With Sportsfriends

Wayne Nj-
Current Manager and captain Dan Clayton has been loaned out to NJSL rival Sportsfriends in what supporters are only saying as shocking. News out of continental camp are also at a loss for words. Club president Ryan Vinton and assistant coach Russel Bauer could not be reached for comment. We caught up with Clayton to get a statement and this is what he had to a say;

" No this is not an April fools joke. I was approached by the club for quite some time. At this point of season, In Morristown we are starting to start to get organised and in Wayne they are playing competitive Football. Its close to me and this deal is only on a short term loan so I will be back better than ever come this summer"

More to come soon

Organized Team Activities 3/28 for Returning Players AND Trialists

It's late March already, and we have a little more than two months to get squared away for the summer. We plan on making big strides this season but that comes down to what the players put in to the team NOW. I am willing and eager to start running what I am considering "functional conditioning," working with drills that are focusing on situations that have been weaknesses in the past and incorporating an element of constant motion for aerobic and anaerobic performance.

Because we don't have field rights yet and many fields are recovering from a long, wet winter, we are going to practice at Blackbrook Park on the Hockey Court so it is a DRY LAND practice. DO NOT WEAR SPIKES.

I want to do this but I NEED to know at least 6 or so players are willing to make the commitment; if not this week then as soon as possible. However I am hoping to see a decent sized group available for 12:30 or 1:00 afternoon. PLEASE get back to the club or to my email, russbauer@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Blackbrook Park is in Whippany, GPS 90 Sunset Drive Hanover NJ

Veteran's & Free Agent Mini-Camp Scheduled for tonight

Whippany Nj,








Manager Dan Clayton issued a statement today " It's time, I will be holding an open workout for veterans and anyone who wants to come out tonight"





This workout will be held at Blackbrook Park In Whippany Gps Address: 90 Sunset Dr, Hanover NJ




Photo: Rob Linepensel delevering a free kick to Marco Carivallo(2) and Russel Bauer (10)

Clayton's State of the club address

Morristown Nj-

        It was one year ago today where the Morristown 1776 AFC went a new direction by signing current captain Dan Clayton to Manager, with hopes of a playoff berth and many victories. Mission Half accomplished.

         Under the tutorage of Clayton the Continetials played a much riskier open field possession counter 4-4-2 " I really wanted to push the tempo" Clayton said "but with the conditioning of the lads we could only be a first half team" and it showed. They went winless in the 2009 MCSSA campaign and only a handful of wins. Many supporters have been calling for his firing not only as a coach but as a player a linguring hip injury has been slowing him down and preventing from being the caliber player fans fell in love with.

Clayon's reply to them " F*** off and be patient, Rome wasn't built in a day" The board made a decision to mentally and physically rest for about nine months but its time to start to whole heartedly train and im ready along with my coaching staff to lead this team to victories.


We've heard that before but let's see the product on the field. Only Time will tell the future of the Continetals and Clayton's Managerial job

Continentials Set to Embark on Winter Campaign

(Morristown Nj-)
  
           Club President Ryan Vinton made a statement today, Proclaiming that the Morristown 1776, comming off a very disapointing summer campaign will resume their quest for a possible win here or there and even a title comming up this winter. He did not divulge into if he was going to Re-Sign player/coach Dan Clayton or Brady Macdonald  this season. Rumors have been speculating about Clayton's distrust with management and medical staff regarding his hip injury and Macdonalds desire to play another season. Many things need to still be worked out, but only time will tell