We spend months preparing for the season.  Winter, spring, and fall are literally spent lifting, training, running, and refining the minute details in preparation for only an eighteen game regular season (hopefully longer with playoffs).  It is difficult not to lose focus when your goal is six months away but when opening day arrives you know your hardwork is about to payoff. 

Our season began with an unfortunate loss against a direct-style East Coast team.  Game day was mundane and bordering on a coma but two hours before game time our team sparked to life with pregame banter, songs, and tactical adjustments.  Its a new tradition to play "Wanna be a Balla" before practices and games so a freshmen put our theme song on and we rapped and sung to one of the most underrated songs in history.  Warm up was typical with dynamic movements, possession, crossing and finishing, and coach's pep talk, but our intensity was something new. 

Despite the loss our commitment to defending and willingness to play under pressure was entirely new.  We went ahead early in the game but failed to hang on to our slim lead conceding to late set piece goals.  It was demoralizing like any loss, but our sense of accomplishment remained.  Hopefully we can maintain this new vigor as our season progresses.

-Michael is a senior at Stanford, where he will be captaining the squad for the third year in a row. He is a holding midfielder, a tenacious tackler, and a gifted passer who leads the team from this position. His coach Bret Simon on Strickland: "Strick will return as a third-year team captain and lead the team from a holding midfield position." He also has a knack for game winning goals, as two of his three goals during his career have been game winners. He is also a really genuine and interesting guy who is extremely intelligent and funny. He has been kind enough to write for us in his free time which we are very grateful for.