As one of the most successful boys soccer programs on the North Shore for the last decade-plus, there wouldn't be too many people who feel the team is in need of a complete shakeup.
That is, unless you ask the team's new head coach, Darren Benedick.
Growing up in Watford, England and having spent time coaching in the youth development program of Arsenal — one of the top clubs in the English Premier League — Benedick knows good soccer when he sees it. And to him, the fast-paced American style the Magicians have previously played just won't cut it anymore.
"(Marblehead) has been a very successfully-run program, but in the past they've played a kick-and-run style, which is not attractive," explained Benedick, who is taking over for long-time Magicians coach Steve Ingemi. "It might have gotten them results in the past, but not in the long run. I am about playing (soccer) the right way."
That "right way" Benedick refers to focuses heavily on time of possession and ball control, much like the 2010 World Cup Champion Spain played throughout the tournament.
Benedick further explained the type of style he has now brought to the Magicians.
"There is a lot more passing. You use the field as an advantage, not something to exhaust yourself," said Benedick. "The ball is something to hold on to and take care of. You let the ball work for you. It's the way the game is played everywhere but here (in the United States)."
Lengthy tryouts
The Marblehead players have certainly been up to the sometimes frustrating task of learning a new system, and while it may take some time to be completely comfortable with their new style the Magicians have shown the right attitude, according to Benedick.
"It is a lot of re-education for the players, but they are enjoying it," said Benedick. "They are receptive and very passionate about playing the game properly, which is great for me as coach because I get to share that (passion) with them."
But any system, no matter how proven in the past, needs the right personnel to make it work — and Benedick knows his team has got some talent.
Instead of the standard two or three days of tryouts, Benedick held his for a full 10 days before making his final cuts. The 28-year-old head coach is now quite sure of the abilities of each of his varsity players.
Take junior captain Mike Brenan, for example, a left-footed midfielder whose skill makes him a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. In a system that thrives on possession, there may be no player on the Marblehead roster with better ball control than Brenan.
"He has got some of best footwork I've seen in a long time. When he gets the ball, he is very difficult to (knock him off of it)," noted Benedick. "Good left-footed players are like gold dust these days. He is tall, athletic and a real driving force. A top talent, without a doubt."
Fellow senior captain and midfielder Nate Cullen will be another player opposing teams are going to need to account for when playing Marblehead. A speedy, more flashy player than his co-captain, Cullen is "not afraid of trying a few tricks on the pitch," according to Benedick.
Joining Cullen and Brenan in the midfield is Cole Guyre. He may not see as much time on the field as the two senior captains but that is to be expected considering Guyre is only a freshman. Benedick has been impressed with the physical nature of the youngster's play and how he has been able to compete with his older teammates.
Learn from on-field experiences
Even with skilled leaders like Cullen and Brenan and young talent like Guyre, Benedick knows that learning a new system can take time and that an early loss or two does not doom the entire season for the Magicians.
"The boys understand a loss isn't the end of the world," said Benedick, who has his master's degree in sports psychology and has also worked with the Ipswich Town (UK) professional club, where former New England Revolution assistant coach Paul Mariner played most of his career.
"You can gain a lot from a defeat, and I don't think any team in our league is going undefeated. We just want to attack every game and enjoy ourselves."
