The Vienna Metros remain the top team in the NOVA Coaches League. Their core, team familiarity, and commitment to passing the ball are unchanged. The only weakness in the Vienna Metros that has ever been observed is the criticism they lodge at one another when they don’t attack a 50/50 ball and let their opposition win it in the air, or when they are put under pressure and their frustration begins to show. The Orangemen put in a valiant effort and looked good for large portions of the game. In fact at the start of the second half the Orangemen put so much pressure on them in their third of the field the they began to criticize one another. That does a heart good when you hear it welling up from within their ranks. We were unable to score, which would have frustrated them even more and could have produced the type of pressure we need to create mistakes on their part. It was not meant to be.
The game finished without a break through. The final was Orangemen nil and the Metro’s seven. Not as bad as the defeat we suffered at the start of December when we dropped 10 unanswered goals and the ire of Mooch descended upon the team. This effort, despite it’s lopsided nature, was much better because we did have some great passing moments, we did create opportunities, unlike in December when the Metro’s ran through us like a pinball machine.
Some highlights from the game include a wonderful free kick from Jose, that although swung wide, was very close and very well struck. Also, Greg Z has improved his defensive awareness considerably. Whereas two months ago he was left in his tracks only to wonder where the ball was going next on he played perhaps his best game ever against an attacking side with literally 30 plus more years experience, per player. He was congratulated during our pizza and beer at Bertucci’s after the match.
Along with those congratulatory words Jim Landoll pointed out that he had successfully made it through yet another season of soccer...and has all the intention of continuing into yet one more Spring/Summer season.
One final note of positive news, as the referee gave us his pregame lecture he made it clear to me that the Orangemen are one of his favorite teams to officiate. He said that he never has a problem with the Orangemen. More than any other team in the League the Orangemen exhibit not only a true love of the game but the spirit of sportsmanship that should be the hallmark of a recreational league. That sportsmanship showed up on multiple occasions as we fessed up to balls that nicked us last etc. I was never more proud to wear Orange when the ref spoke those words. Thank's for making it easy to manage this team Orangemen...And I’m looking forward to the start of the Spring/Summer season.
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