Orangemen vs Pretenders on a Very Warm Winter Solstice in 2013

Some might think the days are getting longer as the Sun is setting later in the day.  As it turns out December 21 is the Winter Solstice, and although the Sun has been setting later each day this week, it’s been rising just a little later as well, making December 21st this year’s shortest day of the year and the true Winter Solstice.  If you don’t understand how the Earth tilts on it’s axis as it rotates around the sun, you can catch up on your science here.  And even though the Earth is actually closer to the Sun during the winter months, due to our angle with the Sun the Earth's Atmosphere reflects a larger portion of the inbound radiance which is why it is cooler.  Although yesterday, at game time, temperatures in Fairfax were at 70 degrees, we must have been taking the direct rays, or Al Gore was right.  Here’s a good recap of the mechanics of a Winter Solstice as we make our annual passage around the sun.  

So we lost the game 2 to 3, but it was well fought and we certainly had our opportunities.  The game was ours to win and we had several additional opportunities to score that we failed to finish.  Will had the first really good shot on goal, which was textbook from outside the box.  Well struck, low and hard but rose just above the cross bar.  However Will redeemed himself with a fantastic assist to Tedd.  Tedd made a horizontal run right to left looking for an opportunity to put his left foot on the ball.  The Pretenders closed him down but eventually he was able to put the ball through to Will on the outside and advance on the inside of his man.  Will knew what he was going to play that ball back to Tedd and did so with a perfectly waited touch  back to the advancing Ogre’s left foot.  Tedd blasted the ball into the net but the credit goes to the scored with a fantastic assist from Will.  

A little later, after Mooch made the decision to play Jan in the midfield instead of straight back into sweeper, as Chris H very capable of cleaning up in the back, Jan scored with a fantastic goal with a great assist from Kendall.  Kendall made a great run up the left flank and beat his defender on the outside.  He ran forward and attacked the goal.  The keeper kept on his line so Kendall got his head up and saw orange in the center.  He crossed the ball into the box where Jan swept it into the net with his left foot.  Kendall came screaming out of the back with his arms spread wide to celebrate the goal as if he scored it.  Just like with Wills assist.  I give the credit to Kendall for playing the right ball and making the goal a walk in the park for Jan.

Unfortunately, the final score was Pretenders 3 Orangemen 2 but it was a great game nevertheless.

On the first Pretender’s goal, Chris charged out of the box but the ball took took an incredible unlucky hop or deflection and when over his head.  Their second goal came during the start of the second half. Gene had a low, but hard shot to his left easily covered,  But somehow it squirted out of his hands with enough momentum to make it into the net.  Their third goal was unstoppable.  However, with a little bit of luck going our way, the Pretenders first two goals wouldn't have happened and we would have won.  We fought to the end and in the closing minutes Cris ran onto a magnificent ball to the far post.  He almost brought it down and scored the tying goal in the last seconds of the game.  An appeal for handball went up as it look like the Pretenders defender pushed the ball past the end line with his arm just before the ref blew the whistle.  Without an Champions League Ref patrolling the end-line we may never know what happened.

Other important mentions for the game.  It was Eric B and Chris H first time to come play with us in months.  Jim Lister and Chris Brody, long veterans made an appearance.  Jim Landoll, still in retirement as far as we can tell, made the drive to watch the game and cheer us on. Chris and Gene split goal time first and second halves.  Tommy came, but noticed the numbers of Orangemen and graciously decided to head for home.  We had Mauricio, Alfredo, Kendall, William….as well as Cris S who played the first half for the Pretenders but then returned to us.  Him an Eric B started working together during the second half and when those two start passing they can take the ball anywhere on the field.

John Hamner played D and was fast running down most threats.  He also had to use his signature move to kick the ball off the attacker to win a few goal kicks rather than surrendering a corner.  Mikey and Jan were on board as was Gooch and Steve Harris.  Tedd fortified the midfield.  Dave Nanney and Mooch played up top.  Mooch was handed the ball in the box by the Pretender’s fullback but was unable to score.  He took the shot across the keeper, and although it appeared that the ball was on goal, he would argue that the keeper got his thumb on it, others would say it was always swinging wide.

Peter played for the Pretenders but confirmed with them ahead of time.  He had a wonderful opportunity to curl the ball from the flanks to the center of the field but kicked it straight into his own player which ricocheted out of bounds and to turn the ball over to the Orangemen at midfield.

The Ref called a great game...not much controversy...a very sporting match.

I know when we have big numbers like today everyone plays has a little less time on the field.  Thanks for being conscientious of the other players for coming off the field when called.  And if you didn't get enough playing time...my apologies...but thanks for coming and having a lot of fun regardless.