Orangemen vs Sterling Sting

Toward the end of the game last night...for reasons unknown, Golden made the loud statement on the field, “What Would Mooch Do?”.  Mooch yelled back, “Mooch would pass the ball”.  And so it was yesterday, when we got tired in the second half, gave up the fight we were so fully engaged in, and stopped passing.  The result, after having a spectacular first half, where we initiated the scoring and kept the Sting on their heels, having ended the half tied at 3 3, we fell apart and Sterling scored another four goals in the second half, with us answering with only one.

Back in December 2012 I wrote this blog for the Orangemen, perhaps we should review what I said…

http://nvaorangemen.blogspot.com/2012/12/its-why-soccer-ball-is-round.html

This after a 1 to 10 shellacking by the Metros…  Granted our passing since Dec 2012 has greatly improved...but, as new players join the team, and we get tired, we tend to forget, that the ball is round for a reason.  Also, a passed ball travels a lot faster that a dribbled ball.  We showed some great passing skill last night...stringing 5 passes together in a row...it’s not clear why we stopped.  But it was a combination of deciding to go it alone out there...or picking a bad pass too late.  It’s better to pass early then to wait until you get into trouble...because then the pass is rushed and inaccurate, or it’s the wrong pass.

That’s plenty for my soap box this morning.

Onto the game…  Thanks for those who came to play at 3 knowing we had to get to RFK by 7 pm...we would be rushed.  Thanks to Sterling for hosting us early so that we didn’t have to canx.

Fabian made an appearance...first time in about a year.
George, who ran 10 miles in the morning
Greg
Gene who brought his boy Nate with him
Karl
Alfredo
Maurico
Mooch
Dave N
Tedd
Golden
Matt

With one more sub, and the Harvin, the Harvin was a no show, I think we would have won the game.

Scoring wise, Fabian struck first blood with a great header from a corner kick supplied by Tedd.  George scored twice, once with a great and silky smooth shot that fooled the keeper at his near post that he hit with the outside of his left boot.  He could have crossed it as well, as Golden was ready to pounce, but the fact that he made it look easy, and he scored, atoned for the play.  He also collected a ball that Mooch served over that top that Fabian got to first and took a stab at it, the ball came back out and George was able to place it where it belonged.

Our fourth goal game from a PK by Mooch.  Since his dad was in attendance, he had to show off.  He hit the ball low and left, hard, and full of confidence.  The Keeper got his filthy paws down to meet it, but alas the strength in the shot was too much for him to handle and the ball carried into the net.

Despite George’s two goals, I think player of the match has got to go to Golden today.  Playing his second match as our Sweeper, proves he is a fantastic replacement of Johnny H.  He did fantastic work in the back, shutting down Sterling...for the first half.    Once we got tied and the onslaught was one, Golden saved us time and time again...the scoreline would have been far worse without him tireless running down every ball.

Those of you who failed to pass last night...I will not call you out by name...but here is the tell tale sign that you need to pass.  When “Mooch” turns his back, throws his hands skyward, and rips off a number of profanities that would make and Naval aviator blush, it’s time to start passing.  And I say Naval aviator because our Air Force aviators, other than Tedd, failed to materialize yesterday...and Tedd left early...just sayin’.