Orangemen Win DC Military & First Responders Cup

 For the second year in a row the Orangemen Soccer Team have won the DC Military and First Responders Cup!  Hosted by District Soccer and held that the growing "Fields at RFK Stadium the Cup took place on a Summer night in May...    It was 92 degrees at 6 pm and the start of the matches.

The Orangemen came adorned in their new "Black" kits with pink stripes (a result of a snafu with the supplier).  

A link to District Soccer and a history of this Cup can be found here.  https://districtsportsusa.leagueapps.com/leagues/soccer-(outdoor)/3057493-d.c.-united-military-and-first-responders-cup

COVID Soccer - 6 June 2020

It was hot, damn hot, and humid.  They had not played since February.  It was the first Saturday in June, 2020. The country was slowly opening but sports had yet to resume.  Professional sports were beginning, but with absent crowds and in some creative venues, piped in noise.  It's also June 6th and the remembrance of D-Day. It was fitting that an international contingent of Orangemen Players was assembled.  Karl from Switzerland, Gene from Turkey, Rosie from the UK, and the remainder from the US with various nationalities including the Dutch in Jason, the Italian in Mooch, the Swedish in Ogre, and Polish heritage in Jan.

The Orangemen, playing the beautiful game since the 70's were keen to get back out on the pitch.  Today wouldn't have been possible had Ogre Ogren not orchestrated the game and the rules of the match.  First, we would not violate the Virginia protocol of not gathering in groups of 10 or more.  We had nine signed up to play.  Mo, Mr. Quality HVAC himself, was a no-show, because he had customers. Given the heat, Mo's priority would be to  broken air conditioners in the region.  Given the heat, he made the right decision, not to mention the income,  Mo missed a great game.

But first, more of Ogre's Rules.  Having spent some time studying aerial and ground warfare in his day job, he was keen to set up engagement zones. Jan and Mooch discussed the intricacies of the FSCL, but there would be no coordinated fires for this game.  Ogre described his vision of offensive and defensive zones from which players of either function had to remain until the ball transitioned.  We would play half field with four on offense, four on defense, with Gene playing keeper.  Face masks would be worn and the social distance of 6 feet would be maintained at all times.  Videos from players in Germany had a unique way to keep the social distance which involved the use of shopping carts and gas masks.  This protocol was outside the scope of what Ogre had in mind for a bit of fun and exercise for a Saturday morning.

As the group assembled and took the pitch the rules were explained.  Resistance (and confusion) was immediately apparent but it was also apparent that it was either too early in the morning, or a few modifications would be necessary in order for any of this to be any fun.  Never-the-less it was important to give it a try to see if it would work.  The outer zones would be for offense and ran the length of the field.  As would a single zone in the center of the pitch.  In between would be the zone for defense as well as the penalty box.  No one would be permitted into the goal box but the keeper.  The immediate result, beyond the confusion, showed early.  Strikes on goal would all have to occur from long range.  Passing would be from long range.  And transition from offense to defense required nothing more but the keen understanding of the mass confusion on who would go where.  At  this point an insurrection was discussed among some of the more senior players, in particular the Jag with Polish heritage, and the Manager of the Orangemen, Mooch.  Why couldn't we simply play a short sided game, 4 v 4 with small goals, a lot of space, and the understanding that all players would merely respect the 6 foot separation between each other.   

As we watched a few shots from the outside, miss both goal and field, two things occurred.  First, COVID rust was real.  No one had touched a ball in three months.  Second, the shots from the outside we understandably under-satisfying.  Someone had to speak up.  Mooch started the insurrection by yelling out the suggestion to Ogre.  Fortunately Orge is a man of nimble and flexible thought, flexibility being the key to air power.  We stopped play and immediately adjusted the pitch.  Gene would leave the goal and enter the field on the dark side.  Two lacrosse goals were moved to opposite ends of the field.  A familiar game ensued.  4 v 4 is well understood by all.  The movement, the passing.  The only adjustment necessary was an understanding of how close a defender could attempt to tackle a ball from an opponent.  The short answer was the player with the ball had an inviolate area of six feet around them that could not be breached.  Thus lacking a complete inability to control the ball, the player on the ball, would have an infinite about of time to decide what to do.  Thus the new rule, as discussed, would be to allow the player with the ball four touches.  When the pass would come in, the strike on goal would require only two touches.  As play began there was confusion over the touch rule with many players were only taking two touches.  In the prime of their lives, let alone with COVID rust, two touches is quite sporty.  Eventually it was decided that while in the field, three touches would be permitted.  One for the first trap, one to maneuver the ball, and one to pass.  The game was officially on. 

Run of play was open, passing was frequent, and shots were taken.  It took awhile for the first goal but then a few more would follow.  With Gene playing deep defense for the dark team, Karl (with his COVID beard) would play deep defense for the light side.  Jason, Jason's son, and Rosie (I just had a baby during COVID) were passing, over lapping their runs, and shooting.

Ogre, Mooch, and John, would similarly run the length of the field, running into space, passing and shooting on the large man who always seems in position to block some pretty awesome shots.

Passing and crossing runs into space pointed out an interesting feature of the social distancing rule.  It was easy to see the open areas of the pitch without much thinking.  Conversely on defense, it was necessary to immediately consider the passing options and prepare to close on the passing lanes.  This was an unexpected benefit of the rules and could potentially be a training option to teach both offense and defense once normal playing would resume.  Three touches worked well given distance and time all players would now have on the ball.  The only final tweak would be to call out violations of the social distancing space.  This initially occurred when a defender had time to close the ball before arriving at it's intended target.  In these cases, with two players vying for the ball the distance rule was violated.  Some (Ogre) initially thought Rosie would be the violator due to his intense competitive nature stemming from his fighter pilot background in the Royal Air Force.  However it wasn't Rosie who was the violator.  Karl, would be the player who frequently violated the rule, followed by Jan, and then Ogre.  By the next match, I believe, with a few instructions when the violation is apparent, we will all learn to play this virus thwarting safety space.

The game progressed well.  Space and runs were continuous with crosses coming in and wonderful shots taken.  Most shots still showed the effects of COVID rust but several found the back of the net.  On one such play, Mooch ran into space  between defenders and received the ball with only Gene, and his intimidating size, blocking any real attempt.  Out of touches Mooch was forced to shoot.  Gene blocked the ball, as anticipated.  What wasn't anticipated was the ball bouncing up and back taking a fortunate and nifty bounce just ahead and to Mooch's right.  Strangely, Mooch realized that Gene had touched the ball and thus his touch count was reset to zero.  As the ball bounced beside him and was at waist height, Mooch, in an incredible feat of dexterity, twisted his leg and brought his foot to kick the ball with the outside of his right foot.  A move typically used to return a bouncing ball in the path of your run.  In this case, there was no run, only the net.  It was a goal Mooch will have mounted and placed on his mantle.

With an adequate break in the middle for water and another thirty minutes of running, it was almost time to call it quits.  Everybody's legs were approaching rubber as the five minute notice was given.  At that point Jason  declared the last goal.  And we returned to play.  Soon the ball came up the right side of the field and Rosie would run onto it.  Sensing Karl had drifted slightly out of the mouth of the goal, Rosie hit a long range ball beating Karl to his right and hitting the upright and glancing the ball into the goal. Rosie would bag the game winner from the outside. I'm compelled to call it the best shot of the game, except it did strike the upright. A clean stretch of the net would have been spectacular. Thus by unanimous  agreement (of the author), the goal of the game goes to Mooch, who's goal, as described earlier, was a unique combination of rules and cagey wit.  Of which both were necessary to beat the large man, standing in the goal.

And so ended the very first COVID Match.  The success of the match led immediately to the decision to play again, on Saturday morning,  in a fortnight.  Without a doubt the rules can be tweaked to aid both the flow and safety of the match.  The social distancing worked as did the limit on touches.  Everybody had plenty of touches and exercise too last the week.  Thanks again to Ogre for having the vision and drive to get us back on the pitch!!

Orangemen Defeat Braddock Road 6 to 4

It was  great night at South Run for the Orangemen.  As the teams assembled and the team management grappled with why the lights were not coming on, Bruce the Bugling Elk, took his position at center circle and blew the starting whistle.  For future reference the light box is no longer down the path on the side of the shack by the baseball fields.  It is on the light post directly behind the bleachers on the upper field.  See picture.

Both teams were at full strength with the Orangemen showing without a sub on the bench (we have to do better Orangemen, both signing up and showing up on time)

But the game was underway and it was clear
the Orange had speed and control on their side.  The pressure we put on Braddock Road, I think, took them by surprise.  Much was due to the speed of the defenders who David brought in for the match.  Our regular defenders (The Two John') were absent from the match.

With Sefrino and Jason started up front and would remain as strikers the entire match.  In the midfield, running his legs off the entire match, was Brian.   Alfredo and Mooch played on the outside.  The defense consisted of David sweeping with Karl in his normal right back, and the late arriving Peter playing on the left.

First blood went to Orange when Mooch found himself alone in the box with a shitty angle on goal.  With the ball at his feet he waited for someone to advance...either a defender to dive in, or an Orangemen to move into space.  Brian, suddenly made a charge from the top of the box and Mooch slide the ball across and into space between two defenders.  He could not see Brian but knew he would be arriving.  The ball beat the defenders but was slightly behind Brian.  Miraculously and at pace Brian let the ball pass behind him and brought his right foot around himself to hit the ball with force into the back of the net.  It was a spectacular goal to open the scoring.

We continued to pass well throughout the first half.  Braddock was limited to a few break away runs and we able to capitalize on mistakes in the back.  By half time they had closed a 3 point Orangemen lead to 1.

A the beginning of the second half we scored again but then so did Braddock Road keeping them us in their cross hairs.  And the momentum began to shift in their favor as Orangemen decided to stop passing for a while. Several individual efforts culminating, as the most often do in this sport, in disaster.  No body makes a run, everybody sits back and watches, and then, when the hero loses the ball, as they always do, a quick counter attack changes everything.  The Orangemen we on the brink of watching a victory fall.

Luckily we began passing again.  And Braddock Road could not counter attack when they couldn't take back possession of the ball.

MVP has to go to Jason for yet another Hat Trick.  But a close second goes to Brian for literally running his legs off.  In the closing minutes of the game, Brian was over heard saying, I've got no feeling left in my legs.  I know the feeling.

Well done Orangemen.  And I apologize to everyone for dropping the F-Bomb when it was necessary to bring your attention back to our lack of passing.

First Spring Game of 2017 Orangemen vs Reston Lake Fairfax Park

Orangemen...it's been a while since I've posted the action from one of our games.  But 2016 was a rebuilding year, nevertheless, we had some successes.  Now has we enter 2017, with the addition of leadership coming from Q, we are starting to have even more success.  

Last night at Lake Fairfax park, even though numbers were down because temperature was in the low 20's, enough players showed up to have a classic match.  Q provided the following write up to me after midnight last night.  So he was clearly stoked...

We had 9 [players who] showed up. Reston had 5 players at the beginning but ended up with 9 at the end (players showed up late). They went up 2-0 after 20 more mins. Alfredo scored the first and I the second to tied it up by the half. Second half Reston went up by 2 again 4-2 (not again) Kenny equalized then Leon tied it up. We had a lot of chances as usual but couldn't finish. It was a really good and highly frustrating game because of all the chances we had. Jan and David we exceptional at the back as well as George....everyone worked they azz off, Kenny had a hamstring injury and came off for about 15 mins before returning but wasn't 100%. Game needed at 4-4.

Great write up Q.  I was right there in the action with you.  Sadly I didn't make the game as I pulled my left calf on an elliptical machine at the Marriott in Nashua NH, on Wednesday evening.  What does it say about your conditioning if you can pull a muscle on an elliptical?  Nothing good I assure you.  Great work Orangemen...now lets work on getting real numbers out for the game.

Orangemen vs Reston August 2016

I haven't posed a match result in a while. I think primarily because we haven't been producing games to write home about. While our first game of the 2016 Fall season changed all of that. On Saturday night, despite the sweltering 95 degrees as kickoff, against a very strong Reston team, arranged at the last minute, we produced a 3 to 3 tie and a Hat Trick for Jason.

Players on Saturday included...
Mooch (returning from a weekend Tourney in VA Beach)
Matt who brought a guest - central defense
Maurico and Alfredo - both having been absent a few games due to injury
Jason (our man of the match who brought a new Pentagon player)
Gene - keeper
Lalo (a new recruit, also from the DoD) - left defense
Jamal (who has begun playing with Orange after a long time absent)
Ogre - midfield
and Mike, who we drafted from the sidelines who we will also call up for future matches.

I played Jason up from for the first time...with Matt and his guest opting to shore up the defense. Lalo stepped right into the right full back position vacated by Karl as he decided to go bike riding in Switzerland.

We played well through out the game. Ball movement from the back produced run after run, and Jason tried to get on the end of every one. Jason produced three goals...one shot low and to the left. On shot from out side the box into the upper right hand corner, and his hat trick, robbing the keeper of the ball who had come out, stepping around him, and keeping his composure to place the ball into the net.

Other opportunities including a long throw from Matt, with Mooch standing in the box behind all of the defenders. No one thought Matt could hurl a ball close to 40 yards, but he carried the defense and Mooch tried to flick it into the upper 90, missing only by inches. A final opportunity saw a great run by Jason down the left flank, delivering a cross into the box that Jamal finished, only to be called back as an off sides.  Final score was 3 to 3.  Reston fought hard to come back and save the tie.






It was a great game...and we enjoyed a few drinks on the sidelines after the game...something we haven't done in a while but will continue through the Fall season.

Orangemen vs Braddock Road Feb 2016

With the snow from Snowzilla leaving only a few dirty mounds in the parking lot, the league turned on all games for the weekend.  At 1 pm the Orangemen assembled to kick off their hibernation status and take on Braddock Road at Poplar Tree Park.   The temperature showed 28 in the morning but had climbed to a balmy 43 by kickoff…  It didn’t make a difference, most players kicked off their sweats, hats, and gloves, it felt like spring time..

Assembled to play were a couple of new faces but here was the line up…

Bryan in goal (First half)

Golden sweeping

New guy on right fullback

Eric (New guy Brit) left full back

Cris right halfback

Mo in central midfield

Tedd in central midfield

Gene a left halfback

Bernie up top

Karl M up top

Mooch

Q ‘s friend

Peter Z

and Steve Harris started on the bench.

It was clear we had a great defensive line up and could control the ball.  All through the first half we were pressing and Bryan rarely had an opportunity to touch the ball.  Kendall, who was playing Keeper for Braddock, on the other hand, had his work cut out for him.  Bernie pulled the trigger on a couple of shots that went high...and we had others…

With four subs Mooch had to make a few changes to the line-up to get everyone on the pitch.  He pulled Gene and sent in Q’s friend.  Then he added Peter Z up top for Karl, and worked Steve in as right back.  Later, Mooch would join the side for Mo.

We were dominating the half, it wasn’t clear why we were not stretching the net.  Kendall was making a few saves...but they were soft...he just wasn’t being challenged by the shots.  On a breakaway, Bryan was challenged once and make a great blocking save from point blank range while back peddling.  

Mooch came on and began playing in the right halfback position and Cris slid into the center with Tedd.  It was clear he wasn’t being heavily defended on the right so a few passes came through to him.  He was feeding it forward into space...and on three separate occasions the strikers were called for offsides…  Very close calls, wish we has some line judges or instant replay to see them again.  All of them looked good to Mooch.

The opening score came when we were in the box, the cross came in from the left, Mooch was running onto it from the right.  Peter was close and with those long legs had a play on the ball.  Mooch yelled for him to leave...and was surprised when he did.  Mooch hit it cleanly and lifted it up and toward the left corner.  Kendall had taken a step off his line and immediately recognized his mistake.  He back peddled and reach for it..but it was too high and dropped under the crossbar.  The Orangemen had scored.  1 to 0.  Just before the break, some would say after time had elapsed, Braddock had a break…  With our sweeper out of position, it was a one on one with Bryan.  Bryan had defended two similar breaks early on...but this one he was back peddling and the striker got a soft shot off to the far right post.  It carried in.  The half ended and to start the second half we continued our dominance.  Bryan started up top...and along with Bernie and a few more chances…

In the end both teams held...but the Orangemen had far more chances…  Mooch can’t complain about the passing and the control because we dominated.  It’s hard to say why we didn’t score a few more.  But...as always...a tie is better than a loss and had we not been out there playing well...Braddock would have easily done damage to us.  Great game Orangemen.  

Oh...I forgot to mention the Red Card.  This year the ref is going to give a Yellow card for dissent to try to keep the game under control early on.  A yellow card for dissent is one thing...but if you keep up the dissent and earn a Red Card there is no real excuse.  Players who can’t keep their mouth shut, can’t keep their emotions under control.  Hot heads are who the league is looking to suppress.  A lot of changes coming this year...including more liability safeguards up to and including insurance...which will definitely increase game costs…

So...our last Red Card was Feb 2015 (I believe that was our Bolivian Rancher).  Now we’ve dropped our consecutive days without a Red to zero.  I have to report to the league what happened...and then assess where to go from there...in the past a Red Card for two yellows might not result in a two game suspension.  Two yellow cards for dissent...absent any violence is a new one on me.  I will have to consult with the team elders before I pass judgement.

Orangemen vs Turtles -- November 2015

We beat the Turtles 3 to 2 in an outstanding game...

Players

Gene in Goal

Golden Sweeping

Greg right fullback

Karl left fullback

Mauricio Stopper

Tedd Central midfield

Mooch rover

Pete defensive Halfback

Javar ?

Alfredo striker

FAHM Striker

With no subs we played the full game but it was a cool night so everyone ran their butts off.

Turtles scored first fairly early in the first half on what was clearly an off-sides call, at midfield, that somehow the Ref missed.  He was calling us for off-sides but not the Turtles.  Mooch had two magnificent touches to FAHM, over the top.  One with the outside of his left foot and one with his right...they were short looping balls directly into FAHMs path. In both cases, when he kicked them, FAHM was even with him, so how the ref judged those to be off sides I will never know.

FAHM returned the favor.  At halftime it was 1 to 1

Mooch opened the scoring in the second half when he received the ball at the top of the box...it was the a deflection from an errant shot by J.  I trapped the ball and with time and space, and  the ball sitting up nicely, it was all his to finish into the right side of the goal to an outstretched Tony.

But the Turtles came back to tie at 2 2 to make for an interesting finish to the game.  Tensions flared as a loud mouth on the Turtles kept complaining that FAHM was obstructing him.  His anger got the better of him and he took down Alfredo in a vicious tackle that earned him a yellow card.  Strange because he was taking down players left an right...so this speaks to the ability of the Ref to control the game.  He was losing control...on another night vs another team not as well behaved as the Turtles there could have been a different out come.  Way too much yelling from that loud mouth.

And speaking of loud mouths...Mooch did his sharing of yelling too.  But it was, of course, to get his own team to pass the ball.  Whereas we did win the game, and we did create plenty of opportunities...with the right pass at the right time we could have put the game last night away really early in the evening.  If Orangemen continue to hold the ball one, two, three, even four touches past when they should have passed, Mooch will continue to yell.  And he apologizes for any profanity that he might have used last night.  For the record it goes like this...

Pass the ball first touch - Great praise by Mooch

Beat the first player with first touch, then pass the ball - Praise by Mooch

Beat the first player, get ball stolen by second player - Mooch admonishment

Beat the first player, beat the second player, lose ball -  Strong admonishment by Mooch

Beat the first player, beat the second player, beat the third player, lose the ball...  Mooch goes apoplectic and who knows what will come out of his mouth, it's not his fault...

So the game winner came from FAHM...he received the ball just out side the box on the right side.  It set up nicely...and he hit a rocket with his left foot.  No spin, I could see the seams on  the ball as it went left into the side netting, Tony had no chance.  Definitely the goal of the game and the game winner.

Great play by all, including our defense that was left alone deal with a decent Turtles attack all too frequently. Golden was running down every ball even with a tight (insert medical term here) tendon in his back that was making his knee sore...or something like that...  Whatever it was he seemed to work it out as he was getting more distance on his goal kicks then he ever has.

Special thanks to Peter for making the long haul down from Baltimore to give us sufficient numbers.  Also, Peter played a lot of defense last night, most I've seen in a long time.  That was helpful too ensure our win.  I think Peter specifically didn't want to Turtles to beat us last night and made sure of it.

Orangemen vs Internationalze Halloween 2015

Due to Halloween falling on a Saturday night, and very few folks actually wanting to play, I think I had 1 confirmed, we were able to reschedule the game for Friday night.  Strangley it all worked out well...too well in fact.  In the end we had too many fields and too many refs show up for the game.  And, at the last minute, Cris and Rahbi came out of retirement to augment our side.

It was a nice cool fall night, perfect temperature for soccer.  Orangemen wore black and the Internationalze, decked out in their Brazilian National kits, with bright yellow shirts and bright blue shorts, all of a sudden began to resemble minions...coincidence?

At the end of the evening the score was 1 to 1...a tie.  It was the best around game we have played in a long time...this is how the side looked.

Rahbi and Dave Nanney starting up top

Cris, Mooch, Q, and George in the midfield augmented by Alfredo

Golden, Ned, Karl, and Maurico providing an almost impenetrable defense, with Steve H showing up to lend a solid hand.

Gene, of course, was in goal.

Internationalze brought their standard solid line-up.  They played fast and in control.  But we stayed with them.  We were able to bring pressure forward and control the ball in their half of the field to allow our defense a reprieve so when they did attack, we shut them down nicely, and didn’t grow tired.  Scott could be heard calling for the midfield to return to shore up the defense, and we did.  Had we not been willing to play defensively through the midfield, they might have had more breakthroughs.  Unfortunately, with so much defensive minded play, we didn’t create enough chances up top.  But we certainly created some chances..most, when we passed the ball with composure through the midfield.

Cris would lead off the attack, but gaining control of the ball, making a move to get out of trouble, and then completing a pass.  As always, it never works if that initial control then quick distribution does not occur.  

Our goal came on a free kick.  Rahbi took the kick from outside the box.  The ball looped in nicely and the keeper jumped to get his mitts on it.  It beat him but hit the crossbar and bounced down, it hit the ground, but big man Q was right in front of the keeper and was able to stop the ball with his body and then finish with ease into the top of the net.

We had to keep the pressure on to keep from losing as Internationale pressed hard in the remaining few minutes to score.  We kept our heads and kept the score a tie.  We have lost too many times in those last minutes this year.  This was a great turn of fortune and something we should strive for in the future.

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’.

Orangemen vs Chantilly Aug 2015

With the transfer of John H the era of the military attorney playing for the Orangemen has come to an end.  Joshua remains as our soul attorney who will play occasionally but the juggernaut that was free legal advice on the Orangemen has come to an end.  In it’s place, an unlikely source.  Or at least I wouldn’t have believed it it had I not seen it here on this day.  Here was our line up.

Gene in Goal

Karl at right full back

Golden (F-18 pilot) as sweeper

Greg at left full back

Tang (F-16 pilot) as stopper

Mauricio at left half

Ogre (F-16 Pilot) as central midfield

Floppy at central midfield

Alfredo at left midfield

FAHM (F-22 pilot) as striker

Dan (A-10 pilot) as striker

Q - first sub

Nanney - second Sub

Mooch - third sub

Derek - arrived for 10 pm game

Note the trend?  That’s five fighter pilots starting in the Orangemen line-up last evening, on a beautiful August evening at Gunston Middle School.  Of course we were not lined up against ISIS we were lined up against the Chantilly Casuals...at team that is fast and skilled.  With so many new players in our line-up we had some trouble early in the first half and Chantilly kept us pinned down for the first 25 minutes or so.  Within which time they scored their first goal. The goal amounted to a great shot by the Chantilly striker from the right side of the box.  Gene was maybe two feet too far forward off his line allowing the well struck ball to rise and curl under the bar as Gene deflected it up and back.  After that the Orangemen started to gel and we were able to begin making runs on their goal...and get the ball out of our side of the field.

From that point on the game was fairly evenly matched...going back and forth and turning into a fun competition.  We had plenty of opportunities at their end with FAHM, Dan, Golden, and Mooch winding up for shots that either went wide or were too soft and easily collected by their large keeper.  After the Chantilly number 1 fullback, Dick, left the pitch due to injury, the Orangemen pressed even deeper into their end.  A corner kick, delivered by Mooch, carried to the far post, Dan had a free header.  He headed it down and away from the keeper, but the vertical upright got in the way and the impact rung out into the night sky letting Mooch know he would not get the assist.

Back at our end, Gene was having an outstanding night in net.  He was diving and punching the ball clear on more than a few shots.  

Unfortunately, toward the end of game with only minutes to goal, floppy produced an errant pass that was intercepted by Chantilly.  The goal amounted to a great individual effort by the Chantilly striker who ran down the left side driving all the way to the end line.  Most on the field believed the play would end, but the striker was able to get round our final defender and cross the ball low and slow through the goal box for a simple tap-in on the far side.

Peter our ref, turned to me at full time and asked if we should go another 3 minutes for unjury time, I said of course.  So we continued to play. We continued to pressure and in a melee in their box, Dan stepped into a weakly cleared ball and finished into the top of the net.

Final score, was 1 to 2.  Chantilly.  But it was well played all around.  We only needed a few more minutes more and we would have equalized.

Well played by all.  Gene had an outstanding match in goal.  Greg played an incredible game in his left fullback position...I’m not sure he got beat last night.  Golden, has stepped into the position as sweeper, a position he now confesses he’s played his entire life.

Stay tuned for the match next weekend Orangemen, as the plan is to go to the DC United game…the plan is to play an early match before hand.

Orangemen Play Langley AFB in Change of Command Game

The Orangemen traveled to Langley AFB, VA to play the an Air Force team on the celebration of our very on, Coach Pete, assuming command of the 1st Fighter Wing on 10 July 2015.

Rich P who has been playing soccer for years in the Tide Water area set up the match at Langley...he set up a very young team and we were a little intimidated to go down an play.

Orangemen vs FC Valpo May 2015

On a warm night the Orangemen faced off against FC Valpo at the South Run Complex.  After installing the nets, turning on the lights and paying the ref, it was time to get down to business.  Orangemen were wearing orange and FC Valpo were wearing light blue.

In goal for the Orangemen was Gene.  Karl, Greg, and John H were on-board as full-backs.  Coach was recently back from flight requalification at Tyndall.  With Tedd away, Mooch started Bryan in midfield.  Jose came as Bryan’s visitor.  Mauricio and Alfredo started in midfield, leaving Mooch and Wil to start up top.  Matt would come just at kick-offf and would have to wait a few before stepping on as a stopper.

Within minutes FC Valpo scored an amazingly soft goal...culminating in a run down the left side, a ball cross low and slow across the goalmouth, with Walter P running in from the right for a simple tap in.  Mooch has switched the defense to our two sweeper formation, one which we haven’t used in a while.

As the first half continued, it was clear that FC Valpo was getting the better of us...a severe lack of passing allowed Valpo to pressure in our end and take shot after shot..  A lack of passing up top and through the midfield inhibited us from putting any type of offense together.  We had several set pieces right in front of Valpos’ goal which all fell flat.

Valpo’s third goal came just minutes before the end of the first half, a ball with hit the post and as Gene closed for it, bounced off him and back into the net.  A very soft goal but one which sent the Orangemen to the locker room fairly dejected.

On Wil’s insistence, Mooch moved Bryan to striker with him and Mooch trading off and stepping into the holding midfield position.  Almost immediately Bryan was making an impact up top.  His speed enabled him to blast by the defenders with the ball.  Wil was constantly playing the ball over the top to Bryan who would run onto to it and then go one on one with the keeper.  His first goal game on his third run.  As the keeper came out Bryan easily chipped it over him into the far right side netting.  His second goal, however, he was on the right, and Mauricio played to ball up to him.  From outside side corner of the box, Bryan turned on the ball, and struck a rocket to the far left corner of the net.  The Orangemen had pulled two back.  Bryan’s hattrick game on just another break away run.  The Orangemen were even.  

Then a series of unfortunate events befell the Orangemen.  With only one Sub Mooch was trying to make sure we rotated through the positions to give everyone a breather…  However, an injury, or how should I say, a fantastic defensive block, by Coach, resulted in his removal from the pitch and the dry heaves behind the bleachers.  His challenge to shut down a Valop shot resulted in him receiving a line-drive directly to his family heirlooms dropping him to the deck like a lifeless g-suit discarded post flight and lying on the ops room floor.  The ref called for a stop in action and when Pete regained his feet to hobble off the pitch where he assumed the aforementioned dry heave position behind the bleachers.  Maurico stepped in to play stopper.  In the last 5 minutes of the game, John H came out of the back to break up a play just outside the box,  Unfortunately the ref judged John to have put more of his foot on the striker then the ball and awarded John a yellow card for breaking up the play.  With less than 5 minutes to go, John would have to sit the yellow card suspension and the rest of the game.  With no other subs Coach had to catch his breath an hobble back onto the field.  

With two minutes to go it looked like the Orangemen could hold the tie.  A ball came looping into the box and Karl ran onto it in the center of the box.  I assess Karl would but the outside of his right boot to the ball to clear it, but instead, believing Wil was close by him, let the ball bounce and run in behind.  Wil, who was behind him, was thinking more about the 8 ouch Heinichen's out in his cooler for after the game, then the danger.  A Valpo player sprinted in behind, collected the ball, drove into the box and scored.  Valop went up 3 to 4 and it looked like it was over.

The Orangemen had a surge of adrenaline as the kicked off.  The ball came forward and Mooch had a play on it.  He won the ball from a defender who was giving him fits, due to his speed all game… but lost the handle on it… The ball dropped back a yard and as Mooch turned for it he saw Alfredo charging in to take a shot.  Mooch stepped to the side and Alfredo struck the ball from 22 yards out toward the goal.  The keeper scrambled backward and the shot curled into to the tippy top right corner of the net.  Goooaaaaaall!  Alfredo had scored in the last 30 second of the game saving a well played second half and a 4 to 4 tie for the match.

Nice return to form Orangemen!  You always know you did well if Mooch is inspired enough on a Sunday morning to right down the notes!!  We then enjoyed the refreshments Wil brought for our post game enjoyment to talk about the game and Mooch's new ride (pictured top).  We also talked about what we are going to do with both Coach and John H, our entire central defending staff, leaving in about a month.

The Last Five Games...All In One!

The Last Five Games

I’m now thinking back at least 5 games but it’s hard to remember.  Sorry for the delay for my avid readership...

Away against Arlington

On April 18th we played Arlington in an early match at Virginia Highlands.  Jim Lister showed up to the match and Jim Landoll made a guest visit as a spectator all the way down from Leesburg.  We had a good day.  We crushed Arlington by a score of 9 to 4 and what was special on the day, at least for one Orangemen, was a hat-trick.   That individual will go nameless. But the recall is pretty clear in at least this writer's mind...it went something like this…  

First goal.  Alfredo crosses the ball in from the right, the scorer is coming in from the top of the box.  The cross drops short and a defender rises to head it clear.  The ball is too high, so it  skims off the top of his head, it continues across the top of the box into the path of the scorers run. He catches it with his left thigh and it drops majestically into  the path of his run.  He touches  it once forward, running straight through the defensive line into the box. He lowers his head, and gets his left knee over the ball, and strikes it hard, keeping it straight and low beating the diving keeper on his right.

Second goal.  The ball, again comes diagonally in from the right, low and on the ground to Alfredo. The striker screams for Alfredo to play it through to him.  Everyone closes on Alfredo but he doesn't touch the ball.  Instead he lets it roll straight through his legs to me.  The striker steps back as it rolls in with his left foot drawing it back from the defense about one yard.  He strikes it perfectly with his right boot, curling it up and across the box toward the upper right corner of the goal.  It follows the exact path of his strike, curling just above the gloves of the jumping keeper into the top corner.  The absolutely sweetest feeling when a ball behaves exactly like as he planned. 

Third goal.  Last minute of the game Dan beats the left fullback and carries the ball to the goal line.  The scorer come just behind him running into the center of the box screaming for him to touch it back to the 18.  He still has time to touch it back, but goes it alone to the keeper.  But the striker continues his run.  Dan strikes at goal, but shanks the ball.  He misses the goal and the keeper and the ball comes rolling across the goal heading for the end line behind the far post.  Since the striker continued his run, and everyone closed on Dan because he was clearly taking a shot, He is alone as he reaches the far post.  But by the time he is on the  ball it is wide of the post.  Instead of trying to strike it in with his left foot at a fairly impossible angle, he draws it backward with his left...opening up the angle...and as the hordes of defenders adjust and come charging at him he takes his time, making sure to hit it hard and low with his right foot, beating three defenders and the goalkeeper as they dive at his feet.  Hat Trick...

At home against Fairfax FC

The following week the favor was repaid as Fairfax FC crushed us by a similar score line...perhaps 3 for us and 9 for them.  Fairfax showed up with 9 players and we had 11 so we provided them one player to even out the sides and we played 10 v 10.  Mooch played first half with Fairfax and Alfredo played second half. Mauricio played keeper due to Gene vacation duties overseas.

Away against Braddock Road

The next week we played away and took on Braddock Road. Numbers were short but Braddock grabbed on player from Sterling and took us on with 10.  We were right at 11.  This time Bryan took his turn in goal with Gene being away.  Q also played his second game with us and did well.  I don’t remember the score but with Bryan’s speed coming out of the goal I think it was a pretty even game...not many goals were scored on either side.  I think the final was 1 to 1.  Braddock served up a cooler of beer after the game…Wil also made perhaps his final Orangemen appearance before returning to Boliva to raise his cattle.

Away against Springfield

Mooch did not attend and Tedd took care of managing the game.  He reports, “Decent game tonight, although we lost 5-4 or so.  Q gets honors with two goals.  John H, however kept us in the game with his usual unsung hero sweeping and Matt had a solid time at stopper.  The rest of us, Gene, Karl, Greg, Alfredo, Mauricio, Peter, Bryan, and Johnnie (second half guest that Peter recruited from their sideline).  Bryan owes Fairfax County $ for a rocket he hit square in the post - must have bent it!

And then from text Peter reported the following...slightly different take on the game…”I scored huge powerful upper right corner that even the ref gave me a high five...the shot was a game change to some degree...we were losing 3 to 1 (Q scored) then it was 3 to 2(i scored) then 3 to 3matt i think scored) then 4 to 3 (them) , then tied 4 to 4(they had a own goal).  Peter also gave a lot of credit to Q who he said played very well.

At Home Against Vienna Metros

Final score 2 to 4.  David (Metros Manager) played full game with us...and another one of their players, Karl in first have and Craig in second half, were necessary for us to field 11 on the pitch.  Not sure where Bryan and Mauricio we absent. Peter came in from Baltimore to play.  It was a very well played match...the score doesn’t quite reflect.  The Metros first goal was soft, as Gene thought it was over, and practically ducked his head to get out of the way, thinking it was going high.  It wasn’t, it went straight in.  There other three goals were fairly solid.  But we scored two and had some great pressure in their end most of the game.  Defensively with John H and Matt in the center we were really putting up a fight.  John H was sprinting after ball after ball and making the intercept.

Matt was charging forward with Josh coming out of central Midfield.  And David from the Metros was putting in a full shift.  Opportunities came from multiple corner kicks...but the goals game from a cross Alfredo up in that was headed off the line back to me where  I'm in the center of the box.  The ball is arching out from the left hand side of the goal line and drops right in front of me.  I swept it with my left foot, all cleats to a very open right side of the goal  Low towards the far right post.  My first thought is  I swept it wide but the gods were smiling and it caught the inside of the right post and slipped into the net.

Second goal came late in the game, the ball was played to David’s feet who controlled it and kept the defense to his back.  He turned and played to to Josh who was in the box and still on side.  He played it perfectly into the left post for number two.  

Although we only scored two we have numerous opportunities that had the gods been smiling on us, could easily have turned the game our way.  It was a fun match.

Orangemen vs Chantilly 4 April 2015

Great match last night Orangemen.  Even though we built the team from 7 visitors last night.  We held Chantilly to a draw final score 0 to 0.  The warm temperature throughout the day dipped into the forties but luckily the wind died down completely so if was  a very comfortable match.  Players last night included:

John H

Cheverz (Baltimore)

CJ (Chantilly)

Cesar (Open)

Tedd

Luke

Craig (Metros)

Zapata (Open)

Pete Z (open)

Karl

Carli (Orgre)

Mooch

Gene

Alfredo

In the first half, Luke played sweeper and our last minute arrival from the Metros (Craig) played stopper in front of him.  In the second half, Johnny H returned to sweep in his signature position.  However, the defense wouldn’t have been solid, without Gene having a very good night.  Gene had at least four saves, with one of them being a kick save as good as any NHL Hockey goalie, ala Dominik Hasek could have produced.

Although we had an all star offense last night, we failed to produce a single goal.  One more pass, in the final third, and I think we would have been there...I’ll resist going back to my mantra just based on last night, and the great job we did considering we were playing with a lot of different players last night...but...one more pass…

Special thanks to Tedd’s daughter Carli who played as much of the game as anyone and who did a tremendous job stepping into play, breaking up attacks, and moving the ball forward.  When she was in an attacking position on the left, and wide open, her dad, who collected the ball a the center circle, needed only to punch the ball through to her for a clear 1 v 1 run on goal.  Rather than trust the pass to his right leg, he poked the ball through to Ceasar who was making a crossing run on his left.  The pass was read by the defender and was easily picked off, leaving Carli to throw her hands skyward exclaiming to the soccer gods, why oh why didn’t my dad play me through?  She didn’t actually do that, but I’m sure Tedd heard about it on the way home.

Man of the match honors last night clearly go to Gene for keeping us in the match with his saves...

Awkward moment of the night honors go to Wil H, who we found moonlighting for another team in the White Division as we walked up to start the match!!

The End is Near: Total Futbol or the Apocalypse at Poplar Tree Park

So the Doomsday clock was moved  forward. It’s now three minutes from Armageddon. A friend of mine, with a knack for colorful descriptions, pointed out that the Doomsday Clock, which OBTW has been maintained by a group of ultra left leaning scientists for 50 years, is about a useful as a steamy pant load. Point taken, but all I have to do is look around for myself, and if it’s me reading the signs, I see major changes all around me.  Take for instance the price of gas.  I filled up at $1.99/gallon yesterday.  I almost caused an accident as I swooped into the parking lot, fixed and bewildered by the price showing on the sign.  As was the other guy.  At the pump, the friendliness of the customers was almost giddy.  Are criminals giddy?  We were all pumping gas like we were stealing together, chatting it up and wondering what we were gonna do with the extra cash in our pockets since we were getting free gas this month.  I had a big smile on my face but in the back of my mind, I was also thinking, this can’t be a good sign.  There is no silver lining here, or is there?

Last night, the Orangemen defeated the Uno Mas (the team formerly known as the Great Pretenders) by a score of 4 to 0.  Was that a fluke or has something disturbed the space-time continuum?  We played a marvelous game against a good side who were at full strength with with plenty of available substitutes.  

We had basically our standard squad, with the exception of Bryan arriving as a regular (he turned 30 just a few short days ago which I personally verified on his official government recognized ID).  And traveling Peter Z, who brought a quality friend to the match...Pete evened out Jamal's quality so it was a wash....

The line up included

Wil, B, Bryan, Dave N, with Jamal up top

Cris, Ted, Peter Z, Alfredo, Mooch in the midfield

Greg, Gene, Karl, Matt, Josh, Matt with a late arriving John H defending.

Christian playing keeper for the entire match

The difference in the game last night is that we played the stopper well into midfield.  Cris, when he was stopping, and Matt as well, stepped forward and had the speed to get back if overran, even before Josh had to step forward to clean up.  But Josh was as solid as a brick wall...he had the quality and control when the ball got to him early to stay composed and move the ball out of danger, and he also had to speed to run down a number of balls and had the wherewithal to play the ball back to Christian who was ready for the back pass.  Christian, playing the full game, made some great saves, but because of his speed coming out, and good hands on the ball, none of the shots that came in were exceptionally challenging...or he just made it it seem that way.

Playing with 3 strikers and 3 midfielders last night, with a stopper pushing up and actually adding to midfield, gave us enough pressure forward to control the ball and keep our defense from being over powered.  What was incredible about our play in their end was the number of passes we put together and our movement.  All six of us rotated forward and side to side, moving into open space, and receiving the pass and then passing again, and then running back to regroup behind the ball to start the process again.  It was the closest thing to total futbol that the Orangemen have ever played.  If the six players who are in those positions in the future, continue to play in that manner, it’s almost unnecessary to assign positions.

We scored 4 goals, three of which came from a series of passes.  The fourth goal was fabulous banana kick from Wil on a corner kick that curled right into the net.

The first goal was from Bryan who hit a fantastic strike with his left foot from the top of the box after a series of passes too numerous for Mooch to count.  B scored goal number 2 from inside the box in similar fashion.  I can’t remember who scored our third goal...I’m not used to counting that high.

Anyhow, something strange is going on.  Normally, strange anomalies come in threes...everyone should stay safe, not go out in a Thunderstorm for a few weeks, and definitely look both ways before you cross the street.

I’m going to split player of the match tonight between Josh and Christian.  Those two kept a clean sheet tonight and gave the 6 attacking players the confidence to keep the pressure on down the field allowing us to play total futbol on the eve of the apocalypse!

Orangemen in Vegas

Jose Smith and Scott Black in Las Vegas.  Jose is out there to play in an annual soccer tournament.

Orangemen vs Internazionale Dec 2014

Orangemen played their last game of 2014 in fine fashion vs their arch nemesis, Internazionale...in fact Internazionale is everyone in the Grey Division’s nemesis.  It just seems like these guys have a style of play that goes beyond physical and treacherous, it’s down right organized and criminal.  From the use of hands to push and pull you off the ball, to their use of hands to direct the ball, it’s almost like they don’t know handling the ball is against the rules.  They dive at the slightest kick, and sometimes, it doesn’t even take a kick for them to go down.   I was watching John H run down a ball on the sidelines, one of their players was standing just off the field about 5 feet from the play, I was about ten yards further down the field looking straight down the sideline.  John kept the ball in with 6 inches of daylight between him and the ball, there wasn’t even a question as to whether or not the ball went out of bounds, but, sure enough the players hand went up to signal the ball was out of bounds.  The ref didn’t buy it, even though he was standing at midfield.  Just goes to show how egregious the attempt at gaining the advantage is to them.  But it gets worse.  They make their calls for offsides on every single through ball, doesn’t matter if a guy is off-sides or not.  Just like with their use of hands, fair play in whatever culture they grew up in, is basically whatever you can get away with.  And when a push or a handled ball, or a wrong call isn’t enough, they simply bring down their man.  Cris S was taken down 3 times, deliberately.  After the first time, the ref, to his credit, gave a yellow card the next three times.  Three Cris, and all just have Cris beat his man, and ran by the defender.  Rather than give chase.  The forth was Mike Z, running onto the ball and touching it by his defender, who rather than give chase, simply turned into Mike’s path and took him down.

Despite this style of play,  Orangemen, you all kept your heads.  Final score was (4) to 4 and a fight didn’t break out.  Clearly on another night, and with that kind of treacherous play going on, someone would have lost their head and starting fighting back.  Thanks for keeping it together and making it a very enjoyable evening.

Great goals and passing is to be applauded.  I’m gonna go ahead and count Mike’s Z’s final miss as a goal for us...given us a 4 to 4 tie.  Simply because the assist, was nothing short of world class.  Someone should have video taped that perfectly weighted ball through the center of the field, splitting the defenders and drawing the keeper into no mans land.  Z easily moved passed the defender, took the ball in stride, side-stepped the keeper, and simply had to roll the ball into the net.  Just like Wil H, did a bit earlier in the game.  We also had goals from Alfredo and Jose, and hit the post a least three times.  The game winner...in the last seconds of the game...sadly, deflected off of Cris’s feet...but was definitely headed into the low right corner of the goal.

Well played in 2014 Orangemen!  See you next year!.

Orangemen vs FC Valpo Nov 2015

First a word about sportsmanship.  Orangemen we have gone 760 days without a Red Card.  That's over two years Orangemen.  A fantastic record and symbolic of the great members of our team who come out to play rather than to compete violently!

Chilly night Orangmen in the Low forties...but not freezing cold.  Final score, about 3 to 5, FC Valpo.

We won the first half, with Cris scoring 2, and with opportunities for 2 more.  Bernie had as great opportunity in the first half as well but rushed the shot.

We controlled the first half extremely well.  FC Valpo was talking amongst themselves like they had forgotten how to play.

Second half they used their speed to come at us.  Our formation in the back was less organized than the first half as our stoppers were creeping too far forward on the attack.  The stoppers can’t stop too far forward as long as they are in a line with the two sweepers behind them.  No reason a five man defense can’t work at midfield as well as it does in the final third.  If the formation is not held tightly though, it all breaks down.  FC Valpo was able to exploit this breakdown on multiple occassions.

We did threaten in the second half.  Bernie had a tremendous goal and a thundering second shot that just went wide of the top corner.

Fun game...I’m glad we played even though the threat of a cancellation loomed large.

That was the last game of the season...a new season starts soon.

Orangemen vs Arlington Nov 2014

1st Goal from Bernie, Mooch play ball over the top

Lost 1 to 5.

Passing needs to come quicker...at least 5 players...all quality for the Orangemen, were caught in possession on multiple occasions.  You know who you are.

The distribution has to come quicker.  If you can’t fight the urge to beat the guy in front of you, then go ahead, and beat the guy, but then get the ball moving.  Don’t try to beat the second guy because the space you originally had has evaporated and the defense has closed.

Orangemen vs Springfield Nov 2014

At kick-off it was registering 31 degrees Fahrenheit, or just under 0 degrees Celsius.  The winter is officially here, although we didn’t switch to the winter ball!

Great responses to the SignUpGenius, no one seems to be having a problem with the process, except Alfredo, and I’m getting the word if you bail on Saturday (except Fabian and Steve H).

Line up last night was fantastic.  

Gene

John H

Greg Z

Karl

Josh

Matt

Tedd

Cris

Alfredo

Mauricio 1

Mooch

WIl

Jose

Pete

Sam

Final score was 4 to 4.  Both teams played very well, although I’m happy to report the Orangemen clearly had more of the position, reported to me by an independent observer, Kent, who braved the cold to watch us play.  Kent had aspirations of one day being an Orangemen Keeper, but alas foot and back surgeries have kept him on the sidelines for many years...the back and foot being important elements of an individuals well rounded game.

Best goal of the game goes to Wil for taking a perfect crossing ball at the top of the area and driving it low and hard with with a wicked curve that took it just inside the far post.  Assist of the game goes to Mooch who used the outside of his left foot to put the ball perfectly into the path of Cris who then side stepped the keeper and practically walked it into the net.

Jose also scored a great goal to beat the Springfield keeper on the near post.  I can’t remember our fourth goal scorer, my apologies, maybe Josh on one of his runs?

Truth be told we hit the post, perhaps 3 times, and had at least two incidents in the box which could have resulted in PKs on another night.  There is no doubt the ref last night was succumbing to the cold, as he was not moving much and making his calls from 30-40 years away.

We were passing well...the only critique I have on the night would be that we need a little more talking...passes that could have been made, were probably not being made, because the folks in position were not calling for the ball.  And, we played with 3 strikers last night, which means all three of them can’t be prima donnas and stand around waiting for the perfect ball.  All three have to be in constant motion...and that wasn’t happening as well as it should have last night.

All in all it was a great outcome on a cold night...Oh and thanks to Pete for playing for Springfield as well as to Alfredo for the shift he put in with them.