Orangemen vs Arlington 21 June 2014

Saturday was a beautiful night and we had a game scheduled against Don's Arlington side at Arrow brook.  It turns out Arrow brook is such a nice venue the City of Herndon has usurped it in June and July to conduct their Summer Concert series.  OK...let's talk about this a minute.  It's a soccer field with some added basketball courts.  There are rest rooms and picnic pavilion to support the soccer field.  However, someone had the bright idea that if they roll up a truck and a stage they can have concerts at the soccer field and kick the soccer players off the field.

As we rolled up we were not aware that we wouldn't be playing soccer at the soccer field.  We thought we would be serenaded with music...when there was no power to the lights we realized something was wrong.  Anyhow, the lights never came on...we played a good 45 minutes before the darkness really came...and the ref let us go another 15 minutes until we couldn't see a hand in front of our face.

So...I'll get to the game in the second...but first I will be writing to the City of Herndon to tell them that if they build a soccer venue they shouldn't be kicking soccer games off the field.  This is the stupidest move in in the history of stupid moves.  Or, at least, let the two events share the venue...it's not like the performance was on the field.  OK...maybe a one time special occasion, but to take the venue every Saturday night for the months of June and July is just a load of crap.

Onto the game.  The lights never came on and  we played 45 and then another 15 in the dark.  At half time we were up 4 to 2.  We wanted to stop, Arlington wanted to play on.  They got two back in the dark, but before we started to half I advised the Orangemen to lay back a little.  Arlington didn’t lay back, they came in hard in what was almost pitch black conditions.  

After they scored two and tied the game, all of a sudden they wanted to quit...fancy that.

Highlights...Alfredo scores a hat trick, but he third goal is called back on an off-sides.

After the shortened match we said good bye to Jan after many years as our sweeper.  He’s going down the the Bijou...he promised to return in a few years.

Orangemen vs Great Pretenders June 2014

Almost to the day, last year, June 9th, the Orangemen took on the Pretenders and the result was a 5 to 5 draw.

http://nvaorangemen.blogspot.com/2013/06/orangemen-vs-great-pretenders-right-on.html

This year we also played the Pretenders to a draw, except the score was 0 to 0.  We held a relentless offense scoreless while posting too many opportunities to count on their half of the pitch, we just failed to finish.  It’s important to point out that we were playing with 2 substitutes while they had at least 5.

First 15 minutes of the game we clearly were controlling the match.  Same for the first 20 minutes of the second half.  The Pretenders simply could get the ball under control and we could.

Gene made an outstanding save early in the game and then kept a clean sheet.  The team that responded to Mooch’s last minute call for players resulted in Steve H and Richard showing up.  Without the two of them, and our ability to substitute...let alone Richard’s outstanding brick wall in the midfield...the result quite possibly would have been different.

Johnny H
Dave N
Alfredo
Wil
Richard
Mooch
Greg
Karl
Gene
Steve H
Jan
Mike
Rahbi

We had more than our fair share of scoring opportunities.

John H had shots and hit the post
Rahbi had shots
Wil had shots
Mooch had shot
Alfredo had shot

Passing was terrific out of the back and through the midfield.  We even had some passing going on up top and the crosses that did come in were goal scoring opportunities.

Once again we stayed for red solo cups and post game recaps where Mooch apologized to the teammates who stayed around for the general yelling and screaming he did at them during the game.

We all played very well last night.  If I was leaning toward a player of the match it would be Gene for keeping a clean sheet...or Richard for his energy defending in the midfield and winning the ball back.

Orangemen vs Springfield Classico to Start the Summer Months

In a summer classico vs our long time rivals, Springfield, the Orangemen played a fantastic game, which, from at least one perspective was movement in the right direction. The game ended 5 to 5 with us being award a Pk in the last 10 seconds of the match. Winning the game was within reach, alas the shot when over the top.

However, we posted five goals against a very good side which also came at us and scored five of their own. Too almost win was positive because we are not going to change are stars, and move from a team at the bottom of the table, to at team at the top of the table, without moving through the middle of the table. And that means tie ball games. Almost winning, come from behind to tie games, and of course, hanging on for a result. If we keep up the hard work we will move the winning side of the table by winning, coming from behind to win, and hanging on to a lead. All of these things are not in our Orangemen legacy so they must be learned. We are making progress.

The reason the match was a classico was the amazing score line.

They scored 3 in the first half, but we scored 1 to go in at half-time 1-3. Then we made a come back going to 2-3 and to 3-3. Then we scored again to go to 4-3, and then one more to go to 5-3 to give us some breathing room. Alas they stepped on the gas and regain taking us to 5-4 and then one more to tie at 5-5. Then came the Pk in the closing seconds. It was a clear Pk, clear hand ball, no controversy what soever. Mooch looked away from the Pitch expecting Wil to step up and bury the ball in the net to win against our Springfield rivals. Alas Wil did not step up, and the goal was launched over the cross-bar. Almost Orangemen.

So here is the goal scoring and assist recap.

Jermaine scores two - with one great header off corner from Wil

Rahbi scored two

Wil scored one off a header from a Rahbi corner kick

Gregg played a great defensive game, perhaps the best game of his life.

George also plays great defensive game moving everywhere with speed.

With Rahbi up top playing in a attacking midfield role and Ben in the back of central midfield we had a strong presence.

Of course we had to start the game by giving Springfield John H, George, and Dave N to start.

B started with us.  Then we got John George and Dave back we swapped B for John to shore up our defense. That was a good move. But the best player move of the game was for Ben to switch with Jermaine in the sweeper position. Players against Springfield were:

Gene, Ben, Karl, Greg, George, John H, Alfredo, Kendal, Wil, Rahbi, Mooch, B, Dave N, Jermaine

I'm awarding Rahbi player of the game honors for his two goals and one assist.

Orangemen vs INTER MITENTE May 2014

Orangemen had their first encounter with Cris S’s team INTER MITENTE last night and perhaps, the name of his team rings true as Cris expressed to Mooch the frustration of being a manager.  The lack of funds coming in, having to pay for the ref out of his pocket, and the difficulty in getting 11 players to the match.  As well as the on-time arrival of the players, including the ref, the the inconsistency of the officiating.  Boy was he singing to the choir.  As Cris has never been dropped from the Orangemen roster perhaps he will return to our line-up in the fall.

We played at our old pitch, Bryant Alternative, on a beautiful May evening...although it was getting close to 9 pm before we kicked off.  Most of us were reminded of the reasons we really don't like playing at Bryant...even though it is very close to some of the players...Karl and Gene for instance...and Luke, although Luke failed to materialize.

Despite his troubles Cris has put a good team together, inclusive of his family, friends, and a few Brazilians.  The two teams were evenly matched last night and we went 2 to 4 at full time.  Although the Orangemen came up short we had plenty of opportunities to score we just couldn’t hit the back of the net.  In fairness to Inter Mitente, they had  a few more opportunities last night as well however Gene was on the top of his game.  On one particular save where a shot came in from out of nowhere, he dove to his right with nothing by instinct and made, from every vantage point a world class save.  Every player on the field applauded for Gene.  To see Cris’s team shouting out to Gene “Great Save” and to hear them applauding was an incredible act of sportsmanship and shows that the players Cris has recruited are not in this game to win the World Cup, they are in it for the Love of the Game.  I hope Cris can keep his team together because we need more teams like his in our league.  Too many teams have become combative and lack the Sportsmanship we have been renowned for since the 1970s.

Pete brought some visitors last night, which saved our match.  Without Mike running the midfield, Ike running the defense, and Pete running his mouth, the game would have been a bust.  We had 13 so two subs, but that included Dave N, who gave up 4 coolers of beer and roast lamb to be at the match.  As well as Karl who seems to have recovered from his groin injury.  Mooch is still playing lame, and might be at 85%.  Mauricio was also doing a lot of limping, but it’s not sure the source of his distress.  As we all train for the World Cup in Brazil in June, Mauricio might be doing some mountain rides in his off time to prepare for France in July.

Bernie was on hand to make some runs up top.  Alfredo,  Jorge, and George were there to play midfield and defense.

Mooch kept screaming and yelling about passing and the Orangemen actually did settle down and started passing very well.  We had numerous flurries of great passing and control.  When we simply made the simple pass to the open player it worked time and time again.  This culminated in a flurry from the back when Ike stated a run up the field.  I can’t remember the exact sequence but the ball changed hands at least four times, maybe five, before coming back to Ike as he ran into the box and finished far post with the outside of his right boot.  Ike also scored our second goal late in the second half with a blistering shot from the top of the box that the keeper put gloves on but just couldn’t handle.

All in all I was very proud of the Orangemen for staying in it and for the sportsmanship both sides showed one another all night long.  We finished the evening by drinking from a few red Solo cups in the parking lot after the game...a tradition that we our getting started once again.  Ike and his family stayed, as well as Johnny H, his daughter, and Betty the hunting dog.  Dave N, Gene, Karl, Mauricio hung around to Johnny H’s retelling of the day his foot was shattered and the medical assistance that was required.  I wish I would have been in town back then to have captured the details in writing.  I’ll need to hear the story a couple of more times before I can realistically and truthfully capture the events.  But his miraculous recovery instead of being sidelined for life shows a huge dichotomy in what modern medicine is capable of...between the have’s and the have nots…  More to follow on that front….  We also heard the Ike’s story...believe it or not Ike’s neck was broken in a car accident and he plays with his C6-7 fuzed, with plates on both the frontside and backside of his spine.  Incredible that he is still able to play.

Man of the Match last night will have to be split between Gene for his “Standing Ovation” worthy save, and Ike for scoring two goals and putting in a strong defensive presence.  But the way, in the absence of Jan, we reverted back to our two sweeper defense which I think we will roll out more during the Summer months.  With the W formation in the back, it really opens up our opportunities to pass through the midfield.

Orangemen vs Fairfax Juve - May 2014

We had a good side last night…

Gene in goal
Jan Sweeper
Goerge Stopper
Greg left back
Mauricio right back
Alfredo left mid
Rahbi central mid
Ben Central mid
Jermaine striker
Kendall striker
Mooch right mid/striker
Will H striker

However we were not able to overcome the speed of Fairfax Juve.  Goals on the night included a stunning post skimmer, low and hard, by Wil H.  And two tremendous strike  from Jermaine.  One a leaping volley on a bouncing over the top ball from Goerge, and a second well played header from Jermaine off a great corner kick from Wil H.

I threw down some criticize of our playing style last week...but failed to post the comments until this morning.

http://nvaorangemen.blogspot.com/2014/05/orangemen-vs-turtles-10-may-2014.html

Our game is starting to be characterized by the over the top ball to Jermaine.  Jermaine definitely has the speed to run onto it...and has been successful.  He has more success, however, if it’s not every ball.  However, last night we played perhaps a dozen over the top for a fast break.  Only one turned into a goal.  That is down from the Turtles game last week where we played more that 16 or so over the top and didn’t capitalize on a single one.

Instead, we need to concentrate on passing through the midfield...which means the strikers have to come back to midfield and assist the team.  First, when we lose the ball, the strikers need to turn defensive immediately, and pressure the ball, no matter where it is on the field.  Instead, last night, Jermaine and Wil were walking slowly back, sometimes when Juventus was playing the ball right behind their backs just a few feet off.  Second, the strikers have to run back to midfield, to take take a pass from the midfielders.  Sometimes the can make a break, but they should also be looking for the quick delivery and then the overlap of the midfielders.  In particular, Ben and Rahbi are more than capable of making that overlap and having the strikers then feed the ball through.  All too often the strikers are running away from the play when they should be running towards the ball.

Last night we were the victim of a series of wrong calls.  We lost possession of the ball on wrong calls a least four times by my estimate.  I appreciate everyone keeping their heads and just getting on with it.  The ref even complimented me after the game on our composure and sportsmanship.  I didn’t see Juve returning the honesty (they did once) but for the most part they were fighting for balls that clearly they knocked out of bounds.  As soon as they saw doubt in the ref they fought for the advantage...that’s the opposite of sportsmanship...that’s flat out cheating.  Again though...thanks for everyone keeping their heads.

I have to give game of the match to Jermaine last night for both of his goals...the strike from the top of the box was world class.

Tailgating.  We tried tailgating after the game last night.  It was fun.  As most of the other teams in the league do something similar I think we ought to give it a try.  It’s hard for everyone to jump in the car and drive to Bertucci’s so let’s try just hanging around in the parking lot for a while...see if we can drive participation in the after game up.

World Cup is right around the corner.  I’m working on venues to get together to watch some of the games.

Ben suggest the Old Brogue Irish pub in Great Falls, however on closer  inspection I didn’t see a TV screen in the entire place.

But there are a number of sports clubs in the area…

Brazil plays the first match at 5 pm on Thursday 12 June which is one hour ahead of us...so it’s 4 pm our time.  I suggest we pick a large sports bar someplace central.

Saturday matches start at 1600 and run through our game times.  We can get together a pub close to our field at 1600 and watch the games up until 8 pm when we kick off.

The first USA game is 16 June...Monday...at 6 pm.  My suggestion is for someone to host the the first game at their home after work…  I will host the USA vs Portugal on 22 June...that’s a Sunday...also at 6 pm.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/

Orangemen vs Turtles 10 May 2014

Sad day for the Orangemen...just when we were on the brink of a turnaround.

First, if you are ever screwing around in the box that turns the field lights on just a note, ON means it will turn the lights on.  OFF means it will turn the lights off.  Last night a member of the other team, while looking to turn their field lights on, turn our field lights off.  Mistake. Sure, but it takes 10-15 minutes for the lights to cool down so they will come back on.

Second...exactly 11 of us showed up.  That’s not enough the keep the lights on...but with my plan for collecting it just means I’ll collect further into the season.  However, with zero-subs it tough for a number of our older and injured players to make it the full 90 minutes.  And that eventually takes it’s toll on the team.

We scored first...that was the highlight of the match.  Rahbi put a nice ball other the top to Jermaine and then the Gazelle made it look easy.  He outpaced the defense and slotted the ball past Jeff H’s attempt at kick save to his right.  But that was it for the scoring last night.

Sadly, because of the really nice delivery to Jermaine, we got it in our collective heads, that the only way to score was to play balls over the top to Jermaine.  Well that only works with Jermaine.  The Turtles were playing a three man defense, which meant they had three strong players working defense.  And it worked for them.  I counted at least 14 balls we played over the top after the delivery to Jermaine.  Kendall couldn’t outrun the defense (he’s got an injury), I certainly couldn’t, Alfredo was unable to outrun them, and even Rabhi could not out run them.  Jermaine and Rabhi did have a bit of success running through them...they showed a bit of skill...but when four or even five fast Turtles closed them down there was no place for them to go...and the Turtles we really physical,  about as physical as you could be without sliding.

And speaking of sliding...perhaps the word didn’t to Gene that even though the teams were not sliding last night, the keeper is still permitted to go to ground to collect the ball.  Sorry Gene if we didn’t tell you that.

The score was lopsided.  The Turtles really played well last night.  We didn’t have an answer.  Our defense of Jan, Maurico, Doug, and Greg put in a valiant effort all night...without substitution, and eventually the is just so much you can do.   We never really had good possession of the ball which meant the counter attack was always on and the defense was scrambling.  And with so many balls over the top that we couldn’t control or win we were just giving the ball away with that strategy.  In those cases, it’s better for the striker to come back for the ball and control it, rather than letting it race by and try to run onto it.  One extra touch to control it, then continue to play it through again or square would have changed everything last night.

In the first half we had one series of touches I can remember...with about 6 or 7 passes.  And that was it.  We had even fewer the second half until the final 5 or 6 minutes of the game where we had two decent attacks...each of those with a series of passes.

But thanks for everyone who showed up.  Gene, Greg, Jan, Doug, Maurcio, Alfredo, Rahbi, Jermaine, Kendall, and Dave N.  Special thanks to Efrain who joined us from the Turtles.

Orangemen vs Metros 3 May 2014

Home game vs the Vienna Metros.  Final score was  1 to 3 but we held them 1 to 1 in the second half.  I wasn't there for our goal but I heard it was a pk so I assuming Wil took the strike.