Orangemen Victorious!

Hetalia Fandom - Katsucon 19

A very cold Saturday for the 19th Annual Katsucon being hosted at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor...where Mooch ran into Orangemen Scott R in the Dealer’s room.  Scott will return to Orangemen play when his foot fully heals.  Scott hasn’t played since the summer and whereas he has read about  our 2 flat in the back system..it will be interesting to see him play in that formation.  

At 3 pm Mooch left from the Katsucon to get to the game in Herndon as snow and sleet began falling all round...he worried that the game might be called if it didn’t let up.  By the time he reached Fairfax it was dry...but still cold and it looked that it would hover right around 34 degrees at game time. 

Let’s cut right to the chase...the Orangemen defeated the Turtles in a 3-1 victory that further defines the 2 flat in the back formation as one we should play in the future...at a minimum begin the games until we have settled in and understand what we are facing.  As we prepare to face the Vienna Metros this Saturday, this formation will be key as the Metro’s crushed us last December 9th scoring 10, unanswered goals and prompting much consternation among the team as to the Orangemen future.    The Metro’s game this weekend will be a true test of our the Orangmen Meddle and hopefully we can rally around our latest success and redeem ourselves as footballers in some small way.

Onto the game.  Our first game goal came from a spectacular move Emile made inside the goal box.  He settled the ball, side stepped a tackle and adroitly slotted the ball with the outside of his right foot to beat a sliding Jeff H, the spectacular Turtle's Keeper.  It was a magically goal which the keeper decided to call back due to his belief that Emile was in an offsides position when he first received the ball.  This was a questionable call since there were so many jammed into the goal box...but the good news is that Emile was on target.  Mooch forced Emile to take warm-up shots on goal this game...since his only problem recently has been his finishing accuracy...

Although the goal called back the Orangemen we nevertheless lifted by the attempt.  Within minutes they were putting pressure on the Turtles.  Louis, a guest player for the Orangemen who Tedd recruited off the Pentagon squad joined us for the game.  After his performance we are thinking about putting him on contract. Louis lifted the ball over the defense and Emile, using his long legs, ran onto the end of it.  The play was almost identical to his previous run.  This time he was a few yards further out, but the motions were the same.  He controlled the ball, beat the first defender, and using the outside of his right foot, slotted the ball past the same keeper sliding out of the goal again.  This time Emile was judged to be onside so the goal countered.  The Orangemen we up 1 - 0.

Play continued with the Orangemen controlling the ball and passing extremely well.  We were stringing three and four passes together before losing possession.  And most of the time we lost possession was when we played it forward for an attack. 

With two flat in the back our defense was solid.  Doug and Mauricio were running down most of the leakers, with Karl, Alfredo, and Chris B breaking up  the play before it could progress smoothly.  The Turtles #32 play a ball forward to his winger.  Chris B closed him down.  The winger tried to beat Chris on the outside and the ball rolled over the sideline.  Chris raised his hand because the ball was six inches or more over the sideline, Mooch raised his hand as well.  The the winger actually slowed his run.  #32 for the Turtles, clearly in a position to see the ball cross over the sideline, screamed for the winger to “keep going”.  I say he was in a clear position because he was forward of my position and I saw it clearly.  The referee, however was further behind the play and didn’t blow his whistle.   In fact, if anyone was paying attention, this ref rarely blows his whistle.  He is one of the better refs in the league and can always be counted on to keep control of a game.  When the ball rolls out of bounds, or over the end line, you pick the ball up and look in his direction, and he indicates which way play should continue.  He typically only blows his whistle for fouls or close calls.  Whereas I can’t speak for him in this instance, he definitely believes in the sportsmanship of the players in this league.  And aside from this instance, we saw at least 2 or 3 times during the game when a player called the ball out on himself.

This is sportsmanship and if you play with the Orangemen, I expect this to continue, we have been spectacular in this regard, almost to a fault.  This doesn't mean if you are “uncertain” but you felt the ball connected with you, but the ref is calling the play in your favor, do you need to give it up.  This means if you are “certain” you played the ball out of bounds, give it up.  Uncertainty doesn't mean you are unsportsmanlike...it means you are uncertain.  At that point let the ref make the call and back out of the controversy...either way.  Then play on, regardless of the call.  I was proud when this happened on the field.  I was disgusted that #32 fooled the ref and actually coached his teammate to play on.  The League Sportsmanship Summit is next week, and whereas I will not bring up this specific incident, I will be bringing up this type of behavior.  And not so much that individual acts of deception may be a part of the game, outright dishonesty leads directly to confrontation and fights on the field.  That is what has to be avoided.

What happened after the bad call is that the Turtles got the ball into the box and after what looked like field justice, the ball bounced off the post, twice and then Kendall (a former Orangeman) was able to get a head on it and put it away. That goal tied us up 1 a piece at the half.  This was particularly frustrating because we were playing so well.  Maurico must have observed the disgust on my face during half-time  because I was feeling in my bones we could win this match but had been victimized by a bad call once and then flagrant cheating.   Mauricio approached me and said, we can still win this game.  And you know what?  He was right.  And then when I saw the Turtle's #1 keeper Jeff H) take up a field position to start the 2nd half, I knew we had an even better chance.  We had the right side, the right system and the right energy.

We continued our possession play and it seemed like a matter of time before we would convert.  Several opportunities presented and went wanting...including Emile shooting wide on an guaranteed goal.  Now it looks like I will not let Emile rest at half-time...instead he will be using the half-time to take more shots on goal...I say this but Emile is play wonderfully, dishing out a ton of energy and making countless runs forward.  It will not take him long to be our leading striker and perhaps in a few years, the Orangmen's all time leading scorer.  Based on the opportunities he creates, 6,7,8 a game his score tally will sky rocket soon.  

We didn’t have to wait long after this to  go ahead.  With Tedd and Louis commanding the midfield we attacked from the right.  The ball was played into Mooch when he was standing with space at the top of the penalty area.  Mooch turned on the ball and the defense collapsed behind him to block the sure shot that was coming in.  Instead Mooch played a diagonal across the top of the box to an on running Chuck from the left.  The right full back had left his position to protect the back of the goal leaving acres for space for Chuck to work with.  Mooch expected Chuck to blast the ball past the keeper, but instead he took a step to the right as the keeper went to ground.  Mooch thought it was a mistake as it gave the defense a chance to close him quickly, but Chuck remained composed, didn’t panic, and finished the ball straight into the net before the defense arrived.  A classy goal and Chuck’s second classy goal in as many games.

Our third and final goal came from our new player Louis.  Louis seem ansty to shoot most of the game...and kept his head up looking for opportunities when he was near the box.  Late in the second half he lifted his head, observed that he had yards of space outside the right side of the penalty area.  He played the ball to his left, ran onto it, and struck a hard bending ball with ihs left foot into the top right corner of the net.  He was 3 or 4 yards outside the penalty area when he connected...and the ball stayed flat as he hit it very hard.  We seldom see as quality of a strike at that on in our Grey Division.   So Louis just increased the money we will offer him...as of yet I today I haven’t heard from his agent...

All in all it was a terrific match...and the Orangemen should take great pride in this match.  It shows we deserve to play in the over thirty division...even though our team average age is well into the forties these days....closer to the fifty side  of it.

Orangemen Win 3 - Nil, In Second Half!

On another cold winter afternoon, despite what that Groundhog had to say about it last week, the Orangemen faced temperatures in the mid thirties to meet Braddock Road on their turf, in Oakton Virginia.  Taking the two halves on aggregate, the Orangemen came up a goal short losing to Braddock 3 - 4, however it’s worth noting for the record that despite being down  0 - 4 at halftime, the Orangemen rallied back in the second half to score 3 unanswered goals.  It’s reasonable to point out that despite their domination in the second half, the performance in the first half wasn’t without merit.  The Orangemen were passing and controlling most of the  play, the goals that Braddock scored were the result of momentary breakdowns in defense that were corrected during the second half.  Doug was back from a long winter break to lead the defense and it was his suggestion at the half to try our 2 flat in the back that Mooch recommended during the fall season.  The results speak for themselves.  The defense comprised of Doug and Maurico #2 in the two flat position, with Karl, Greg, Gooch (and Kurt) forming the stopping defense in from of them proved to be a formidable formation...zero, nil, zip, nada, zilch goals were scored against this formation.  The other 5 field players were taking care of business at the other end of the field.  With five players staying at home on defense, that means the other five have to essentially run end to end.  Jan and Tedd proved more than capable of running end to end for most of the game, their fitness was apparent.  That left a combination of Maurico #1 and Floppy G, to play in the sole striking roll, with Mooch and Chuck, playing in the attacking midfield role from the flanks...Jim L made a short appearance in the first half but left shortly thereafter.

With Tedd controlling play in the midfield and with Jan running down balls and breaking up plays we enjoyed a huge amount of possession during the second half, I would personally estimate our possession at around 70%, I would say a record in the modern Orangemen era.  

The first goal came as a result of Jan winning a goal kick bringing the ball straight back into the right side of the box.   As the shot came it and was blocked out and then deflected into the air and landed, with a bit of luck, right at the top of the box.  As the defense had flooded to the right, the entire left side of the box was open, including the goal.  Mooch was standing right where the ball landed, and he sized up the bounce for a volley into the left side of the net.  He attempted hit the ball with his laces but ended up coming across the top of the ball striking it with the inside of his angle.  The result was a weak shot that leisurely carried in the direction of the open left side of the goal. The ball slowly dropped, bounced once, and carried into the net.  It opened the scoring for the 2nd half.

Braddock would continuously try to move the ball out of their end, but the Orangemen were winning it in the air and bringing it right back across the half line.   On one such occasion Gooch came forward into space into the center of the field having won the ball.  He had options left and right.  Mooch who was screaming for Gooch to deliver it left gave up hope because he saw Gooch staring to the right, never making eye contact with him.  Mooch returned to his heels believing Gooch had missed the golden opportunity, just when Gooch played the ball forward into space ahead of him.  Gooch had faked out everyone on the field with his eye movements.  Suddenly Mooch had to accelerate after the ball to catch it.  Knowing the defense was faster than him his opportunity to control the ball and make a run at the goal had passed, but if he could beat the defender to the ball he could still get a cross in.  He arrived a split second before the defender and struck a perfectly weighted pass on the diagonal across the box.  It stayed on the ground and carried behind the last defenders outreached boot, but ahead of the keeper's grasp.  Maurico #1 was a streak of orange arriving in perfect time as the ball cleared the last defender,  but still within the sticks.  If he had any forward connection on the ball it was a certain goal.  Mooch could see the concentration on Mauricio's face as he connected perfectly with the ball, playing it straight forward into the net, the keeper didn’t have chance to react.  Goal number 2 was as sweet as they get.

Braddock Road was frustrated.  They knew they were being outplayed and couldn’t account for it given their success in the first half.  Phrases like, “we can’t let them do this to us in our house”, were heard coming from the lips of some of their frustrated players.  It was good to issue a little humiliation of our own given some of the recent outcomes of games played in our own house.    But the Orangemen were not finished.  We pressed forward keeping the ball in their end.  At one point we had five corner kicks is a very short period of time.  We had numerous shots on goal coming over and over again...a final breakthrough was in the air.  

Chuck, who had a marvelous opportunity go wanting a few moments earlier found himself at the top of the box calling for the ball.  Tedd played the ball into him.  The defense surged around him.  He turned on the ball to his right and created enough space to take a shot.  As he spun he kicked the ball with his left foot and curled it up and hard toward the center of the goal.  It appeared the keeper had it covered and jumped with both hands extended.  The curl Chuck put on the ball carried it above the keeper’s outstretched mitts and it sunk behind his hands and dropped below the crossbar for goal number three.

Alas, although with valiant effort, the Orangemen could not find the forth and equalizing goal before time ran out.  Another five minutes and they would have.  Regardless, the Orangemen should be proud of dominating the second half, and winning, that portion of the game outright.  Is was a tremendous showing.  It also proves that  two flat in the back is a winning defense when played correctly.

Forgot a special mention to Alfredo who played the entire game with Braddock against us so they wouldn't have to play a man down at the start of the game.  Thanks Alfredo for stepping up into the opposing role...you had a great game coming at us...had you only finished one or two of the opportunities...you might have damaged us in the second half...

Orangemen vs Springfield in Fairy Tale Snow

Weather threatened the Orangemen game with Springfield 74 all week.  Last weeks game was cancelled due to snow and we were worried the same fate would befall us this week.  On Wednesday we were experiencing 70 degrees temperatures but by Thursday the most amazing transition occurred with warmer air out of the tropics colliding with arctic air out of Canada right in the midsection of the country.  The result was tornadoes in January and snow.  The temperature plummeted into the 20’s we awoke to a snow squall on Friday morning.  Friday evening the snow flurries resumed but not enough accumulated to cover the turf field and force us to cancel the match.  But as the temperatures started in the teens on Saturday morning, the warmest temperature we would see by match time was about 25 degrees.  If snow didn’t cancel the game we were afraid players would simply fail to materialize for the match.  By game time we were up to 8 v 8 with an agreement to share the remaining players as they arrived even it that would mean playing 12 v 12 to keep people from standing on the sidelines.

The Orangemen didn’t make it to 11 so we needed one player from Springfield.  Rob, their manager, came over to our side to lend us a hand.  In the second half we did play 12 v 12 and Alex, the Springfield sweeper, graced us on our side of the field.  After defending well and keeping us to a single goa.

Orangemen drew first blood in a comical fashion.  The shot on goal was nothing special but came early so it startled the keeper who retreated backward onto his line and then stumbled.  As he fell backward the ball swerved to the right on it’s flight and carried past the keeper as he scrambled to his feet.  A first goal was a good sign.

Springfield quickly recovered and mounted several counter attacks.  It seemed that most of the Springfield players are very fast.  Rob, had several attempts on goal but failed to stretch the net for us as he was visiting us from Springfield as an honorary Orangeman.  At halftime the score was 3 to 1.  Orangemen had given ground but it was insurmountable.

At the start of the second half more player had arrived so we agreed to play 12 v 12 so only one player, for Springfield, needed to stand-off in the cold.  Springfield knew what to do with the additional player and was able to pass through us repeatedly and scored a few more times taking the game seemingly out of reach for Orange.  We were down by 5 goals when the first snow began to really fall.

As the snow picked up and the flakes grew larger it was actually hard to breath. If you inhaled one it was like sucking in a giant bug.  But it was beautiful and as the large flakes drifted down against the backdrop of the lights surrounding the field, it looked like we were playing in a fairytale.  Although the temperature was in the twenties there was no place everyone on the field would rather be.  After a goal kick the Orangemen won the ball back and it was played immediately forward to Mooch who turned on it about 25 yards out.  Alex made a run to the left and Jan made a run to the right both drawing defenders away from the center.  Mooch found himself with space and played it forward about five yards.  He ran onto it as he considering a pass to Alex or Jan.  The defense had not yet collapsed on him anticipating a through ball to hit one of the real threats on the field.  Mooch looked up and knew he had enough space to shoot, so he lowered his head and hit the ball in stride with his left foot.  The snow put enough wetness on the ball so it was slick but not heavy.  Striking a slick ball always makes it easier to connect with it in a way where the ball leaves the foot true...and it left Mooch’s foot true.  It was a fairytale strike from about 20 yards out.  It arched above the first defender and traveled high into the upper left corner of the net outside the extended hands of the keeper. The Orangemen had picked up their second goal of the night.

Andres pressured hard all game and was finally rewarded for his energy.  A cross came in and beat the keeper who dove to grab the ball. , Andres charged in and was able to get a touch on the ball and was able to keep it from the keeper’s grasp.  A scramble ensued but Andres kept his cool and was able to poke the ball into the net for our third goal.

Final score -- 6 to 3.  Although we lost it was a wonderful game, full of passing with plenty of opportunity.  We celebrated in normal fashion after the game at Bertucci’s for Pizza and Sam Adams.

Spring in Janurary - Orangemen vs Great Pretenders

Perhaps I should re-figure the time and location of Orangemen games.  On a near springtime day in mid January, last Saturday at 11:30 am at Patriot Park, 24 Orangemen came to a match.  That rivals the turnout for our Family Night back in the Fall and had it been a home game and I was collecting funds, it would have been a windfall!

With 24 players it was going to be hard to monitor substitutes and give everyone something close to half a game playing time.  But Mooch tried hard.  The game itself, against the Great Pretenders, was decent enough,  I think at the end the final was 2 to 3...we lost, but not by much.

Because most players really didn't get a full run, and the field was open at the end of our game, we stayed for another 45 minutes playing a 8 v 8 sided pick-up game.  It was a load of fun and gave everyone who needed extra time the chance to get their Saturday run in.

Since I've waited a week, I can’t think of much more...but here are a few bullets that come to mind.

Chris H played the second half in goal...apologies for pulling Gene and not putting him back in the second half.

Great Pretenders player earned a red card for dissent.

Gorilla Greg went up for a ball, and came down hard.

Jan also went down hard and injured his already tender ribs.

Eric made one of his infrequent Cameo appearances.

John E also made a cameo and did well stepping in for Eric or Tedd in central midfield.

Chris B and Jim L senior made rare appearances.

Banana Fana Tedd

In the morning it was looking like another cold one. Mooch still couldn’t feel his feet from the game against Agosto the week before. But by the 3 pm game time the temperature was downright balmy...well maybe not balmy but it had increased to the high forties and there was no wind. It was a great day to engage with our nemesis from Chantilly, the Casuals under the leadership of long time Grey League Manager Dick C.

As the Orangemen collected at Arrowbrook Park a touch game of American Football was being played on the field. Arrowbrook is the only field in Fairfax County dedicated to strictly soccer...but those American Footballers will always find a field to play on.

Orangemen had a good turnout, except in the defensive 3rd of the field. No of our regular sweepers turned out, and Sam was missing from his signature left back position. As the game began Mooch fielded a brand new defensive four...with Karl being the only regular at right back. The Casuals were, rather casual as they scored their first and second goal. Basically there were two rather nothing plays that resulted in the ball being walked right into the net. This prompted Jose to ask if I wanted him to play sweeper. Jose, who has played sweeper many times for the Orangemen, could have been considered a regular for us in defense year ago. But not any more. It didn’t take Mooch a second thought to shift the defense around to allow Jose to take charge in the back.

Aside from the crappy first couple of goals that were scored against us we played very well We are passing perhaps better than we’ve ever passed before. Multiple combinations of passes right out of the back and down the field. If we can keep this kind of passing the tide will turn for the Orangemen, I can guarantee it.

We had plenty of opportunities up top. Mooch had multiple shots on goal as did Tedd and B. Tedd was dialing in a new pair of shoes, but should be awarded goal of the game for scoring from a corner kick. I haven’t seen a successful banana kick like that in years. As Tedd dialed it in he kept coming closer and closer finally drilling the cross bar on one fabulous strike. Tedd had about 5 goal scoring opportunities but only came away with one on the fabulous banana kick. On another day he would have done far greater damage to the casuals.

B however, was once again running down every ball and creating opportunity after opportunity for the Orangemen. B get’s man of the match for scoring 2 goals. One a magnificent header where he had to out jump players twice his height. And one from a throw in from Gooch to Mooch, who related it to Tedd, who slotted it across the goal for B to finish. That’s good passing gentlemen.

Cold Feet and Red Card

When we awakened on Saturday morning the first thing we to notice was the dusting of snow on the ground and the sleet falling from the sky. First instinct was that the Orangemen game would be cancelled. Mooch checked the weather and it showed by noon the precipitation would end the the temperature would rise above freezing. Having been cooped up all week Mooch was not interested in cancelling the game although during the day several, shall we say fair weather players, called to announced they wouldn't be making it. As it turns out our numbers we already down. Mooch sent out a plea for more participation and with Pete responding.

I don’t remember playing at Oak Marr in Oakton Virginia previously, but there’s always a first, and if it not a first, certainly a first on the new turf field recently installed there. As we arrived the first thing we noticed, other than it was a new field, was that the field was poorly installed. This was the first turf field that I have come across that didn’t shed it’s water. In fact there were standing pools of water all over the field. What’s worse is that the temperature was in the low thirties. An the wind was blowing. It was going to be a cold night of soccer for the Orangemen and I lost the feeling in my feet early on.

Our opponent hosting us this Saturday night was Agosto FC. They are a very good team and perhaps shouldn’t be playing down in the grey division. Maybe just for the Winter Season.

The final score was 2 to 6 or there about...my brain was frozen as well as my feet. We played very well, our passing was good. Kurt had to step up his game as the wind kept most of the play on the left side of midfield, Kurt’s position. He saw more of the ball in 15 minutes than he’s seen all year.

Pete brought Jeff H to play in the net because Gene said he wasn’t coming...he’s apparently afraid of a little snow. Jeff did great for us. Gene played in the field as a defender and had some wonderful touches on the ball and passes into midfield. We may try Gene in the position from time to time.

Thanks to Pete for making the drive down from Baltimore and bringing some players. Sadly Pete missed some goals that really would have turned the score around. He missed a 1 v 1 with the keeper and then missed a chip over the keepers head for a certain goal...but we created the opportunities so it was promising. 

Tedd hit a perfect goal with his signature left footed blast. High into the left side corner netting. He was breaking in a new pair of orange shoes that he claims he gets to wear because I no longer let him wear orange socks. Socks or no socks did I mention my feet were cold.

Agosto has a few players who play extremely dirty. Fortunately one of the players in question was spotted by the ref. When this player attempted to start a fight the ref rightfully produced a red card and sent him to the parking lot. It remains uncertain as to whether the player actually made it to the parking lot.

My feet were still numb in the morning...

Orangemen vs U-18s

In a strange twist of events the team we played the weekend before Christmas was having a hard time fielding a team - we were to play long time  rivals Mt Vernon.  In fact they only had 5 confirmed going into the weekend.  Since the Orangemen held promise of having at least 15 or 16 at the show the Orangemen Manager convinced Jon (the Mt. Vernon manager)  not to cancel but instead show for the game and we would just combine the sides so we could all get out for a pre-Christmas run, and work of some of the meal calories ahead of time.  The twist came when only 2 players from Mt Vernon appeared and only 12 Orangemen...it’s pretty hard to make up two teams with 14 players.  A number of young players however were hanging out at Arrow Brook park as Jon and Mooch proceeded to ask a number of them if they would like to play.

As we started the game, Mt Vernon was at full strength, with 11 players, and the Orangemen were short handed at 10.  Mt. Vernon added 9 players to the roster which turns out, a number of them play for South Lakes High School.  We know this because a South Lakes Teacher plays with us, Mr. Palmer.  He was greeted with a “Hi Mr. Palmer” as he entered the pitch.  And in some weird transcending generational vortex, we found ourselves on a play ground among 16 year old kids showing us how the beautiful game is played.  Mr. Palmer, had to assume his roll as hall monitor instructing his kids to put their cell phones away.  That’s right, in the middle of the game at least two of these kids thought it was appropriate to pull their phones from the pockets and talk during the action...incredible for several reasons...however, the day is coming when this technology will be embedded bio-mechanically into our brains and we need never stop from the action to phone our wives our girl friends.

Turns out the Orangemen were  well outclassed by these kids -  these Sea-hawks from South Lakes, can’t give Mt Vernon too much credit for the score since there were only two of them, needless to say we lost by a healthy margin. But we passed well, kept out heads up, and had plenty of opportunity, we were just no match for the one thing they had in spades, speed.  Considering the game could have been a bust it was fun nonetheless that it all worked out.  Plus, since it was a home game, and with the exception of a few stragglers who made good on the cash, I collected enough to pay for the officials.  

 It was really fun playing with those young kids...and as it turns out those kids were playing when we got field and after the game and they continued to play.  Keep in mind it was pretty cold that night as well, and windy.  But they continued to play...no wonder they are so good.  I wish I could say that's the future of US Soccer...but still the best US athletes are not playing soccer and these kids don't stand a chance as the road forward is still for the elite who can afford to buy their way onto the prestigious traveling teams and building their playing resume in accordance with USSF.  After that, it gets very political , but this blog is to just report on the game.

Special thanks to Jon for not canx the game and managing the affairs of kids team so we could have this pre-Christmas match.

As small group went for pizza and beer at Bertucci’s after the match to relive some of the action...something I hope will catch on more following our home games.