Orangemen vs Sting April 2014

On a beautiful afternoon in Ashburn on an all natural grass field, the Orangemen wore black and took on our  yellow clad nemesis the Sterling Sting at Bles Park.  There is no record of the Orangemen ever playing at Bles Park as most games against the Sting around held at the complete near Algonkian or over near Park View High School.  The records we do have show the Sting handing us our ass throughout 2012 and 2013.

Sting Kill us 1 to 5 in Summer 2012

http://nvaorangemen.blogspot.com/2012/07/orangemen-vs-sterling-sting-paul.html

Sting kill us 1 to 6 again in fall 2012

http://nvaorangemen.blogspot.com/2012/09/orangemen-in-black.html

Sting beat us again in 2013

http://nvaorangemen.blogspot.com/2013/06/orangemen-vs-sting-vs-blind-ref.html

It is therefore very depressing to report that we were up 4 to 2 in the second half yesterday but due to very poor last minute management by the manager...we let our lead slip away and the Sting bagged two heartbreakers in the final minutes to tie the score at 4-4 at the final whistle.  A good result by Orangemen standards but a horrible result considering how hard we played and the work we put into the match.

We played well against the Sting and we kept the ball moving.  I haven’t seen that much passing in a long time.  Sometimes we strung 7 or 8 passes together before losing the ball...but it didn’t matter as we had great control against a team that has traditionally been much faster than us.

Beyond passing, the highlights of the game came from our scoring and the diversity of which we were able to find the back of the net.  Jermaine scored on a breakaway pushing the ball past the keeper’s left side and finishing back across goal. Kendall scored diving feet first at the far post a at a high crossing bar and connected with it at the post returning it  back across the goal to clip the far post and glance inside for the score.  Matt had the header of the day off a corner kick from the left from George.  Matt stepped in front of the defender and buried it in the net while his family choose to miss the event choosing instead to admire the muddy water on the trails leading to the field.  For goal number four Alfredo stepped up to bag one from the left side of the box which he lofted over the keeper into the far side back of the net.

We had a good turnout today...despite the confusion of a potential rain out and the bizarre location of the new field.

Gene played Keeper

Karl, Steve H. and Greg we outside fullbacks

Jan, Matt, Mauricio and Jermaine played central defenders with Jermaine stepping up front for some time

Ben played central midfield supported by Alfredo, George, Mauricio, Scott F, and Mooch

Kendall, Dave Nanney, and Andres played up top.

Although we tied the game Orangemen it feels like a loss because we should have won because we were up 4 to 2 late in the second half.  I blame myself as I pulled the defense way too soon.  I thought we were down to just a few minutes and I completely lost my perspective after walking off the field feeling sorry for myself due to my own injury.  And speaking of injuries...we have not heard from Matt yet...he took a hard fall last night and we heard a pop on the sidelines...there is a suspicion of a collar bone fracture...we will update as we find out his condition.  Update 11:45 on Sunday.  Matt has a clean break across his clavicle...here is what a clavicle break looks like.  Kind of nasty...Matt says he will be able to work but it's a few months recovery...the family was still glad to be there...and Matt scored a gem of a goal he can be proud of.

We are slowly changing our culture Orangemen and I think we can get there.  There are several parts to having a winning team.  You've got to have quality players...which we are starting to recruit a new crop of fine talent.  And we also have to have a coaching staff with a winning attitude.  I was way too passive today.  I should have been yelling to have 10 behind the ball...I should have done everything I could to preserve the lead.    Manchester United sees it through...  we have to see it through as well.  We are so close to making the turn... I’ll start yelling a lot louder at these times so everyone is aware that it’s much better to go home on a Saturday night a winner than to tell the family you lost...again.  My wife stopped asking me years ago...and that’s pathetic.

OK  Break Break...On the financial front a number of players approached me expressing their concern  over subsidizing the entire team.  Fair enough because this was one of my concerns as well particularly if the cost of the season were to begin to approach $140-$150 for some of the core team members.    If there is a consensus it seems to be that everyone wants to pay less money. Which of course isn’t the direction we need to be moving in.

The last few seasons I have been charging $10 for every home game.  If you make every other game over the course of a year thats on the order of 24 games give or take.  So that’s $240 a year...and should be the minimum anyone who considers themselves to be a core team member should be expecting to pay.  You might get away with paying less...but you should have $240 in your budget for soccer… that’s right at $20 a month...less than the cost of a single Venti Soy Lattes at Starbucks a week.  Those of you who show up drinking one before matches probably have a few more during the week…

That said, the minimum any of core team members should be expecting to pay for the Spring/Summer season is $110.  There are eleven home games.  If anyone is thinking about not paying more than $100, they should stop paying at $110.  This will guarantee our financial obligations are met.  However, if we continue to have good turn out like we did last night...we should meet our goals early and not have to move past collecting at 10 games...and of course everyone will miss games...so I wouldn’t expect anyone to be paying over $100 for the season with decent turnout.  Jan has offered to build a spreadsheet to track the payments...which unless we have cheaters on the team shouldn’t be necessary...as I’ll be tracking total payment...and will stop collecting as we approach the numbers we need. 

Orangemen vs Internationalze 12 April 2014

On a very warm night in April with the first game and day of the year with the temperature soaring into the mid  70’s we finally field a team...16 players showed up.  Was it the weather, was it the away game status (no fee).  Was it simply sound management (I doubt that).  Anyhow with the number and the players amassed, coupled with a great aggressive attitude, against a very competitive Internationalze, the Orangemen emerged victorious at the end by a score of 3 to 1.  Fantastic Orangemen, we demonstrated we can do everything right.

One big change, that we never bargained for, was Jan volunteering to play keeper.  With Gene oveseas, it looked like we were gonna have to split time with two other players would volunteered by we a little hesitant.  Jan was fully committed, and he even brought the gloves.  He played his never changing fearless game, surging out of the box to collect the ball in the fact of certain punishment.

At the other end of the field Ben’s friend Rahbi scored two goals for us.  The first one during the first half where he neatly sidesteps the keeper and finishes into the open net.  And our third goal midway through the second half on a free kick from the top of the boxes that passes a hair beneath the cross bar and literally swishes around the back of the net.

Jermaine scored our second goal on a break away.  The keeper comes out and jermaine gets the last touch on a bouncing ball to lift it into the net just ahead of the collision.  Their keeper got the worst of it but the goal stood as the ball was away and the keeper caused the collision.

For the line up, Jan was in goal
Karl and Greg start as full backs
Johnny H played sweeper with Goerge in fron of him stopping.
Ben and Rabhi played in themidfield
Jose and Mooch started up top
Alfredo, Dave N, Kendall and Jermaine rounded out the side until
Steve Harris Maurico, who started the game in red (blue) for Internationalze were returned to us.

Sadly it was another game with bad news for Mooch  as he was injured, again.  That’s becoming more and more common and this blog seems to be about describing more and more of his injuries.  Marcello took Mooch down at midfield.  Mooch earned the foul but could reconcile the force that he was taken down with, and simply a foul, no card, etc.

We’ve switched to using a different ref assignor this year...my opinion is that this ref kept the whistle in his pocket a bit more than he should have, a few more early whistles and a card or two prevents take-downs like Mooch experienced.  Seven days later and Mooch still can’t put weight on his left leg...it was a hard tackle...in a game with no sliding tackles...so I guess we need instant reply, because something was missed on the field.

A bit later, Mauricio had a nice stiff arm to the face of Marcello who was getting too close and arguably would have taken him down the same way I  had been taken down, had he not chosen to defend himself. Whereas I can’t condone stiff arms to the face, in a game where the ref will not defend the players, players will take to defending themselves.  I owe Mauricio a beer for that one.

After the game we went to Mellow Mushroom...we are exploring other options because the Mushroom is an expensive place for a beer despite the ambiance that reminds me of Terminus, for all of you Walking Dead fans.

Orangemen vs Mt Vernon 5 April

At game time we had plenty of players...14...and it was a great side thanks to Ben’s heavy recruiting.

Wil, Maurico, Alfredo, Goerge, Richard, Ben, Kendall, John H, Jan, Karl, Doug, Greg, Rabih, and Ben’s other friend Frank,

Due to Mooch’s injury he didn’t stay long after starting the match and getting the first round of substitutes into the game.  From his perspective the game was faster than most.  We were challenging for ball all through the midfield and making run after run forward.  I left confident that we had the game well in hand.

(Kendall adds) Actually we were very competitive. Plenty of chances to be had. I was taken down in the penalty area. So my shot was a little close to the keeper and he saved it. What frustration! So Richard and that other Latino really short grouchy guy and a couple of other guys took shots from outside the goalie box. None on target. We had 2 subs so we were able to stay fresh. Ben did well to win loose balls and distribute. All I can say is with we weren't working hard enough to win the ball back and should have arguably scored 3 goals. I missed a penalty. One brilliant floater from Richard got away from me...and one ball I won with hustle and I shot right at the keeper. We were very competitive, the ref was fair in calling offside on them but one they scored on was offside according to our players. Our stand- in keeper made some excellent diving saves and tip-over. I think we lost 3-0. My bad...the penalty could have changed things.

Oh yeah forgot to mention...Ben's friend’ Rahbi and Frank were excellent passing and Rahbi had an absolute missile hit off the right post on an awesome volley!

Orangemen vs Allianza 30 March 2014

The last game of March and Spring hasn’t fully materialized.  The game was 55 and raining...it fact it rained the whole game.  With fog rolling in and out.  It was getting colder with the rain and even the Standard Poodle, or Airedale looking dog on the sidelines wasn’t having any fun.  Since Mooch was injured and couldn’t play, he stood soaking on the sidelines and didn’t wait long into the second half before departing.  Kendall added the missing notes to finish this game report.

Of course after a week of recruiting we were still short handing at the game.  This didn’t hurt Mooch financially since it was an away game.  As prearranged Alianza provided us 2 players...Deron and Pablo.

Gorge and Richard came to the match and we had a special appearance from Jose back from his groin injury.  Gene was in the net with Jose and John H on defense and Deron sweeping. Karl and Alfredo right and left backs with Gorge and Richard in central mid leaving Jermaine and Kendall up top to round out the side.  Pablo would join in midfield.

Before Mooch left Jermaine scored a wonderful goal after running onto an assist coming from  Kendall’s head.  Jermaine pushed the ball forward, used his speed to run onto it out pacing his defender with each stride.  He moved to the left, waited for the keeper to close the distance and scored a wonderful strike past the keeper who couldn’t do much.

Then Kendal scored off an assist from Jemaine.  Kendall took the ball to the left and used his patented left for to strike the ball hard across the keeper into the left side netting.  No fights against Alianza last night...which was of great credit to Deron and our team for keeping our cool.  The ref also had a roll to play keeping the piece with making decent calls.

Kendall fills in the rest

Kendall continued to pressure Alianza' s fullback and midfielders angry with himself for not taking better advantage of lovely lofted passes from B. counter attacking soccer continued throughout the second half. Gene continued to make very nice saves. Note: the referee was a very good one. He stayed out of the way but was close enough to make good calls. Alianza made a couple questionable fouls on our players but everyone kept their cool. Alianza used their superior youth up front to take a slim advantage for the win 5-4. MAGICALLY it stopped raining at the end of the game. Fun had by all. I even stopped in the parking lot to have one beer with my old team.

Nice job Orangemen...but we have to work on our number this week.

Orangemen vs Rowdies on Mustache March in 2014

Kendall 1 Goal, Mooch 2 Assists

It’s been just over a month since that very cold night in February where we squared off against the Rowdies and held them to a tie.  Last night...on a 60 degree, spring might finally be arriving evening, we faced the Rowdies in an epic match that was well played, but alas, did not produced a result.  Final score was Orangemen 4 and Rowdies 6.  By any standards a game with 10 goals scored was a fun match.  Arguably the ref handed the Rowdies two of their goals, one on an easy call for offsides, and one on which the opposition striker intentional dove in the box to gain a PK.  The offsides call wasn’t even close.  The PK was interesting because even though there was incidental contact, the striker admitted the dive, but the ref charged up to Jan our sweeper, and yelled in his face that he was an “idiot’ for fouling someone in the box.  I expected to see a yellow card, but perhaps the ref kept his card in his pocket and chose instead to berate our player for the foul.  First time anyone on the field can remember a ref getting up in a players face and yelling and screaming, versus the other way around.

OK on to the match.  This game marked the comeback of Jermaine, who started in defense in the first half and moved to striker in the second half.  He would score 2 of our 4 goals during the second half.

Kendall was also up top trying hard to grow a beard for our Mustache March celebration. Kendall scored one of our goals off an assist from Mooch, which he used his speed to run onto as Mooch poked the ball away from the defender who stepped in to block a fast and well played through ball from Jermaine.

Dave Nanney marked his first appearance due to the spring time weather.

Ben showed up and played a fantastic game for us in central midfield.

Gene played goal and had a number of spectacular saves, one where he reached blindly behind his back and batted the ball to the ground.  We also had a an even number of shots that we saved by the Rowdies keeper so we were probably even on the night in shots taken.

Jan and Mikey played their signature Sweeper/Stopper formation with Karl and Greg starting as left and right fullbacks.  Mooch moved Karl and Greg into half back positions when he introduced Jermaine and Jorge into the back.  Mauricio and Alfredo rounded out the midfield, with Alfredo bagging a goal on a ball he lofted over the keeper into the top left corner.  On that particular goal, at least 6 Orangemen touched the ball as it was played out of the back.  We had several excellent passing combinations last night...where we were able to string 5 and 6 passes together before losing possession.  Our final goal, also game on a long series of passes.  Played out of the back, through the midfield, and out to Kendall who was running up the right flank.  As he neared the box Mooch dropped back to stay onside and to position himself away from the defender in case Kendall decided to pass the ball in early, rather than try to beat the last defender on up the right.  Kendall chose to pass.  The ball came straight to Mooch’s feet.  He had just enough time to turn on the ball had hit a quick pass to Jermaine who was standing on the top of the 18.  Jermaine turned on the ball, pushed it forward to make space, took one step and blasted by the keeper on his left for his second goal of the night.  Last week we couldn’t string two passes together.  Last night we kept the ball moving.   It’s not clear to me what the chemistry has to be in order for this to happen...but whatever it was last night...we have to remember what we were doing.  Keep passing Orangemen.  Good things always happen.  The games are always fun.  And there is a lot less complaining within our ranks.  In fact I didn’t hear a single criticism last night due to a lack of passing the ball.

Special thanks to Jimbo Landoll who showed up on a nice evening to cheer us on!!

Two coaching tips that I forgot to mention.  First, very rarely should a back heel be used during a game.  The very best players might back heel once in a game...Mooch arguably has the best back heel on the team and he didn't back heel last night and he might use it once every few games.  Tedd back heels once or twice a decade and the last time he tried it his pass was picked off immediately.

Second, if you want to play up top, meaning in the striker position, you have to have two gun barrels.  That means you have to be able to strike with both feet.  Why put a striker up front with only one foot?  Better to put two strikers up front with four feet.  If you need work on your right footed shot...get out an practice during the week.

Orangemen vs Arlington March 2014

It’s March and as we wait for yet another WInter Storm the Orangemen played a make-up game against Arlington that we originally canx back in January.

We played at 7 pm at Gunston in Arlington, Don, was very kind and grabbed the field for us so we wouldn’t get stuck with a 9 pm game at Bryant.

At game-time the temperature was still hovering around 43 degrees so it was decent playing weather.  

This was our last official game of the Winter season.  We have two weeks before the Spring Season officially begins.  Next week I will schedule a game just to get in a run.  I think we are playing Chantilly, but stand-by it might be Springfield.

Team last night:

Gene - Keeper

Jan - Sweeper

Maurico - Stopper

Karl, George, Greg - fullbacks

Alfredo, Scott F, Cris, Tommy,  Mooch - Midfield

John H, Kendall, Wil - Strikers

We lost 1 - 3 to Arlington...we didn’t do too badly we just didn’t seem to be able to find that one more pass in the top ⅓.  In general our passing all day was flat.  I can’t remember a single string of three consecutive passes.  And most of the passes we did make were intercepted.  It’s not that Arlington was fast, we stood and waited for a ball that was never gonna make it to us.  So it appeared everyone simply didn’t want to work too hard last night...and we paid the price.

Gene kept us in the game, but just barely.  He made 3 or 4 spectacular saves that otherwise we would have been in a blowout and I would be a lot more critical of our performance.

The defense played well for us too.  They were put under a lot of pressure and Greg, Jan, Mauricio, George, and Karl came up big for us.  Mauricio get’s player of the match last night.  Not only was he in key places to defend...and save one big goal that was curling in under the cross bar on a goal kick, he somehow headed it out coming from beneath it at the last moment, he was clearing a lot of balls with his head, and even got forward to place a few headers on our opponents net.  Mauricio looked the fittest on the team last night...the winter months don’t seem to have faded him.  

Jermaine was in attendance to watch the game last night.  Jermaine turns 30 in 5 months.  I intend to begin inviting him to matches but first I will ask the other managers early in the week if we can let our 29 year old gazelle play.  I think it’s time to get him wearing orange.

The Game That Wasn't - Orangemen vs Internationales Feb 2014

A strange thing happened on the way to an intra-squad scrimmage on 22 February.  The bottom line is that last night's event was an unofficial, unscheduled, ad-hoc, 90 minute pick-up game with an opposing team that happened to show-up and take the pitch with the Orangemen.  Mauricio's brought four  friends because our numbers looked way down and this was just a pick-up game after all.  All four were excellent players who brought skill and talent to the game and made the Orangemen competitive challengers.  (Having made no contact with the Internationales manager during the week, Mooch declared the game a bust and Gooch organized the pick-up match)

The highlight of the evening was beer at Glory Days with Dave Nanney and Karl.  We learned several interesting tid-bits such as: the conference Mooch attended last week was a Japanese-style comic book convention, D.C. United is having a full squad, first-team practice with the Pentagon Soccer Club in May; Dave's daughter is getting married next month; a second generation Orangemen (Luke Tickner's USAFA classmate) should be joining the Orangemen soon; Sam A. and Julia moved to Dallas; Jose Olivera is returning from Afghanistan; Jose's son retired from pro basketball, got married, and is following his Dad in the Army; Ann and Gooch will be moving to New York in July; and Tedd is recovering from shoulder surgery (wear and tear from swimming).  I think we should make "Dave's Dish" a regular feature on the blog.

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And now for  the rest of the story…..

We had 9 regulars and Mauricio brought 4 outstanding guests.  We were setting up cones to scrimmage 6v6 when the Internationals showed up with approx 20 players, families, and loud fans.  We went up 1-0 and were dominating thanks to Mauricio's guests - Sebastian, Mikey, Firmin, and Mr X.  John A. sent John H on a tear up the left side; after winning the 50 yard dash on the touchline, John H drove a superb cross to the back post where guest Mikey was keeping pace with the run and perfectly positioned to drill the ball into the back of the net.

The Internationals played a familiar style - using their forearms, elbows, and bodies to screen, possess, and dispossess.  Our midfield and attack was matching them blow-for-blow and the referee seemed content with allowing the physical play.  The Internationals clearly were not pleased that we refused to back down and they hacked and grabbed at Orangemen as we dribbles around them.  Mind you: all this was occurring during sequences of play - both sides were playing physical soccer.  On numerous occasions, the referee engaged in  loud discussions/debates with dissenting International players.  The ref had an unusually high-pitched voice as there was this ear-piercing sequence of screeches from the Internationals penalty area.  Turns out, it was the ref squeaking with Internationals during the typical scrum and jostling which occurs in an out-of-control physical match amongst passionate players.  

As the ball was cleared from the Internationals back quadrant, the pushing/shoving continued in the middle/center part of the field and there was upper body contact (looked shoulder to shoulder to me) between Orangemen guest Mr X and Internationals.  The ref blew his whistle and Orangemen Guest X continued to jog away from the Internationals and towards the Orangemen half.  The ref was frantically screeching, and one of the Internationals literally launched himself through the air and delivered a flying kick to the back of Mr X.  So Mr X turned and went back into the on-rushing fray of Internationals, while addressing them.  At no time did any Orangeman strike, kick, trip, tackle, spit at, etc. any International.  Nonetheless, the ref pulled the red card on both Mr X and the International Flying-kickster.

In Mooch's absence, I discussed the matter with the ref, who said Mr X had kicked the Flying Wallenda's son earlier so Flyboy was retaliating.  I told the ref that I did not see Mr X or any Orangemen commit any of the 7 sending-off offenses.  The ref repeated that he saw Mr X kick Wallenda J. first. I asked why he didn't caution or send-off Mr X at that point, and the ref said he "told" the Internationals that he would handle it, he gave them a free kick, and he "told" them not to retaliate.  That's what all the earlier squawking was about. I guess the Internationals decided not to obey him.  Unfortunately it made the game more ugly than necessary. 

The Internationals equalized the score with a loose ball that bounced around our penalty area after a corner kick - weak goal.  We failed to convert on many opportunities.  My other criticism is that the Orangemen did not maintain possession and string together series of passes.  There was only 1 pass backward and we failed to get the ball out the wings enough.  We tried to dribble through 2-4 opponents when a wall pass would have been more effective.  We did have good communication and excellent running off the ball to get into open space.  Defense was excellent - only allowing one instance where a full-back was beaten and a supporting mid-fielder was a half step away from clearing.  As this midfielder stated, that was my fault for terminating slide-tackles at halftime (after the red card fiasco).  During an uncontrolled game, I'll risk a 2-1 loss if we can mitigate the chances that one of our guys might get carried to the ER - again.  I'll take the blame; however, if presented with the same circumstances, I will make the same decision every time.  

After the final whistle blew, the ref told me that he did not want to report the red cards at the International manager's request. I engaged the ref in another discussion that from my vantage point (I played goalie), the Flying Walleneda karate kick was the only dangerous or violent act.  The ref said that he saw Mr X fouling Wallenda Jr and the Orangemen were the instigators - so I should believe him and not my lying eyes.  Any officially licensed referee would have penalized a dangerous foul if they saw one.  Furthermore, a legitimate official would have documented and reported a violent retaliation such a deliberate flying kick (intended to injure) to the back of a player.  Recognizing that my protest would be countered by the other team and the referee, I agreed to treat the red cards as a matter that stayed on the pitch.  The only logical conclusion is that this bizarre event was not an official, league-sanctioned match.  

A few beers and good stories were definitely necessary to cleanse the mind and soul after witnessing such a felonious assault perpetrated against the beautiful game.

Orangemen - Special Thanks to Gooch for the write-up last week.  It definitely appears that something strange was going on between the Ref and the Internationales...I’m glad no one was injured and that everybody, considering the circumstances, kept their heads together.  As far at resetting the Red Card clock to zero...I’m not sure what to do about it.  We’ve gone 480 days without a Red Card...and the player involved wasn’t an Orangemen...and the Red Card wasn’t reported.  I will have to talk to the other Team Manager...to understand more about the ref involved.  But to me, it seems like the red card was issued to avoid a major altercation.  He red carded both players to keep the peace…  In the end though, if red is shown, sportsmanship has broken down, whether it was our fault or not.  My sense is we’ve got to reset the clock to zero.