Pinball Wizard Bags Three - Orangemen Defeat Mt. Vernon - July 2014

Ever since I was a young boy,

I've played the silver ball.
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all.
But I ain't seen nothing like him
In any amusement hall...
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pin ball !

When Tommy stepped on the field last night he didn’t know he would be driving home with a hat-trick in his pocket and man of the match honors.  Due partly to Rancher Willie arriving late, having to drive to Alexandria from Gainsville, Tommy got the call to start up-top as a striker.  After a stern lecture at midfield for a three-touch game, all passing and no individual heroics, the first goal came in what can be described as Pinball.  The ball was passed forward, backward, and out the right flank, back to the center, then back out to the right again with George B providing the a final pass inside to Tommy who played it back to George, who scored the opening goal.  Text book...but with that assist Tommy was just getting started.  

On the field last night Tedd returned to the match after an long convalescent to run the midfield.  Gene was in net with Marcus visiting from out of town (George Guest) stepping if for Karl.  Jorge would come with Mauricio and play sweeper for us, running down every ball now that we lost Jan to the summer move cycle...Jan will be trying to play soccer down with the alligators and crawfish in Louisiana…not likely he will find a match.  Greg started as right fullback.  Luke arrived just at kickoff and had to wait his turn to enter the match.  George B started as right half-back, Alfredo was left half-back leaving Mooch to play in the mid-field with Tedd and Dave N to start up-top with Tommy.

Playing Mt Vernon is never easy, Jon and Tasso take the game seriously and you’ll never see Mt Vernon backing down from a challenge even though we did take the slide tackle off the table.  Their big defenders, including Alex, were all on hand for the battle.

Orangemen settled into the match and controlled the first 15  minutes with really good passing and then we got tired early or Mt. Vernon stepped it up.  They pressed hard for the next twenty minutes but were unable to break through our defense, in part because we let Luke join the game and he’s like a defensive Hoover Dam when he steps into a challenge.

But after those fifteen minutes of pressure Mt. Vernon backed off a little and we were able to break out of our end.  Tommy played a exceptional ball straight up the middle to Mooch who  found himself alone with the ball running straight at the keeper.  At the top of the box he looked up and saw the keeper still on the line.  He was still alone and had precious nano-seconds to make a decision.  Because the keeper was still on his line the entire far post was becoming so instead of throwing any feigns the keepers way, Mooch just put his head down and struck the ball far post.  The keeper read every intention and has sufficient position to make the save,  but only to block the ball down in the marauding straight line run of George, who unfortunately used is adrenaline to crush the ball high and over the net.  But the stage was set as Mt Vernon realized they would have to defend and couldn’t commit so many men forward into the attack because we were too strong through the midfield and could easily counter.

We continued to push forward and had several more breaks.  Another one came through the center with the ball being played forward to Wilie’s feet(who joined us from his ranch finally) and then back to Tommy.  Tommy had the option to play it wide to Mooch but choose instead to have a strike.  He played the perfect shot which he floated to the far top right post corner with most on the field thinking it would go over the crossbar, but it drop just over the keepers fingertips and into the back of the net.  Tommy would score one more just before half time, again with a series of passing that found in the box, his first shot the he scuffed, but the ball was deflected bounced into space, which Tommy found he had a second chance to finish, and this time he did.

Mt Vernon was able score their first goal before half-time but we took the break being up 3 to 1.

Second half Mt Vernon demonstrated they were not gonna go down without a fight and threw everything they had at us.  The bagged one off a set piece after a Luke left his feet and the ref felt he was sliding.  The shot came in and Gene deflected it and the Mt Vernon played scored an easy goal, however it was called back because the Mt. Vernon player was in an offsides position.  We got lucky on that one, but Mt Vernon wasn’t finished.  They clearly had momentum and we need to alleviate the pressure.  We had several opportunities but the goal came off a corner kick.  There was a scramble the ball came into Tommy at the top of the 6 yard box.  It bounced up and Tommy turned on it and buried it in the net.  Mt Vernon called out for a handball saying Tommy controlled it with his hand.  The Ref was hearing none of it.  Mooch who was looking straight at the play didn’t see Tommy control it with his hand but ran up to Tommy to ask him if he handled the ball given the thunderous appeal coming from Mt Vernon team members.  As Tommy was telling him that the ball brushed the back of his hand, and indicated that to the Ref as well, Tasso issued a few choice words out of frustration lodged at Mooch for his complete lack of integrity.  Mooch immediately turned to Tasso and told him what he thought in no uncertain terms.  The ref had to intervene, however made the decision that the goal would stand because there was no intentional handling of the ball, it was inadvertent and didn't change the direction of the ball, it was just bouncing straight up and even with no hands, Tommy was going to make that shot.   Tasso, apologized for his outburst and him and Mooch hugged into out as they went back for the kick-off. 

Orange was not up 4 to 1, but Mt Vernon was still not through.  They were coming for us and were able to score a second and then a third as the Orangemen committed numbers back to defense to try to preserve a victory.  Special thanks to Willy who recognized a tiring defense and came all the way back to help Jorge in the box.

When the final whistle came the Orangemen had defeated Mt Vernon on their home field 4 to 3.  A well fought victory which was a fun and fair match...which was even acknowledged by Mt Vernon in a very sportsmanlike manner.  Well done Orangemen.

Orangemen vs Braddock Road June 2014

Well Orangemen, it's rare that we are not on the opposite end of a game like this last one.  We beat Brddock Road by a score of 9 to 0.  Typically we are on the losing side of these routes.  Part of the problem was that Braddock didn't show up with a full squad, and those that did come were their older players.  That sounds familiar.  Meanwhile, we showed up with full strength including a Frank, a neighborhood friend Ben recruited, he's play with us before, to join the fun.

During this game Rabih scored 4 goals  making him the player of the match once again.

Mooch instituted and three touch rule during the second half to make it more challenging for the Orangemen and to work on our passing.  It was a good drill and I hope all Orangemen continue to think about a three touch limit...trap, make space, pass.  It's that simple.

Special thanks to the Orangemen who filled in for Braddock and had to take the thumping...including Gooch.

It was Ben's last game as he will be moving his family to Atlanta.  I'm glad that we went out winners for Ben's sake and the last game he will remember with the Orangemen is our domination.

Mooch Host's World Cup Party and Willie BBQ's the Meat!

Mooch hosted a World Cup party at his house so the Orangemen could gather to watch Team USA play Portugal.  Willie offered to bring the beef and we took him up on his graciousness.  At the time I was unaware that he also planned to stand over the grille and cook the meat for us.  He brought sausage, ribs, steak, and burgers and stood behind the grille from 4 pm to after 8 pm cooking a Brazilian style meat festival even though he hails from Bolivia.

Willy cooked and cooked and I believe there was no way we could get through the mountain of meat he brought...but somehow, he cooked it all.  And it all disappeared.  Most of us fell into a food coma later that night.  The soccer game was secondary to the amount of food that was available...there was also plenty of beer and wine.  Karl brought a cake from the Swiss Bakery that was also off the hook.

Orangemen friends and family who showed up for the party included the Luke T with his two oldest, Karl, Gene, and Dave N, Chuck, Steve H, Floppy, Jim L Sr, Greg, and the Gooch's, Mike and Anne, as well as Kent T.  The Booher family also showed up in force.  Mooch set up a TV outside so Willie wouldn't miss the action...but because the weather was so nice many used the deck as their viewing venue. Other's watched the indoor big screen.  Kids, too numerous to mention, were also on hand.  Most simply enjoying the petting zoo...and the rabbit's just hoping that Wil brought enough beef and no one would still be hungry and start looking their way.  All in all, despite the last second goal set up by Ronaldo, which tied the game for the US, the Orangmen had a great time and we will look for other opportunities to have this type of fun off of the pitch.

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.