MMR

Both squads were in action this weekend. You win some; you lose some. Oddly enough, it is the game that we lost that I want to talk about in most detail.

The Men's squad was awfully unlucky playing against the Cavalier Conquistadores, the team with the unbelievably loud and obnoxious player-coach. (Actually, Ramon makes me look so kind and gentle, I really should pay him.) In typical ACDC fashion, we conceded in the fourth minute. But unlike recent games, we hung in there with them and equalized early in the second half with a brilliant strike from Justin.

We had our chances to win the game outright near the end, but I'm afraid our zeal to do so left us vulnerable to their speedy strikers. We conceded in the 84th minute, despite outstanding play from our defenders and George all game.

Though the result left me gutted like a hunted bison, the game made me proud to be your leader. Against a team that we've had difficulty with, time-and-again, you passed well, and made sensible runs. You left everything out there on the pitch, and as we left the pitch for home, the overwhelming emotion was pride. If we continue to play like that, I have little doubt that we will gain 6 more points in the last 3 games, to equal our best point-total in WISL so far.

One tactical point. If you played co-ed on Sunday, you would have heard me say this already as it applies to both squads. Often, when we are attacking full-force, there exists a no-man's-land between our attackers in the box and our defensive line near the center circle. As our attack fizzles, it is commonplace for the ball to find its way into this no-man's-land, giving our opponent the opportunity to mop up the ball and counter-attack us. This is how we conceded the late goal on Saturday. If you are a defender or defensive midfielder, and you find an empty zone between our attackers and the defensive line, please consider occupying no-man's-land, such that when the ball trickles out of the box of our opponent, you can mop up to generate the next wave of attack. An empty zone behind out attackers means an opportunity for our opponents.

The co-ed squad got back into winning ways on Sunday morning with a 2 nil victory. The most notable thing from this game, during which we were never truly threatened, and captain Matt got his goal for the season, is that it was Sergio's last game with AC D.C. Serge has been through a lot with this team in that last four years: 2 indoor championships, semifinal at the Cherry Blossom Tournament and an injury, which left him out of the team for a full year. We'll always remember Sergio for his magic on the ball, and we'll miss you a lot, Serge.

Don't forget: Happy Hour this Thursday at Parham's club. Our founding midfield general, Jonathan "Loxly" Lachman will be back for one night only at this event. I'll never forget when Jonathan and I designed the uniform for AC D.C., sitting with the Eurosports catalog in Grapeseed, enjoying a glass… or four, of Merlot. Ah, the good old days!

Finally, I wanted to share with you something more….say….touchy feely. After the Phillies victory in the World Series, hall-of-famer Mike Schmidt was asked on Mike-and-Mike in the morning, what it is like to be under the pile of teammates, when a baseball team celebrates a World Series championship. His response was brilliant, "It's all about love." He elaborated by saying that athletes in general, and male athlete in specific, have trouble expressing love for their teammates. After fighting with this group of men in game after game, through battle after battle, the pile is an outpouring of love for the comrades you have shared the experience with.

I doubt AC D.C. will ever have a pile-on, World Series style. But I love this team.

Until next week, children.