I appreciate Jeff and Matt writing the reports this week. I had some personal things to take care of on Sunday, unexpectedly. In 7 years of AC D.C., I can count all the games I've missed, and I apologize for missing the co-ed game on Sunday because of my issues.
I have been informed by WISL that there is an automatic 3-match ban on any player using the F-word at a referee. We must be careful about this. Stop talking to the refs and allow your captain to do so for you. Or me. Quite frequently, our rants against the ref make us lose concentration and this is obviously counter-productive. Not to mention if you are banned, then you cannot play for a long-stretch of the season.
Although we are currently playing well, stiffer competiton awaits. We must capitalize on our chances better. There were 2 sitters and 1 golden opportunity that I can recall from the game on Saturday from which we returned empty-handed. Better opposition will make us pay if we miss those. Have a great week.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday Morning Report: September 28 - Inglourious Basterds
Matt's Report on Co-Ed game:
This week's co-ed opponent was the half-time orange slices (HTOSs) who usually are a formidable opponent. ACDC was looking crisp in the black jerseys and played an energetic first half in near perfect playing conditions. At one point after a beautiful set of passing resulting in a shot, I over heard one of their strikers asking if we "often practice together". A good compliment from the other team always helps and usually means we're playing and passing well. Having substitutes, and Kevin managing them from the sidlines, helped and we went up 1-0 in the first half after a cracker by Mumbles that even had some HTOS players complimenting.
Second half is where the passing really started to wear down the opposition. We were swinging the ball well and really making them run and chase. We were having numerous opportunities up-front squeaking in behind their back line or working from the sideline toward the goal. Eventually, two more goals dropped in to the old onion bag (Paul & Peter). A scare came in the second half as Robbie came off his line (but outside the box) into a bone crushing tackle into a HTOS player...Rob walked away giving up the free kick and very fortunate not to be booked.
Jeff's Report on Men's game:
This is a fun report to write. With a convincing 3-1 victory, the Mens team went to 3-0-1 and is now in solid grasp of first place. But we still have a long season ahead of us, so lets continue to take it game by game. We also need to be especially concerned with cards, as getting red cards not only forces us to be short for the rest of that game, but means you're ineligible for the next game. That almost hurt us this week, but luckily we were able to put a solid team effort and get the W.
AC/DC started out controlling the game, but despite many opportunities could not finish in the first half. We started out the 2nd half on fire, getting a great chip shot goal from our newest signee, Jake. Jake was great for us on the right flank and after injuring his knee later in the game, we all wish him a speedy recovery. Our first goal was followed by another quick goal a few minutes later from Parham. Unfortunately, we conceded an own goal from a corner kick, but a final strike by Justin put the game away and gave AC/DC the three points and good times to celebrate.
This week's co-ed opponent was the half-time orange slices (HTOSs) who usually are a formidable opponent. ACDC was looking crisp in the black jerseys and played an energetic first half in near perfect playing conditions. At one point after a beautiful set of passing resulting in a shot, I over heard one of their strikers asking if we "often practice together". A good compliment from the other team always helps and usually means we're playing and passing well. Having substitutes, and Kevin managing them from the sidlines, helped and we went up 1-0 in the first half after a cracker by Mumbles that even had some HTOS players complimenting.
Second half is where the passing really started to wear down the opposition. We were swinging the ball well and really making them run and chase. We were having numerous opportunities up-front squeaking in behind their back line or working from the sideline toward the goal. Eventually, two more goals dropped in to the old onion bag (Paul & Peter). A scare came in the second half as Robbie came off his line (but outside the box) into a bone crushing tackle into a HTOS player...Rob walked away giving up the free kick and very fortunate not to be booked.
Jeff's Report on Men's game:
This is a fun report to write. With a convincing 3-1 victory, the Mens team went to 3-0-1 and is now in solid grasp of first place. But we still have a long season ahead of us, so lets continue to take it game by game. We also need to be especially concerned with cards, as getting red cards not only forces us to be short for the rest of that game, but means you're ineligible for the next game. That almost hurt us this week, but luckily we were able to put a solid team effort and get the W.
AC/DC started out controlling the game, but despite many opportunities could not finish in the first half. We started out the 2nd half on fire, getting a great chip shot goal from our newest signee, Jake. Jake was great for us on the right flank and after injuring his knee later in the game, we all wish him a speedy recovery. Our first goal was followed by another quick goal a few minutes later from Parham. Unfortunately, we conceded an own goal from a corner kick, but a final strike by Justin put the game away and gave AC/DC the three points and good times to celebrate.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Monday Morning Report: September 21
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There is only one way to start this week's report, and that is by congratulating Parham and Meetra for the birth of their little girl, Soraya. The girl looks so peaceful right now, but I wonder how long it'll be when she displays daddy's partying skills. Ooh, watch out!
The men's squad won the biggest game in the squad's 3-year history on Saturday! Not only did we beat the league leaders; we also assume the league-leading position after the game, while improving our record to 2-0-1 with 7 points. Recalling the days when we were routinely blown out by opponents, and had to fight relegation season-after-season, this squad has come a long way. To your left, you'll see a slide show of the pictures by Carlos documenting our victory.
Some reasons for our improvement are obvious and it's not about signing new players. The team is arriving at the pitch early this season. We are focusing when the game starts and no longer conceding early goals. That alone has made a huge difference. On Saturday, instead of conceding early, we attacked with force and rhythm, and Mumbles sent an absolute cracker past their diving goalkeeper. What a strike!
As the game settled in, some of our weakness began to reappear. We tended to pass the ball off like a hot potato, and the hasty passes went astray frequently. As our composure on the ball got better, the passing did as well. When we used the wings on attack, the quick 1-2s yielded great results. Clearly we need to do more of that this season.
We unfortunately conceded a goal before half from a set piece, and then a moment of utter insanity in the second half left us with 10 players. Curiously, the game changed at that moment and not in the way one would have expected. Either our opponent stopped playing (did they think they've won?), or we decided to turn it on. Passing and movement off the ball both got better for us, and a brilliant group effort yielded our second goal, smartly driven home by Peter.
Sunday's co-ed game was a completely different story, unfortunately. We stunk up the pitch so badly that skunks in the Shenandoah National Park were asking each other, "Whew, where is that stench coming from?" Part of the fault was mine. I was expecting a different opponent since UMFC never had a strong squad in the past. However, the team that showed up for them was fast, skilled and well-organized.
But, it doesn't help when one of our players with "fresh legs" shows up and tells me, "I woke up naked on the floor one hour ago!" Aiy, where do we get these guys? The first half was a stalemate, and the second started with Imi hitting the post. Our men clearly got tired by as the second half wore on and our fatigue pulled us out of defensive shape. They put in two through balls that got behind our defenders and scored.
Our fatigue also meant that we were unable to get back into the game. In the end, the score line of 2 nil is probably a bit flattering to our opponent, but we must play better the next time we play these guys later in the season.
In closing, I want to address the many yellow and 2 red cards on Saturday. It's often said that football teams take on the personality of the manager. Not that I want y'all to be obsessive-compulsive, control-freak insomniacs, but I do hope that you can harness your passion. (There is only one thing/one person who makes me lose my cool, and you all know who I'm talking about!)
One needs passion to succeed in football and in life, but uncontrolled passion can only do harm. Nine years ago, my shi-fu (mentor) said to me, "Never let [the operation] deteriorate into a personal battle between you and the tumor." This can be modified to apply to football. You weekend opponents and the refs are not out there to do you personal harm. Screaming at them, or hacking them, won't help you win or get you better calls.
Harness your passion for the game, and play the game. Stop talking to the referees. And let's play better next weekend.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday Morning Report: September 14
Some of you must be wondering where the MMR was this morning...
Part of it is that there's very little to say about the nil-nil draw with IHR Riverdawgs on Saturday. As a team, we played decent but not great. We were missing our usual central defenders in Chris and Matt, but kudos to Jeff and Imi for doing an amazing job in that role. Brian had the best chance to score for us, and Ali had an acrobatic attempt (Jan would have broken someone's nose with that chance...ahhahaha), but the nil-nil draw was probably a fair result. Our opponent was definitely beatable, so I can't help but feel like we let one get away from us.
But, we didn't lose....which is important.
The other part of waiting today was for the co-ed schedule to get posted. It is available now at sleagues.com.
Please note that we have a lot of players on this team, with a large reserve pool. Clearly, no one will receive evites for every game, but I try my very best to give everybody a fair chance to participate as much as possible, while keeping the team very competitive.
Watch out for those evites, and please respond as quickly as possible.
Part of it is that there's very little to say about the nil-nil draw with IHR Riverdawgs on Saturday. As a team, we played decent but not great. We were missing our usual central defenders in Chris and Matt, but kudos to Jeff and Imi for doing an amazing job in that role. Brian had the best chance to score for us, and Ali had an acrobatic attempt (Jan would have broken someone's nose with that chance...ahhahaha), but the nil-nil draw was probably a fair result. Our opponent was definitely beatable, so I can't help but feel like we let one get away from us.
But, we didn't lose....which is important.
The other part of waiting today was for the co-ed schedule to get posted. It is available now at sleagues.com.
Please note that we have a lot of players on this team, with a large reserve pool. Clearly, no one will receive evites for every game, but I try my very best to give everybody a fair chance to participate as much as possible, while keeping the team very competitive.
Watch out for those evites, and please respond as quickly as possible.
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