Monday morning report: April 26

The energy returned to AC D.C. during the last five minutes of Sunday's game. Could this be the turn-around of the season?

For the second week in a row, we needed some emergency recruitment as developments early in the weekend altered our planned roster. A twenty-mile jaunt fatigued our midfield maestro (you think?), so we thought it was prudent to rest him for next week. Captain Matt and I both found new male recruits, and we were eager to test them in a game. This seemed to be a good, albeit last minute, opportunity to see what they've got.

We started the game as poorly as we ended the game strong. Although we can all see the logical pass, we always seemed to hesitate 1-2 seconds too long, and when the pass is made, it is too late. The moment was over. Either our teammate has overrun the pass, or our opponent cut it off. This lack of confidence made the game much more difficult than it had to be.

Energy was low, as evident by their goal in the first half. Their attacker strolled with the ball along the goal line, hardly challenged, and then put the ball past Robb who had little chance. We played as if we had no intention to win the game at all, against a team with an ensemble of strong, fast and fit players who kicked with confidence.

The second half was about the same, with some heroic defending from our back line. (We came precariously close to an ejection but the ref correctly kept the second yellow in his pocket.) Then, everything changed. In the last 7 minutes of the game, we went to three defenders so that we could go 5 in the midfield. That seemed to energize the whole team; the sense of urgency became evident. With 2 minutes left, we mounted a concerted attack, which ultimately led to a beautiful cross from the right from Matt (Welch) and a brilliant run and finish by Parham. That was a good fight.

Although a 1-1 draw is nothing special to celebrate, it was the gutsy finish, contrasted to a lackluster start, which was remarkable. Hopefully, we can take that energy at the finish into the weeks to come. What of our fatigued midfield maestro? Well, several of us tried to fill that space, but it felt like there was a big hole in the middle of our team. There was also another old-boy missing. At the game's end, someone (I think Parham) said, "We really need Jeff in the middle to win head-balls on goal kicks." To which, Imi replied, appropriately I thought, "Who?"

How were the new guys, you ask? Well, they were diametric opposites. One was a highly skilled and experienced player who needs to work back into game fitness, and the other is supremely fit and young, but tactically a bit inexperienced. All-in-all, it was great to meet players who are so eager to play with us and joined us even at the last minute.

To end, I'll post another "rule." In general, when the manager makes a mistake like knee the ball into our own net, it is not so nice to mock him (Alex!). Plus, it's not like last Sunday's game was the semi-finals of the Cherry Blossom Tournament 2008 (when it happened also). So, be nice to the old man.

Y'all have a nice week.