3 game catchup post.

Capital Ale 2- Mamma Zu 1
Ukrops Park, grass field.

I barely remember this game, it was so long ago (like 2 weeks). I remember that the other team was good, that every time the ball went off the field it went down a massive hill, and that we lost. I also remember Manny looking forlorn afterwards, and Karl complaining about his back being hurt. No idea who scored, or how. Oh well, perhaps best forgotten. Injury notes: Karl (back), Yonni (hammy, I think), Carlos (cannot remember)

Mamma Zu 5- Galazy FU II 2
Dorey Park, Field 5

Now here’s a game for the memory banks. First half, up a man, we dominated play and took a 3-1 lead after falling down 1-0 about 10 minutes in. Our scoring started out on a fast break play when Manny got the ball in the middle of the field and made a nice angle pass out to Fawaz, who drilled a low burner past the keeper from about 25-30 yards out. Cosmin, unhappily wearing #7, scored 2 in the first half. One was a sweet curling shot over the keeper on a 3-on-1 break, which was followed immediately by Manny telling him “Good thing you scored, or I’d have killed you. I was wide open.” [This will be important later.]

In the second half, they scored relatively early to get it back to 3-2 on a slow motion goal by Jake from our summer team last year. Then we struck back quickly with a goal from PK (after a halftime shoe change—wear the Adidas from now on!) on a nice pass from Cosmin. Glad he made the drive back for that one. Finally, the drama began again a few minutes later when Chris (I think) got taken down in the box and we were awarded a Penalty Kick. Manny lobbied hard to take the kick, and buried it in the upper 90. Sadly, Cosmin entered the area before the kick, and the goal was taken off the boards (Manny, that’s what you get for sassing Cosmin)… Cosmin, either out of spite or because he felt bad about that goal, then made a sweet run from midfield to score about 5 minutes later, completing his hat trick. #7 was good luck for Cos.
Also, thanks to Alex for coming out and playing keeper for us, and to Matt Grove, for coming out to cheer us on despite his own injure-reserve status. Injury notes: Chris (ankle).

First victory of the regular season. 5-2 Zu. Woohoo!

Lightning 5- Mamma Zu 1
Dorey Park Field 3

Lightning have an appropriate team name, I think… the guy I was guarding was both faster than me and more skilled. Not a good combo! We held our own for the first 10 minutes or so before yielding a goal on a nice give and go run/finish play by them. Immediately, however, Cosmin (back to his old number, much to his chagrin) struck back with a sneaky little toe poke behind the defense and keeper to tie the game and give us a strong sense of positive momentum. Sadly, that momentum was short-lived as we gave up 2 quick goals, and 3 more total in the half. One was a nice free kick that got through Joao’s parry attempt, and another was on a jump ball that Joao got out-jumped on, and nobody else could stop it… Also of note, one of their guys got a yellow card for an unnecessary takedown from behind on Cos. And I think he was the same guy who took me down on a header attempt with a couple of elbows in the back. Fun stuff.

The second half we played better, but still ended up giving up a goal and not scoring. I have already blocked out whatever memory I had of that goal. I do remember Brien with a couple of miracle stops after odd mis-plays where he got caught up between men on run-outs… and myself getting crushed again on another header—maybe that’s why I forgot the goal. We also had a near-goal from Fawaz on another blazing low shot that their keeper just managed to get in front of. Also, Alex played, back in his customary forward position, which was a welcome return for us. Injury notes: Carlos (?, left mid-second half), Chris (out-ankle).

Let's get a good turnout tonight, and beat Rogues!