Thumbs up!

Post your thoughts on the game now.  As always, feel free to add details or correct my faltering memory!

Here's my thoughts: we're on a roll.  On our home turf, we managed a 2-0 win versus the Lost Tourists, which only a few months ago was a First Division team.

I think we were impressive.  Let's start with the fact that the game started at 8:00 a.m.  History teaches that I should be quite worried when games start that early.  But this time around, we had a full squad before the whistle - and I was the last one to get to the field!  I think it says a lot that we can rally at that ungodly hour.

One key to the match was the play of Carlitos, who we called up from the alternates list along with Anna.  He anchored our defense for the Full 90.

As a team, we executed a good game plan.  We capitalized on a shaky Lost Tourists defense by exerting pressure up top - at least for the first half.  That was a key factor in preventing their strikers from developing attacks and taking the lead before the midpoint.  We did face the occasional counterattack.  We dodged bullets twice in that regard.  Once, a striker got behind our defense but Alec was there to meet him outside the box with what can best be described as the spider-man maneuver.  Although he was carded for contact, it was an impressive play.  Another time, their diminutive striker created a 2-on-1 but Kristin's persistent footsteps forced a bad decision to pass, which Alec was able to shut down with excellent positioning.

Meanwhile, Adrian had his best game in an orange jersey, and not simply for the goals.  Here's the scoring summary:

30' - Nate streaks from the near side to the middle and flicks a pass, which lands at Chip's feet.  Chip finds Adrian deep in the box, and Adrian pokes it to the near post past the goalie.

50' - Ally wins the ball and passes it up the wing to Anna, who quickly sends a through ball to Adrian.  Adrian makes a long run around the last defender and placed a brilliant, bending strike to the far post.  Very impressive goal against the run of play.  The entire counter-attack, from start to finish, took about 15 seconds.

Congrats to our opponent as well.

Notes: 2-0 win vs Lost Tourists, 10/26/08, Trinity. Goals: Adrian (Chip), Adrian (Anna). GK: Alec (Liam during a 2-minute sub), shutout. Discipline: Alec (yellow: contact as last man).

[Photo: Carlos and his lovely daughter, Alexandra, at the U.S. vs. Cuba match]