USA vs Portugal was a classic

According to Steven Goff's blog, it's the 10th anniversary of the USA vs Portugal match.  Check out the highlights below.  To me, this is still the most exciting soccer game every played, perhaps one of the best sports matches I've ever seen.  It's not a pure thriller.  But I had recently become a die-hard US fan, and we never expected to make it out of the group.  Portugal was one of the best teams in the tournament, or so it seemed.  And we led the entire game!  Many of the US players were under 25 years old - it was a really young squad.  John O'Brien, Claudio Reyna and Brad Friedel were at their peaks - O'Brien would never play at a high level again because of injuries.

Carlos and I watched this game together at 3:00 a.m. in the morning at Summer's.

Check out Agoos' own goal.  It's an owngolazo.

For Gema

The one and only Silver Fox

She was born in Havana.  She had an amazing son when she moved to Miami to start a new life.  Her name is Gema Ginoris Maceo.

I know she is proud of her son, Carlos, a guy who puts his heart into everything, especially football.  Today, Carlos scored the winning goal to end our two-game slump and book our ticket to the playoffs.  That one was for mom on this Mother's Day.

Carlos exemplified our team approach today.  We were pretty good all game, although our offensive struggles followed us well into the second half.  Nevertheless, a goal down, we kept pressing and got some goals that had been really eluding us.  

The first was the result of sustained pressure - we finally got a break after several games.  The second goal was a piece of magic by Jon.  While I approached the area unchallenged, my options were diminished.  Jon made a fantastic slashing run.  I found his feet in a small piece of real estate.  His first touch on the run was amazing.  He made a move and bent it around the keeper to the far post.  That was a piece of skill alright.  Carlos' goal - he was well positioned for a rebound and took his shot nicely across the goal - felt like insurance when it happened.  But when we surrendered one more with about 12 to play, it turned out to be crucial.  Carlos played end to end today.  [Nate added this explanation: I took the ball to the left corner, cut back and meant to cross into the box - I screwed up big time and crossed all the way to the other side of the field. Lindsey was there, crossed to Carlos who was on sides despite the outcry from Gang Green and Carlos did put his shot in off the post from six yards out. Similar to the first goal, we scored the last goal because people attacked at the right time and were persistent. ].

So, with good play by everyone and a nice introductory performance by Lindsey, we finally earned a win.

The previous two weeks were disappointing.  Our match versus DC Thunder was a killer (4-1 loss).  George saw red for allegedly denying a goal scoring opportunity (he made a great and clean play!) and our defense was completely broken down.  DC Thunder's goals were generally unmarked "tap ins."  And we couldn't put much on the board to counteract those issues - you can't expect to blank DC Thunder.  We've never done it.  Even though we had the right formations and made the right tactical moves, we couldn't make an impact.  There were two small positives.  Cheryl assumed a huge responsibility as central midfield and shined brightly.  She was the only player with an answer to Roland.  And Suzie was back from injury, looking pretty good.  That's a big deal.

Our match versus DC Divided was much better.  We had about 5 heart attack moments in the first half when last ditch saves were necessary after repeated jailbreaks, but we escaped with only 2 goals against at the half.  Nap led the team to make a critical tactical adjustment by stacking our midfield and taking their #10 out of the match.  We didn't give up any real opportunities after that.  Nap and Elyse were field marshalls who returned the better possessions and opportunities to us - Nap plays slightly deeper than Elyse.  It's a 1-2 punch and fun to watch.  It must harken back to the college days.  Anyway, Adrian had subbed for George in goal and kept us in it with some killer saves off his line, but with 20 to go and nothing on our score sheet, we needed his possession.  We brought him out of goal and he made an immediate impact in the field.  He forced a keeper error and scored.  It wasn't enough in the end as we couldn't find that last pass.  DC Divided is the presumed winner of the division at this point, and that win will have a lot to do with it. 

This coming weekend is going to be interesting.  I think the pressure is off us. We have 15 points already and we're going to the playoffs.  First place isn't likely and won't be in our hands.  I will look at scenarios a bit later.  I can imagine we will likely take 2nd with a win.  That would be good enough for a bye.

We looked great today everyone, let's enjoy the week and get ready to finish out the regular season.

This post has been updated since publication.

Notes:

3-2 win versus Gang Green on 5/13/12 at Ridge.  Goals by Jon? (Bucky), Jon (Peter), Carlos (rebound).  GK: George (2 GA - a new stat, I may try it - George's GA figures are pretty impressive this season).

2-1 loss to DC Divided at 5/6/12 at Galludet U.  Goal by Adrian (NK).  GK: Adrian (2 GA), Peter (0 GA).

4-1 loss to DC Thunder at 4/29/12 at Galludet U.  Goal by Chris N. (NK).  GK: George (1 GA), Peter (1 GA - a PK), and Adrian (2 GA).  Discipline: George (Red, 60', denying goal scoring opportunity), Nate (yellow, unsporting conduct), Mike (yellow, unsporting conduct).

Goleros advance to Division Championship with a Memorable Defensive Effort

Your captain and a leader on defense

Today's 4-1 result versus DC Divided was emblematic of the season overall.  We came together as a team and played as a cohesive unit from front to back.  In recent weeks, our positive results have been largely due to a resurgent defense that is making tackles at the point of attack, taking away space, and getting the ball upfield, where we have sufficient numbers to create opportunities.

Our defense today integrated new people and made some key tactical adjustments - each and every person made great plays. Scratch that.  We made some spectacular plays, both this week and last week as well.  Here are but three examples: Jon's incredible goal-line clearance over the cross bar (from my perspective upfield, the geometry just didn't work on that one) and De's creative spin to play the ball to safety in the second half.  And going back to last week, let us not forget when Adrian went to ground in the box to seal the tie.  These are memorable moments and they make my Sunday.

In both games, DC Divided was solid.  They play a competitive game, and their tall players can cover a lot of ground quickly.  Each time I cover one of those guys, I am surprised by how I fall behind a half-step every few yards.  The loss today wasn't a just result due to the success they've had and the product they put forward.  If memory serves, I believe DCD has 1 loss in just the past two season (to FC Arlington).  Compare that to our 1 loss this season and 5 last season.

It's all about your form

It was hard to prepare for the rematch this week.  In our last game, both teams battled to a 1-1 tie.  In this game, we needed some new pieces and a new set if we wanted to improve.  Thankfully we had both.  We had some players they hadn't seen and we moved some of the players around who they were familiar with.  For example, we were pretty sure they would have their eye on Adrian, based on his defensive effort last week, so we unleashed him upfield instead.  As it turned out, I think his skillful dribbling before the pass was a major factor in wearing down their defense and midfield.  Chris N.'s play had a similar effect.

Credit DCD for putting in the first goal, like last week.  Even though it was a fluke play, it was consistent with the run of play up to that point.  We were slowly yielding to pressure.  After the goal, the defense made a tactical adjustment to create depth and fill space.  It paid off quickly and featured our more possession-oriented midfielders.   Chris D, Cat, Elyse, Carolyn and others went to work, applied pressure, and won what seemed like every 50-50 ball.  Up top, Pam was a constant threat, which kept their defense honest.  Ermy was very good on this day, and brought us back to even keel in the 35' with a strong shot that deflected in the goal.  Nate, Chris D., and Chris N. followed with more goals.

What I will remember most about this game is the tactical adjustment by the defense and the almost uninterrupted focus of the defensive players including George, from kickoff to full time.

Thanks to Jamie and Bucky for activating as reserves and making critical contributions.  Thanks also to DC Divided for yet another competitive match.

This was our fourth semi-final appearance in CCSL.  We are 4-0 thus far.  More about our next game and opponent as soon as possible.

Griz is there! (Note: Why is #11 running the wrong way?)

Notes: 4-1 playoff semi-final win versus DC Divided on 11/12/11.  Goals: Ermy (Pam), Nate (Chris N.), Chris D. (Ermy), Chris N. (Chris D.).  GK: George.

Goleros earn hard-fought point; rematch coming

For the last match of the regular season, we showed really well.  We all would have all preferred the win, but the way in which we played to a tie was quite satisfying.  We had to come from behind, we stayed composed despite some changes to the game plan on the field, and we did what was necessary to earn the result that guaranteed us a second place finish in the division.  That's the highest we've finished in years, potentially going all the way back to our first stint in Third Division.  We have been fighting for 1st or 2nd going into that final week a number of times, but often we have lost that last game and tumbled a few spots.  Not this time.  Our failure to win turned out to be insignificant anyway.  FC Arlington took care of business and won their game, so they would have topped us no matter what.

We played hard.  It was a competitive match throughout.  DCD proved to be every bit as refined and talented as we thought.  All of their men seemed like 6'4" to me.  They got the first goal at the end of the first half.  I lost my mark by ball watching and Sanjay, their captain and the league commissioner, headed the ball into the goal.  Kelly was almost able to clear it off the line though so it was close.

Same was true when we struck.  Following a great run of possession, Chris D dribbled with purpose deep into the box and took a powerful shot.  It was deflected twice by defenders, though not very cleanly, before rolling across the line.  Both goals in the match were scored by thin margins.  It was the essence of competition, a great game to be a part of on a beautiful day.

So, that's it, right?  We enjoy the result and rest on our laurels?  NO, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.  We have to play these guys again this week.  And it's gonna get harder.  They will be bringing their two best strikers, who we did not see in the regular season game.  They are going to be hungry.  Look at it from their perspective.  They "lost" a close one, as they will surely be unhappy with the tie that sent them to third place and an extra playoff game.  They are in the groove right now and will have a chip on their shoulder.  We will need to be even better to win.


Notes: 1-1 tie vs DC Divided on 10/30/11 at Ridge.  Goal: Chris D. (Ermy).  GK: George.

DC Divided Advances to Face Goleros

According to the CCSL website, DC Divided has beaten Unathletic DC by a score of 3-1.  That means they will face us in the semi-finals next week.  The game will be on Sunday, but the time and place are still TBD.

About our opponent

Meet DC Divided, a long time CCSL team.

We face them again on Sunday.  I am not certain without looking it up, but I think we are 2-1-1 lifetime against them.  They've always been good, but in recent seasons they had some turnover and weren't primed to make a run.

Those days are over.  They are scoring like crazy.  Folks should know that in most respects their accomplishments look better than ours this season.  We are edging them out on goals scored at this point, which has put us above them in the table. But if you drill a bit deeper, you will see that we are going to face an opponent unlike we have seen in recent weeks.  These guys are going to be good.  Someone is scoring a lot of goals.

Take a look at their record this season:

Third Division: DC Divided

GAMEs: Date Time Location Opponent W/L/T GF GA   Sun 10/23/2011  11:30a  Washington Trinity  Our Kicks Dont Lie  W  6  0    Sun 10/16/2011  10:00a  Washington   Unathletic DC  W  4  1    Sun 10/09/2011  11:30a  Washington Trinity  Far Post  W  7  1    Sun 10/02/2011  12:00p  Washington Wilson  Red Devils  W  2  0    Sun 09/25/2011  5:00p  Falls Church  Two Left Feet  W  3  2    Sun 09/18/2011  10:00a  Washington Trinity  FC Arlington  L  0  3    Sun 08/21/2011  9:45a  Washington Trinity  Funky Town  W  2  1     6 wins, 1 loss and 0 tie 24  8

We both played Our Kicks Don't Lie in back to back weeks.  DC Divided was +6, with a shutout.  We were +5, and we conceded 4 goals!  Looking to the top team, which is a good barometer, they lost 3-0.  While we did poke one through, and they didn't, they only lost by 3.  We lost by 5.

So get ready for a competitive game.