Injury report [updated]

Wow, we're as banged up as we've ever been in terms of numbers.

For this week:

Pete - O
Chris D. - O
Heather - Q
Ashley - P
Chris N. - P
Ermy - P
Adrian - P
Carlos - P
Alec - P (but not available)

Rematch! RSVP now for Game 7

Game 7, 10:00 a.m., Trinity, vs Little Urban Achievers.

Will you be there?

Tell us more

Ally's pretty-in-pink game report makes me sorry I missed this game.  Sounds like it was awesome.  I hear Quicksilver was solid, very strong in the passing game, but that we had all the answers on this particular night.

Have any more interesting details to add?  Send me a write up!  These stats are impressive in many ways.  I have lots to say about them actually - and I wasn't even there!

Notes: 3-1 win vs Quicksilver on 10/10/10 at Geo Mason HS.  Goals: Anna (Ally), De (Adrian; forced own goal), Ermy (Nap).  GK: George.

What a game!

Despite our lack of numbers on the sideline, injuries/sick people and the lights going out we played pretty freaking good Goleros. Thank you to Mark again who stepped up big and Carlos and Jorge for making fabulous appearances.

That was a fun game guys and it was really fun to win!

Have a great week and RSVP to the blog early for next weeks game. We have a bye the following weekend and the the next game is Halloween.

See you guys soon.

Ally & Peter

Number 14 took the armband

With Ally and I out for several recent games, Adrian stepped in as captain.  All he did was pick up four more points for us and keep our no-loss streak alive.  We are 2-1-2 thus far, with a solid but still modest 8 points.  We've had two good performances in recent weeks.


I am going to save the detailed game reporting for later.  Maybe I'll update the post.  I didn't witness the first game and only saw a portion of the second.  I will note the high quality of Suzie's goal in the second match.  She timed her run to the goal line perfectly and headed/shouldered in a high cross.  The flow of it was nice to watch.  Mark, blending into our talented midfield, did great and scored his first goal for the club.  He had played an entire season for us in 2004 and then some tournaments thereafter.  Let's also note the effort put forth by Nate in goal last week.  He took one for the team and preserved something (a point) for it.  Nice job!


Notes: 3-0 win vs Geezers on 9/26/2010 at Dunbar HS.  Goals: Adrian (Nate), Chris D. (Jer), Nate (Griz).   GK: Anna.  


3-3 tie vs Lost Tourists on 10/3/2010 at Galludet University.  Goals: Mark (Diana?), Suzie (Chris N.), Mike (PK earned by Chris N.).  Discipline: Mike (flagrant foul).  GK: Nate.

Red Card!

This clip appeared on the Daily Show last night, and was posted on Goff's blog this morning.  Very funny. You have to see it.  The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, was playing in a charity match that got a little rough.  Watch him knee an opponent!  Very funny.  Can you imagine PresidentObama clotheslining some Republican Congressman in a basketball match?


http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-october-7-2010/intro---evo-morales-knees-soccer-opponent

RSVP for Game 6 now!

9:00 p.m., George Mason HS vs Quicksilver.

Are you in?

We need all the bodies we can get.  Word is that attendance will be a challenge.

Game 5 - RSVP now!

Hello team,

We play Lost Tourists at 1:00 pm at Galludet this Sunday. 

Are you in?

Don't forget, they will be coming for us.  We had some scheduling issues that their team may have viewed as preventing a fair matchup.  They were almost relegated as a result before they managed a win in the last week to stay in our division.  They will be coming ready to settle the score.  Will you let them?

3-0 victory

I am told we earned a 3-0 victory this afternoon.

Who had the points?

RSVP for Game 4: 3:00 pm at

We play recently-promoted Geezers at 3:00 p.m. at Dunbar HS.  They will be hungry to show that they belong in this division, which they fully do.  But can we beat them?

The game is at DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL.  That's a field change from the first time the schedule was announced.

Are you in?

Note: Field location has changed for this coming weekend

Our game is at Dunbar High School in the District.  Originally, we were scheduled for Galludet.  Not any longer.  It's Dunbar.

Please make a note.

Three late goals salvage a point

It didn't look good at the 65' mark.  Our possession was lacking and we were spending most of the time on our heels after yielding two goals.  I hobbled off the field in the 30' with an injury and I was cranky.

But, late in the match, people started thinking positive and just one play turned the whole thing around for us.  Chris N. took possession on the wing about halfway to goal.  He made some moves and sent a long pass to Anna at the far post.  Shot across the goal mouth into the corner of the net!  It was well deserved because Anna had been really good throughout the game, playing quite dynamically up front.

And then she got even better.  By netting two more times, in remarkably similar ways, Anna set a new club record for the first female hat trick.  All three goals came in a 15 minute span.  That's one of only a handful of times we've scored three goals in such a short period of time.  It was great teamwork and thank goodness we took something home for it in the standings.

With that special performance, Anna outscored Roland in the run of play, and that's saying a lot.  You have to defend the guy to understand how hard it is.  Speed, strength, and skill.  We almost had that game won before, in the last two minutes, we lost him by two steps on the endline and he headed in a controversial cross for the tying goal.  It was a tough three points to give up, but just imagine how DC Thunder feels.  They were leading for most of the game and collapsed.

It was a chippy, physical, but well played game by both sides.  Anna wasn't the only good player.  Everyone did great, including Jackie Jr., whose first cap was unusual to say the least.  Diana got her first point with an assist on the last Goleros goal.

On to next week!

Notes: 3-3 tie vs DC Thunder on 9/19/10 at Galludet University.  Goals: Anna (Chris), Anna (Adrian), Anna (Diana).  GK: George.  Discipline: Griz (Yellow, intentional foul on keeper).

Galludet Field Rules

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sanjay Nayar
Date: Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 7:54 AM
Subject: [ccsl_teams] Gallaudet

 

Hey all,

 

This weekend is the first that we will be using the Gallaudet field so for those playing there, lets be extra mindful about being good stewards and building/keeping a good impression of our league.

 

Some specific rules:

 

* Players who need to use the bathroom should go into the Jordan Student Activities Center. They should not use the Field House, which is a few steps closer and could be easily mistaken for the "student center".

* Facility rules: no smoking, no pets, no unsupervised children, no cleats on the track (unless briefly when chasing a ball that went out of bounds), NO JUMPING THE FENCE even though it's only 4 feet high...walk around to the entrance near the bleachers.

*Parking available in lot next to field on Sundays.

 

*Throw all trash in proper receptacles

 

Thanks!

 

Sanjay

Note about posting comments

The comments feature on this website is a little glitchy.  I've noticed that I often have to click on "publish" twice.  The first time it doesn't go through.  Make sure that your comments end up being added. 

Remember, you can sign in using your google account.  Or, to avoid that trouble, you can click on "name" and just fill in whatever.  Or you can use the anonymous option and put your initials or first name in the comment so we know who it is.

Easy peasy.

Goalie depth chart taking shape

You probably know that we're extremely lucky to have three keepers.  Alec, solid.  George, solid.  Anna, solid.  But did you know that we have a pretty deep bench behind that?  There's an intense competition out there for the final spots on the GK depth chart.

Adrian has established himself as the front runner for the fourth-string spot.  His chest save this weekend was beyond the capability of a mere field player who is filling in as goalie.  His overall performance gives the team confidence.

The fifth-string spot is the most competitive at the moment.  I have the most experience going into camp.  But Jon has expressed an interest in trying to unseat me.  He doesn't have many minutes back there, but there's reason to believe he would be good.  And let's not forget about Nate, with lots of experience, and Chip, always underrated at the position.  Griz continues to consider himself the last-ditch option after breaking a rib at the position.  Who else from the female roster will step up?

RSVP for Game 3 - DC Thunder

We play DC Thunder at 1:00 pm on Sunday at Galludet.

Are you in?  RSVP by Thursday noon.

Man, we've played these guys a lot recently.  We played them 2-3 times in years past.  And then last season, we played them twice.  Once didn't count.  The other one, scheduled during the week, ended in a draw.  If they would have scored in those final minutes - and believe me, it was close - I think we would have turned around and played them in the playoffs a few days later.  It would have been three games against Thunder in, like, a week.

The first three points

We picked up our first win of the season on Sunday versus DC Divided, prevailing 3-1 in a late game.  The win puts us back on the map and in the race for the division title.  It offers a little solace after the disappointing loss in the opening game.

We started the game with only 9 players, because we had just three women available.  While DC Divided was emboldened during that time, they didn't have many early opportunities, except for a well-taken free kick.  When Elyse and Suzie showed up, we were full strength and the tide turned.  At about the 35' mark, we scored the first goal.  Cat's service into the box was neatly deflected by Chris D. for his first goal in orange and white.  An own goal a few minutes later put us up by two.  Griz deserves a lot of credit for a hard shot from the wing position to the far post.  The shot caused the keeper to stretch and push the ball dangerously back into play.  Their defender panicked and sent a clearance into the goal.  Halfway through the second half, we scored our third goal when I took possession in the middle of the field. Unchallenged, I was able to send Chris N. deep into the box with a flat pass.  Even though my pass was too long, the goalie misplayed the ball, which allowed Chris to follow through.  The hometown scorekeeper (me) gives an assist to the player (me).

DC Divided played well and had the goal of the match to end the game.  After a powerful, Alec/George-like save, Adrian came out of the box at just the moment we lost possession.  A DCD forward sent a long, high, and bouncing shot over Adrian and into the net.

What did the captain notice most about the game?  We were equally threatening in the middle and on the wings.  The defensive and wingers played extremely well, running down balls and getting upfield.  Diana and De had phenomenal games.  I spied Nap more than once approaching the other team's 18 on a run.  When there is adequate coverage and the timing is right, that is such a sweet way to play wingback.

Good game everyone!

Notes: 3-1 win vs DC Divided on 9/12/10 at George Mason High School.  Goals: Chris D. (Cat), Own goal, Chris N. (Pete).  GK: Adrian.

Congrats!

Congratulations on the win Sunday evening Goleros. I wish I was there to be a part of it.

See you soon!

Ally

Fancy footwork

Check out this impressive sequence involving Thierry Henry.  I wish MLS could have more of this stuff.  Click here.

Night game! RSVP for Week 2 here

Our first of two night games is this coming Sunday Sept. 12th, 9:00 p.m., George Mason High School in Falls Church. It's walkable from the West Falls Church Metro, and right off Route 7 if you're driving.

Are you in?

Please RSVP as early as possible so we can call up our reserves if necessary.

Ally & Pete

Schedule adjustment

Our game on Sunday, September 26th will take place at 3:00 p.m. at Dunbar HS.  The time is the same but the location has changed.  The schedule on this website will be updated shortly.

Tsunami wins the Orange Bowl

Well, we played this one hard, and you have to admit, we looked good.  Regardless, Tsunami picks up the 1-0 win with a direct kick from the 18' in extra time.  Congratulations to Tsunami, who capitalized really well.


None of the usual "teething" problems existed in this season opener - fitness was good, organization was good (at times excellent), folks showed up on time, and we played well.  All that is great news.  The result is just the nature of sports.  Fortunes turn quickly.

Let's talk stats.

With Vic's 91st minute strike, Tsunami evened the series score in the Orange Bowl at 3-3-1.

Fall '10 (1-0 loss)

Spring '10 (2-1 loss)

Fall '09 (no game)

Spring '09 (3-2 win)

Spring '08 (2-0 win)

Fall '08 (no game)

Fall '07 (1-1 tie)

Spring '07 (1-0 loss regular season, 2-0 win playoffs)

There have been some great match-ups in those games, always hard fought.  On occasion, Tsunami has had providence on its side with some offside calls where the ball was in the back of the net and the result changed.  But not today.  The refs were no factor and the team with the best plays won.

I was curious about our performance in season openers.  Kind of sorry I looked it up.  We're bad and getting worse.  We are 3-8 since joining CCSL, having lost our last four season openers.  Our last win in the opening game, then, was Spring 2008.

ANYWAY...not to worry.  Great effort and structure on the field.  Congratulations especially to Diana, whose versatility playing 4 positions was important.

Did you enjoy the game?


[Notes: 1-0 loss to Tsunami on 8/29/10, Wilson HS. GK: George.  Discipline: George (yellow, deliberate handling).]

Preview of fall schedule

Ahead of our first game this Sunday, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at our schedule.  It's a tough one.

Like last season, we start off the first week playing our rivals and co-equals, Tsunami.  I'm sure everyone remembers our close 2-1 loss to them last year in that first match.  It turned out to be accurate prediction for the season.  Tsunami finished 3rd behind Itchy & Scratchy and LUA and we finished a very close fourth.

Labor Day Weekend we are off as usual so there's an early bye built in.

When the season begins in earnest we will have the first of two night games this season.  Those 9:00 p.m. games will be late, but I expect really strong attendance because everyone is home from traveling on Sunday nights.  In those early games, we will be playing DC Divided and DC Thunder, teams that we're pretty familiar with by now.  We have even records versus both teams so it's a coin toss on paper.  But you can be sure we can't rely on chance to win.

We have four games at the league's new field at Galludet University.  Combined with our Trinity game, that's five games in the same general part of Northeast DC.  We'll be getting to know the neighborhood.  My neighbor plays for Geezers, a 3rd Division team that is being promoted.  That's our 9/26 matchup at Galludet.

We finish the schedule with three hard games - Quick, LUA, and Taz.  Quick and Taz have beaten us, but we have also beaten them.  Quick, of course, scored a 6-0 victory against us before they were relegated two seasons ago.  That one was bitter because it was a meltdown on our part.  LUA we have never beaten.  We played them once about 4 years ago and then 3 times recently.  Each time it's a LUA victory, although the margins are getting thinner each time.  When is that going to end?

Our late bye is six of one, half dozen of the other.  It should allow us to get healthy. But if we are in position for the playoffs, it will result in awkward breaks in the action towards the end of the season.  Our nonstop run of several games in the spring proved to be important to our success.

Any thoughts of your own on this sked?

It will be fun and very competitive.

RSVP for Game 1 - 9:30 a.m. at Wilson HS [Re-posted]

Fall soccer is back.

Are you in for this match? 

Wilson HS is located in upper Northwest, near Ft. Reno Park.  It is metro accessible.  This field takes a while to reach on foot from the parking areas so show up early.  this is where we played our night game last spring.

DC United player salaries

I find the business of soccer to be quite interesting. 

Each year, the MLS Players Association releases player salary information as a means of keeping pressure on the league to treat players fairly and to increase compensation.  The recent collective bargaining agreement reached between the centrally-managed MLS and the players was quite interesting.  The league went from giving players practically no guaranteed money and starting salaries of as little as $14,000/year to something much more in line with their economic value.  Still, you will be surprised by how little the players make the growing disparity between the American-born workhorses of the league and the high-priced foreign players.  Are we headed back to the days of NASL?  Who knows.

Here is DC United's spread.  The last columns, from left to right, are annual salary and 2010 guaranteed compensation.


DC Allsopp Danny F $ 1 80,000.00 $ 217,500.00
DC Barklage Brandon M-F $ 4 0,000.00 $ 40,000.00
DC Boskovic Branko M $ 3 80,000.00 $ 516,200.00
DC Burch Marc D $ 7 9,000.00 $ 81,500.00
DC Cristman Adam F $ 4 0,000.00 $ 40,000.00
DC Graye Jordan D $ 4 0,000.00 $ 40,000.00
DC Hamid Bill GK $ 4 0,000.00 $ 46,666.66
DC Hernandez Pablo F $ 2 40,000.00 $ 249,090.91
DC Jakovic Dejan D $ 1 47,600.00 $ 167,102.50
DC James Julius D $ 5 2,085.00 $ 61,460.00
DC King Stephen M $ 4 0,000.00 $ 40,000.00
DC McTavish Devon D-M $ 7 0,000.00 $ 72,500.00
DC Moreno Jaime F $ 1 60,000.00 $ 185,000.00
DC Morsink Kurt M $ 4 0,000.00 $ 40,000.00
DC Najar Andy M-F $ 3 9,000.00 $ 58,995.83
DC Pena Juan D $ 4 0,000.00 $ 40,000.00
DC Perkins Troy GK $ 2 00,000.00 $ 205,000.00
DC Pontius Chris M-F $ 1 00,000.00 $ 100,000.00
DC Quaranta Santino M-F $ 1 05,000.00 $ 107,500.00
DC Quinn Andrew GK $ 4 0,008.00 $ 40,008.00
DC Rice Barry D $ 4 0,000.00 $ 40,000.00
DC Shanosky Conor D $ 3 1,250.04 $ 37,135.54
DC Simms Clyde M $ 1 65,000.00 $ 171,000.00
DC Talley Carey D $ 9 9,996.00 $ 99,996.00
DC Wallace Rodney M-D $ 7 5,000.00 $ 124,000.00
DC Zayner Jed D $ 5 7,000.00 $ 60,875.00


My commentary.  Overpaid: Alsopp, Burch, McTavish, Talley, Wallace.  Underpaid: Cristman, Pontius.  Jury is out: Pena, Hernandez, Boskovic, Perkins.

Check out Goff's blog for the full link to the salaries of players on all MLS teams.