I realize I've once again taken a short recess from my blog posts, but I think I may have pinpointed the problem - I'm not scoring.
Don't get me wrong, I still score goals, but not as regularly as I did a year ago - or even three months ago. At first I would say I was slumping, but in recent games my assists have outnumbered my goals greatly. Perhaps I am evolving as a player. Probably not.
Anyways, this season has been a disappointing one for ANI Direct (maybe that's the problem). We started out 0-3-0 with a goal differential of -4. With the exception of next week's game, you could call those first three games the "thick of the schedule." We have since brought our record to 2-3-0 thanks to tonight's win, which could wind up being a turning point in our season. We started the game strong, holding a 1-0 lead for most of the half (I think they equalized just before halftime) but we should have finished a few more opportunities. I had a nice assist on the goal, knocking the ball of the wall at the corner to Jason streaking through the middle and he was able to redirect it to the far post. After the contribution, I was pretty much a non-factor, in fact I was probably the reason they tied it up. After all, I did spend nine of the first twenty minutes in the penalty box. Whoops.
The second half was a different story as we were able to take control of the game and they slowly deteriorated until the ref was forced to end the game early. It started when we were up a goal and one of our players committed a foul. Their pudgy defender took offense, ran/waddled up and shoved him in the back. He promptly threw his fists up as if he expected a rumble to go down. Apparently trying to fight only merits a yellow card and two minutes in the box. If you say so, ref.
We continued to build our lead as the game got dirtier by the minute. With a group of fans (theirs) talking smack to us all game, it was only appropriate to celebrate each time we grew our lead, right? The final straw was when a perfectly timed backheel (by me) found Rich (the instigator) at the back post. He knocked the ball home for a 5-1 lead and that was it. After the restart, smack talk continued on the field until the same pudgy offender (why is he still playing?) decided to up the ante. He shoved Rich to the ground and benches were cleared. After some pushing and shoving, the game was called and we were awarded our 5-1 victory.
Trash talking continued to the other side of the building and being outnumbered about 20-9, we decided to wait for them to clear out before rushing to our cars. A wise man once told me that you shouldn't let on-field skirmishes carry into the parking lot at Inwood Soccer Center. I wasn't willing to take my chances.
Perhaps ANI Direct is back. Next week will be our big test - a must-win against a strong team if we want any hopes at a playoff berth. Until then, Go USA!
Gold Cup Quarterfinals
USA v. Jamaica
Sunday, June 19 at 3pm
Fox Soccer Channel
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Not Very Beautiful Game
On Sunday, my team played a team that we matched up with pretty well...on paper. They had lost to a team that lost to a team we lost to (did that make sense?) so we thought that the game would be pretty even.
From the get-go, it appeared that we were wrong. The opposing team worked the ball all over the field, leaving us to watch and chase pass after pass until they set up goal-scoring chance after goal-scoring chance. In just a matter of minutes, the score was 1-0 after a well timed run got behind or defense to finish a one-on-one opportunity against our keeper. The rest of the first half was pretty much the same and we never really came close to scoring.
They figured out I was left footed early on, so every time I touched the ball, they forced me to the right. Normally I relish the opportunity to show them up with the right foot, but today all my efforts were as they expected - off target and lacking velocity.
At halftime, we felt lucky to only be down a goal and thought we might still have a chance. Our hope was all but lost after giving up a pathetic second goal a few minutes into the half. After a free kick was awarded to them at the top of the eighteen, they quickly played a pass to a wide open player in the box who calmly slotted it past our keeper. Our defenders just stood and watched, stunned by the clever play. After appealing to the ref that they were not ready, he reminded them that it didn't matter. Goal stands. 2-0.
The next few minutes were played without any sense of urgency as our team had pretty much given up. It wasn't until we were given a penalty kick for a handball in the box about ten minutes later. After losing rock, paper, scissors to take the kick, I watched our other forward confidently put it in the net. Probably for the best that I didn't take the kick. I grabbed the ball out of the net and we suddenly had a little momentum. We capitalized on that momentum about fifteen minutes from the end when our central midfielder put a cross to the back post from the right flank. After calling off the forward, the ball dropped near me and bounced up by my head. With the keeper charging out, I reached up and struck a low volley past him and into the net. 2-2. Momentum was ours.
Thinking we had a legitimate chance to win the game, our team began to play a little better. That was until their go-ahead goal. After our wall blocked a free kick near the top of the eighteen, one of their players collected the ball. He somehow dribbled past about five of our defenders to finish the goal, resulting in an over-the-top celebration complete with shirt over the head and thumb sucking. Damn.
That was pretty much the end of the game and a few minutes later it was official. This game was frustrating on many levels. Pretty much everyone on our team nagged at everyone else on the team. There were arguments among our players all over the field and no one really had room to talk. On top of that, we made their game-winning goal scorer look like Messi, the way he shredded our defense. To put it lightly, it was an embarrassing game and I have lost much of the confidence I had in our team. We'll see how things go next week...
From the get-go, it appeared that we were wrong. The opposing team worked the ball all over the field, leaving us to watch and chase pass after pass until they set up goal-scoring chance after goal-scoring chance. In just a matter of minutes, the score was 1-0 after a well timed run got behind or defense to finish a one-on-one opportunity against our keeper. The rest of the first half was pretty much the same and we never really came close to scoring.
They figured out I was left footed early on, so every time I touched the ball, they forced me to the right. Normally I relish the opportunity to show them up with the right foot, but today all my efforts were as they expected - off target and lacking velocity.
At halftime, we felt lucky to only be down a goal and thought we might still have a chance. Our hope was all but lost after giving up a pathetic second goal a few minutes into the half. After a free kick was awarded to them at the top of the eighteen, they quickly played a pass to a wide open player in the box who calmly slotted it past our keeper. Our defenders just stood and watched, stunned by the clever play. After appealing to the ref that they were not ready, he reminded them that it didn't matter. Goal stands. 2-0.
The next few minutes were played without any sense of urgency as our team had pretty much given up. It wasn't until we were given a penalty kick for a handball in the box about ten minutes later. After losing rock, paper, scissors to take the kick, I watched our other forward confidently put it in the net. Probably for the best that I didn't take the kick. I grabbed the ball out of the net and we suddenly had a little momentum. We capitalized on that momentum about fifteen minutes from the end when our central midfielder put a cross to the back post from the right flank. After calling off the forward, the ball dropped near me and bounced up by my head. With the keeper charging out, I reached up and struck a low volley past him and into the net. 2-2. Momentum was ours.
Thinking we had a legitimate chance to win the game, our team began to play a little better. That was until their go-ahead goal. After our wall blocked a free kick near the top of the eighteen, one of their players collected the ball. He somehow dribbled past about five of our defenders to finish the goal, resulting in an over-the-top celebration complete with shirt over the head and thumb sucking. Damn.
That was pretty much the end of the game and a few minutes later it was official. This game was frustrating on many levels. Pretty much everyone on our team nagged at everyone else on the team. There were arguments among our players all over the field and no one really had room to talk. On top of that, we made their game-winning goal scorer look like Messi, the way he shredded our defense. To put it lightly, it was an embarrassing game and I have lost much of the confidence I had in our team. We'll see how things go next week...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Jalapeno and Pepperoni
After my game last night, I had to opportunity to satisfy a craving I'd been having for weeks. Not sure why I waited so long for it, but as soon as I got home I put in my delivery order to Pastazios New York Pizza.
The quality of Pastazios is unmatched in the area and, for the price, it's a no brainer when deciding between them and Dominos. I placed my order for a small jalapeno and pepperoni pizza. Only one type of crust here. Thin, crispy, oven toasted.
When the pizza arrived I could smell the flavors oozing out of the cardboard box. After crushing four slices, I made the smart decision and saved the remaining slices for another day. In fact, I may have to reheat those slices right now...
Check out my Yelp page for my Pastazios review and many more!
The quality of Pastazios is unmatched in the area and, for the price, it's a no brainer when deciding between them and Dominos. I placed my order for a small jalapeno and pepperoni pizza. Only one type of crust here. Thin, crispy, oven toasted.
When the pizza arrived I could smell the flavors oozing out of the cardboard box. After crushing four slices, I made the smart decision and saved the remaining slices for another day. In fact, I may have to reheat those slices right now...
Check out my Yelp page for my Pastazios review and many more!
Back Outdoors
On Sunday afternoon I played my first outdoor game in what seemed like forever. It showed too. With the wind in full force, it was going to be difficult for anyone to look as though they had any skill whatsoever.
We elected to play into the wind in the first half, which played a pretty big factor. Despite battling the elements, we looked the stronger team and had the most chances (or half-chances might be more accurate). Through the first thirty minutes neither team had a legitimate shot on goal and it wasn't until then that the opposition broke the deadlock.
A ball was whipped into the wind from the right flank and just as I figured it was going to sail by everyone and out of bounds, one of our defenders decided to get in the way. The ball dropped down to the foot of one of their forwards, who didn't think twice before slamming it home. 1-0.
Over the next ten minutes it was more of the same. Failed attack after failed attack. Our best chance came when I chased a ball down to the corner flag. When no defenders came at me right away I took the ball along the goal line. As the first defender approached, I made a nifty little move to beat him to the left. As the ball neared the goal line, I sent a cross into the box hoping it would bang of someone and go in. The ball sailed through untouched and our opportunity was dissolved.
We finally got on the board just a minute from halftime when our left midfielder earned a free kick just outside the eighteen yard box. A teammate decided to loft the ball towards the goal, rather than shoot. I somehow got to the ball before the goalkeeper and headed it past him for the tying score. 1-1.
The second half was a completely different story (kind of). For the entire forty-five minutes we controlled the game. WIth the wind now at our backs we were able to attack with ease and kill their advances early. This resulted in plenty of shots, none of which were on target. I, personally, took several shots the just barely missed the goal. My best chance came when a ball was knocked towards their pudgy defender. Knowing he would take a bad touch, I applied pressure and he gave the ball right up. I took a couple touches to the right and hit a low shot to the near post. The ball pinged off the bar and richocheted across the face of the goal and out of bounds on the other side.
We finally broke the deadlock when one of our forwards made a daring run into the box, finishing the . opportunity he had created. Even though we only went on to win 2-1, we dominated the game and the other team was lucky to not have been beaten by more.
Next game in a week - hopefully the wind won't be such a factor.
We elected to play into the wind in the first half, which played a pretty big factor. Despite battling the elements, we looked the stronger team and had the most chances (or half-chances might be more accurate). Through the first thirty minutes neither team had a legitimate shot on goal and it wasn't until then that the opposition broke the deadlock.
A ball was whipped into the wind from the right flank and just as I figured it was going to sail by everyone and out of bounds, one of our defenders decided to get in the way. The ball dropped down to the foot of one of their forwards, who didn't think twice before slamming it home. 1-0.
Over the next ten minutes it was more of the same. Failed attack after failed attack. Our best chance came when I chased a ball down to the corner flag. When no defenders came at me right away I took the ball along the goal line. As the first defender approached, I made a nifty little move to beat him to the left. As the ball neared the goal line, I sent a cross into the box hoping it would bang of someone and go in. The ball sailed through untouched and our opportunity was dissolved.
We finally got on the board just a minute from halftime when our left midfielder earned a free kick just outside the eighteen yard box. A teammate decided to loft the ball towards the goal, rather than shoot. I somehow got to the ball before the goalkeeper and headed it past him for the tying score. 1-1.
The second half was a completely different story (kind of). For the entire forty-five minutes we controlled the game. WIth the wind now at our backs we were able to attack with ease and kill their advances early. This resulted in plenty of shots, none of which were on target. I, personally, took several shots the just barely missed the goal. My best chance came when a ball was knocked towards their pudgy defender. Knowing he would take a bad touch, I applied pressure and he gave the ball right up. I took a couple touches to the right and hit a low shot to the near post. The ball pinged off the bar and richocheted across the face of the goal and out of bounds on the other side.
We finally broke the deadlock when one of our forwards made a daring run into the box, finishing the . opportunity he had created. Even though we only went on to win 2-1, we dominated the game and the other team was lucky to not have been beaten by more.
Next game in a week - hopefully the wind won't be such a factor.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Same league, New season
Last night, we kicked off the Inwood Soccer Center Spring I season. Just like the last time I checked in, we're still playing Tuesday nights - Division VI. Since my last post, we've probably played 2 or 3 seasons and I think we won a championship during that period. Can't really remember and it doesn't really matter.
Anyways, we started off the season against a much lesser opponent in the 10:30pm matchup last night. We'd only take a few weeks off in between seasons but you'd think it was a few years by the way we played.
I found myself starting on the bench (how did that happen?) and from the opening whistle our play was very flat, to put it nicely. Not one person was able to find his "touch" and passes were either way off mark or coming in at the knees. It was not pretty soccer. When I entered the game a few minutes in, I'd say the play got even worse. My first touch came after our keeper rolled a ball to me smooth as can be. Thinking I'd just give a nice little one-touch pass back to one of our defenders, I popped the ball up and over the wall out of bounds. Whoops.
After about 8 minutes of terrible soccer, we were able to get on the scoreboard when a ball bounced to be about ten yards out. I lined up a right footed volley and put a decent strike on the ball. It would have been caught easily by the keeper had it not taken a last minuted deflection into the net. I'll take it. 1-0.
Like I said earlier, the team we played was much worse than us and in the end we were able to walk away with the W, albeit in embarrassing fashion...
That's all I can bring myself to write about this game. Hopefully the play is a bit better when I make my triumphant return to outdoor soccer at 3pm Sunday!
Anyways, we started off the season against a much lesser opponent in the 10:30pm matchup last night. We'd only take a few weeks off in between seasons but you'd think it was a few years by the way we played.
I found myself starting on the bench (how did that happen?) and from the opening whistle our play was very flat, to put it nicely. Not one person was able to find his "touch" and passes were either way off mark or coming in at the knees. It was not pretty soccer. When I entered the game a few minutes in, I'd say the play got even worse. My first touch came after our keeper rolled a ball to me smooth as can be. Thinking I'd just give a nice little one-touch pass back to one of our defenders, I popped the ball up and over the wall out of bounds. Whoops.
After about 8 minutes of terrible soccer, we were able to get on the scoreboard when a ball bounced to be about ten yards out. I lined up a right footed volley and put a decent strike on the ball. It would have been caught easily by the keeper had it not taken a last minuted deflection into the net. I'll take it. 1-0.
Like I said earlier, the team we played was much worse than us and in the end we were able to walk away with the W, albeit in embarrassing fashion...
That's all I can bring myself to write about this game. Hopefully the play is a bit better when I make my triumphant return to outdoor soccer at 3pm Sunday!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Chicken & Waffles...who knew?
2011 is becoming the year of trying new things and the most enjoyable thus far has been Lemon Bar (in Uptown) brunch. Never having been to Lemon Bar, I can proudly say that I've gone twice in February alone.
Saturday brunch at this trendy spot is something like I haven't seen. It's a restaurant full of 20-somethings who look as though they are recovering from a long night out. With a room full of hangovers, what's more appropriate than bottomless mimosas served in bottomless carafes? Nothing, I tell you..
But let's be serious, I'm not here to talk about orange juice. The real showstopper is the Chicken & Waffles. The brunch menu only consists of about 7 items, but could be easily trimmed down to just one. The chicken is lightly fried and pairs nicely with the fluffy Belgian waffle. You can't eat the entire plate without trying the ultimate bite at least once: Chicken, gravy, waffle, syrup and butter.
The portion size is huge and after eating my entire plate and 2/3 of Courtney's, I was ready for a Saturday afternoon nap.
Saturday brunch at this trendy spot is something like I haven't seen. It's a restaurant full of 20-somethings who look as though they are recovering from a long night out. With a room full of hangovers, what's more appropriate than bottomless mimosas served in bottomless carafes? Nothing, I tell you..
But let's be serious, I'm not here to talk about orange juice. The real showstopper is the Chicken & Waffles. The brunch menu only consists of about 7 items, but could be easily trimmed down to just one. The chicken is lightly fried and pairs nicely with the fluffy Belgian waffle. You can't eat the entire plate without trying the ultimate bite at least once: Chicken, gravy, waffle, syrup and butter.
The portion size is huge and after eating my entire plate and 2/3 of Courtney's, I was ready for a Saturday afternoon nap.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Farmer's Market and much more...
Yesterday was an adventure to say the least. We had the first great day of the year with temperatures rising into the 70s and not a cloud in the sky. Although I had a soccer kickaround scheduled, I blew it off and Courtney and I decided to take on our first new activity of the year - the Dallas Farmer's Market in Downtown Big D.
11:00 a.m.
This is something we'd been wanting to try for a while and although the most desirable fresh produce isn't available in the winter, we figured it would be fun to check out the market. When we got there, we weren't sure of the parking situation so we just drove around until we ended up in Shed 1. After confirming that we were, indeed, allowed to park there we were on our way. Who knew parking would be so easy?!
After checking out the 20 or so vendors in Shed 1, we decided to venture on over to the indoor shed. Apparently they are in the process of renovating, but the appearance was very nice (at least much nicer than I expected). After tasting some locally produced olive oil and blueberry vinaigrette, we wandered over to the tamale stand. We chatted it up for a bit with the guy running the cash register and ending up buying a plate to share. Three tamales, rice, beans and chips for $5. Not a bad deal (plus the tamales were delicious).
 |
| Farmer's Market entrance |
This is something we'd been wanting to try for a while and although the most desirable fresh produce isn't available in the winter, we figured it would be fun to check out the market. When we got there, we weren't sure of the parking situation so we just drove around until we ended up in Shed 1. After confirming that we were, indeed, allowed to park there we were on our way. Who knew parking would be so easy?!
After checking out the 20 or so vendors in Shed 1, we decided to venture on over to the indoor shed. Apparently they are in the process of renovating, but the appearance was very nice (at least much nicer than I expected). After tasting some locally produced olive oil and blueberry vinaigrette, we wandered over to the tamale stand. We chatted it up for a bit with the guy running the cash register and ending up buying a plate to share. Three tamales, rice, beans and chips for $5. Not a bad deal (plus the tamales were delicious).
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