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.