I mean, who doesn’t? Superheroes are awesome. Your uncles and I often spent afternoons being Batman, Robin and any number of different bad guys. You boys prefer Spiderman (he is cooler, to be honest) and also have room in your hearts for PJ Masks, Ms Marvel, and your own inventions: Builder Spider [Spiderman with construction powers], and Red Cape.
Superheroes are cool, and superhero stories are great. But there’s something that can get confused in the fun of saving the day.
Powers are fun, and the heroes behind them are often great. But power isn’t part of people.
Super heroes tend to come by their powers in unusual ways (radioactive spider bites, other worldly mists, tragic backstories plus ninja training, magical pajamas…) but all of them are people first, and then empowered people. Heroes hold on to their humanity and don’t confuse themselves with their powers.
With good reason. Power can make someone more than a person. Give them enough power and it can make them feel and seem superior. When that power embeds itself in a person it becomes easier and easier to confuse yourself for the power you enjoy and justify all manner of unfair habits, tactics, and tendencies.
Superpowers are easy enough to see as imaginary. But there’s a real problem with power in the real world too. In our world lot’s of people have power, and even more want it. That power might be physical, it might be political, it might be social, it might be economic. Once people have it they start to obsess over holding on to it. And when people confuse themselves with the power they hold, they can be downright dangerous.
Christian Streich knows power lies within (bayernstrikes.com)
Consider, the ways that soccer coaches struggle to acknowledge that they’ve made a mistake. You might find the occasional coach (Citowicki or Streich) who owns their mistakes, but many others find a way to turn it around and blame it on the players they work with (cou*Heath*gh!). It can save your job, it can keep your power. But to what end?
You can see it among players too. Players who earn a bevy of awards and heaps of praise have a tendency to see themselves as bigger than the game. It’s why many players end up in trouble: their power creates a sense that they are more than others, and then they forget what other people need (witness tax evasion, blackmail, mafia connections, and assault).
The man behind the “muscle” (The Economist)
At it’s worst, this obsession with power can drive a whole country off the rails. I certainly see it in domestic politics as people ignore what’s good for the country as a whole when there’s a political point to be scored. Even worse is the poop butt in Russia whose need for consistent power has led him to attack innocent neighbors and endanger his own soldiers for no reason other than increasing his empire and his need for validation.
There’s so many examples of power corrupting, twisting minds and actions to their worst ends that it’s easy to come away with a cynical view. But I have hope.
I believe that human nature is good. I believe that our shared humanity will lead us to do the right thing, even though our individual desires beckon us to do the wrong thing. Above all else I see you boys planning all kinds of ways to “save the day” and I think, “power doesn’t have to corrupt, you just have to know that it’s something you use, not something you keep.”
It sure looked like Punjab was going to take their first loss of the campaign, even with two goals pulled back for offside Aizawl had shown the better style throughout the match. But then came a late red card to Aizwal’s right back and suddenly the onslaught was back on. Within 60 seconds Kurtis Guthrie (yup, him again) and defender Bikash Yumnam pulled the team from the edge of defeat to the hallowed halls of victory with a little poke from a dangerous corner kick to do the lasting damage.
Freiburg 3 – 2 Wolfsburg [M]
Vincenzo Grifo led the charge out of the gate blasting two beauties in the first half. When Wolfsburg stormed back to equalize late on, Silver Fox Nico Schlotterbeck made the difference to keep Freiburg very much in the mix for non Munich/Dortmund honors with only eight matches left to play.
Grenoble 0 – 0 Rodez [M]
The good news, Grenoble has stopped shipping goals like they were square-jawed sci-fi dudes with good chemistry (…no…no takers on the slash fiction joke…? okay moving on). The bad news the offense has also dried up. They’ve scored four times in nine matches under Vincent Hognon. (That this is a marked improvement shows just how low they had fallen prior to Hognon’s arrival…but it may not be enough improvement to save them from the drop).
Great Olympics 1 – 0 Legon Cities
Sigh…just when you hope the Royals are on the cusp of something, they go and lay an egg again…
SC Freiburg 7 – 1 FC Carl Zeiss Jena [F]
Carl Zeiss Jena may be a the foot of the women’s Bundesliga, but they had the lead for a solid half an hour in Freiburg. Then the lady griffins took charge. Seven goals from six players in about forty minutes was a heck of a showing. It may not win any trophies, but I bet it felt darn good.
Vozdovac 1 – 1 FK Spartak Subotica
The Red Dragons split their points on top of the mall in Belgrade. Milos Pantovic struck a solid rebound back into the goal to give them a surprising lead. While the defense did a good job of forcing Spartak into some ugly shots, their befuddlement on a late long ball opened it up for Spartak to waltz it in and take a point.
Grenoble Foot 3 – 3 Montabaun [F]
Perhaps les hommes de Hognon could use a conversation with Grenoble’s women’s side. Three goals marks a high point in the league for the ladies of the alps, though to be fair one of them was one of the slowest rollers I’ve ever seen. Still, points are points, and I’m not one to complain (though I would love if more than one phone could get video of the game)
NY Red Bulls 0 – 1 Minnesota United [M]
It takes a bit of effort to go into New York and come away with one point, let alone all three. But that’s what the Loons managed against the Red Bulls over the weekend. It was in no small part due to Dayne St. Clair’s showing in goal. The keeper made 8 tremendous saves (including a ball don’t lie penalty save), and though statistics suggested he coulda/shoulda given up 4, he kept the score line clear to let the single volley strike from Luis Amarilla send Minnesota home happy.
Gualaceo SC 2 – 1 Emelec
While Romario Caicedo got a late consolation goal, Los bombillos struggled with newly promoted Gualaceo. A little boost to the new comers to best one of the best sides in all Ecuador last year, but hopefully not the beginning of a trend.
Punjab FC 1 – 2 Sreenidi Deccan
Punjab lost their unbeaten run against the Andhar Pradesh side and more specifically Nigerian striker, Louis Ogana. It likely didn’t help that Kurtiss Guthrie finally had an off night for the Northwestern side and the attack was thoroughly neutralized.
Pau 0 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Don’t look now but les Grenobloises have gone three whole matches without a loss! Even though Jordy Gaspar had ten sloppy minutes to get himself banned from the next week of matches, Brice Mableu held on to enough attacks to ensure that Yoric Ravet’s penalty salvaged a crucial three points for Les Alpines who moved above the drop…phew!
News & Notes
(Omitted due to time constraints–hey, I’m writer, editor, publisher…I do what I want!)
Player of the Week
There were some solid showings this week by teams who played more than once, but you can’t ignore the elephant in the room: Freiburg Frauen dominated their match this week. And while lots of people scored goals, I couldn’t keep my eyes off 19 year old Swiss midfielder Riola Xhemaili who managed some absolutely staggering assists and key passes to set up several of the goals (playing in a line with other powerhouses like Janina Minge and Hasret Kayici doesn’t hurt either.
There will come a point in your lives boys, when you seem doing something vital from 4:30 in the morning until 10:30 at night. When that time comes, remember that you are enough just as you are, and your blog about parenting and soccer can take a break…assuming there are still blogs…and soccer…and parenting…you get the idea.
Results
Cimarrones 0 – 1 Alebrijes
Mineros 4 – 2 Alebrijes
Alebrijes 1 – 0 Celaya
Alebrijes continued their strong form. But as the defense goes, so goes the whole team, the slip against Mineros was the first time the team dropped points after scoring twice, but confirms that they’ve only lost matches after they give up two or more. Andre Alcaraz continues to be a brick wall in front of the goal, and Miguel Vallejo has done a masterful job on free kicks
Emelec 4 – 0 CSD Macara [M]
Independente del Valle 0 – 1 Emelec [M]
Emelec 2 – 2 Guyaquil City
Emelec’s return to action in Ecuador came with a trio of games against top opposition, and they didn’t disappoint. Sebastian Rodriguez has been huge so far, holding down a tight knit defense and scoring in the first two victories of the season while Alexis Zapata has shown up as a creative force for the attack. (As an added perk, rocking my Emelec jersey to school got multiple kids excited to talk about things…and then their learning!)
Hibernian 2 – 0 Ross County
Ross County 3 – 1 St. Johnstone
Motherwell 0 – 1 Ross County
Ross County 1 – 0 St. Mirren
The Staggies had an impressive showing over the last three weeks, so much so that suddenly, a team that seemed destined for demotion has hauled themselves up into the top half of the league. Again, Regan Charles Cook and Joseph Hungbo were huge for the Stags, while Alex Iacovitti and Jack Baldwin anchored a stellar showing by the back line.
Augsburg 1 – 2 Freiburg [M]
Freiburg 3 – 0 Hertha BSC [M]
Bochum 1 – 2 Freiburg [M-Cup]
RB Leipzig 1 – 1 Freiburg [M]
VfL Wolfsburg 4 – 1 SC Freiburg [F]
After a long lay off the ladies of Breigsau came back a bit rusty, but in their absence the men seem to have found a second win. Winning 3 of 4 and getting a vital draw with a fellow top six contender helps Freiburg stay close in the hunt for European places. Even better they are now just two steps away from the team’s first hardware in years with a spot in the semi-finals of DFB Pokal sealed against Hamburger SV. There were no shortage of strong performances, but we’d like to send a special tip of the cap to Nico Schlotterback’s defense and Rolland Salai’s role on the wing.
Nimes 3 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Nimes Metropole Garre 2 – 0 Grenoble Foot [F]
Grenoble 0 – 2 Toulouse [M]
Nancy 0 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Grenoble got one great win over the last three weeks. That is not a great record. But it did come with a fine showing from Brice Mableu back in goal with five saves and an assist. Now…can everybody in blue do that? (and can they do it against teams that aren’t sitting next to them on the bottom of the table?)
Vozdovac 0 – 0 Radniki Nis
FK Radnicki 1923 1 – 0 Vozdovac
Vozdovac 0 – 3 Red Star Belgrade
Mladost Lucani 2 – 4 Vozdovac
Let’s not dwell too long on the discouraging showings against Radnicki 1923 or the monsters of Red Star. A resilient draw against the better than most Radniki Nis team was nice, and the ability to show up and stick with a plan in Lucani was much appreciated. The Dragons didn’t have to do much to scorch the blue side’s defense, but the final goal by Marko Ivezic on a give and go with Stefan Hadjin was a beautiful bit of build up on a grey and dreary day.
Legon Cities 1 – 1 Hearts of Oak
Real Tamale 1 – 1 Legon Cities
Legon’s been unbeaten in their last 5 matches (though they’ve only won two of those). It’s all the more impressive as recent top choice keeper: William Essu is just 19 years old and standing up to the best shots that can be offered by much more established sides. Every year, it feels like Legon grabs a great keeper from nowhere: and here we are again. Medaase pii William!
Punjab FC 2 – 2 Churchill Brothers
Kenkre 0 – 4 Punjab FC
There was no shortage of offense for Punjab as they resumed their I-League campaign. Kurtis Guthrie has towered over the competition both literally (he’s 6’2″ in a team of 5 footers) and figuratively, scoring four goals over two matches to create a dominant attack (their eight goals outpaces every other team). Despite the slip against Churchill (a long standing local power), there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic for Punjab as they go for glory.
Philadelphia Union 1 – 1 Minnesota United
Minnesota United 1 – 1 Nashville SC
A couple of draws don’t tell the whole story for Minnesota United. The team has looked surprisingly organized in midfield, going beyond Emmanuel Reynoso’s usual one man show. Hasani Dotson has been on point this year (after a less consistent 2021), and the team has been well organized from front to back even though the supposed offensive juggernaut has yet to click. (To be fair, Philadelphia and Nashville are two strong opponents).
News & Notes
Mr. Poopy Butt
President Poop Butt
That has become your boys’ go to insult of late, and while I’d really rather we not have it at all, if we’re going to use it it better be directed towards this snivelling, self-righteous schmuck. Vladmir Putin has such a hard time believing that his country can still be important without forcing others to obey him that he’s put millions of people at risk to soothe his own bruised sense of self. If you need a hug Vladmir, I’m happy to oblige, but if you want to keep hurting people, well you really are, in the words of Alex, “Vladmir Poo….p Butt!”
Most Systems Go
In the time we were away a few leagues returned into action: Serbia is back to finish their current season, with Vozdovac going from an outside shot at Europe to a much more realistic shot at relegation. Punjab FC restarted their season after the long COVID Delay (like a rain delay, but with more spike proteins). And Minnesota United sent out their attacking force and defensive suggestion to the new American season.
Only the Griz (still focusing on school thank you very much) and Rosenborg (almost wrapped up with the preseason) have yet to play.
Kurtis is Cruising
Player of the Week
Okay, there are several players to recognize after several weeks of dereliction of duty. So let’s acknowledge some of the biggest difference makers for three teams who had tremendous runs over the last few weeks. Miguel Vallejo has rejuvenated Alebrijes; Nico Schlotterback has been instrumental in keeping Freiburg near the top of Germany, and Kurtis Guthrie is a one man wrecking crew in the Indian league. So Miguel, Nico and Kurtis you are our three players of the week.
Standings Update
In their short time back, Emelec and Punjab have shot to the top of our standings, while Alebrijes Oaxaca is showing a strong third, and the next three sides are separated by only 4 hundredths points per game. Strangely, two teams have the same average points/goals for and goals against per game: Minnesota (which after two matches isn’t too surprising) and Freiburg (which after 13…is a bit)
The internet makes it easier to watch soccer all around the world, and it makes talking to people across such distances easier too. While it’s nice to watch soccer from around the world to learn something new, it’s even better to talk to people from around the world to learn something new.
So, in that spirit, I’m starting a new series. The idea behind it is simple: talk to people tied to the eleven sides we follow and hear what they have learned from life, love, and football. When I get a hold of someone, I’ll share their answers to four key questions to help you two little guys (hence the name 4-for-2….well…and the pun with the common line-up formation: 4-4-2…I amuse myself boys)
Coach Citowicki
Our first interview was with University of Montana Head Coach Chris Citowicki. He’s running around the country between seasons scouting future Griz players and supporting the kids already on campus to be fully prepared for the coming campaign (not to mention their academic and career goals). He was kind enough to take a few minutes to give you boys some advice, and without further ado: here it is.
Q1. How did you first get interested in soccer, what did you like about it?
Lech Pozan fans (in utero Citowicki not pictured)
CC. I was born into it. My father was a semi-pro referee in Poland and both parents were obsessed with the game. The legend goes that my mother was pregnant with me sitting behind the goal at the local club game (Lech Pozana in Poland) and was about to get hit in the stomach with a powerful shot that missed the net. My father dove in front of her punching the ball away and saving unborn Chris in the process. It has been in my life forever and I love how unpredictable it can be. I also love the life lessons that come from it.
Q2. What have you learned about how to live from your career playing/coaching soccer?
Sophocles
CC. How to handle adversity is the main one. I am a fan of Greek Tragedies because they show us the life is not always rosy and happy. There are times that it’s hard and painful and you need to be able to come out of those moments. Study the “hero’s journey” as you’ll see similar things come up: the hero leaves on a quest, experiences tragic loss, rebuilds herself/himself and comes out better because of it.
Soccer also teaches you how to be a part of a team of people who are different. There are definitely patterns of personalities but overall we are all different individuals and how cool is it that you can bring all of those people together to compete for something!? I love it.
Q3. How has coaching soccer in Montana specifically shown you something (about yourself, about the game, about life) that you didn’t know before?
CC. One of our program values is passion and what I learnt is that passion for me equals intensity. I am an intense person who loves to compete for results and I’m borderline obsessive when it comes to my work. During my first two years here that started to lead to burnout and I didn’t like going to games anymore. It was beginning to be too much for me. I learnt that I’m not alone in this (many coaches feel this way) and I also learnt that I need to change the value of passion to JOY. Joy for us is: I hope there are days that you fall in love with being alive. I love this sport and being around these people and that should always be an important focus for me, not just winning.
Easy to be Joyful in Missoula
Q4. What’s your favorite kid-friendly sing-a-long song
MacKenzie's Boot Room 