I have taken Alex with me to matches throughout his life. Even at under a year old, he was wrapped up in a baby carrier, being toted through a stadium filled with shouts and screams all so he could be present for the events.
Dear Boys,
And yet, he mostly slept or cried.
In the years since, he’s become more of an afficianado. He will ask to watch with me from time to time. He truly enjoys wearing his Loons gear, and he’s even started attending and adoring soccer training at pre-school: Soccer Shots. (Quoth the coach: “Alex shows growing ability at scoring goals!)
So heading back into the stadium this year, the first year of confident-Post-COVID attendance, I was hoping to see if he had developed a more refined appreciation of the game: more understanding of nuance and interest in both what happened with the ball and what happened away from it. The match didn’t disappoint: Luis Amarilla netted twice, Bongokuhle Hlongwane got his first goal at home to raucous applause, and the opposing Portland Timbers matched the Loons every step of the way. Surely, I thought, this will create a deep and multifaceted love of the game in Alex.
Alex’s take away: the gummy worms at the stadium are really good. And celebrating goals is fun!
It might sound like I’m making fun, but the truth is, I really envy how clearly Alex can see things. I want to hold on to that idea, I want to come back to it again and again.
As someone who can make absolutely everything overwrought, I need to remember that Alex’s approach is often the best. Keep it Simple, Son.
(Okay, that’s not the usual acronym, but I’m actively trying to avoid name calling, even towards myself)
You can worry about the pace, or the marking strategy. You can worry over the expressions you use and whether or not you have anybody reading your work.
In all that worrying, in all that cogitating, you can lose sight of the thing that you actively want to do.
Score goals.
Write.
In short, just be. And Alex already understands that.
(Originally drafted in May, and published now because…well…the reason is in the post)
I try to be honest with you boys as much as I can. To be genuine, truthful and direct about what happens when you’re living so that you can have some guide to getting through what’s going on.
You are wonders. You are marvels. You are joys, and I am forever blessed to be your father.
I am tired. I am spent. I don’t have much left to give, and I worry–almost every day–that I am about to let you down.
I am not unlike most parents. I am a great deal like many teachers in the age of COVID and rising pressure. I am burning out.
Dear Boys,
I say this not to plea for pity, or provide a guilt trip, but just to say: this is who I am, this is what I am navigating. Going in to school in the morning, I feel a heat in my legs and my cheeks and my scalp. I am worried that students will push and prod when I am least prepared and I will break.
Coming home at night, my feet itch, my skin crawls, my teeth grind, and I imagine bed time battles that I’m not emotionally ready for. I don’t blame you for not wanting to go to bed, or for begging for one more story, or one more game, or one more song. You are finding the pleasures of the world. You’re going to be excited to ask for more. I just don’t know if I can say no, even though I know I ought to, or if I can hear your cries and frustrations without taking it personally.
I know that in writing this, things may seem insurmountable. When you find this and read this years from now, you may wonder how I found a solution to it all.
I didn’t.
I just continued on.
The Madrigals
It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t always pleasant. But it has happened. (At least, I hope it has.)
The inspiration for this came, as it so often does, from family.
Owen’s adoration of Encanto means that, in addition to twirling nightly in his preferred Isabella purple night gown, we sing the songs almost hourly. So I am well familiar with the lyrics in the final song: “All of You”
“Look at this family, a glowing constellation.
So many stars, and everybody wants to shine…
But the stars don’t shine, they burn…
The constellations shift,
I think it’s time you learn…
You’re more than just your gift.”
–Lin Manuel Miranda
I’m not sure if you know just how hard that lyric hits me. I’m not sure how much of that lyric or the familial trauma undertones you understand, but it really does matter to me.
MacKenzie Crest
The same sentiment comes out in our family crest. The stag is familiar, it’s emblazoned on our local Ross County Kit. But the crest is more than that. The MacKenzie clan crest is a mountain on fire, and a credo in Latin: Lucero Non Uro…”We shine not burn”.
The MacKenzies are not the Scottish equivalent of the Madrigals, but I like to think that our forebearers understood some of the same purpose.
You can burn up your starlight. You can give and give and give until you’re spent. You can live your life like your hair is on fire, believe me, I feel like I’ve been doing it for years now.
But that’s not the point. It doesn’t serve you. It doesn’t serve those you love. And it isn’t what is in your nature.
You’re more than just your gifts. You’re more than Owen’s dancing, or Alex’s curiosity. The Madrigals are more than super-strength, or life-giving nourishment, or shape-shifting. The Staggies are more than impressive soccer players. The long-gone MacKenzies were more than defenders of an endangered king, or farmers, or revolutionaries.
I might feel burnt out at the sound of a school bell, or a son’s stomping feet, but I am more than that feeling. I am more more than that role. I feel it…and other things. I do it…and other things. I don’t have to strain to make it work. I don’t have to burn to prove that I’m trying.
I shine by being me. You shine by being you. The Madrigals, the MacKenzies, the miraculously saved Stag-Wearing Ross County side: all of us do our best at being what we are…because there’s power and strength and beauty, just in being.
By just being, each and every day: the Staggies survived a difficult campaign. The MacKenzies have seen their future borne out in you. The Madrigals are reunited and restored. And you bring joy to the world around you.
After a glorious summer of scintillating soccer, the Loons losing streak put the playoffs in peril.
I’m no stranger to late rushes to finish a job. You can’t be around students for most of your working life and not see frantic efforts to complete assignments, tests, even prom date arrangements.
There’s nothing wrong with late work. and nothing inherently better about quick completions. If nothing else the make or break moments force you to do something you can always benefit from: focus on the present moment alone.
Dear Boys
It’s an immensely valuable skill: one that can seem at odds with meeting all the expectations of scheduling and planning and executing vital plans to complete projects. But in reality, if you are present, truly present in the moment, you are living your life to the fullest.
Mender in a more acrobatic moment
Owen summed this up beautifully as we watched the game. Loons’ right wing Mender Garcia, stopped running and sat on the pitch. He was one of many who had paused play in the middle of a strenuous and stressful competition. More than a few fans were tired of the breaks in play. We heard grown men around us complain and moan about time wasting, or bad calls, or angling for a foul call.
Owen took a look at this and gave his opinion, “I think he just needs a break.”
I loved that idea.
I loved the notion, that a professional athlete might be, at core, an over-sized two year old: taking a break when he needed it. The biggest difference was that the professional athlete could sit down in frustration, or fatigue, or injury without flailing his legs and calling everyone a poop-butt.
Only the player knew for sure why he was doing it. He’d likely never tell the fans. I hope that in that moment, Mender got what he needed. He certainly seemed to be ok, but uncomfortable. I hope that he could feel where his body was at and what it needed. I’m sure that he found some of the strength he needed to continue on, at least until he was replaced about ten minutes in to the second half. But no matter what else, I hope that he had a moment to work through the pain and just be where he was and know what he was doing for one (relatively) quiet moment.
Zen and the art of Gummy Bears
I saw that same feeling creep over Owen as he munched on gummi-worms and admired the extra long tv screen above the end line. He watched the action on the screen, drinking it deeply. In all the noise and pressure and everything else, he just enjoyed his gummy worm, and the beating of the drums, and simply let it be.
The Loons ended up making the most of the moment. I don’t know as any of them would tell you that they did it because they were truly present in the moment. I doubt that they would blame their losing streak prior to this match as the result of ignoring the best practices of Zen philosophy. But this isn’t about what literally happened, that’s all in the box score. This is about what we learn, and in the midst of the break in a losing streak, and a sunny afternoon chewing gummy worms with my son, I felt more than ever how important appreciating that one moment really is.
Legon grabbed the lead in the first half as Michel Otou converted a penalty and Atte Youssifou got his first in the black and blue and orange (particularly impressive given the absolute blitz that this ball is on).
Minnesota 1 – 1 LA Galaxy
It took a very late equalizer from Robin Lod to save the day for the Loons who were on the verge of shuffling farther from playoff contention with their recent run of form. Increasingly the question is being asked: why do the Loons hire really expensive strikers when they don’t play and the Finnish midfielder scores the most goals?
Palmeiras 1 – 0 Emelec [M- Continental]
Again, it wasn’t much of a surprise to find that Palmeiras cruised to victory, they didn’t need much and it showed against Emelec.
Verdal 0 – 6 Rosenborg [M-Cup]
Verdal plays in the 4th division of Norwegian soccer, so this would be a little like a major league baseball team like the Twins having a game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. An upset was possible, but not likely. Fortunately some rarely seen players did well in their first action of the year: two claps for the two goals from Marius Broholm!
Freiburg 1 – 2 RB Leipzig [M–Cup Final!]
In what was an absolutely wrenching 2.5 hours of soccer to watch: Freiburg had the lead and seem to land fortunate break after fortunate break. And still, foreboding sense of impending doom could not be erased. Every Mark Flekken cover, every Nico Schlotterbeck save, every Rolland Sallai run into space, every ounce of it seemed tantalizing, and yet, doomed. At one point, my stomach in knots, Alex said to me: “I’m not worried. We always win.” My sweet summer child, nothing could be further from the truth. Freiburg didn’t do anything badly, but they were second best on the day.
Emelec 0 – 1 Universidad Catolica [M]
Emelec continues to struggle as they near the end of the league’s first stage. Being torn between domestic and continental competitions definitely does not help.
Quito FC 2 – 0 Emelec [F]
Half way through the season, las electricas are struggling to get any form of momentum together
Red Star Belgrade 3 – 1 Vozdovac
Nemanja Milojevic netted the last Red Dragon goal of the campaign to cap a solid 5th place showing for the boys from Stadion Mall. They might be frustrated to have wound up two points outside of European qualification, but facing the Duopoly of Belgrade in your last two games leaves absolutely no room for error….so let’s focus on the good and applaud the best season we’ve seen yet from the Red Dragons.
Avaldsnes 1 – 3 Rosenborg BK [F]
The Trolljenta aquitted themselves well on the road. Midfielder Emilie Bragstad continues to be the iron woman of the side, having played every moment of all 10 matches, and netting twice during this game to make the difference.
Bechem United 0 – 0 Legon Cities FC
Rather than recall this match, I just want to take a moment to shout out Pebbles Candies. A Ghanaian treat that would utterly crush peanut M&Ms in a head to head contest.
HamKam 1 – 1 Rosenborg [M]
An overloaded midfield helped to stymie HamKam for much of the day, but it didn’t do a heck of a lot for Rosenborg’s lackluster offense. The best bit of this is that American Samuel Rogers was the goal scorer, so WOOT for Americans in Trondheim.
Dallas 1 – 2 Minnesota United
The Loons grabbed all three points against an awfully talented Dallas team, courtesy of some stout defending and an absolutely blast from fullback DJ Taylor who also led the Loons in tackles and helped to hold off many Dallas attacks.
ASPTT Albi 0 – 2 Grenoble [F]
It was a fine way for les Grenobloises to end their season. Claudia Febre connected with Sherly Jeudy for the first goal. And a strong set of defensive substitutes shut down the opponent in the second half, and set up a late headed goal to put the win (and sixth place) on ice.
Emelec needed a win to advance to the next round of the Copa Libertadores, a win they were clearly banking on given their showings in recently league games. But boy did they ever get that result Tuesday night. Petrolero has struggled this year in Bolivia, and Emelec only compounded the pain with Alejandro Cabez and Sebastian Rodriguez each grabbing a pair of goals. The knockout rounds await, and fingers crossed, Emelec can make a run for it.
News & Notes
Aurora Dawning
It’s time for another team to debut on our page, this time it’s Minnesota Aurora, representing our state (and hopeful college kids across the mountain/midwest) in the USL-W. They’ll play their first match this week and we can’t wait to shout them out as they go along.
Last glimpse of Europe
Don’t worry, it’s not sinking into the sea or anything, but with most of the European leagues shutting down for the summer months, it seemed wise to look back on how teams fared in our competition.
Obviously, Freiburg has much to be proud of, in addition to a strong showing in the Cup final, they did qualify for the Europa League meaning they’ll have some fancy foreign affairs to handle next season. But they weren’t alone in contending for continental glory.
FK Vozdovac and Ross County were both able to keep themselves in the conversation for the old continent’s biggest competitions until the very end of the season. That may not seem like much, but given that we’ve spent the first two years of this blog worried about their survival, it was awfully nice.
Emelec will continue to look for glory in South America, but our other major club title to watch for is Rosenborg’s next crack at going for Champion’s League football at the end of August.
Player of the Week
There were plenty of big wins and noble defeats this last week. Amongst all the chatter, we want to take a moment for Emilie Bragstad, who has been invaluable to Rosenborg all year long.
That was not exactly a thrilling week. Outside of the Guyaquil derby, my fun day at home and Rosenborg’s Syttende Mai celebration, there was a whole lot of losing going on. It’s a bitter way for several teams to start their summer break, here’s hoping that Grenoble’s ladies and Freiburg can end their seasons with a win.
Team
W
D
L
PPG
GFA
GAA
Alebrijes de Oaxaca–b
10
5
3
1.94
1.3
0.7
Freiburg–b
15
8
7
1.77
2.1
1.5
Rosenborg
9
4
6
1.63
1.5
0.9
Legon Cities
8
5
5
1.61
1.3
0.7
Minnesota
6
2
5
1.54
1.2
1.0
Punjab–b
7
4
6
1.47
1.8
1.7
Emelec
8
7
8
1.35
1.6
1.4
FK Vozdovac–b
5
5
5
1.33
1.2
1.0
Ross County–b
6
5
8
1.21
1.1
1.4
Grenoble–b
9
4
13
1.19
1.1
1.4
University of Montana–b
—
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Table Updated 5/18/22 b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, May 25th
Minnesota v. Union Omaha [M-Cup]
Rosenborg BK v. LSK Kvinner [F]
Thursday, May 26th
Rosenborg v. FK Haugesund [M]
Minnesota Aurora v. Green Bay Glory [F]
Friday, May 27th
Saturday, May 28th
Valerenga v. Rosenborg BK [F]
Legon Cities v. Bibiani Gold Stars
Minnesota v. NYCFC [M–and the first game I can actually attend in person]
Raise your hand if you’re surprised by that result…good news, I’m not writing some creepy blog that watches you through your camera so I have no idea if you raised your hand or not, but rest assured, it’s not at all surprising.
Barcelona SC 1 – 1 Emelec
This was a biggie. The stadium was the most crowded one I’ve seen for any of our highlights and the mood was tense. The biggest match in Guyaquil ended in shared points…but Barcelona and Emelec hate sharing as much as two brothers with a Paw Patrol brand squirt pack. This match was almost as testy with Emelec using a lot of physicality to hold off Barcelona’s attacks, and capitalizing on occasional miscues (as with Alexis Zapata’s goal).
Minnesota 2 – 1 Colorado [Cup]
In a game played over 18 hours (with a tornado warning in between), the Loons managed to pull off a solid win despite losing the lead and playing the last ten minutes without center back Brent Kallman. Credit goes to Emmanuel Reynoso who again proved that asking him to play the hero isn’t a bad strategy when he has his hero boots on.
Punjab FC 3 – 3 Neroca FC
It was hard to watch the Warriors squander a lead like they did…fortunately I didn’t find any clips of it so I didn’t have to watch it happen. Still, it’s a rough ending to what started out to be a promising campaign for Punjab. Clearly Kurtis Guthrie can’t do it all the same way Emmanuel Reynoso can (please don’t take that as a suggestion anyone)
Bayern Leverkusen 2 – 1 Freiburg [M]
While Freiburg started great guns this year they didn’t finish that way. Leverkusen showed their endurance all year and did it again by winning in stoppage time here. Still, no need to cry for Freiburg there’s still European competition next year and a trophy to play for next weekend.
Ross County 1 – 2 Dundee
From Fitba on Twitter
The Tangerines denied County any comfort of coming close to European soccer by beating them at home, and also throwing stuff on the field. (Granted it was an inflatable palm tree and beach ball…but who brings that stuff to a match? Other than Dundee people for some reason.)
Paris FC 2 -0 Grenoble [M]
A year ago, Grenoble and Paris were in a pitched battle for playoff survival. This year, Grenoble just gave them a game to warm up for the playoffs. Sigh…I still miss Jessy Bennet.
Nanas 2 – 0 Emelec [F]
Pleae don’t leave us Hasret!
Something may need to change for las Electricas. 1 point per match isn’t dreadful (they’re still solidly mid-table) but it seems like they’re being passed up by other sides
FC Koln 0 – 0 SC Freiburg [F]
Freiburg wrapped their women’s season too. There were great scorers emerging this year, here’s hoping they stay. (Looking at you Hasret!)
Seattle Sounders 3 – 1 Minnesota United
The Loons seem to turn in their worst performances in Seattle. Maybe because Seattle is the best team in North America, or maybe because the Loons are secretly 11 pumpkins who revert to gourd form when they get too close to Starbucks: come back to Caribou boys!!
Orense 2 – 0 Emelec
In a rarity los Bombillos never looked a threat in this one. Rarer still they were outclassed despite Orense being a significantly softer side. Perhaps thoughts of Palmeiras mid-week were overwhelming
Rosenborg 3 – 0 Sandefjord [M]
Stefano Holmquist Vecchia came thorugh big time for Rosenborg. The front of the troll’s attack hasn’t been awe inspiring this season, but abrace from Vecchia and some good interplay with Noah Holm up top was good enough to get Rosenborg their first win in 4 tries. (Not a bad way to kick off Syttende Mai/Norwegian Independence Day)
Vozdovac 0 – 3 Partizan Belgrade
Vozdovac definitely got the fuzzy lollipop from the schedule makers. Their last two matches come against Partizan and Red Star, the Serbian duopoly, and teams they have only scored two goals against in the 7 combined matches since the pandemic started. Worse, with European leagues expanding, Vozdovac is hitting the hardest stretch just before they had a spot clinched.
The newest team in our galaxy of stars took the field to begin practicing this week. Minnesota Aurora has started to prepare for the upcoming season. It won’t be long, but it should be fun, and in the end. That’s what matters.
Trophy Alert!
There’s a big opportunity awaiting Freiburg this weekend, but it’s one that most folks have written off. The DFB Pokal is one of the most prestigious and longest running tournaments in Europe, and Freiburg has looked good in the run up to the final. However, in the final they’ll meet RB Liepzig, the highly funded squad with several stars and a history of coming close. The season saw a pair of 1-1 draws with Phillip Leinhart and Nico Schlotterbeck stopping the Liepzig attack before it could get going. They’ll need to do it again on a bigger stage this weekend if they’re going to grab Freiburg’s first trophy as a top division team.
Self-Care
Entertainment!
The recent surge in COVID cases, and the vicious bout of cold I came down with did come with a small consolation: I was able to get a treat of a lunch with spicy Nashville Coop Chicken and watch two matches simultaneously! You didn’t get to…but I promise if there’s a point where I can get you a treat like this, I absolutely will.
Player of the Week
Maybe Norwegian Independence has me in a mood, maybe absolutely no one else distinguished themselves, but this week’s honors will go to Stefano Holmquist Vecchia. And I’m ok with that.
Standings Update
That was not exactly a thrilling week. Outside of the Guyaquil derby, my fun day at home and Rosenborg’s Syttende Mai celebration, there was a whole lot of losing going on. It’s a bitter way for several teams to start their summer break, here’s hoping that Grenoble’s ladies and Freiburg can end their seasons with a win.
The Trolljenta aren’t looking to break their record for most season losses any time soon. Synne Bronstad was the hero this day getting the winning goal just five minutes after she came on as a substitute. Rosenborg has had to get creative, but the deeper the bench goes the better for everyone.
Punjab FC 0 – 2 Sreenidi Deccan
I’ve had a hard time finding recaps on this, but suffice to say, it didn’t go great for Punjab. They’re fully out of the running for hardware this year, but acquitted themselves well despite the changes in season and in management.
Freiburg 1 – 4 Union Berlin [M]
That one wasn’t even close. Despite having 71% possession and at least 2 expected goals, Freiburg got nearly nothing, while Union Berlin made the most of each of their chances against a clearly tiring Freiburg back line. Freiburg heads to their last league match needing a great showing against one of the best teams in the country.
Ross County 0 – 1 Motherwell
The Staggies also came up short in a vital game at home, but can’t count themselves quite as unlucky as Freiburg. The lost points stem from Alex Iacovitti’s foul in the box and the ensuing penalty. It was unfortunate but, so it goes.
Grenoble 1 – 1 AC Ajaccio [M]
Loris Nery put Grenoble in front early off a lightning strike of a free kick. However, Adrien Monfray’s two yellow cards (within 5 minutes of each other) put them right back in jeopardy. While Ajaccio got a goal back, Brice Mableu kept things tight at the back to snatch a point and with it safety in Ligue 2 for another year.
Minnesota United 0 – 1 Cincinnati [M]
The Loons looked poor and again required Dayne St. Clair to save the day. Romain Metanire’s absence continues to create trouble for our fullbacks, and the struggles of the offense to find a plan beyond: Reynoso does something magical, isn’t helping the offense either.
Emelec 1 – 0 Macara [F]
Las Electricas got a win again! Captain Maria Jose Colonel netted the winner late on in the match to give Emelec a boost on their way in to Mother’s Day.
Emelec 4 – 0 Mushuc Runa [M]
Sebastian Rodiguez could have had a penalty kick hat trick, but mercifully ceded the honors to Jose Cevallos at the end of the game as los bombillos plagued Mushuc every step of the way. (Alexis Zapata must have a protractor to hit the angle of goal he did…oof)
SC Freiburg 3 – 0 SGS Essen [F]
It wasn’t the well known stars who boosted Freiburg to victory, but a well rounded game can be exactly what the doctor called for. Three goals came with three combinations of scorers and play makers. I’m a little partial to Jana Vojtekova’s cross, but that’s me.
LSK Kvinner 0 – 0 Rosenborg BK [F]
Sa, det skjedde (that’s “So that happened” in Norwegian)
Stromsgodset 3 – 0 Rosenborg [M]
That also happened. The only thing to say is that Erland Dahl Reitan’s goal was nice…but into the wrong net. Rosenborg’s normally reliable performance have dropped dramatically and they now sit in 12th place. (one point above relegation area…granted it’s early but still…yikes…)
Grenoble 3 – 1 Le Puy [F]
Les alpines got a much needed dose of home cooking after two lack luster losses in a row. And with Sherly Jeudy and Claudia Fabre were phenomenal in tandem setting up and knocking home all three of the Grenoble goals, including this one just three minutes into the match
Accra Lions 1 – 0 Legon Cities
Legon is awfully close to Accra, but the Royals continue to stumble in the closest things they have to local rivalries. They have won one match against the trio of Lions, Hearts of Oak, and Olympics. Here’s hoping Liberty Professionals come back for a little extra aggression next year.
Cukaricki 0 – 0 Vozdovac
That also happened. (Side note: Milos Milovic’s red card will likely hold him back from the next match against Partizan Belgrade…I’m sure Milos is a serious professional, but I wouldn’t blame him if he wanted a break from the fascist pigs that cheer at Paritzan.)
News & Notes
Mother’s Day Mania!
We celebrated your mom the best way possible on Sunday: sweet treats and Star Wars (those were her requests which again reminds us that she is truly awesome). We also got to see the Women take center stage with all the women’s teams in action and every single one of them picking up a point.
— Club Sport Emelec Femenino (@ElectricasCSE) May 8, 2022
Champions League
Where attention is at…
I don’t really talk about the major soccer scene that much. There are other, better known websites for chronicling other, better known competitions. But suffice to say, it was fun to see a crowd of students chattering and buzzing during the biggest game of the year (so far). It also reminded me that exactly 0 learning will be done on November 21st, 22nd, 29th, and 30th (as Mexico and Ecuador are in action over those two days…and most of my students have families from there)
C is for Catchy Song
I have no further notes, just enjoy this Ross County version of a Sesame Street Classic.
It’s not all about Mothers day, but the simple fact is the men went 1-1-6 this week and the women went 3-1-0. We already wanted to recognize the awesomeness of the women but, as always, they made it easy. This week we’ll give it to Claudia Fabre who had a hand (or foot) in everything that got the ladies of Grenoble into the winner’s circle (also, if my research is to be believed she’s also a radiologist…so…wow…and possibly a big Bitcoin enthusiast).
Standings Update
It’s a great time to be a fan, as all but one team has a winning record this year, and even they (Grenoble) are in fine form lately. I can’t remember the last time Vozdovac was this high on the standings…they must be carrying the mythical flying creature flag…sorry Oaxaca.
Oaxaca started out their quest for the Liga Expansion cup with a thundering win away from home. They got all the offense they needed on a pair of first half throw-ins This is a far cry from the team that started out so sloppily in the fall. There’s real hope that some silverware awaits. [Narrator’s voice: it didn’t…]
Røa 0 – 3 Rosenborg [F]
The black and white attack of Rosenborg picked up right where it left off over the weekend. A pair of thundering strikes showed that the Trolljenta still know what they’re doing in their attack. This time some of the more familiar names spearheaded the charge with Sara Kanutte Fornes now spearheading the attack and Emilie Marie Joramo picking up the slack in the midfield.
FK Vozdovac 3 – 0 Napredak
It was a heckuva 9 minute stretch for the Red Dragons against Napredak. From the 21st to the 28th minute, Vozdovac notched up 3 goals, and mercifully held themselves back from adding a further whooping to Napredak.
Emelec 1 – 3 Palmeiras [Continental-M]
You’d be right to assume that Palmeiras, one of the rising powers of Brazilian club soccer would be the beast to beat in Emelec’s Copa Libertedores group. So the loss here isn’t terribly damning. After this result, a lot depended on the game at Venezuela’s Deportivo Tachira…see below.
Punjab FC 2 – 1 Rajasthan United
Punjab won…Kurtis Guthrie scored…this is not a coincidence. Guthrie even managed to do it entirely with his feet rather than relying on his supreme height advantage to get another headed goal. Despite the strong showing, Punjab remains six points back of Gokulam FC, despite Gokulam playing two fewer matches….still…Kurtis Guthrie gives hopes to all us gangly guys.
Independents Del Valle 3 – 1 Emelec [F]
Las Electricas are struggling to find some form. With just four points in five matches, they’re looking for something that can boost them back up towards their regular post-season competition, and soon!
Alebrijes 0 – 0 Cimarrones
And with that Alebrijes won the tie and moved on to…uh…wait a second…they didn’t? Wait…What?
Hearts 0 – 0 Ross County
As ever with goalless draws, I don’t have much to say. Given County’s recent form, it’s not surprising that they hung back to stop Hearts from scoring rather than venturing out for a goal of their own. It may be effective enough to get the Stags into European competition, but fun it is not.
Hoffenheim 3 – 4 Freiburg [M]
Meanwhile, decidedly farther along the “fun” spectrum, was Freiburg’s game against Hoffenheim, which ended in a rollicking 7 goal match. The Griffin’s attack was formidable with Rolland Sallai and Woo-Yeong Jeon scoring and Christian Gunter and Lucas Holer getting a goal and an assist a pop. There were still a few too many nervy moments for keeper Mark Flekken and a very tired back line. With two weeks to go and two big matches against fellow European contenders (Union Berlin and Beyern Leverkusen) on the docket, here’s hoping to defenders getting a rest.
Grenoble 1 – 1 Amiens
I’m glad to say that Jessy Bennet was man of the match. I’m less glad to stay that he still isn’t playing for Grenoble. But the shared points will leave most of Grenoble satisfied (see the note below). Despite having two starters come off within the first half hour, they remained resilient and got the goal they needed
Rosenborg BK 0 – 1 Lyn Football [F]
Strange but true, Rosenborg now has as many losses in this season as they had in the last two seasons combined. There are some big Blakstad boots to fill and some unfortunate injuries to limit Sarah Kanutte Fornes. But we have faith that the Trolljenta will take these setbacks and grow.
Legon Cities 2 – 0 Elmina Sharks
Following Legon Cities has been an exercise in expectations unmet. But Hans Kwofie’s surge of form notching another goal in this one has been heartening to see. As Jonah Attuquaye and Kwofie connect more and more easily, Legon looks to be laying the groundwork for a strong end of the campaign and start to the next.
TSC Backa Topola 1 – 1 Vozdovac
Again the Red Dragons needed a boost from a Milos to get the job done. This week it was Milos Pantovic who saved a point with a late goal against Backa Topola.
LAFC 2 – 0 Minnesota Utd
It was late, it was long, it was offensively frustrating to see many opportunities and now results. It was a typical trip to LA for Minnesota.
Churchill Brothers 2 – 1 Punjab FC
For the first time in a long time, Kurtis Guthrie scored but Punjab came away without any points. This is a disturbing trend that must be stopped as soon as possible. (Good thing the season ends soon anyway)
Deportiva Tachira 1 – 4 Emelec [Continental-M]
Los Bombillos delivered a tremendous result on the road in Venezuela. The win vaulted them into second place in their Copa Libertadores group, and may prove invaluable as Tachira is their closest rival for that second spot. Sebastian Rodriguez played the hero with a hat trick to seal the victory.
News & Notes
Special Guest Star: GRANDMA!
Grandma teaches Owen gegenpressing with a juicer metaphor
Your mom took a much deserved break this weekend with a trip down to San Diego to see her sister. Meanwhile you boys stuck it out in a cold and drizzly Minnesota with me and Grandma Bekka, who has invaluable insights of her own to offer each and every day: including why Tron is both an allegory for our dependence on technology, and just plain old cool. She also deeply appreciated your boys’ taste in movies as we treated her to granola snacks, Big Hero 6, and Into the Spiderverse. It was pretty great.
Explaining Oaxaca
I was sure it was a mistake. I knew the first leg score. I was watching the second leg tracker as I rocked Owen to sleep. Then I saw the final whistle and checked social media for a celebratory post: only to find the phrase “Termina el partido y nuestra participación en el #Clausura2022” or “The Game ends and so does our participation in [the league]”. I couldn’t figure it out. So…How does a team that won the spring season, and the first leg, and the two legs combined get eliminated from the Championship playoffs?
Well, by bringing along one more player than they were supposed to.
We can’t believe it either guys (Photo From D1SoftballNews.com)
By bringing one extra player senior player than they were allowed for the first leg against Cimarrones, Alebrijes saw their 3-1 win wiped out and turned into a 1-0 loss. With that result, the goalless draw gave Cimarrones all they needed to advance. Credit where it’s due, Alebrijes owned the mistake and took their consequence professionally. It’s certainly not how any of us would like their season to end but…it is what it is. And now, it’s on to proving the strength in the 2022-2023 Season.
Le Sigh..
Grenoble’s draw against Amiens wasn’t the stuff of legend, but it was almost enough. Vincent Hognon’s team provided enough defense resilience to stop Amiens from getting the win and the point was enough to put all the pressure on Rodez to win against top of the table Toulouse….but the dogs did it. So Grenoble will have their status as a Ligue 2 team depend entirely on their next two matches. A point from either the home game against Ajaccio or the road game in Paris will save them, but Quevilly and Rodez still have some fight in them.
Is there a word in German for Grateful yet Frustrated Goodbye?
*Other than Dankbar frustiert Auf Wiedersehn?*
Because that’s what we have to say to Nico Schlotterbeck, who was confirmed as signing with much bigger side Borussia Dortmund. It makes sense, and might help Nico make it to Qatar in December, but…sigh…we sure liked him in Freiburg (we better get another platinum blond defender to continue the Robin Koch, Nico Schlotterbeck trend)…hmmm…PlatinblondTschuss?
Player of the Week
This would be a lot easier if only one person would have a good game at a time. Do you tip the cap to Sebastian Rodriguez for the hattrick? Milos Pantovic for playing a vital role in two wins? Both would be deserving, but we’re going to give a final tip of the cap to the team leading our league at this point: Alebrijes de Oaxaca, specifically one of the team leaders, a sterling defender and a man who chipped in three goals throughout the season: Ernesto Reyes.
Standings Update
It’s a great time to be a fan, as all but one team has a winning record this year, and even they (Grenoble) are in fine form lately. I can’t remember the last time Vozdovac was this high on the standings…they must be carrying the mythical flying creature flag…sorry Oaxaca.
The Midwestern Bird Derby was a welcome sight on Wednesday as the Loons sent some talented players down I-94 to play in Wisconsin’s capital. It might have been a bit of a surprise for players like Adrien Hunou and Bongokuhle Hlongwane to go from Champions League to Madison, Wisconsin, but the win moves them along in the US Open Cup. Special mention to Joseph Rosales and his pair of sterling corner kicks to set up both goals.
FK Vozdovac 2 – 1 Vojvodina
The Red Dragons struck again to boost their standing in the SuperLiga Championship Group. Despite a shaky start to the game defensively they responded well after a penalty conceded and made the most of their home turf. (The second goal from Marko Mijailovic was a particularly nice piece of teamwork) A trip to Europe is likely still out of reach for the stars of the Mall Stadium, but fourth place would still be one of their best finishes in years.
Cumbaya 1 – 1 Emelec [M]
Los bombillos endured a pretty dour match until all heck-fire broke out in the last ten minutes. After some shoddy defending gave Cumbaya the lead, Alexis Zapata seemed to be fouled in the box by a three inch tall pink pixie that only the referee could see (even Zapata doesn’t feel anything until after the whistle is blown). So Cumbaya got a red card for allowing pixies on the field, and Jose Cevallos knocked home the penalty to draw a point from the game. (Seriously, watch the foul and have a laugh at the absurdity of that penalty…we cheer for Emelec…but c’mon…)
Le Havre 0 – 1 Grenoble [M]
It’s not over yet but Vincent Hognon’s work boosting Grenoble is close to paying off in spades. As usual Grenoble goes best when it’s defense is on point, and we’re glad to see Loic Nestor and Adrian Monfry back in good form. (Kudos too to oft omitted defender Bart Straalman and to Jordy Gaspar, who has done well in a more advanced position)
Emelec 0 – 3 Deportivo Espuce [F]
Ooof…getting a three goal whooping at home is a tough way to start your weekend. But hey it was more fun than most of the men’s match.
Golukam 2 – 0 Punjab FC
Since starting crazy strong, Punjab’s been stymied consistently. Unsurprisingly, it seems to come down to Kurtis Guthrie. When he doesn’t score, the warriors have one win, one draw and all four of their losses.
Freiburg 3 – 3 Borussia Munchengladbach [M]
‘Gladbach started quite well and things looked dark, but Freiburg came back with a vengeance in the second half. Goals from Vincenzo Grifo, Christian Günter, and Phillip Leinhart gave Freiburg a boost that seemed like it might complete an epic comeback…until a very late header split the points.
Minnesota United 3 – 0 Chicago Fire
The Loons kept the good times rolling against more of our fellow midwesterners in a game that was a lot more physical than you’d expect from the Midwest’s “passive agressive” reputation. Emmanuel Reynoso started to click after a surprisingly poor run of play and South African winger Bongokuhle Hlongwane notched two assists to push past Chicago after leaning on Dayne St. Clair to start the match..
Rosenborg BK 4 – 1 Arna-Bjornar [F]
Rosenborg may have a loss to blemish their record earlier than ever before, but they continue to click along with terrifying consistency. This time Emile Nautnes took charge in midfield and ripped two goals en route to a big win.
Ross County 0 – 2 Celtic
The Stags rarely expect to take points off the Glaswegian duopoly of Celtic and Rangers, so losing by two feels like a moral victory. Ditto Connor Randall for helping bottle up at least one side of the park.
Asante Kotoko 1 – 3 Legon Cities
The porcupines of Kotoko seem to be running away with the league, but for 90 fabulous minutes in Kumasi the Royals held their own. Hans Kwofie and Jonah Attuquaye connected on two strong crosses, to boost Legon past one of Ghana’s legendary sides.
SC Freiburg 7 – 1 SC Sand [F]
Every once in a while Hasret Kayicki reminds you that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Passing, blasting in goals, dominating the passing lanes. Sorry Sand, but this was fun.
Rosenborg 0 – 0 Molde [M]
That happened.
Emelec 1 – 0 Aucas [M]
Thank goodness Bryan Carabali scored so early. After Anibal Leguizmon was sent off shortly after the game’s only goal, Emelec had to hunker down and endure heaps of pressure. They did and kept themselves in the top tier of the league in front of the fullest stadium I’ve seen for our team since the pandemic.
Rodez 3 – 0 Grenoble [F]
It was a less than sterling performance for the ladies of the Alps on Sunday. But Rodez seems to be on a glide path to winning their section of the league, so a loss to them on the road doesn’t sting quite so much.
Mohammaden SC 2 – 2 Punjab FC
Again it came down to Kurtis Guthrie. He had multiple gilt-edged opportunities to start the match, but couldn’t seem to get past the keeper. Mohammaden’s Markus Joseph plagued the Punjabi defense, but finally Kurtiss nodded down a header to equalize (even if he missed a late breakaway tap in to win it).
News & Notes
To everything there is a season.
When calendars turn to May, leagues start to wrap up shop for the year. Trophies have already been claimed in a few major leagues, including Germany and France. But by this time next month seven leagues will wrap up. Among the story lines to watch: whether or not Ross County and Freiburg might snatch spots in European league qualification; if Freiburg can take home the national Cup competition; if Vozdovac can be the best non-top 3 team in Serbia; if both Grenobles can hold on to their spots in Ligue 2; can Punjab pull off a miracle and pip Gokulam Kerala for a spot in the Asian Cup (probably not but still); and how much space can Freiburg make for themselves in the of the Frauen Bundesliga (9 points behind 5th, 6 points ahead of 7th…truly in a league of their own).
Switching up on the Sub-Continent
Ed Engelkes
Punjab has had a solid start to their campaign, but a month ago (at the start of my surreally busy schedule) they made a change in leadership with manager Ashley Westwood leaving by mutual agreement (which I always assumes means “disagreed about spice level in the curry”). In his place comes Dutch coach Ed Engelkes who had spent some time helping to organize the club’s youth teams and has a history with the best women’s teams in Holland. Worth wondering though how Engelkes is getting on with team talisman Kurtis Guthrie (who seems to determine whether Punjab is unbeatable, or merely present).
The Straw that Stirs the Scottish Soup!
Regan Charles Cook has garnered plenty of awards, but it was especially nice to see him recognized as one of the best eleven players in all of the Scottish Premier League (all the more impressive when you see that he’s the only one who doesn’t play in Glasgow or Edinburgh to get the honor). Can he be player of the year against keeper Craig Gordon and a pair of Celtic playmakers? (I mean, we vote yes, but we’re a weird guy in Minnesota and his two kids)
Again, it’s hard to choose, Bongokuhle was a major asset in a pair of wins, Hasret Kayici was dominant, and Legon Cities’ attacking tandem was incredible. While it’s tempting to give it to Bongokuhle and grab a bunch of South African retweets, I’m going to tip the cap to the Ghanaian duo in particularly Jonah Attuquaye who has become exactly the leader that Legon needs as they aim to avoid a third straight relegation scrap.
Standings Update
That middle of the table gets more and more crowded, as Punjab and the Staggies slip, Legon and Rosenborg make up the slack. Meanwhile, Emelec and Grenoble ought to get their women’s teams in order to climb the ranks. Maybe Hasret Kayrici fancies a double or triple life?
There are skirmishes in the shadows of nuclear reactors, an infectious disease that appears to be biding its time in preparation for a fresh onslaught, and a trio of billionaires racing to space while people on the ground go hungry.
In times of great uncertainty I have been struggling to hold on to the little joys and victories of the day. I often feel so overwhelmed that it’s hard to appreciate what we do have.
In the past four weeks I’ve had minimal to no time to watch, write, or think about soccer. I have been pulled this way and that by an incessant barrage of obligations, necessities, and anxieties.
It would be easy at this moment to close up shop, acknowledge that life is best spent in living moment by moment rather than plopping 121 footballers’ 90 minutes of gameplay under a microscope in a search for meaning.
But the truth is that these are the little joys and victories that can inspire more than putting your head down and trudging on with the work. These games probably don’t matter that much. This blog about the games certainly matters less. But by god, if we can find a moment of joy, let’s do it.
News & Notes
Gaspar & Lawrence
Minnesota United brought in a new defender, albeit under some different circumstances.
Regular Left Back Chase Gaspar left the team to deal with substance abuse. Addiction is a plague, and there is no simple cure. The person Chase Gaspar is far more important than the soccer player. And we’re so grateful that he sought and received help.
In the meantime, Kemar Lawrence of Jamaica arrived to play the game in Gaspar’s stead. And when Gaspar returned this last week, he was welcomed back warmly.
That's Loons left back Chase Gasper back training with #MNUFC mates today after he entered himself into MLS Substance Abuse & Behavioral Health program pic.twitter.com/JSNux0CrY0
The single greatest celebration of the beautiful game happens every four years. Last time, Alex you were 9 months old and being strolled to various viewing parties in a car seat during a few glorious summer months. You sipped on a milk bottle as I drank beer and shouted at the French national team.
This time, there will be two of you, it will be in November and December and the tournament will be in Qatar. There’s plenty of awkward details around that particular decision (ones I wrote about years ago on a different blog). As I’ll be working and you’ll be in school, there will be far less revelry this time…with a few exceptions.
On Thanksgiving Day, Ghana will play Portugal, and I will be fighting your Grandpa Mark for the controller. On the next day, the USA (who missed the last world cup) will face England in a good ol’ fashioned super-power battle (the English hate when they don’t beat us…it’s great). Alex’s birthday will see great stars of France and Argentina in action (though not against eachother). And it will all come to an end on December 18th a week before Christmas…whew…
Staggies Assure Survival
Scotland has a different style than most other leagues. Rather than have every team face each other from the beginning to the end of the year, Scotland splits the league in two so that the best teams face the best teams for the title, while the worst teams face the worst teams for the chance to survive. For the first time in three years, the Stags will be among the best teams in Scotland, and be certain to play in the top division again next season. (They still won’t win because they aren’t the unstoppable duo of Rangers and Celtic…but this counts as a win on Scotland’s sliding scale)
The fine folks at Minnesota Aurora dropped their new jersey and it looks as beautiful as you would expect. Or maybe you wouldn’t. You boys mostly like the bird on the Loons’ jersey, so…we’ll take what we can get.
Freiburg Flies On
One quick celebration among the mostly non-specific results: Freiburg did win their semi-final cup tie against Hamburg which means that in Mid-May they will be playing for a big fancy trophy for the first time in their most recent Bundesliga run.
Player of the Week
We’ll take a beat to acknowledge some strong play throughout the last month, so here’s a chance to tip our cap to Dayne St. Clair’s keeping, Romario Caicedo’s defense, Vincenzo Grifo’s playmaking, and Harry Paton’s finishing. That’s a strong quartet And yes, that’s double the dose of Canadians!
Dayne dreaming of Qatar
Standings Update
So many updates! Let’s start at the top where Alebrijes has rocketed to the top of the table after spending so much of the past few years mired in the bottom. Freiburg and Punjab aren’t far behind, and there’s a similar horde trailing behind. Minnesota is above Ross County due solely to goal difference. Emelec’s strong start has faded and so has their standing, but they can still make a comeback. After all, look at Grenoble who is a strong 9th and ready to capitalize on any missteps
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.”
MacKenzie's Boot Room 