Author: scruffyrube
36. MVPs: Most Valuable Partnerships
Dear Boys,
Sports and all competition has a tendency to inflate the individual . Sure “teams may win championships”, but tv highlights and online fan videos and in game ads tend to emphasize just a few star players.
That comes across even more in American sports than elsewhere because our culture is so much more individualistic than others around the world. We hold tightly to the American dream, the belief that any one can succeed by sheer dint of hard work and gumption. We debate Jordan v. LeBron, or Brady v. Montana, or Ruth v. Mays because even though everyone of them played a team sport, their individual persona greatly outweighs any team accomplishment they might have.
It’s one of the reasons some people say “soccer won’t sell” in the US. We’re still waiting on a bonafide American star. The women have had Mia Hamm and Hope Solo and their game thrives, the men…well…not yet. (See Pulisic, Christian).
But this isn’t a post about what Soccer should do to be relevant, or what society should do to embrace soccer. This my advice to you, and my advice is simply this: You can absolutely do things alone, but helping someone else succeed often helps you too.
This is the dirty secret behind our idol worship in American sports. Jordan’s competitiveness, Ruth’s intimidation, LeBron’s social conscious, Brady’s ability to collaborate with others, Mays’ electric defense didn’t just win games or awards or endorsements. They also boosted their teammates. So please, don’t fixate on what you can do to stand out, but on how you can do your best and elevate everyone along side you.
Rather than trot out my favorite tandems of yesteryear, I’ll just direct you to the best one-two punch we can see week-in and week-out: Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad. Clausen and Blakstad have been integral to taking an unbeaten run through more than half the season. That’s not an accident. It comes from talent, from strength, and most of all, from supporting others.
Perhaps Marit Clausen could run riot over other sides without the service Julie can provide. Maybe Julie Blakstad could grow into a star-attraction striker if Marit Clausen was plying her trade elsewhere. Or maybe, each uses their gifts to build up the others. (And in so doing, build the confidence and strengths of the rest of the team, and thus support the unbeaten run.)
At a time where we can be increasingly convinced that one person “alone can fix it”, it’s good to remember that a single individual can indeed be a hero. But more likely than not, they can help others become heroic in their own way. You may well do something incredible in your life times, but you were able to do so because a lot of other people helped you along the way. That’s what Clausen and Blakstad remind us of every week, and one of the many reasons I admire them so much.
35. Black Lives Matter
I mean, I could write more, [and I will, it is my way to process] but really that’s it. That’s the thing I want you to learn this week.
Dear Boys,
Black Lives Matter.
I had other things to write about today, but again it seems insignificant. Like professional athletes across the country from Antekokounmpo to Zusi, sports are just a game, this is about life. It’s about serious things that at 2 years old and 9 months old you may not fathom. But you should.
Earlier this week, Jacob Blake was returning to his car. He was looking at his sons in the backseat. Boys not much older than you. He saw them, and he was shot seven times in the back. Jacob Blake’s life matters.
Blake has survived, he’ll see with his boys again, but I don’t know if I’ll ever buckle you in again without feeling the privilege that comes with just being white. Or without recognizing the privilege you have in being white. The trauma those boys witnessed chills my blood. Black fathers’ and sons’ lives matter.
Two nights ago, officers surrounded a man in downtown Minneapolis. A few miles from us. A few blocks from where I used to work. Right outside a Dairy Queen I would take the cross-country team too after races. The man was a suspect in a homicide, and rather than face arrest, he shot himself.
He did so next to five teens. Teens like my students who would congregate in the same spot. Teens like the ones who love every post I share of you two. Teens who were laughing, flirting, checking their reflection in the shiny marble. Teens who now have that trauma over their heads every day. Their lives matter.
We say that black lives matter not, as some pretend, because we think other lives don’t (looking at you fascist Vozdovac supporters). Not because we are being trendy or “woke”. We say it because it is true, and it bears repeating.
We repeat today when victims of violence suffer.
We repeat it tomorrow when the news-cycle moves on.
We repeat it in a month when the mourning stretches on for the community while others wonder why they’re so emotional.
We repeat it in a year when the bystanders confront their trauma without supports that taxpayers decline to fund.
We repeat it in a decade when those involved and those associated and everyone who has seen and feared and worried about injustice have faced it again and again and again while an ignorant and ambivalent country glides by.
Black Lives Matter.
Week 34: Foolish challenges
Scores
Alebrijes 1 – 0 Leones Negros
The Oaxacans put an exclamation mark on their return with a thrilling stoppage time winner from Alejandro Ochoa Despite.. Due to Fernando Plascencia shanking a penalty kick gift five minutes before, Ochoa took matters into his own feet with a well placed (though not beautiful ball).
Emelec 2 – 0 Mushuc Runa
Things were brighter in Guayaquil at the start of this week with Los azules walking home with all 3 points. Granted it was against a bottom of the table opponent and they only scored in stoppage time. And sure, it was largely thanks to a silly penalty and a well worked team goal against an exhausted opposition, but we’ll take it.
Minnesota United 1 – Sporting KC 2
A home fortress isn’t very imposing when no fans are allowed in. So it was in the Loons’ return home, where only slipshod defending and an ugly pair of own goals put anything on the board.
Avaldsnes 1 – 1 Rosenborg BK 
Still undefeated, though it was a close thing. Julie Blakstad opened the scoring before RBK was bottled up by their opponents. A second half equalizer by Katrina Gorry was deserved, if a bit embarrassing for the Troll girls.
St. Mirren 1 – 1 Ross County
The Staggies still sit in the top 4, but the suddenly sputtering offense doesn’t bode well. It took an absolutely grisly challenge from Saints’ Joe Shaughnessy on Ross Stewart to provide a quality opening. That the opening required Michael Gardyne to bank the ball off of two opponents into the back of the net probably means the team could use a new game plan.
Rodez 1 – 0 Grenoble (M)
When last we saw our favorite French side in action, they were struggling to find the net. After a long break, Grenoble is still struggling. Despite taking twice the number of shots as the home side, Grenoble couldn’t put le croissant in le sac. Good news, 37 weeks left to get it together.
Mjondalen 0 – 2 Rosenborg BK (M)
After the surprising segue from the effective Trond Henriksen to new manger Åge Hareide, it might have taken a moment for RBK to click. Instead the defense was stout. The midfield was imperious. And this week’s rotating cast of strikers were dangerous enough to consistently clatter the woodwork despite coming up empty. Another win puts them firmly in contention for Europe half way through the year, and also positions them well to start the quest for Europa league this week.
FK Vozdovac 1 – 1 Zlatibor
Newly promoted Zlatibor got their first SuperLiga point in this draw. Pleased as we are for them, we’re more pleased the Red Dragons got a point too rather than folding like a fresh piriogi. (Also a special hat tip to Justas Lasickas for the extra clever flick to set up a golden chance)
SC Barcelona 2- 1 Emelec
The week didn’t end as beautifully as it began for Los Bombillos. Though Roberto Ordones put them ahead with a blistering strike, the defense has a bit to answer for in giving up a win in el Clasico del Astillero (Shipyard Clasico). First an ugly and foolish challenge by Jackson Rodriguez allowed an easy penalty, and an awfully awkward turnover by Leandro Vega sealed the comeback for los Amarillos. (Gluttons for punishment, watch here)
News & Notes
Trondheim Takeovers
your great-great Uncle Stan (Alechtron.com)
The big news in the Eliteserien this week was that Age Hareide had taken over the men’s team at RBK. While the side had performed well under caretaker manager Trond Henriksen, the legendary Norwegian manager fresh from titles in Sweden and a quarterfinal spot in the World Cup was too tempting to let go.
Less publicized but equally cool was Julie Blakstad taking over the RBK Instagram account to keep us all up to speed on her Calculus test. It’s good to know she’s a typical teen, it’s harder to accept she both out-plays and out-maths our family
Bebe-Loon
From El Litoral
About a year’s worth of courtship finally paid off as Minnesota United signed Emmanuel Bebelo Reynoso from Argentine giants Boca Juniors. Given Friday’s misadventures any creativity and flair will be deeply welcomed (though the Loons’ tendency to have one guy play hero-ball may yet make this a disaster).
Player of the Week
Whenever there’s a week without a standout performance, I find myself looking to recognize and appreciate a lower wattage player who has quietly contributed for several weeks. In that spirit, take a bow Kristoffer Zachariassen, in addition to leading the team in scoring, and leading all our teams with goals from nearly impossible angles, the steady, strong showings in the middle of the field have made all the attacking magic possible. So Takk! (As for the crazy good looks, c’mon man, leave something for the rest of us)
What’s Next
Tuesday, August 25th
9:00 Alebrijes v Dorados
Wednesday, August 26th
11:00 AM Roa v. Rosenborg BK
2:00 Emelec v LDU Portoveijo
Thursday, August 27th
12:00 Rosenborg BK v Breidablik (M-E)
Friday, August 28st
Saturday, August 29th
9:00 AM Livingston v. Ross County
12:00 Grenoble v. Toulouse (M)
1:00 PM Backa Backa Palanka v. FK Vozdovac
7:30 FC Dallas v Minnesota United
7:45 Técnico Universarito v CS Emelec
Sunday, August 30th
6:30 AM Rosenborg BK v. Arna Bjornar
11:00 Rosenborg v. Stabaek
Monday, August 31st
Tuesday, September 1st
34. Never alone
It struck me that I ought to explain a little bit about why we cheer for the teams we do. Well, in part, it’s because I thought we ought to, and I’m the one of us most capable of complex thought and logic. But also, each team has a special something that captures part of what I love about life, and part of what makes you who you are.
So periodically (like during international breaks, long summer holidays, or say, global pandemics that completely alter everything we understand about our lives and ourselves), I want to introduce you to the teams we are tied to.
Our eighth team to meet is a team that kicks off their new season this weekend: Grenoble Foot 38 a team that shows us how loyalty pays off.
Dear Boys,
Wherefore Grenoble Foot 38?
In the French Alps, there’s a mountain town with a long history of sport. Grenoble has hosted the Winter Olympics, a strong rugby side, and, for over a hundred years a football team.
We aren’t French. Your grandmother wanted to be a French teacher. Your uncles and I still occasionally drop into French when we want to speak without others knowing what we’re saying. But we have as much claim to French culture or heritage as “French Fried Twinkies”.
But Grenoble is special. It’s where I got my first taste of independent living, and my first appreciation of how to do it well.
Who is Grenoble Foot 38?
The Grenoble team we see now is not the Grenoble team of 1892, or 1938, or even 2000 when I knew it.
For as beautiful as football is, for as magical and human as it can be, it is also a business. And though Grenoble is big for its region, it’s not exactly a focal point in French life, so making money on football in Grenoble wasn’t easy. That’s why teams changed, merged, folded, reformed and survived throughout the 20th Century.
That is, until a company called “Index Holdings” arrived from Japan to buy the club and build it into a force. In four years, they moved the team up to the top tier of French football, only to crash back down soon after.
Why did they crash? Simple. They didn’t have the money to pay the players or rent the stadium. “Index Holdings” claimed to make a net profit of 204 Million Yen. In reality, they had a net loss of 605 Million yen. 800 Million off. An 800 million yen lie. I know you’re young, so let’s just put it like this. Their mistake would be like me claiming to have a box of Bunny Graham crackers for your snack, only instead of having a box of Bunny Grahams I had 3 pieces of paper that said “box of Bunny Grahams” on them.
Naturally, without that money, Grenoble couldn’t keep playing at the top league, or the next league, instead they plummeted to the fifth level of French football. Despite a sparkly stadium and high expectations, the team was back to basics. It has taken them nine years to be stable and steady in the second division, back where they were when I first met them.
How are we Grenoble Foot 38?
Like I said, Grenoble was where I first had to live independently. Why? Well, at 17 I went on a study abroad trip to France with my high school friends. After a few weeks of touring, we got off a bus in the village of Annecy and met our host families. Except for me. Mine wasn’t there. Mine wasn’t even in Annecy. I was driven to a meet up somewhere in the country side, put into another car and driven off to the distant city of Grenoble. I was 100 kilometres from my classmates, my teachers, and anyone who knew me.
I was also a massive disappointment to my host family. I spoke enough French to get by, but I wasn’t cool, or cosmopolitan, or full of American bravado. I was a nerdy, skinny little kid from rural Montana, and my super-cool host sister Natalie was stuck with me for a week. The saving grace was that Natalie was dating a guy at the local football academy. We would lie around the flat watching MTV in the morning, eat macaroni and a Cornetto for lunch, then go to the academy to meet her boyfriend, Sebastian, and all of his mates (Mehdi and Mohamadou appear in my journal at the time) before going shopping or swimming or just to hang out in the afternoon.
By the third day the guys had decided I was no threat. I was nice enough, trying my best, and definitely neither strong enough nor handsome enough to steal away a girlfriend. I had decided that they were the kinds of friends I would like to have. Reliable, supportive, and fierce.
Two nights before I left, we went to a house party in a small suburb. We didn’t stay there long before some local French guys began to harangue our assembled gathering. Our crew was, to a person, an immigrant, or the child of an immigrant. West African, North African, Lebanese, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Romanian, and me, a bewildered American. The French guys wanted to fight, and this crew of friends stood shoulder to shoulder on picturesque cobblestone streets, jostling and jawing at each other.
I never threw a punch. I don’t think any one did. But when it was over and we walked back to the house at 2 AM I thought: you are never alone in the world if you have people you can rely on.
That’s what Grenoble Foot means to me. When I was alone, young men who trained to join the team, made sure I had someone to rely on. When they were targeted, they made sure everyone in the group had someone else to rely on, and I hope I was part of that.
Grenoble Foot 38 wasn’t alone when they found out their owners didn’t have two yen to rub together, let alone 200 million. They had their community, their staff, their players, and their fans. I’m there for them, because they were there for me.
Week 33: Streaks End as Comebacks make a Comeback
Scores
Ross County 2 – 2 Kilmarnock
Ross Draper got the Staggies off the mark in the 15th minute, but Killie fought back to own much of the game. In an inversion of most Scottish games, both teams hustled back and forth, providing an energetic match. But when the visitors swatted at a ball in the box during the last 10 minutes, Ross Stewart stepped up to slot home an invaluable equalizer to keep County unbeaten…
Ross County 1 – 2 Dundee United
…for 3 more days. Last week’s POTW Coll Donaldson lashed a gem from the edge of the area to take the early lead again. The visitors fought back to take the lead in the second half, again. And that’s where the similarities stop. The aggressive efforts left Ross Laidlaw exposed a few times before the back-breaker. Truth to tell, we knew Ross County wouldn’t be invincible this year, but we feel bad that we wore the team shirt for the first time on a defeat.
Delfín 2 – CS Emelec 0 (M)
After an excruciating wait, Ecuador’s top flight returned. But Los Bombillos supporters can be forgiven if the return felt a little excruciating too. Within a minute an errant pass, a botched clearance, and Delfin took the lead. After 84 minutes of near misses, one more excruciating turn landed a deflected ball in the right spot for another fortunate Delfin goal.
Rosenborg BK 0 – 0 Valarenga
In a battle of two teams in the top 3 of the league things turned out more tense than thrilling. Despite coming into Trondheim, Valarenga was very much on the front foot, containing the Clausen/Blakstad combo. A strong showing from last second starting keeper Rugile Rulyte kept the match deadlocked and kept RBK undefeated on the season.
Rad Beograd 1 – 3 FK Vozdovac
Seeing Rad jump out to a lead within the first minute led me to mutter, “This might be a looooong year for the red dragons, Owen”
To your credit Owen, you were unfazed. (Well, you were unfazed about the match, you were VERY concerned that no one had yanked on my beard for 30 seconds.)
And like you, Vozdovac was able to channel their energy to where it mattered most. In this case the opposition’s area, where 3 goals provided an opportunity to snatch three points on the road like you snatch tufts of beard off my chin. Tip the hat to Milos Stojcev who earned his with style points.
Rosenborg BK 3 – 2 Aalesund (M)
Across the complex in Trondheim, the men’s team had an absolute barn burner, falling behind, storming back, barely holding on. It had just about everything you could ask for: gorgeous goals, white knuckle defending, Dino Islamovic doing just about everything, and best of all 3 more points.
News & Notes
Superliga Feminina Set for Return
While Emelec’s men’s side made their way back on to the pitch this week, the Ecuadoran federation also revealed plans to bring back the Women’s League. So, Las Electricas will be back in action in a local round robin group before moving on to playoffs (if they qualify, but c’mon…any team with branding this awesome has to qualify…)
Lady Griz set to…er…not
Meanwhile, closer to home. The Bug Sky conference announced that no organized sports would compete this fall. Instead soccer (plus volleyball and cross country) will move to the spring.
This is a big bummer for fans of the Griz, but it’s probably for the best, as we can hope everyone stays healthy, gets a great education, and maybe…if we’re lucky…make as much progress stopping infections as Ecuador has
Sidebar: the president of the United States is very upset that some universities are postponing their American football programs…yet he’s silent on the deferred dreams of several thousand soccer players. It probably doesn’t have anything to do with race or money. NARRATOR VOICE: it had everything to do with race and money.
Freiburg take Form
The Griffins of Freiburg SC are back and gearing up for another run at the six spots in European competitions, starting with a friendly against Karlsruher SC. They’ll be doing it without rising striker star Gian-Luca Waldschmit who is off to Benéfica and an opportunity to be the man in Portugal’s biggest clubs.
Between Waldschmit and stopped Alexander Schwlolow, Christian Streich’s side has an extra 25 million to spend on new players. (Well 21 million after adding Enedina Demirovic, presumably to fill the Waldschmit role.) How, when, and where they spend it will be a key thing to watch going forward.
Bela-Ruse Part II.
Remember a few months ago when I mentioned that Belarus was still playing matches. Not because they were better positioned to beat back COVID-19 than other countries, but because their leader was a dictatorial jerk?
Guess who did more jerky dictatorial things and has fomented a full scale revolution in his country? Yup! Belarus’ own, Alexander Lukashenko
Sure hope that keeping the local league open so that you could seem tough regardless of your citizens’ health and well being was worth it. Narrator Voice: It wasn’t.
Player of the Week
It can be intimidating to step in for someone else at the last minute. Especially if it’s your first time playing for your team, and in front of your fans. Even more so if your team is battling to stay at the top of the league against a fellow top 3 side.
But that’s what Rugile Rulyte did on Sunday. A 0-0 draw isn’t thrilling, but what she did was clearly awesome. “God jobb Rugile!!”
What’s Next
Tuesday, August 18th
2:00 PM Emelec v. Mushuc Runa (M)
7:00 Alebrijes v. Leones Negros
Wednesday, August 19th
Thursday, August 20th
Friday, August 21st
2:00 Barcelona SC v. Emelec
6:30 Minnesota United v. Sporting KC
Saturday, August 22nd
8:00 AM Avaldsnes v. Rosenborg BK
9:00 AM St. Mirren v. Ross County
12:00 Rodez v. Grenoble (M)
1:00 PM FK Vozdovac v Zlatibor
1:30 Mjondalen v. Rosenborg BK (M)
Sunday, August 23rd
Monday, August 24th
Tuesday, August 25th
2:00 Emelec v. LDU Portoviejo (M)
9:00 Alebrijes v. Dorados
33. Setting Your Goals
Dear Boys,
I write a lot about sports. This despite the fact that I’m about as athletically gifted as a stalk of wheat. I’ve never been athletic. I was frequently the last one picked in just about any sport you can name. Even “Red Rover” didn’t bother calling me over.
Still, I love the thrill of competition, and when I found distance running, I found a sport that I could excel at and enjoy. I mentioned this briefly to a colleague during a pre-school-year training. 5 minutes later, I was officially a school’s track and cross country coach.
They’d be behind the farthest back
(Runners Space)
While my new side-gig was absolutely accidental, it was also one of the most enjoyable parts of my work day. For 60+ minutes each day I could run, share the fun of running with students, and learn about them beyond the context of the classroom.
The biggest thing I learned was that my students always wanted to win. Their goals were to win. To be the best.
Those goals were stupid.
Wanting to be the best isn’t stupid, but setting your goal as something that you don’t control is absolutely ridiculous. So I worked with students, athletes, and some day I’ll work with you too on one simple idea. Keep your goals within your control.
(Particle News)
This all came to mind watching Minnesota United fall to defeat in the MLS is Back tournament. Again and again you can hear fans or coaches saying that the team has to set a goal around winning, winning, winning. But they can’t control winning. They can’t control if one of their best defenders (Romain Metanire) gets an injury. Or if they can only replace him with an out of position midfielder (Hasani Dotson). Or if their opponent fields a former Portugese international who happens to have one of his best games in America (Nani).
Winning isn’t in the Loons’ control. Trophies aren’t in their control. Nani isn’t in their control…I mean…unless they hypnotize him. (Note to self: learn hypnotism, then offer services to MNUFC, if turned down, hypnotize MNUFC into offering job.)
But the team can control how they position and react on set pieces. They can control how they track and mark in defense to start counter-attacks. They can control how they act on scouting information that helps you identify dynamic talents like Metanire and Dotson.
As I like distance running, I could set a goal to win the Twin Cities Marathon. That’s an admirable goal, but it also isn’t in my control. I can control how I run sure, but I can’t control how the other thousands of runners train, or run, or hydrate, or don’t. I might attain the goal of first place (if I had start training about 30 years ago), but I don’t really have control over it.
(Star Tribune)
But when I set my goal of maintaining steady 8 minute splits, that’s something that would mark improvement for me. It would put me in the top 10% of runners, and it was something that I could control, regardless of the other runners around me. (Humble Brag: I actually kept them closer to 7:30)
In the same way the Loons can control aspects of the game rather than the final outcome, I could control my pace times, and my cross country team could control saving their energy for final kicks.
Set your goals around what you can control and good things happen. Metanire and Dotson and Jan Gregus led a team that few talked about before the season to a final four finish. I am in the 90th percentile for marathoners. My team of runners loved the ends of races and were proud when they broke the tape.
So whatever you boys choose to do (be it sports or 100% not sports), set your goal around things you can control. You’ll be proud of what you do, whether there’s a trophy in the end or not.
Week 32: Clausen & Blakstad
Scores
FK Indjija 0 – 1 FK Vozdovac
In a match that looked very much like your a game your Uncles and I would have dreamed of (cold, rainy, and in a stadium marginally smaller than my high school’s), the Red Dragons picked up their first points of the young season thanks in large part to Milos Stojcev who peppered the goal early and struck a gorgeous ball to decide the match. Though some credit must be given to the Indija strikers who simply couldn’t buy a goal.
Orlando 3 – 1 Minnesota United FC
The Loons looked so strong to this point. They even dominated the early stages of this match. And then…Nani…
If you’re going to lose, it might as well be to a man who has made more money than your entire team’s budget as he plays one of the best games of his time in your league.
Sandviken 1 – 3 Rosenborg BK (Women)
Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad have fast become my new favorite sporting duo. Sorry Mauer and Morneau, best wishes Kane and Son: it’s Clausen and Blakstad time.
Hamilton Academical 0 – 1 Ross County
The Staggies are tied for the league lead. They’re ahead of mighty Celtic in the table. They’ve taken 100% of their possible points this season.
This probably won’t last of course but that is a very fun paragraph to write regardless.
Again some quality link up play kept County dangerous in front of goal with Billy McKay doing the honors. Frankly, they may feel unlucky to only have gotten the one goal. Best of all, the revamped back line kept goalie Ross Laidlaw a relaxing afternoon.
FK Vozdovac 1 – 3 Vojvodina
When things go wrong for the Red Dragons they go wrong quickly. It took a half an hour for Vojvodina to put the game away, and sixty more minutes for Vozdovac to see things through. It legitimately seemed to involve goalkeeper Marko Ilic spending more time on his back than his feet…(gluttons can watch here)
Rosenborg BK 5 – 1 Sarpsborg 08
New RBK coach Trond Henriksen has plenty of options to lead the line in Trondheim. Helland, Børven, Islamovic, Ceide and Holse all have strengths as targets, poachers, dribblers and more. Plus Samuel Adenbegro is almost back from an ankle injury, so the attack is pretty much perfect. (I mean, it would be better with Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad, but so would everything.)
Talent isn’t the issue. The problem has been finding a consistent combination. An imperious trio one week looks adrift and uncertain the next. So maybe this week’s tandem of Carlo Holse (2 goals) Emil Konradsen Ceide (2 assists) and Torgeir Børven is the solution.
Or maybe we’ll be wondering what’s next after losing 2-0 next week.
News & Notes
Loons Come Home
Minnesota United will play again in just a few weeks. Better still they’ll play just a few miles away. However we still can’t watch them. Strangely we COULD go watch them in Dallas, but well…exposure to germs at the airport, in the plane, in Texas itself, and at a stadium full of screaming, spitting fans isn’t the best option.
Wild World of Ross County
It’s rare for a little team in Dingwall to factor in national news, but we live in rare times.
First, to add some depth and protection to the goalkeeping corps, the team brought in Ross Doohan as Ross Munro learns the ropes and Ross Laidlaw takes most first team minutes. Yes Ross County’s three goalies are all Ross. Mind. blown.
Second, the Staggies May finally have a celebrity fan (other than you boys, obviously). Spanish goal keeping star David de Gea happened to catch the win over Motherwell and was taken aback by the striking resemblance with manager Stuart Kettlewell. de Gea is better known than County, possibly even within Dingwall, so a little star shine is a nice perk.
Freiburg Fliers
While SC Freiburg came close to continental competition this year, their next campaign will look a bit different.
First the club signed Ermedin Demirovic fresh from a strong campaign with Swiss second placers St Gallen. His 12 goals put him in the top 10 in Switzerland, and outstrip all the players for Freiburg. Hopefully he adds a second option behind Nils Peterson.
Unfortunately the club also said auf weidersehen to goalie Alexander Schwolow who headed for rivals Hertha Berlin. The three keepers currently on the roster have a combined 21 matches played in the past two seasons so…that’ll be a change.
Player of the Week
Because variety is the spice of life, let’s shout out a defender, shall we? Coll Donaldson has been a vital anchor in Staggie Blue. He’s been a part of two clean sheets and consistently frustrated Hamilton every where they tried to put the ball. Ta, Coll.
What’s Next
Wednesday, August 12th
1:45 Ross County v. Kilmarnock
Thursday, August 13th
Friday, August 14th
2:00 Delfín v CS Emelec
Saturday, August 15th
9:00 AM Ross County v. Dundee United
1:00 PM Rad Beograd v. FK Vozdovac
Sunday, August 16th
10:00 Rosenborg BK v. Valarenga
1:30 Rosenborg BK v. Aalesund (M)
Monday, August 17th
Tuesday, August 18th
32. In a Mad World, only the Mad are Sane
I’m trying to write you these notes to build an honest, Frank, hopefully funny reflection of the world as we see it now. To that end, I want to be honest with you about something.
I’ve fought depression most of the last five years. Sometimes I’ve won. Sometimes I’ve gotten my butt kicked. And on those days when my butt is thoroughly and totally kicked, I’ve felt scared, adrift, and frankly furious. All the more so because students I teach could see my struggle and sometimes responded, not with compassion, but with jokes, jeers, or dismissals.
Dear Boys,
Rationally, they’re kids and kids don’t know what to do when they see adults struggle. But when you’re getting your butt kicked by depression, you aren’t rational. So I didn’t accept it. I panicked, I beat myself up, and I generally was one of the worst versions of myself.
You are kids too. I’m frankly terrified of being the worst version of myself just because you are kids too.
I tell you this not to scare you, or to justify my behavior, but because being honest about your health, including your mental health, is critical to creating a healthy environment.
Too often, we see “you’re crazy” as an insult. We’re not right. We’re wrong. We’re dangerous. We should be ashamed of ourselves. But truthfully, owning your struggles, your instabilities, your pain is the most healthy way to handle it.
Strangely, this came to mind while gearing up for the coming Scottish Premiership campaign. Newly assigned analyst Stephen Craigan joked “football keeps us sane, until the whistle blows for kickoff”.
Perhaps that’s a well known phrase, but it was my first time hearing it. Whomever said it first, I truly like it. Both for what it says and what it implies.
Superficially, it’s a cute joke. In trying times, Soccer can be a welcome distraction. As soon as it starts it’s trying in its own way.
But at this time, in the context of global upheaval, uncertainty, panic, and isolation, it’s uncomfortably true. Soccer may have been a respite from disease, financial ruin, and hard racial truths. But when you watch all those same things are still there. Players risk their health and the health of loved ones to play. Many players and clubs will be in dire fiscal straights without tickets or concessions. And anti-black epithets and symbols still dot stadia, while systemic avoidance of black managers perpetuates the unequal opportunities for leadership.
What might, at first glance, seem like a waste of time is just another means to confront the same problems. The comforting thought that we’re safe in the little bubble of sport is popped as easily as a soap bubble by a toddler in a tantrum.
The world is mad, and soccer is as mad as everything else. The only reasonable thing to be is mad, so kudos to everyone struggling.
That’s good. It’s time to face facts and address what we are and what we need. It’s time to be honest about how hard it is day to day, and how hard it is for both average joes/janes/jos and elite athletes. One need not hide their difficulties in this difficult world. Together we can see them and we can support each other through them.
Week 31: 3 Steps Forward, 3 Steps Back
Scores
Columbus Crew 1 – 2 Minnesota United (PK)
The Loons may not have had a lot of hype coming in, but they played an effective/brutal game against Columbus. The squad took the lead when Robin Lod finally got lucky knocking in a set piece. They kept the lead as Ozzie Alonso and Hassani Dotson kept the attack away. They nearly lost it, but were saved by Tyler Miller’s big body covering a late winner and multiple penalties.
With all that effective if unglamorous play enabling the win, the Loons moved on to face San Jose (more on that in a sec).
Rosenborg BK 3 – 0 Viking (M)
The early stages of the game made the final result truly startling. Viking seemed to pick out perfect passes stopped only by unfriendly woodwork, or desperate blocks. But The Troll Gutter righted course and brought on their own attack.
A superlative strike force came to the fore with Pål André Helland squeezing a scintillating shot past the keeper and Torgeir Børven knocking in a perfect long cross from Erland Dahl Reitan. Viking played better than the score indicates, but when the season ends, the score will be all that’s left.
FK Vozdovac 1 – 3 FK Radnik Surdulica
In a throwback to the months of Vozdocac BEING dominated, the Red Dragons didn’t have much chance, starting on the back foot and ending on their rumps. Defenders Luka Jakovljevic and Marko Gajic looked to have terrible nights, but I could be wrong. The way Radnik ate up the defense, they might just have been giant piles of Slatko (Serbian fruit preserves) dressed up in uniforms. (A mindnumbingly bad challenge by Marko Zivkovic is worth mentioning, but only worth watching if you are a glutton for punishment)
San Jose Earthquake 1 – 4 Minnesota United
The Loons are without defender of the year Ike Opara. Hot shot signing Luis Amarilla has been missing in action. Captain and master midfielder Ozzie Alonso has been limited by injury. So of course they cruised into the semi finals of the MLS is Back Cup with a dominant showing, as Hasani Dotson dominated the center of the pitch and Jan Gregus continued to pepper the box with nearly perfect set pieces.
Rosenborg BK 1 – 1 Klepp
The Troll Jenter were the first to falter in their month long tussle atop the Toppserien. While Lillestrom and Vålerenga won, their draw at home was saved by a late equalizer from sub Sara Kanutte Fornes. The result sees them slip to third in the table, and make the match against Vålerenga in two weeks all the more important.
Odd 2 – 1 Rosenborg BK (M)
The coup of the offseason might have been Rosenborg signed away the golden boot winner from Odd: Torgeveir Børven.
Maybe that was all the motivation Odd needed, as they put Børven in a bottle with only 25 touches in the game. A few well placed strikes from distance put enough past the normally stingy back line that even a late strike and some nifty work by Dino Islamovic and Emil Konradsen Cide couldn’t salvage a point.
Emelec v. Orense (M) See note below.
Ross County 1 – 0 Motherwell
Listening in to the match on Scottish radio was a wonderful exercise in imagination and appreciation of the old days. It was also terrifying because the game was mildly terrifying.
Ross Stewart starred throughout the first half, holding on the defense and perfectly placing a penalty kick to take a lead in the first half. The Staggies stayed conservative in the second half, seeking to hold on to a vital three points against a strong Motherwell team. After avoiding disaster on Liam Donnelly’s poorly taken penalty shot, a poor challenge from Motherwell’s Callum Lang earned a late red card and helped seal the win for the Staggies.
News & Notes
Ecuador in Delay
We were pumped to see Emelec back in action (just look at our reflection on Emelec’s place as one of our teams last week), but The Liga Pro is holding off two more weeks as teams take a little more time to prepare.
Los Bombillos did take the field to train against Guayaquil City, but wound up short on a 3-1, 135 minute affair.
Grenoble Gears Up
The French Alps side took the field to train against Ligue 1 mainstays Niemes and held their own with two goals from open play. Of course it was just one training exercise for two teams shaking off months of rust, so clearly this shows that Grenoble Foot 38 are destined for greatness this year!
Sidebar: This match featured Birger Meling )(recently added to Niemes from Rosenborg) against Yoric Ravet (who moved from Freiburg to Grenoble.) Thus marking the first time two players from our favorite 11 sides faced off (even if the game didn’t matter)
Ghana hopes to halt Haitus on Halloween
The Ghana Premier League was abuzz for restarting the league this year, only to be sucker-punched by COVID-19. As the disease picks up on the continent, the restart has been delayed as well. Now the league hopes to start up their second stab at a first season at the end of October. Reports suggest they will do so with two divisions rather than one simple table. Strangely, Legon Cities, based just outside of coastal Accra will play in the Northern division against heavyweights like Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold. Maybe it’s an homage to the team’s history in the far northern city of Wa, or maybe there’s just that many teams on the coast.
Player of the Week
The Loons did everything they had to and more to get two critical wins in the knockout stages of their tournament. Perhaps the biggest shift has been their consistently impressive performance on set pieces. Much of the credit for that goes to the accuracy of midfielder Jan Gregus (Gray-Goosh). For the last two years I have promised that if I see us score on a set piece, I will finally learn which slavic country Mr. Gregus hails from. So I’m happy to say: JAN GREGUS IS SLOVAKIAN. HURA SLOVENSKO! GREGUS JE SKVELY!
What’s Next
Tuesday, August 4th
Wednesday, August 5th
1:00 Indjija v. FK Vozdovac
Thursday, August 6th
7:00 Orlando City v. Minnesota United
Friday, August 7th
Saturday, August 8th
8:00 AM Sandviken v. Rosenborg BK
9:00 AM Hamilton Academical v. Ross County
Sunday, August 9th
1:00 FK Vozdovac v. Vojvodina
1:00 Rosenborg BK v. Sarpsborg 08 (M)
Monday, August 10th
Tuesday, August 11th
*7:00 MLS is Back Championship (IF MNUFC Wins on Thursday)
MacKenzie's Boot Room 