Just about all the oxygen in any news space for the last two weeks has been sucked up by the American Presidential election.
That is with good reason. Everything ties back to the person picked to run the biggest economy, biggest armed-forces, biggest diplomatic-force, and most influential culture shaper on the planet. Yes, there is unrest in Central Asia and another spike in the Coronavirus disease, but the President of the United States is uniquely situated to handle both in the same hour.
That is, if they choose to.
Dear Boys,
One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite writers is simple: you don’t fight the fights you can win, you fight the fights that need fighting.
Actor Martin Sheen delivered the line…and is awesome
It comes from a movie about an American President (conveniently enough, titled, The American President) as the chief of staff tells a re-election minded president to stop strategizing and start doing what must be done.
I think about that a lot, because politics has become a place where the fights you can win, and the fights that need fighting are getting confused over, and over, and over again.
To step away from global affairs for a minute: this election has been ridiculously divisive. Not just between different parties, but between friends within the same party. Two men I deeply respect, both of whom I’m happy to have worked with, both of whom I’m happy to talk to, descended this week into an absolutely irrelevant fight over which hypothetical candidate would have done better as a presidential candidate and how their differences reflect a classism/ignorance that disgusts the other.
This is not a fight that needs fighting.
Debating what our goals out to be is fair, reviewing your personal biases is worthwhile, but dying on a hill over a hypothetical situation is ridiculous. It’s like saying that, if Asamoah Gyan had made his penalty against Uruguay, Ghana would have won the World Cup and he’d be winding down his career as a Juventus legend right now (rather than suiting up for Legon Cities).
Yes, that’s possible. But we have no way of knowing. And what’s more, it simply isn’t important enough to castigate those who disagree with you.
That’s anathema to our current president. A man who has never held back from a fight he didn’t need to fight.
To him a petty insult on social media is a ten alarm fire. A half-assed attempt at social consciousness is a Category 5 catastrophic disaster. An apparent personal failure is a clear and demonstrable sign that the end times are nigh, so take arms good Christian soldiers, take arms!
He is the king of fighting fights he can win, regardless of whether or not they need to be fought. He promised “so much winning” and to the eyes of many he’s delivered. (Despite the fact that the victories are pyrrhic at best, and–more often–totally invented.)
So, of course, he is fighting another fight that doesn’t need to be fought now.
He has been defeated. The experts who judge elections say so. The officials who tabulate votes say so. Behind closed doors, his friends and family say so.
But he’s fighting anyway. Unfortunately, he’s fighting what doesn’t need to be fought: imagined voter fraud, make-believe master-conspiracies, and totally valid critiques of his awful performance as president. He’s fighting all these so that he can continue fighting pointless fights he can win from the comfort of a presidential motorcade.
Robin Lod and fellow Loons couldn’t win, but it deserved a fight (Pioneer Press)
In soccer, the game isn’t over until the final whistle. It’s thrilling to see teams hustle, and sweat, and strive to win. The Loons stealing a tie when the result didn’t really matter. (Harry Kane pipping a win for the premier league team I try not to talk about). Heck even Cukaricki getting a questionable winner to deny our friends in Vozdovac. Those are great moments, because playing with pride is a fight that’s worth fighting.
Protecting your ego, diminishing someone else, scoring a point on a hypothetical argument you can never prove: not worth it.
Fight the fights that need fighting boys. And if you’re not sure if it needs to be fought, just ask: would Donald Trump fight this? (If yes, then step back boys, step back.)
The Loons left their come back pretty late (which happens when Emanuel Reynoso spends most of the match on the bench). The absence of Michael Boxall, Ike Opara and Ozzie Alonso continues to be exploited, and coach Adrian’s Heath’s choices are….interesting (that’s Minnesotan for infuriating)
Emelec 1 – 2 Union [M-South American Cup]
Despite coming in with a hefty advantage Los Bombillos bombed out of the competition. Facundo Barcelo’s second half equalizer was diminished as Union peppered keeper Pedro Ortiz with twice Emelec’s shot total.
Ross County 1 – 1 Livingston
Ollie Shaw seems to have found his shooting boots (or skull rather), scoring for the second time in two weeks. Meanwhile Ross Doohan has continued to find himself at the mercy of opponents. Doohan’s let in 7 over 4 games, but with Ross Laidlaw ceding 16 in the first 10, the Staggies might just be sunk between the goalposts (particularly with as thin the defense has been stretched by low cross after low cross).
Rosenborg BK 1 – 1 Sandviken [F]
Rosenborg remained undefeated but the only action came from an own goal off each side, so it wasn’t exactly a thriller or even particularly edifying. The team will now have one last match to try and swipe the title out from the hands of Valerenga, whose loss to Lyn has finally left the two teams equal. Any result better than the Oslo side will do it, Otherwise they’d need to win by 5 more goals than their rivals…
Grenoble 2 – 1 Le Havre [M]
In their first match back from quarantine Grenoble hit their marks with aplomb (it was probably the hot pink tops). Kevin Tapoko built a goal out of absolutely nothing with an interception, secondary assist and goal in about 10 seconds, while Willy Semedo’s winner showed a strength in attack that GF38 sorely needed.
Final Result: Joe Biden [D] 306 – 229 Donald Trump [R]
The Sunday Paper with Elections, sports and murder…
This is probably the most relieved I’ve felt in a looooooong time. And with a 5 Million vote edge translating into just a 77 electoral vote margin that felt more comfortable than it ever seemed on the day. Just for fun, here’s how Grenoble covered both the election and the victory.
RB Leipzig 3 – 0 Freiburg [M]
From one angle, Freiburg started well, only losing one of their first five matches. From the other angle Freiburg are in terrible form taking only 3 points from 6 matches. The truth may lie somewhere in between but we hope Christian Streich finds it and fast.
Cukaricki 3 – 2 FK Vozdovac
Credit where it’s due, from falling behind on an early penalty, the Red Dragons fought back to take the lead in the second half. But a fine Cukariki goal and another penalty wiped that away.
Emelec 0 – 0 CS Barcelona [F]
The quarterfinal in this year’s women’s league was an all Guayaquil affair with the local derby determining the next step towards national triumph. Las Electricas held their own earning a goal-less draw with their rivals. But with a second leg still to come, they actually have a great opportunity. A win or a draw should see them through!
📸 Postales de nuestro encuentro de ayer por los cuartos de final (Ida) de la @superligafef. ¡Vamos #Eléctricas! 💪🏻
After falling behind in the first four minutes, Freiburg stormed back to take the lead back before half-time and hold on from there. Sandra Starke became the first player with two goals (that probably has as much to do with the team’s recent scoreless streak as it does the lack of a dominant force like Klara Buhl).
Viking 3 – 0 Rosenborg BK [M]
Rosenborg lost for the first time in the league since the beginning of August and it wasn’t particularly close. Despite dominating the possession, they got absolutely slaughtered by Viking’s counter attack. Here’s hoping that they took the L so the ladies don’t have to.
Minnesota United 3 – 0 Dallas
We’ve raved about Emmanuel Reynoso, whose first goal was an absolute banger. But it’s worth taking some time to shout out Kevin Molino. The first high profile Loons signee, has paid his dues on the bad teams, sat on the bench to heal an injury during the last good season, and now is leading the charge into the playoffs (though having Reynoso along side him sure helped).
Alebrijes de Oaxaca 1 – 2 Atalante
Oaxaca started out on the right foot, taking the lead through Hector Reynoso Lopez. While the team held on well against the top 4 side for a full hour, a pair of late goals sank their hopes and dropped them back to the bottom of the league.
Emelec 2 – 0 Universidad Catholica [M]
Los Bombillos celebrated the Reddy Kilowatt 5 K with a pair of goals to win their second of five. (For comparison they had only won 2 of 8 to wrap up the first half of the season). Dixon Arroyo’s absurdly placed ball to Romario Caicedo who seemed to be gliding through mile 2 was pretty to watch, and Bryan Carabali hammered home a cross like a quart of chocolate milk at the end of the run. (Trust me, these running references are on point)
Elgin City 1 – 4 Ross County [Cup]
As a Premier League club County should expect to beat up on their fourth tier opponents. As a team in terrible form, nothing can be taken as a given. Fortunately Oliver Shaw (yup, him again) broke open the scoring and the Staggies never looked back). (Here’s hoping Ross Laidlaw gets a second chance soon)
News & Notes
Setting Schedules for the Spring
Both The University of Montana and Punjab FC have announced their schedules for the coming season. The only downside, their seasons won’t start until 2021. But let’s take a look.
On January 9th, India’s soccer will kick off again in Kolkata. Punjab FC will again take part, this time under the leadership of Roundglass Sports, and, judging from the Orange-ified logos, a brand new look too.
The season will be a two part process, rather like the current Scottish style. After one half of the season (a single match against each opponent), teams will be split in to two halves. The top half will play eachother for the title, the bottom half will play eachother to avoid relegation. (Sidebar: Minerva Punjab is also in training…which team we stick with…well…we shall see)
Meanwhile, in Missoula, the Grizzlies have set a very localized schedule in their quest to repeat as Big Sky champs 18 months later. While the fall season was mostly to keep in shape, before the next season, in the spring they’ll be playing for keeps.
Is our Big Sky opener still more than four months away? Yes
Global Energy Stadium is…partially filled! (MSN.com)
Ross County has become one of the first sides to officially let in fans (albeit fewer than they’d hope and farther apart than they’d hoped. But still fans were back and reported being quite happy to sit in the stands again.
France Shuts Down Lower Women’s Leagues
With a spike in Coronavirus cases, particularly around Grenoble, and even within the team, a shutdown seems fair. Not fun, but fair. That it now encompasses all of the lower leagues in Women’s soccer well…that’s a bitter pill to swallow…if only there were some good wine to wash it down.
Championnats D2F, U19F, Ligue et District suspendus
As if the struggles in playing well weren’t enough, Alebrijes de Oaxaca also had to deal with a conflict of a much more serious nature on Sunday. Center Back Yohan Zetuna was subjected to racist abuse by Ronaldo Gonzalez of Atlante. The two had been battling for a while (with each one earning a cuation from the ref), and while the incident is still in the “alleged” stage. We stand with Yohan as every player deserves to be welcomed on the field (wherever they’re from and wherever their field is)
With equal output and effect on the match, we have no choice but to split the honors this week. Handing half of the honor to a widely-regarded star calibre talen, and half of it to a little known, just emerging young talent. So Emmanuel Bebelo Reynoso for your plethora of assists, goals, and innovation: take a bow. Oliver Shaw for your star turn at a time the Staggies need it most: take a bow too.
If you boys end up sports fans, especially sports fans like me, you are going to have some hard defeats to swallow. The Vikings Wide Right? Sid Bream scoring from first on Barry Bonds? Basically any Yankees-Twins game?
But more than almost any other, when I think about the hardest losses, I think back to a match I watched on a warm, dark, night, with a plate of jollof rice, a roasted tilapia, a wine cooler, and a bunch of new friends.
I think about the “New Hand of God”, the last chance for “the hope of Africa”, I think about Luis Suarez v. Ghana in 2010.
Always an Ant. Love WASS
I had spent a month interviewing young Ghanaian student/actors about their sense of national identity and teaching Literature and Composition classes at a local high school ( “Playing the Part” pub. 2011 Bowling Green State University). At night, I’d call your mother, then my fiancee, and transcribe interviews while watching matches from the World Cup in South Africa.
A few days before, the US had been bested by Ghana…again. I’d been roundly jeered and jostled by every Ghanaian I lived near, worked with, and taught. By the next match, Friday, July 2nd, we were all friends again, and I was taking the night off from interviews to talk to the love of my life and watch the Black Stars.
It was…horrible. First there was the lead, the baffling long-distance strike from Sully Muntari. Then the anxious despair to stop any goals from the talented tandem of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. When Forlan equalized it seemed to doom us all. But the Ghanaians grew into the match, asserting themselves again and pushing on. When John Pantsil lined up the free kick it felt inevitable, and to see Stephen Appiah and Dominic Adiyiyah pounce, we were bubbling to burst into cheers.
Then…disbelief. Agony. Anger. Defeat. Suarez had stopped a clear goal with his hand. It was unfair, unjust, unbelievable. Instead of celebrating a hard fought but well earned victory, it was back to the penalty spot for baby striker, Asamoah Gyan.
I think it was Adama, my host teacher, pacing in front of the bar, who said, “no, no…not Gyan…he’s too excited-oh…”. And then…a clanging crossbar, an obviously agonizing penalty kick defeat, and a long, echoing, bitter silence. A painful feeling in a place that was so often music, and noise, and joy to see you.
That was a hard loss. It wasn’t just clearly hard for the players, or hard for me as a fan, it was hard because one whole nation, and so many more across the continent felt it. But, as with all things, it comes with a lesson.
We are marked by our pain, both in scars and in strength.
10 years on from that there’s been a recent spate of writing about the loss and the team that suffered it. But the story that comes to mind the most, is Homegoing , the American Book Award winning novel that has nothing to do with soccer, and everything to do with pain.
The book chronicles two families carrying the long legacy of trauma and tragedy from the golden coast of Ghana all the way to Stanford University and back again. It is beautiful, heartbreaking, and important.
Soccer isn’t that important.
Certainly a match ten years ago is nothing next to generations of stories and legends. However, there’s something about Homegoing that reminds us of the strength that comes with struggle. That through pain and degradation and angst come both our fears and concerns, as well as our strength and ability.
Asamoah Gyan went home last week. He’s said to have watched the match, and his failure at the spot dozens of times. It hurts me as a passive observer to watch it, and Gyan…it hurts him more.
I wish the match could happen again because it really hurts me every time when I’m alone. It’s something that I can never forget. I watch it over and over and over again and hope one day I can turn things around and make people happy.
–Asamoah Gyan (2014)
Baby Jet’s Return (Legon Cities FC)
But that’s the thing. The memory hurts (he stopped taking penalties for the team shortly afterward) but it also encouraged him to set a goal, a goal he’s chasing now in Legon. A goal he’s chasing down the street from where I watched him miss, from where that echoing silence seemed to bury us.
It may have scarred Asamoah Gyan, but it also strengthened him. I hope your most painful moments do the same.
It’s been six unbeaten for the Loons. But they haven’t really looked unbeatable since early September. This time a late own goal helped them across the line despite Emmanuel Reynoso’s best efforts to connect with attack partners.
Union 0 – 1 Emelec [M–South American Cup]
Los Bombillos May still be languishing in domestic contests but they do what’s needed on the bigger continental stage. A vital goal away from home came from an opportunistic Facundo Barcelo who punished the Argentines for not clearing the ball more decisively.
Dundee United 2 – 1 Ross County
Oliver Shaw got his first goal as a Staggie on an excellent sprint. But by that time the Tangerines of Dundee had the game in hand. So the Stags took another tough defeat.
2:00 Niort v. Grenoble [M]
Cancelled due to COVID 19
FK Vozdovac 2 – 0 TSC Backa Topola
For a team that was winless for most of the spring, Vozdovac looks equally consistent now, albeit in a much better way. It certainly helps to have a stronger back line anchored by a keeper in great form. So, as is becoming habit around here, thanks Miloje Prekovic.
Rosenborg BK 3 – 1 Avaldsnes [W]
A decisive and vital win against a fellow top 4 contender saw Rosenborg jump into first place (with Valerenga’s win over LSK they fell back to second). As top opponents shut down passing lanes for Clausen/Blakstad other options have had to rise up, including this week’s star: Lisa Marie Utland. Her headed brace gave her 5 goals on the season and further cemented the team’s attacking strength.
SC Freiburg 2 – 4 Bayern Leverkusen [M]
After several close contests, Freiburg’s battle with Bavaria’s top team was a little more open. Despite an early goal, the Griffin’s defense couldn’t hold back a Leverkusen attack, with Florian Müller conceding more than he saved
Rosenborg BK 1 – 0 Start [M]
As with the women, Rosenborg’s attack has needed to diversify of late, but they’ve made it work. Carlo Holse has served as a super sub and scored again here
Sporting KC v. Minnesota United
Yup COVID got the loons…again…though with playoffs clinched its not the worst thing to happen.
Aucus 1 – 1 Emelec [M]
Emelec hadn’t dropped points to Aucus since May 2018. In the last match before COVID closure they trounced the red and gold 4-0. This time they only managed a point as Marlon Meija’s first half red card stretched them too thin to cope.
7o de Febrero 0- 4 Emelec [F]
With a resounding win, las Eléctricas sealed a spot in the super league playoffs. Ginger García found the net inside of two minutes, but it was striker Luisa Espinoza’s brace that sealed the victory and advancement.
*The most important contest of this year Biden (D) v. Trump (R)*
NO RESULT AS OF PUBLICATION TIME…or even several days later when I finally had time to find the videos and images I wanted.
News & Notes
Baby Jet Flies Home
Last week, we had high hopes that black stars legend Asamoah “Baby Jet” Gyan would be coming to Legon this year.
Yes, those leagues that wrap in the winter are nearing their conclusions, which means a shorter series of matches among the best of the best to determine a champion.
Rosenborg’s 16th straight result means that even if the Trolljenter totally collapse they’ll finish in a top 4 spot.
Emelec’s Eléctricas also qualified, though less conclusively than their Norwegian cousins.
And, despite a desperately underwhelming run of form and enough COVID cases to make you wonder if socially distanced positioning might be a game plan, Minnesota United’s points per game was enough to guarantee them a crack at the cup this year.
Player of the Week
It must be said: Luisa Espinoza lifted las Electricas to the next round of the Superliga Feminina this week. A great performance and a great result is exactly what Player of the Week was built for.
We Love you too…and we’re about 80% sure this is Luisa Espinoza…seriously Emelec, clarify!
Halloween seems as appropriate a time as any to talk about something soccer fans all know about, but don’t much like discussing. Like the boogy-man, only, you know, real.
Soccer’s dark arts, the dirty plays, the unpleasant habits that can win a match, but may cost you your very footballing soul.
Arjen Robben, Peak Flopper
It might be a dramatic dive to the ground to pretend you’re injured when you’re not. It might be bone rattling tackles and tugs of jerseys to impede progress. They are not pretty, they are not pleasant, but they are, unfortunately, effective.
They’re common, and it stinks when an opponent uses them to their advantage and your detriment. Every time it happens it invites an excuse for your own poor behavior. It becomes a natural excuse that “well if our opponents are doing it, we should too”. You start to think you ought to fight fire with fire.
To that argument I say, nothing is worth letting the whole world burn.
Take Franco Arizala. The Oaxaca striker must be frustrated by his side’s struggles. We feel frustrated and we are neither Oaxacans nor professional athletes out to prove our abilities.
Arizala shifted the tide in the match against Pumas through one of those dramatic dives. Rushing ahead with only the keeper in his way he opted to collapse as the goalie slid in rather than attempt to hurdle, or chip or score directly.
The keeper’s red card weakened Pumas, and the ensuing stunner of a free kick opened the scoring. But helpful as three points are, effective as Arizala’s dive was, it’s not the same as a well worked goal, or a team effort for Arizala to assist a teammate charging ahead. That teamwork could help not just shift the tide of a match but of a season.
JSD Partizan’s Blog
Serbia’s well known for its bruising physicality. Artful offense will always be secondary to dark-artful defending. I appreciate that FK Vozdovac tries to attack gracefully, and I understand that allowing opponents to cut out your teammates legs isn’t tolerable. But the harshness of the Serbian game is part of what slows its development.
If, instead of spending ten minutes a match in altercations with opponents after a foul, players played, then Serbia might develop a more fluid style, or at least seem more inviting to talented foreigners unwilling to sacrifice their calves for a paycheck. If the Red Dragons flew as much as they breathe fire, they could be much more.
All this second guessing and idealization comes from the greatest sport for idealized hypotheticals: politics.
I’ve written a lot this year about political views, campaigns, animus, because, as with the virus, it’s swept away most other headlines. But it also has been a time for reckoning with who I am and what I want.
Many of my friends are tired of incrementalism, tired of aspirational rhetoric that falls far short of tangible goals. If opponents will lie, oppress, incite hatred, and absolve themselves of accountability for the sake of their end goals, then why waste time trying to fight the good fight.
We’re in a fight. Just fight already.
Except, if what matters is the result then you can justify doing anything. We can lie and oppress and hate and refuse accountability with the best of them. Except if that’s all we do then things never really change. Whatever end results we think we win will just be lied about, oppressed in return and used to incite further hate.
No need to be like this guy (The Guardian)
It’s not just about the win in the short term, it’s about the revolution in the long term. It’s not about getting the result I want right now, it’s about disrupting the system so we can all help build a new one.
I get that it’s hard to think long term when you’re bottom of the table, or a perpetual also ran in the league, or face to face with an incredibly consequential election. But we can do both. We can win now while redefining what it takes to win later.
We can vanquish the dark arts. But only if we eradicate the practice and not just excoriate the practitioners. We can win on the pitch and in politics through principle and patience. It’s not the matter of one play, one game, or one election. It’s a lifetime’s work.
The Red Dragons fell behind early, but made a stirring second half comeback to tie the match. Then it was Milos Krunic playing hero with crucial penalty saves to push them on to the last 16 of the Serbian Cup.
Alebrijes 1 – 2 Celaya
Oaxaca held their own for much of the match. Keeping the score level through 45 minutes. But a second yellow to Victor Reyes opened things up for league leading Celaya, and Diego Chorena’s late red will only complicate things following another loss
Union Berlin 1 – 1 SC Freiburg [M]
In a very even contest, Vincent Grifo netted an opening goal from a tough angle that was promptly negated on the next sequence. It was the type of draw where it seemed like the best outcome. Both sides deserved something, and both sides got something.
Motherwell 4 – 0 Ross County
Young Ross Doohan did not shine on the day. A week after keeping Hibs off the board, the Celtic loanee mustered only one save against an imperious Motherwell.
Grenoble v. Nancy [M]
Postponed due to COVID
Emelec 0 – 0 CSD Macara [M]
That is a thing that happened.
Cincinnati 0 – 1 Minnesota United
The loons continued to struggle to regain their old form. Again there were moments of quality, tempered with moments of agonizing awkwardness. It took until 2 minutes into stoppage time for a break through, with Jan Gregus’ great corner kick meeting Michael Boxall’s head. While the post blocked Boxall, nothing stopped Aaron Schoenfeld’s winner.
Sarpsborg 08 1 – 2 Rosenborg BK [M]
Pa Konate scored his first goal since joining Rosenborg in September, and Dino Islamovic netted another penalty as Rosenborg kept up the race for Europe staying just one point behind Molde.
Proleter 1 – 1 FK Vozdovac
Though former Olympiakos starlet Leandro Pinto struck first for Proleter, Vozdovak came back with a second half equalizer to grab a vital point on the road. Dragan Stoisavljevic’s half-volley capped an excellent attacking streak from the Red Dragons. That’s the system needed to keep the race for top 3 tight in Serbia
Pumas Tabasco 0 – 2 Alebrijes de Oaxaca
Things got a little wild when Pumas’ goal keeper Jose Castillo executed a hefty challenge well outside his area on veteran striker Franco Arizala. After a Pumas complaint and a substitution, Oaxaca’s Rodolfo Vilchis absolutely cranked his free kick into the upper right corner to give Alebrijes a lead. Despite being a man up, Oaxaca still looked shaky at the back but Arizala continued to torment Pumas’ defenders setting up more chances for a security goal that finally came in stoppage time. It was certainly a fortunate and not terribly convincing win, but it was a win, and Alebrijes needs those.
News & Notes
Asamoah Gyan’s Homecoming?
One of the biggest players in Ghanaian soccer history may be on the verge of a return home.
Asamoah Gyan
Arguably the biggest striker in the Black Star’s golden generation, Gyan has bopped around the world with stops at big clubs in Italy, France, and England and big money moves to Qatar, China, and India.
Now at 34, he’s certainly nearing the end of a storied career and has pledged to cap his career back at home in the nascent Ghanaian Premier League. But…while the former Asante Kotoko fan has said he’d like to play in Kumasi, Legon Cities, our very own Royals, appears set to swoop in with big bucks and bring him on to their side.
Player of the Week
We’ve been recognizing a lot of defenders lately, so let’s take a moment to appreciate Franco Arizala of Oaxaca. Though he didn’t get his name on the score sheet he was integral to Oaxaca’s third win. From the penalty drawn on Tabasco’s keeper (which…on replay might have been a little…embellished) and providing the opening for the first goal, to the dipsy-dooo-drop-aroo moves that tormented the thinly stretched Pumas defense, to requiring a double team that opened the net for the second, Franco was critical.
Franco Arizala feels fine (La Marca)
What’s Next
Wednesday, October 28th
7:00 Minnesota United v. Colorado Rapids
Thursday, October 29th
Union v. Emelec [M–South American Cup]
Friday, October 30th
Saturday, October 31st
10:00 Dundee United v. Ross County
2:00 Niort v. Grenoble [M] Cancelled due to COVID 19
2:00 FK Vozdovac v. TSC Backa Topola
Sunday, November 1st
6:00 Rosenborg BK v. Avaldsnes [W]
8:30 SC Freiburg v. Bayern Leverkusen [M]
11:00 Rosenborg BK v. Start [M]
6:30 Sporting KC v. Minnesota United
Monday, November 2nd
Tuesday, November 3rd
*The most important contest of this year Biden (D) v. Trump (R)*
Seriously, did they think it would take them four days to beat COVID? Who do they think they are? A bunch of obese 70 something reality stars turned politicians with access to obscenely expensive health care?
Emelec 1 – 0 Orense [M]
Emelec started their second half in a high grabbing a valuable win to restart their campaign with a good chance to compete. Dixon Arroyo’s 2nd half goal was a fortunate combination of positioning and sloppy defense.
Correcaminos 3 – 2 Alebrijes
A week after final breaking through with a goal, Oaxaca got two more to lead then tie a solid Correcaminos side. Sadly a third goal ceded made it moot, and left us all hopping for moral victories before the last month of the year.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0 – 1 SC Freiburg [W]
Lina Burger opened the match with a solid finish from a well worked team goal and from then on it was just a matter of holding on. The lady griffins did manage a few more strong forays into the Frankfurt area, but even though they came away goalless, they got what they needed.
SC Freiburg 1 -1 Werder Bremen [M]
Christian Streich’s side started out hot with a pair of goals inside 20 minutes from Phillip Leinhart (on a deflection) and Jonathan Schmid. Sadly, Schmid’s was negated by VAR and after a sloppy tackle from Lucas Holer gifted Bremen a penalty, it was all Christian Günter and company could do to salvage the draw.
Ross County 0 – 0 Hibernian
Connor Randall’s second half red card meant there was a very tense last ten minutes, with Staggies left grateful and aggrieved when a late tackle of Ross Stewart didn’t lead to a penalty.
FK Vozdovac 2 – 1 FK Spartak Subotica
The Red Dragons got their first win against a top six side in their ongoing push to be part of the third place race (behind Partizan and Red Star’s Duopoly). Nikolai Vujnovic netted a screaming winner as Keeper Miloje Prekovic was again crucial to the points.
Amiens 1 – 0 Grenoble [M]
On paper, this was a clear opportunity for Grenoble to grab some points away from home. But things were a lot less clear on the field, where Grenoble’s previously potent attack ground to a halt, and one slip was all it took for Amiens to capitalize and win it.
Emelec 0 – 2 Barcelona SC [F]
It was another hard derby for las electricas with Barcelona’s non-international Ecuadorian equivalents painted Guayaquil yellow again
Valerenga 1 – 1 Rosenborg BK [W]
The match of the weekend was as thrilling as advertised. Despite an early goof of a goal from a Valerenga cross, Rosenborg didn’t bend. Most surprising was the last moment equalizer from Sara Kanutte Fornes to keep RBK unbeaten. Ultimately the quest for an Invincible season, might be a distraction. The Trolljenta will be vying for the title in a final four playoff, but an unbeaten year would just feel so sweet.
Kristiansund 0 – 0 Rosenborg BK [M]
Not for the first time we wished the men’s team was playing at the level of the women’s side.
Bravo Merignac
Merignac 0 – 1 Grenoble [F]
Jade Decilap made the difference on the road as the ladies of Grenoble got a valuable win. Side bar: hat tip to Merignac for rocking the chipmunk crest!
Minnesota United 2 – 2 Houston Dynamo
In an act of snatching a stalemate from the jaws of victory, the Loons gave up a pair of second half goals. For a team that’s past it’s injury woes (as seen by a brilliant return by Ethan Finlay) and has said goodbye to young prospects to bring in “proven winners” this collapse (both on field and in standings) is…frustrating.
Guayaquil City 1 – 0 Emelec [M]
The blue side of Guayaquil came out pale after dropping the second derby of the week. After a bright start to the second half of the campaign, some fans may feel hope dimming that los bombillos can shine any morethan they did before. (Did you like that plethora of lightbulb allusions?)
News & Notes
Grenoble Grippe
Macron’s Mask Mandate (Washington Post)
Minnesota United got some company in their infectious disease section of our standings this week as Grenoble Foot’s coach, plus 18 other players and staff members, tested positive for Corona-Virus.
This is part of a bigger local trend. French President, Emmanuel Macron (aka the Economist’s biggest crush), instituted a stricter curfew on nine cities, including Grenoble.
Player of the Week
So many sides needed sterling defensive showings to hold on to their points, it only makes sense to honor the defensive side of the game this week. We’ll acknowledge Miloje Prekovic, who, despite giving up a goal and looking a bit lucky has been so critical to Vozdovac’s surge up the standings that he’s well over due for some recognition.
Prekovic, who frankly looks like he’s interviewing to be your gym teacher
This past weekend witnessed a whole lot of tension for all of our favorite sides. Despite hours and hours of training, preparing, and strategizing everything that you want to go right may yet go horribly, horribly wrong, and there’s not much you can do about it.
In the same way, after a bit of over-confidence in 2016 led to a crippling four years of permanent anxiety, I’m constantly looking over news feeds for evidence of everything going wrong again. Again I’ve prepared. People I care about have prepared. But we know it might yet go wrong.
At times like this I think of a phrase from the great Scottish manager Sir Alex Ferguson (which I think I first heard from a Canadian colleague, Neeraj Prakash). He called it “squeaky bum time”, which I took to be that time when the end is nigh, and excitement has built to a fever pitch, but you can’t do anything about it.
My advice for you boys isn’t just to know that phrase, it’s a bit about what to do at times like that.
When you’re worried it will all go wrong, just try to do what you know to do.
Herr Leinhart (Freiburg.com)
Think of Freiburg. An early goal, and a quick concession and then ferocious pressure from Werder Bremen. At the core of all of it was Phillip Leinhart, who not only scored the Griffins’ goal, but anchored the defense to the bitter end.
Or there’s Rosenborg’s Kvinner. This team of tremendous attacking prowess, with all their threats and various ways to beat you finally faced the reality of a defeat, and responded by turning to the attack with even greater certainty until Sarah Kanutte Foldes won the day.
Even in America, we see it with Presidential Candidate and walking grandpa joke, Joe Biden. He’s never been the most eloquent, the most inspiring, or the most flashy. What he has been is reliable, dependable, charming, and genuine. So as the biggest campaign of his life (and indeed almost all of our lives) winds down, he is being that. Not being sucked into silly squabbles or crowd comparisons, just being himself.
All too often it gets hardest right before the end. Always remember that while you can’t control any outcomes, you can control your inputs. Rather than trying to do something new or staggering or amazing, do what you know.
Rosenborg Celebration (Time24)
Be Phillip Leinhart with his lockdown defense. Be Sarah Kanutte Foldes with her opportunistic attacks. Be Joe Biden with responsible, folksy, charm.
This last week was an international break. A time when great players can compete for their country, and when fans can thrill in a patriotic triumph.
It’s also a time when fans complain.
Feelings about International Breaks
A lot of fans would rather the players keep playing. Some wonder why clubs with international stars don’t carry on with the players who are in games for their country. Some wonder why we have to have international matches at all when the clubs actually pay the salary for players. Some bemoan the lack of entertainment and quality games, others wish that a few players who seek to stay home would respect the honor of playing for their nation.
Here’s my thing on this, for the very little it’s worth: everyone benefits from a break.
Dear Boys,
In my own career, I’ve spent hours upon hours not just teaching, but refining my practice, improving my skills, and attending workshops to discover new methods. I do it because I think my work’s important and I want to do it to the best of my ability. Sometimes I do it past the point of helping myself. [Ask your mom about the time I tried to cook lentil soup while grading papers and designing a new unit…it was…not good.]
Me at this time of year…
I benefit from a break, and, more to the point, so do my students, so do you boys, so does everyone I encounter. Because if all I ever do is work, then I don’t keep working well.
Hard as it is for passionate sports fans to admit, the same is true for professional athletes.
These people have spent their entire lives training their bodies to be in peak condition to compete at the highest levels and provide entertainment for us all. Every month or so, they get a break.
Good.
They don’t just need an “off-season” to recover, they need the time and head space to be human beings rather than our favorite source of excitement. They can rest their bodies. They can connect with their families. They can even not care at all about what a bunch of fans want and make sure that they are taken care of first.
Former Loons’ Captain Francisco Calvo deserves a break too (Pioneer Press)
Truth be told, rested players tend to be more fit. More fit players play better games, and we’ll all benefit from it. They also can be more balanced and better able to cope when their careers come to an end. Their health and well-being is so much more important that what I want for entertainment on a weekend that I can’t help but feel that anyone complaining about people taking a break is utterly selfish.
So, while some will tell you “there are no off days” or “grind 24/7/365”. Please, take breaks. You’ll be better for it.
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