Worldwide efforts to slow and curtail the virus have led to dozens of lock downs. Most leagues have extended their hiatus until early May. Some, who had been almost done seem totally at a loss to know whether or not they’ll return at all (fingers crossed for India, Serbia, Scotland, and Mexico).
With minimal adventures outside the home a lot of fans are limited to attempts to stay active and sane through various competitions and questions. So whether you’re trying to keep the ball/toilet paper aloft, or ranking your favorite fictional footballers, keep your eye on the prize: normalcy.
News & Notes
CountyCan’t Keep Up with PSV
Despite a dominant showing against Cork City in round 1, the Staggies’ man on the joystick was very much on the other end of things against PSV Eindhoven’s pro gamer. Falling behind 3-0 Sean Kelly made an epic comeback to tie the match and force a rematch. He fell behind by three goals again, and then…didn’t comeback at all.
A strong showing from Ross County’s midfielder going 1-1-1 over 3 matches. While he won’t earn a trophy or bragging rights he did get to share in a truly epic tournament. Bravo Sean Kelly
Again, no matches makes it hard to pick a best player of the week. So let’s tip a hat to the social media directors who keep churning out content during these difficult football-less times. In particular Alebrijes de Oaxaca who brought out a bright little math puzzle (one that I whiffed on).
Corona virus 2019, a sickness that gives a bad cough, an achy body, and a high fever, is all around the world.
It doesn’t care who you are, how old you are, where your family is from or whether or not you can handle it.
It is scary because you can have it and not know. You can pass it along and not know. You can be sick, think it’s something else, and accidentally hurt someone else. That not knowing, that uncertainty makes lots of things you take for granted suddenly uncertain and unsafe.
So, soccer pitches and stadiums, where people sneeze on you, cough near you, or spit in your direction, aren’t as safe as we thought. And to be careful, leagues are postponing or canceling games to keep people safe.
Out of commission
I know it’s the right thing to do, but still, I’m disappointed. I was excited to go back to see the Loons. There was a game in two weeks I thought the whole family could go to. Even as the disease got stronger I thought we could risk it: I’m healthy. You boys are not at risk. We could go, have fun, and be none the worse.
But we shouldn’t even if we could. Even if we’d be okay, we need to do what’s best for the others around us.
Maybe we’d go and nothing would happen. Or maybe one of us would catch it. If we caught it we could get a grandma sick, or we could pass it to a friend who got their grandpa sick, or we could pass it to a friend who could pass it to a neighbor who could get sick. There’s no way to know. And our fun shouldn’t be more important than one one else’s safety.
So, hard as it is to give up our fun. We should do it.
The best view, for now
Each of the 11 clubs we follow is taking a break.
Emelec and FK Vazdovac might be back this weekend (or might not). Freiburg, Punjab FC, Oaxaca, and Grenoble might come back at the start of April. Minnesota and Rosenberg are taking a month delay. Legon Cities, Ross County, and Montana…nobody knows.
The only teams still planning to play (as of now) are Vozdovac, Oaxaca, and Legon Cities. All three of them are also still considering options. But in the mean time we can enjoy them from afar and appreciate their play like we appreciate those who choose not to.
This is our world right now, and these are the people we need to take care of: for good and for ill.
Alebrijes seemed content to challenge the visitors to stop a variety of longer range efforts. But if their goal was to draw out the back line, it was unsuccessful. Atlante continued to sit back in defense and pepper the box with their own attempts, until Francisco Rivera ran through the defense like a whooping cough patient can run through Target these days. (too soon?)
FK Vozdovac 1 – Partizan Belgrade 2
When you’re a team that hasn’t won all year, facing the team that is the gold standard for Serbian football isn’t appealing. It got even worse for FK Vozdovac as it easily could have been an absolute annihilation had Keeper Marko Ilic not stood on his head for most of the match. A late consolation from Milos Stojcev was a sight to see, but that was about all there was to enjoy.
Legon Cities 0 – Medeama 2
It was over early in the capital when the league leaders came to call on Legon Cities. Prince Opoku Ageymang ripped up the Royals defense to show who the crown really belonged too. As the impotent Legon Cities attack again came up empty, there was little to enjoy but the usual joyous trumpets in the stands.
News & Notes
Coronavirus Crushes Competitions
Like most of the world, I’m taking extra precautions to protect myself, my family, and my strangers from disease. Soccer players are no different. Every league we watch is facing at least some postponements. Some hope to be back at the end of this week (see below) but most everyone else is taking an extra holiday.
Man of the Matches
What better time to debut a new feature than when there are few to no games and all of them were losses?
Recognizing the player of the week is a fun little task to do, even if things aren’t great. This week it’s the man who made the Belgrade derby kind of close! Marko Ilic, Congrats Marko!
Every time the Staggies start to establish some security they slide back to the bottom. Despite a great run of form by Northern Ireland’s Billy McKay, a pair of predictable defeats undid the miraculous win in Aberdeen
Golukam FC 1 – Punjab FC 1
Indian Arrows 1 – Punjab FC 1
Neroca FC 4 – Punjab FC 3
A poor run of late from the men of Minerva means they’ve slipped to third despite Asier Dipanda’s one man efforts to save the day.
(M) Grenoble Foot 0 – Chateroux 1
Grenoble Foot 0 – Nice 0
(M) Caen 2 – Grenoble Foot 0
Thomson Évian 1 – Grenoble Foot 0
(M) Grenoble Foot 1 – Valenciennes 3
Unfortunately, the ladies of the alps continue to suffer near miss after near miss, and may need to rely on goal difference to avoid the drop. Meanwhile, Shockingly, Grenoble struggled to score and to shut down opponents. (Did I shockingly, I meant predictably) Most exposed: left side defenders Loic Nestor and Jerome Mombis who have been about as useful as as a megaphone for a mime.
(M) SC Freiburg 0 – Fortuna Düsseldorf 2
(M) Borussia Dortmund 1 – SC Freiburg 0
SC Freiburg 2 – MSV Duisburg 2
(M) SC Freiburg 3 – Union Berlin 1
Hoffenheim 4 – SC Freiburg 1
Maddeningly inconsistent, Freiburg’s men remain close but not close enough to qualification for Europe. Meanwhile the women’s fortunes have faded with the inability to get WunderMadchen Klara Bühl integrated in the attack, leaving them safe but far from competitive with the imperious Wolfsburg.
Cukariki 2 – FK Vozdovac 1
FK Vozdovac 1 – Vojvodina 2
Indjija 3 – FK Vozdovac 0
Easily the worst run of form of any team we cover, the red dragons are winless in 2020. Worst they’re sliding ever closer to relegation just in time to face local super club Partizan Belgrade
King Faisal 1 – Legon Cities FC 1
Legon Cities 0 – Eleven Wonders 0
Legon Cities 4 – WAFA 1
Berekum Chelsea 2 – Legon Cities 0
The good news: The Royals got their second win of the season! The bad news: they remain just 5 points clear of relegation and face a long season ahead where no number of Hip-Life Half times can make up for a lackluster team.
(M) Emelec 2 – Blooming 0 (Copa Sudamericana)
(M) Emelec 1 – Guayaquil City 2
(M) CSD Macara 1 – Emelec 0
(M) Emelec 4 – Aucas 0
While their goal difference would place them 4th, Emelec’s results have them in 10th. It’s worth wondering if the division of attention between the league and the Copa has them dealing with a bit of a hangover in domestic competition.
Jaibos 1 – Alebrijes de Oaxaca 1
Alebrijes de Oaxaca 0 – Correcaminos 0
Cafetaleros 4 – Alebrijes de Oaxaca 1
February was full of heartbreak for Oaxaca who came up winless and could only manage 2 points from a pair of games against sides fighting relegation. Maybe they’re helpless without an in form Daniel Jimenez. Maybe they’re coasting on their apertura title waiting for a promotion playoff to turn it on. But it may be hard to get up for the big game when you’ve been sleepwalking for a month.
Portland Timbers 1 – Minnesota United 3
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – Minnesota United 5
Our local Loons are flying high to start their campaign. Winning twice on the road in convincing fashion to top the table. The wings have helped keep the attack aloft as killer crosses from Ethan Findlay and Kevin Molino have set up new striker Luis Amarilla twice and even put reigning defender of the year Ike Opara in a goal scoring mood.
The Staggies’ poor road form continued in a total dismantling at Easter Road in Edinburgh.
East Bengal Club 1 – Punjab FC 1
The comeback draw was good for team spirits, but more dropped points means that Mohun Bagan’s lead is still 9 points
(M) Grenoble Foot 38 3 – Niort 1
Grenoble scored! Early! And then…often!!! The decider, scored on a late and smug chip from Moussa Kailou Djitte might make Niort fans seethe, but the breathing room is appreciated.
(M) Augsburg 1 – SC Freiburg 1
A late strike helped Freiburg get a valuable road point in the battle to stay close for European spots
Ross County 1 – St. Johnstone 1
A late strike helped Ross County salvage a draw at home. Given the Staggies’ abysmal road results, every point matters to their chances of staying up in the premiership.
Mladost Lucani 2 – FK Vozdovac 1
Serbia’s SuperLiga is back after a lengthy winter break (to be fair, Belgrade in January isn’t exactly a holiday makers dream). The rust was apparent when a clumsy Vazdovac challenge gifted the hosts a penalty and a crucial edge they wouldn’t surrender.
Legon Cities FC 1 – Great Olympics 1
If twitter feeds are anything to judge by, this will be the most meaningful derby for the Royals. A contentious first match with penalty appeals and chippy defense will only entrench the enmity.
(M) Orense 2 – Emelec 2
A late strike started Emelec’s 2020 campaign on solid footing. Despite conceding twice, Los Bombistas fought back to get a valuable point against the newly promoted Orense.
Zacatepec 1 – Alebrijes de Oaxaca 0
Give up a penalty in the first minute and things might seem grim. But a tremendous save by Jose Canales kept the score level….for a while. Zapetec took the lead about 20 minutes later, and even when a red card left the hosts a man down, Oaxaca couldn’t capitalize
Punjab FC 1 – Real Kashmir 0
Asier Dipanda remains one of the great difference makers around the world. Here again, without him, the Warriors may have ended up with a goalless tie. With him the keep their advantage in second place.
SC Sand 0 – SC Freiburg 2
The Bundesliga returned for women this weekend and with it Freiburg phenom Karla Bühl who, at 19, followed up her World Cup coming out party with 8 goals so far (a third of Freiburg’s total)
News & Notes
Rosenborg BK Announces Women’s Team
Norway’s legacy of greatness in the women’s game is without doubt. But the most decorated club in the country hasn’t been much involved…until now.
Kvinnelager!
Rosenborg’s new women’s team is still in the planning stages, but the promise of Toppserien seasons is a blessing. (It’s currently unclear whether existing local women’s side Trondheim Ørn would join the club or be a ready made rival).
What’s Next
Wednesday, February 19
Thursday, February 20
4:15–Emelec v Blooming (Copa Sudamericana 2nd Leg)
Some players are made for the biggest stages in the world. And some are made for random Wednesday nights in Dingwall.
Billy McKay’s brace helped the Staggies to a vital victory in the battle to stay off the bottom. With 8 games till the end of this first session, they’ll look to keep strong against overconfident sides at home, and salvage the off draw on the road.
Legon Cities FC 1 – Elmina Sharks 0
It was a rather uninspiring day in Accra, as the two teams combined for few quality chances. Those chances that did come seemed to owe as much to slipshod defending as serious skill.
It took until a hand ball from Elmina in the 89th minute for a break to truly hurt one side. Karim Jabilla calmly stepped to the spot and slotted home a much needed winner for the Royals.
Blooming 0 – Emelec (M) 3 (Copa Sudamericana)
Our favorite Ecuadorian side got 2020 off to a great start: racking up 3 away goals against Bolivia’s Blooming. Uruguay’s Facundo Barceló bookended the score sheet with a pair of goals from tight angles, and Dixon Arroyo slammed home a strong header to seal the win,
As a straight knockout tournament, the Copa Sudamericana offers plenty of drama, and though it’s less historic/prestigious than the Copa Libertadores, its a great chance for Emelec to step up on a continental stage
The score line gives Los Bombillos a significant advantage coming into their home leg, which should set them up well for the round of 32.
Interallies 1 – Legon Cities FC 1
Head coach Goran Barjaktarevic wanted a better performance from his side than what they turned in at midweek. Instead his side conceded an early penalty that scrapped their game plan.
A more aggressive Royals attack provided valuable pressure. But it took another penalty, committed by InterAllies keeper, to set up Legon’s goal: another Karim Jabilla penalty.
SC Freiburg (M) 1 – TSG Hoffenheim 0
One end of the Schwarzwald Stadion saw all the most decisive action Saturday. First fullback Christian Gunther was taken down/tapped lightly on a run in from the wing, drawing the penalty that Gian-Luca Walschmidt converted to give Freiburg the lead.
But it was almost all for not when Hoffenheim’s Christian Baumgartner dashes past the defense with a well-Angled low shot. Fortunately for Freiburg, it hit the post. Unfortunately, it caromed right back into Baumgartner’s path. And that’s where Dominique Heintz saved the day and three points
Alebrijes de Oxaca 1 – Dorados 1
Dorados put everything they had into their opening salvo: dominating possession and pushing Alebrijes deeper and deeper into their shell. Finally there was one cross too many and the visitors went on top.
That seemed to be enough to wake up Alebrijes who promptly peppered the Dorados defense with all manner of attacking moves: runs, crosses, through balls, but it wasn’t until Daniel Cisneros’ free kick pinged off a defender’s skull and into the net that the hosts went level. Despite several more opportunties for both sides to net the winner from less than 6 yards out, it finished that way.
Mohun Bagan 1 – Punjab FC 0
The I-League’s top of table clash didn’t disappoint. A late first half goal by Baba Diarwa set the Kolkata club on top. Then the sailors weathered a storm of Warriors attacks in the second half, with Leonardo Barboza looking particularly menacing.
At the start of the day, there were six points between the sides, and a win for the visitors would have shrunk the gap to 3. Instead it’s now 9 points and without any more head-to-head fixtures the title may be done and dusted.
Le Havre 4 – Grenoble Foot 38 (F) 0
It was a tough trip to Normandy for the Grenobloises, but the “Sky and Sea” were too much for them. To be fair, any team whose crest boasts a dragon in a pink scarf is tough to beat, or even to want to beat.
Lens 0 – Grenoble Foot 38 (M) 0
It wasn’t much better for the men up at Lens. Outmuscled in the midfield, they created more chances than their opponents, but they weren’t quality. Keeping up with a team fighting for promotion is promising. Coming up short is aggravating.
News & Notes
Minnesota United Ranked 7th in Western Conference before Season Starts
When not making sense of American elections, 538.com applies statistical analysis to ascertain potential and strength of various teams/leagues around the world.
Our local team has gone from laughing stock to reliable playoff threat, but with only a 50/50 chance (according to the statistical model) it might be a more tense atmosphere
If you fall behind by two goals, at home, within 20 minutes, you might well expect it to be a miserable night.
When Asier Dipanda leads your attack, any night can be legendary.
The Cameroonian’s first two goals saved the day, his 90th minute hat-trick winner was nothing short of magic.
Rangers 2 – Ross County 0
The Staggies finished their Glasgow vacation with another defeat, as the Old Firm duopoly continues to bully the rest of Scotland. Worse still Rangers and Celtic also short spitballs at the back of Ross County’s head on a trip to Kelvingrove Art Museum.
Alebrijes de Oaxaca 3 – Cimarrones 0
Playing at home for the first time in the Clausura, Alebrijes celebrated with a thorough and throttling attack. Under pressure from the off, the visitors ceded a penalty, an own goal and too much space for Michael Orozco’s victory sealing third.
Karela United 3 – Legon Cities FC 0
While Legon Cities have a mammoth stadium and make a clear point of bringing in big names to fire up the half time crowd, Kerala United’s investment in squad cohesion might be a better choice. On a dusty field with no clear seating arrangement, Kerala clobbered the Royals with clever combos and clinical finishing sending the big budget boys home with another loss.
Troyes 1 – Grenoble Foot 38 2 (M)
At last Grenoble seemed to find an attack that got results. A pair of strong assists down the right side from Man of the Match, Pierre Gibaud led to well struck goals for wingers Arsene Guintangui, and Willy Semedo.
Kilmarnock 3 – Ross County 1
For their third away game in a week, County looked quite road weary. From the beginning Killie had the advantage, dominating throughout the field.
Iain Vigurs lashed home the Staggies best opening of the first half, giving a lead against the run of play. But in the second half Kilmarnock got what they deserved with Eamon Brophy leading the way., sending the Stags farther down the table.
Koln 4 – SC Freiburg 0
It’s worth asking why and how Freiburg can be so tireless against heavyweight opponents, and so abysmal against what, on paper, seem like pushovers.
You could say Koln was lucky. Up two in stoppage time, it was only total indifference from the visitors that created the lopsided score line. But saying, “you only beat us because we weren’t trying to win” snacks a little of gym class bullies my excuses.
Grenoble (F) 0 – Arras 1 (Cup Quarter Finals)
When you make a cup run, you might well make every game feel like a finals. Grenoble certainly acted like this last 8 match was for all the marbles. despite seeming to be the better side throughout regulation, one well timed shot from Arras meant the dream ended just as we were getting to the good part.
Grenoble (M) 1 -Le Havre1
Just when it seemed they had things figured out, Grenoble struggled in the attack again. A bit of fortune finally gave them a rueful smile, awarding a late penalty for team talisman Jessy Bennet to put away and save a point at home.
The Staggies season seemed auspicious when they fought for a draw in Edinburgh early in the season, but the calamitous collapse of Hearts has made it seem like less of a quality result each week.
Desperate for a win Hearts came to Dingwall looking to stanch the bleeding in their potentially lost season. Ross County had the better opportunities all night long including multiple Billy McKay chances that just came to nought. It says something about both teams that newly promoted, tiny Ross County was clearly better and ought to be disappointed not to take 3 points against one of the glamour teams in Scottish soccer history.
Then again, maybe Hearts just got a lousy pep talk.
Insert Succession Reference here.
Universidad de Guadalajara 1 v Alebrijes de Oaxaca 0
The return of Liga MX Acenso could have been a celebration for first half champions Alebrijes away from home. Instead it was a frenetic affair with many chances for the home side, and even more frenzy when things exploded in the 66th minute.
Omar Bravo clocked Mario Orozco, and Giovanni Leon responded with a shove of his own that escalated to a mini-melee. I’m the end Bravo and Leon were dismissed, and the match restarted with a different shape.
The change in tactics gave the Black Lions an advantage they did not waste. Without a center back, and with their left back Orozco hurting, the defense fell apart even more. In the 81st minute Jose Hernandez struck to give the hosts a victory and start Alebrijes’ second half of the season on the wrong foot.
Legon Cities FC 1 v Bechem United 0
After three matches without a goal and two underwhelming performances in their new home, the Royals didn’t take long to change their fortunes in Accra. In what can best described as an attempted trick play, two Legon Cities players feigned an argument over who would take a 5th minute free kick, only for Abdul Karim Jabila to strike it clean and true past the Bechem keeper.
Striking quickly to start the game gave some the feeling that the Royals were about to blast off. Instead, they were again unlucky not to score another despite numerous strong chances.
Still a win is a win, and the Royals fans don’t mind if it was five minutes of fun and 85 more of fear.
Grenoble Foot 38 0 v Chambly 0 (Men)
The most engaging thing in this game was learning about all the sponsors for Chambly
Grenoble Foot continued their goalless 2020 with a torpid affair at home against Chambly. The result was their league leading 12th tie of the campaign and kept their goals for/against at a delightfully relevant 20-20
Freiburg 0 v Paderborn 2
After a rip-roaring return to action last week, the Breisgauer might be accused of taking bottom of the table Paderborn too lightly, and they paid for it at home Saturday.
The same strategy of long crosses to hopeful heads was far less successful against the bigger Paderborn defense. Some opportune goal scoring was all the last-place side needed as even going down a man wasn’t enough to help Freiburg over the line
Celtic 3 v Ross County 0
Given that the previous installment had ended 6-0 to the Green-Hooped Gods of Glasgow, this result might feel like a big step up for the Staggies.
It was a close run affair until a late first half penalty allowed Callum McGregor to put the Hoops ahead. But the second half belonged to diminutive Odsonne Édouard who netted his 15th and 16th goals of the campaign just in time to inspire some last minute transfer bids. Glad we could help.
Grenoble Foot 38 1 – Lille 2 (Women’s League)
Credit: Julien Diaferia
The Grenobloise managed as many goals as the men’s teams combined this weekend, but it wasn’t enough to see off Lille.. the result brought much delight to your uncle Simon, who likes Lille much as I like Grenoble. Only, I–of course–am right.
News & Notes
Minerva Punjab FC Owner Urges Youth Investment
Ranjit Bajaj cuts an outsized figure promoting soccer in a cricket mad subcontinent. Unapologetic and provocative, he believes whole heartedly in youth training. (His Minerva Punjab training camp reluctantly rebranded the first team this session to expand beyond their own tight knit community to the whole state.)
On the “Rupeeball Podcast” Bajaj took time to reaffirm his love for youth training. His ardent belief in cutting out fees to make coaching easier for others is a basic plan for improvement. The big dream though, World Cup 2036,requires a bit more: national agreement to offer top notch coaching to five year olds in academies. That may seem staggering but frankly, I’m for anything that gives more young people a harsh reed educatin
The first game of a busy back-to-back weekend for the Warriors saw them pay a visit to one of the hottest regions in India on rather cold day.
Makan Winkle Chothe capitalized on an early attack that swirled around the Snow Leopards’ box. The young striker hammered a low cross home to give the Warriors the lead, but the team then sat back trying to keep Kashmir at bay. The persistence of Kashmir’s foriegn imports, particularly Englishman Kallum Higginbotham and Ivorian Ghnore Krizo eventually overcame Nepali keeper Kiran Kumar Limbu (who had an otherwise sterling performance)
North Indian Derby
SC Freiburg 1 – Borussia Munchengladbach 2 (in both friendlies)
Freiburg seeks to solve a problem like the defense
In gearing up for the second half of the Bundesliga season, Freiburg ran out two different squads to take on the 2nd place team in the table. The result was a pleasingly palindromic pair of matches, with Munchengladbach scoring the first two, Freiburg the next two, and Muchengladbach the last two of the day.
Sitting just 2 points off of the European league spots, Freiburg will be looking to steel their defense from a league worst 8.1 tackles per match, but Munchengladbach’s attack didn’t help them find any answers.
AC Ajaccio 3 – Grenoble Foot 38 1
As Ligue 2 returned to action, Grenoble was in dire need of an offensive jolt. There were a pair of lightning strikes, but they came from AC Ajaccio’s Gaetan Courtet who left fans reeling with a brace of beautifully struck goals.
Bright spots were few and far between for Grenoble though Jessy Benet’s first half corner was perfectly placed for a player making a run. (That it was AC Ajaccio’s Cyrille Bayala who made the run and scored the own goal is a minor note). Most frustrating was a trio of close range shots from Benet, Arsene Elogo, and Florian Raspentino that were deflected by Benjamin Leroy to stymie another attack.
Ajaccio Goals
Legon Cities FC 0 – Dreams FC 0
Another week, another wait for fans of the Royals. While there was strong support from fans in the stands, the team on the pitch couldn’t quite connect. Despite a strong showing from Sadick Sulley and a penalty cry from defend Ahmed Rahaman.
On the plus side this video is now my son Alex’s favorite song.
A big thank you to the fans who made the journey from Accra to cheer the team up the mountains..It was an honour to have your time and your support..From the depth of our hearts, all of us at the club express our utmost appreciation to you.Lets do same against Ashgold. pic.twitter.com/dKIMtFs0Td
The Lady Griz are back in training, including using squash courts to practice volleying (which is pretty clever use of resources given most Montanan winters). They’re also back in the classroom where, well, let’s just show the domination shall we?
Ps Gasconade means to boast from the French gasconner
Reunited and it Feels So Good
While a few teams are still in regular action, most others came back from their winter breaks this week with a little bonding and a lot of practice.
Aleksa Jankovic joins the Dragons
I know what you’re thinking: “I thought Aleksa Jankovic died in the 19th century after serving as prime minister before the start of the Kardordevic Dynasty, how is the reanimated corpse of that Serbian leader going to help the defense?!”
(You weren’t thinking that? Well…you should have been.)
This Alksa Jankovic is actually a 19 year old winger fresh from Belgrade rivals Partizan’s training grounds. He mostly figured in cup ties and is eager for some first team action.
📢| NOVI ZMAJ JE SLETEO NA KROV!
Aleksa Janković, jedan od najtalentovanijih igrača rođenih 2000. godine, prvo je zimsko pojačanje Zmajeva 🔥🐉
Seeking to shore up the defense, Ross County have brought in two more players including English Defensive Midfielder Jordan Tillson, and Scottish Center Back Coll Donaldson.
Tillson moves north after a series of loans out of League 2 Exeter Town, while Donaldson will switch sides in the Highland Derby, leaving Inverness CT for the boys in Dingwall.
📺 Coll Donaldson speaks to us after completing his move to the Global Energy Stadium from Inverness CT. pic.twitter.com/LtrKdEIFDw
I’ve always liked sports, but with wonky eye sight and minimal muscle mass the stories and themes made a greater impact than the scores and the stats.
In the last two years I’ve become a father to you two amazing pumpkins and as you grow and play and live in a wider world that fixates on results, I want to give you another perspective.
So, I made a place to share reflections, ideas, beliefs, and thoughts about the past, present, and future inspired by the global and personal passion that is soccer.
Starting this site seemed like the thing to do for a few reasons. I’m a talkative, bombastic, chatty person and slowing down my words has significant benefits. Publishing what I write isn’t terribly comfortable for me, but if I am going to help you face your fears of darkness and potties and cans of seltzer water that open with a loud *Kccch*, I should face my fears too.
Most of all, trite as it is, talking during and about sports can really help. The games give you a habit and an arena to talk and talk freely. When I was a kid, I gained so much from morning runs with my dad, backyard battles with my brothers, and mid-tournament talks with my mom. Heck, your mother and I announced our love for each other in the middle of a nine-part baseball documentary.
Right now you’re still learning to jump and roll over, so we’re not really ready for big conversations yet. But we have our habit in the mornings and the evenings, at the bottom of the stairs. We pull boots on and tug them off. So, welcome to the boot room.
Here, with the help of eleven teams from around the world, we can talk about what brought our family here, what shapes our world and what will inspire our values. Watching these teams shows us how to savor the moments of each match while also planning for the future; how to navigate the world at the moment and study the structures that got us here.
Our Starting XI
University of Montana Lady Griz (Big Sky)
Rosenborg BK (Norwegian-Elitserien)
SC Freiburg (German-Bundesliga)
FK Vozdovac (Serbian-Super Liga)
Ross County FC (Scotland Premiership)
Grenoble Foot (France Ligue 2)
Legon Cities FC (Ghanaian Premeirship)
Emelec (Ecuadorian Serie A)
Alebrijes of Oaxaca (Mexican Ascenco MX)
Minnesota United (MLS)
Minerva Punjab (India I-League)
Your First XI as a Fan
For some, this might seem silly. A collection of life advice through the prism of football clubs may be the height of irrelevance. If nothing else, it will present the power of tribalism, separation, and segmentation that is the exactly what hurts us now. Why leave an account of this nonsense, or this ugliness for two young kids?
Because, put simply, you should know about ugliness and nonsense just as much as you know about beauty and truth. You should know about fracturing, fiercely independent, cultures because those are the cultures who will shape our shared world. You are unique and powerful individuals, because you live a life shaped by 11 unique and powerful communities.
Out of many you are one. You should do what you think is best, and you can use the opinions of those who’ve gone before to help guide you to that decision. You should know your history, and the histories of those who share your space. By all means, play your own way, but never forget that you’re playing with a team.
This site is built with love to show you where we’ve been, where we are, and where we could go. It’s built for you, whenever you find it.
Grenoble Foot 0 – Nice 0
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MacKenzie's Boot Room 