I’ve been having a hard time lately with Alex’s newly found favorite game.
Every time there’s a deck of cards at hand, or a parent without a clear chore in hand, or a new person walking in the room Alex will ask: “Do you want to play a game of War?”
Dear Kids,
War is a perfectly fine card game. It is not quite the test of skill and strategy Alex seems to think it is. There’s a lot more luck and circumstance that influences the outcome (even if you are a seven year old who will carefully stack the deck–without admitting it). And the game can just drag on into eternity if you’re not careful with absolutely no one winning.
And so, I realized for the first time in forty-two years on the planet: the game truly is war.
It’s been a bloody year. The war in Ukraine drags on. The war in Gaza batters people pleading for help. There was a staggering 12 day battle in Iran that ended suddenly (and may restart just as suddenly). All that and there continues to be simmering conflicts that draw little international attention in Sudan, Haiti, Myanmar, Congo, Kenya, and Ecuador. These wars are brutal and bloody affairs that have their origins long before even your grandparents were born.
There are some leaders who try to stack the deck in their favor, only to have it all come undone due to unforeseen circumstances: from the weather to promises of hotels. All of the beliefs of childhood, that there is a way to win the war (in card games, in nerf gun battles, in anything) are woefully mistaken. All the simplicity of good versus bad, right versus wrong, Jedi versus Sith that guide you kids in your understanding of conflict, is just not viable.
The Nobel Prize Laureates I’ve been reading get that. Again and again they revisit the theme that all war is unjust, all war is cruel, all war is random. From Bertha Von Suttner and George Bernard Shaw up to Harold Pinter and Elfriede Jelinek, it’s just danger and violence and then it repeats all over again.
This is where measured and sane sports coaches are a welcome distraction. Freiburg’s Christian Streich and Julian Schuster always made plain that they cared about the safety and well being of people in dangerous areas, and that they held no grudges or animosity against their opponents on the field. Minnesota’s Eric Ramsay, Montana’s Chris Citowiki, they both acknowledge the hard work that their team puts in to win, not the deplorable opponents. This spring saw the end of Big Ange Postecoglou’s run at a top English team, and through it all he was considerate and mindful of the other side and his own (maybe not as much the press, but…c’est la vie).
There are so many ways to play at War. And I know that the looming presence of shoot-em-up video games will add another layer of this. I know that politicians and media and historians love to dig in to the stratagems and offensives to assign medals and blame. I know that comforting narrative makes it easy to decide that War is a good way to show your intelligence, bravery, and worth.
But I hope you listen to the poets. I hope you listen to (some) of the coaches. I hope you listen to the victims: War harms us all.
Here now is a run down of another years worth of soccer lectures (even though they came at an awkward pace)
Dear Boys
65 Saying goodbye to our pooch and remembering: love is the thing that lasts.
66 A vacation, a great indie-rock band, Alebrijes and Regan Charles Cook teaching us: all that is, is what we need right now.
67 A special note from Chris Citowicki: explaining how find joy and work through adversity.
68 Managers from Streich to Heath, more powerful leaders, superheroes of every stripe and the lesson that power isn’t part of people.
69 Watching the Loons playoff hopes and remembering to focus on the present moment alone
70 Encanto, Ross County, Burn Out and how there’s power and strength and beauty, just in being.
71 Alex’s strategizing: Keep it Simple, Son.
72 Owen’s realization while watching injuries and own goals that Good things can come: even from ouchies..
73 The World Cup, Harry Potter, problematic favorites and why it’s vital to remember that art is owned by the audience, not the artist.
74 valuable lessons from when we weren’t watching: .1 Rosenborg/Alebrijes teach us balance yourself, neither your strengths nor your struggles define you. .2 Minnesota’s teams and Ross County tell us there’s no place like home….so enjoy it while it lasts .3 Freiburg’s failing explains that much as we want the shiniest trophies, being your best, regardless of the result can be the greatest reward .4 Punjab’s long run showing that whatever else you focus on, life carries on. .5 Vozdovak offers the inspiration that Hope is a thing with dragon wings. .6 How Montana’s showdowns reflect that game recognizes game .7 Atrophy in Grenoble reminds us to never underestimate the element of surprise .8 Legon Cities needs to remember that love is love, but dependency is dangerous. .9 Emelec’s unfortunate outcomes force us to remember part of the journey is the end, and that’s beautiful too.
75 Being new Freiburg fans and how, even without a nice shiny trophy: the journey itself is special.
75.5. Obviously, 2022 was a weird year, but that’s the only sort of year we’ve had since you boys have been alive. We’re surrounded by more and more and more stimuli, but that’s to be expected. If this year taught us anything it was to remember: appreciate the present and what is, let go of the future, the past, and what you wish things would be.
I mean, who doesn’t? Superheroes are awesome. Your uncles and I often spent afternoons being Batman, Robin and any number of different bad guys. You boys prefer Spiderman (he is cooler, to be honest) and also have room in your hearts for PJ Masks, Ms Marvel, and your own inventions: Builder Spider [Spiderman with construction powers], and Red Cape.
Superheroes are cool, and superhero stories are great. But there’s something that can get confused in the fun of saving the day.
Powers are fun, and the heroes behind them are often great. But power isn’t part of people.
Super heroes tend to come by their powers in unusual ways (radioactive spider bites, other worldly mists, tragic backstories plus ninja training, magical pajamas…) but all of them are people first, and then empowered people. Heroes hold on to their humanity and don’t confuse themselves with their powers.
With good reason. Power can make someone more than a person. Give them enough power and it can make them feel and seem superior. When that power embeds itself in a person it becomes easier and easier to confuse yourself for the power you enjoy and justify all manner of unfair habits, tactics, and tendencies.
Superpowers are easy enough to see as imaginary. But there’s a real problem with power in the real world too. In our world lot’s of people have power, and even more want it. That power might be physical, it might be political, it might be social, it might be economic. Once people have it they start to obsess over holding on to it. And when people confuse themselves with the power they hold, they can be downright dangerous.
Christian Streich knows power lies within (bayernstrikes.com)
Consider, the ways that soccer coaches struggle to acknowledge that they’ve made a mistake. You might find the occasional coach (Citowicki or Streich) who owns their mistakes, but many others find a way to turn it around and blame it on the players they work with (cou*Heath*gh!). It can save your job, it can keep your power. But to what end?
You can see it among players too. Players who earn a bevy of awards and heaps of praise have a tendency to see themselves as bigger than the game. It’s why many players end up in trouble: their power creates a sense that they are more than others, and then they forget what other people need (witness tax evasion, blackmail, mafia connections, and assault).
The man behind the “muscle” (The Economist)
At it’s worst, this obsession with power can drive a whole country off the rails. I certainly see it in domestic politics as people ignore what’s good for the country as a whole when there’s a political point to be scored. Even worse is the poop butt in Russia whose need for consistent power has led him to attack innocent neighbors and endanger his own soldiers for no reason other than increasing his empire and his need for validation.
There’s so many examples of power corrupting, twisting minds and actions to their worst ends that it’s easy to come away with a cynical view. But I have hope.
I believe that human nature is good. I believe that our shared humanity will lead us to do the right thing, even though our individual desires beckon us to do the wrong thing. Above all else I see you boys planning all kinds of ways to “save the day” and I think, “power doesn’t have to corrupt, you just have to know that it’s something you use, not something you keep.”
There will come a point in your lives boys, when you seem doing something vital from 4:30 in the morning until 10:30 at night. When that time comes, remember that you are enough just as you are, and your blog about parenting and soccer can take a break…assuming there are still blogs…and soccer…and parenting…you get the idea.
Results
Cimarrones 0 – 1 Alebrijes
Mineros 4 – 2 Alebrijes
Alebrijes 1 – 0 Celaya
Alebrijes continued their strong form. But as the defense goes, so goes the whole team, the slip against Mineros was the first time the team dropped points after scoring twice, but confirms that they’ve only lost matches after they give up two or more. Andre Alcaraz continues to be a brick wall in front of the goal, and Miguel Vallejo has done a masterful job on free kicks
Emelec 4 – 0 CSD Macara [M]
Independente del Valle 0 – 1 Emelec [M]
Emelec 2 – 2 Guyaquil City
Emelec’s return to action in Ecuador came with a trio of games against top opposition, and they didn’t disappoint. Sebastian Rodriguez has been huge so far, holding down a tight knit defense and scoring in the first two victories of the season while Alexis Zapata has shown up as a creative force for the attack. (As an added perk, rocking my Emelec jersey to school got multiple kids excited to talk about things…and then their learning!)
Hibernian 2 – 0 Ross County
Ross County 3 – 1 St. Johnstone
Motherwell 0 – 1 Ross County
Ross County 1 – 0 St. Mirren
The Staggies had an impressive showing over the last three weeks, so much so that suddenly, a team that seemed destined for demotion has hauled themselves up into the top half of the league. Again, Regan Charles Cook and Joseph Hungbo were huge for the Stags, while Alex Iacovitti and Jack Baldwin anchored a stellar showing by the back line.
Augsburg 1 – 2 Freiburg [M]
Freiburg 3 – 0 Hertha BSC [M]
Bochum 1 – 2 Freiburg [M-Cup]
RB Leipzig 1 – 1 Freiburg [M]
VfL Wolfsburg 4 – 1 SC Freiburg [F]
After a long lay off the ladies of Breigsau came back a bit rusty, but in their absence the men seem to have found a second win. Winning 3 of 4 and getting a vital draw with a fellow top six contender helps Freiburg stay close in the hunt for European places. Even better they are now just two steps away from the team’s first hardware in years with a spot in the semi-finals of DFB Pokal sealed against Hamburger SV. There were no shortage of strong performances, but we’d like to send a special tip of the cap to Nico Schlotterback’s defense and Rolland Salai’s role on the wing.
Nimes 3 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Nimes Metropole Garre 2 – 0 Grenoble Foot [F]
Grenoble 0 – 2 Toulouse [M]
Nancy 0 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Grenoble got one great win over the last three weeks. That is not a great record. But it did come with a fine showing from Brice Mableu back in goal with five saves and an assist. Now…can everybody in blue do that? (and can they do it against teams that aren’t sitting next to them on the bottom of the table?)
Vozdovac 0 – 0 Radniki Nis
FK Radnicki 1923 1 – 0 Vozdovac
Vozdovac 0 – 3 Red Star Belgrade
Mladost Lucani 2 – 4 Vozdovac
Let’s not dwell too long on the discouraging showings against Radnicki 1923 or the monsters of Red Star. A resilient draw against the better than most Radniki Nis team was nice, and the ability to show up and stick with a plan in Lucani was much appreciated. The Dragons didn’t have to do much to scorch the blue side’s defense, but the final goal by Marko Ivezic on a give and go with Stefan Hadjin was a beautiful bit of build up on a grey and dreary day.
Legon Cities 1 – 1 Hearts of Oak
Real Tamale 1 – 1 Legon Cities
Legon’s been unbeaten in their last 5 matches (though they’ve only won two of those). It’s all the more impressive as recent top choice keeper: William Essu is just 19 years old and standing up to the best shots that can be offered by much more established sides. Every year, it feels like Legon grabs a great keeper from nowhere: and here we are again. Medaase pii William!
Punjab FC 2 – 2 Churchill Brothers
Kenkre 0 – 4 Punjab FC
There was no shortage of offense for Punjab as they resumed their I-League campaign. Kurtis Guthrie has towered over the competition both literally (he’s 6’2″ in a team of 5 footers) and figuratively, scoring four goals over two matches to create a dominant attack (their eight goals outpaces every other team). Despite the slip against Churchill (a long standing local power), there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic for Punjab as they go for glory.
Philadelphia Union 1 – 1 Minnesota United
Minnesota United 1 – 1 Nashville SC
A couple of draws don’t tell the whole story for Minnesota United. The team has looked surprisingly organized in midfield, going beyond Emmanuel Reynoso’s usual one man show. Hasani Dotson has been on point this year (after a less consistent 2021), and the team has been well organized from front to back even though the supposed offensive juggernaut has yet to click. (To be fair, Philadelphia and Nashville are two strong opponents).
News & Notes
Mr. Poopy Butt
President Poop Butt
That has become your boys’ go to insult of late, and while I’d really rather we not have it at all, if we’re going to use it it better be directed towards this snivelling, self-righteous schmuck. Vladmir Putin has such a hard time believing that his country can still be important without forcing others to obey him that he’s put millions of people at risk to soothe his own bruised sense of self. If you need a hug Vladmir, I’m happy to oblige, but if you want to keep hurting people, well you really are, in the words of Alex, “Vladmir Poo….p Butt!”
Most Systems Go
In the time we were away a few leagues returned into action: Serbia is back to finish their current season, with Vozdovac going from an outside shot at Europe to a much more realistic shot at relegation. Punjab FC restarted their season after the long COVID Delay (like a rain delay, but with more spike proteins). And Minnesota United sent out their attacking force and defensive suggestion to the new American season.
Only the Griz (still focusing on school thank you very much) and Rosenborg (almost wrapped up with the preseason) have yet to play.
Kurtis is Cruising
Player of the Week
Okay, there are several players to recognize after several weeks of dereliction of duty. So let’s acknowledge some of the biggest difference makers for three teams who had tremendous runs over the last few weeks. Miguel Vallejo has rejuvenated Alebrijes; Nico Schlotterback has been instrumental in keeping Freiburg near the top of Germany, and Kurtis Guthrie is a one man wrecking crew in the Indian league. So Miguel, Nico and Kurtis you are our three players of the week.
Standings Update
In their short time back, Emelec and Punjab have shot to the top of our standings, while Alebrijes Oaxaca is showing a strong third, and the next three sides are separated by only 4 hundredths points per game. Strangely, two teams have the same average points/goals for and goals against per game: Minnesota (which after two matches isn’t too surprising) and Freiburg (which after 13…is a bit)
Here now is a run down of another years worth of soccer lectures (mercifully fewer as I work on talking less and listening more).
Dear Boys,,
53 Ted Lasso, the Capitol Insurrection and why it’s important to remember that before you are anything else, you are the best version of yourself.
54 Hamilton, back up goalkeepers and how you act in a crisis should show who you are, not make you what you want to be.
55 Punjab FC & WandaVision explain why it’s easy to pin blame on one person, but it’s more valuable to comprehend the context.
56 Fighting over a Ukulele, national guard troops in the streets, the European Super League and a reminder that: when you’re afraid, know that you’re not alone.
57 Comparing different forms of the game and leagues around the world to show how equality is an ideal outcome, but equitability helps you do good.
58 Ross County’s new manager and how you don’t have to tolerate intolerance, but you should tolerate people.
59 How Rosenborg and the men’s rights movement illustrate the value of owning your perspective.
60 Olympics, jersey swaps, the end of democracy in Afghanistan and why I hope that you boys find new ways to question expectations.
61 Moana, the Loons, the Griz and why painful moments can serve you well if you walk through them.
62 Accept Failure
63 Changing schools, vaccine denial and how emphasizing that we are all inherently flawed enables us to move forward together.
64 Politics, classroom management, coaches from Freiburg to Missoula and how to stop trying to be a force for change, and instead change your force.
64.5. So…what did we learn from 2021? Well, it was still hard to write something once a month rather than once a week, but I still enjoyed it (and as you both gain greater vocabulary I need to listen more and channel my lectures here only).
Overall this year, there are a lot of things that I can see coming together and coalescing from this blog, but maybe the biggest is this: resist the gut reaction to panic, or judge, or grab for what you think you want. Instead, remember the bigger picture and appreciate where you are and who you’re with.
In the last month, Alex has started at a new school. We didn’t expect to move you into a new spot so soon after returning to school, but as parents we know that we can’t control other people, only ourselves.
Surprisingly, that’s not an easy thing to keep in mind. It’s especially hard in our current cultural climate.
Let me explain.
Right now, we’re surrounded by the germs. Yes, still those germs. The ones I wrote about 18 months ago. I’ve been surrounded of late by sick colleagues and inured students and a lingering sense that it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better.
Alex’s school was non-plussed, and unwilling to admit that they might be wrong about how they handle it. This made your mom quite upset. What made me frustrated was the blithe assumption that they couldn’t possibly be wrong.
The teachers at Alex’s school aren’t alone. The thoughts are echoed every where, especially in the sports world.
A top basketball player (who attended one of the country’s best colleges, Duke) refuses to be vaccinated. Same with an elite quarterback (who also attended a great school, Cal-Berkley), he frankly gets extra credit awfulness for working in a bag-full of lies about it in interviews. Soccer players around the world are no different, but there doesn’t seem to be many on our favorite teams (it’s not clear if cases in Minnesota and Ross County broke through the vaccine’s barriers or just the regular shoddy defense of both sides).
After 18 months of these germs, many, many, MANY of us are tired. Your mom and I made the choice to do whatever we could to protect you two. After all, you couldn’t get a vaccine. You couldn’t control who came around you, so we opted to do what we could: staying home, getting vaccinated, masking 99% of the places we go (grandma and grandpa do the same, which is why we feel safe being unmasked there).
Klopp (R) Loves a cuddle
The Liverpool coach, and human Gummi Bear, Jurgen Klopp said it extremely well:
“I don’t take the vaccination only to protect me, I take the vaccination to protect all the people around me. I don’t understand why that is a limitation of freedom because, if it is, then not being allowed to drink and drive is a limitation of freedom as well. I got the vaccination because I was concerned about myself but even more so about everybody around me.
But there’s one thing I can’t bring myself to do. I find that I can’t be mad at them. I can’t summon the anger or bitterness that I hear from my colleagues or my friends.
I can’t do it because I recognize that this moment, this assumption of superior knowledge, this misguided belief that running a school or excelling in athletics precludes you from being told what to do by scientific experts is not inherently bad: it’s just an inherent flaw.
Dear Boys,
Too often we get consumed with a black and white vision of the world. We often lean back on assumptions that people are inherently good , or inherently bad. If we can emphasize that we are all inherently flawed, trying our best, and worth challenging with compassion, I think we will be better able to serve one another and move forward together.
To those who insist on the image of themselves as inherently good, we see an assumption that they couldn’t have caused offense. They could not be misinformed. They must be defending their freedom against group think. Anyone who says otherwise is willfully misunderstanding their positive intent and freedom.
To those who insist on the image of our fellow citizens as inherently bad, we see an assumption that there is always malice lurking in the shadows. There’s a desire to lift up oneself and undercut others no matter the cost. There is cold, callous, and cruel calculations in every action or inaction that takes place. Anyone who says otherwise enables the worst among us.
I know that both of those are false. I know because I have spent too much of my life ping-ponging between the two views about myself. I’ve felt like a saint, nobly martyred on the altar of misunderstandings. I’ve seen myself as a vile worm, disgustingly seeking self gain at the cost of my community.
But it’s not true. I’m neither inherently good nor inherently bad. I am (like you, and your friends, family, teachers, sports heroes, and everyone else) flawed.
My flaws arise everywhere, but especially in short temper, which I know you’ve both seen more often than I would like. But I hope that you can forgive me. I hope that you understand that I try, I fail, I try again. And that you can do the same.
I hope the same for those who stamp their feet in a petulant anti-vaccine streak and those who berate the anti-vaxxers for extending our challenges. We try to do right, we fail, we try again.
Athletes try to do right for themselves. Ignoring the science to endanger teammates and fans by transmitting or catching the disease themselves, they fail. I hope they try again.
Alex’s teachers try do right for themselves and their school. Believing that it’s masks are too much trouble, assuming that the way things are now will remain consistent long into the future is a failure. I hope they try to learn again.
Your mom and I opting to do what we can to protect you feels right. If it becomes a failure, I know we will try again.
Despite the unusual circumstances, I’ll always remember this summer’s Olympics as Alex’s first real sports fandom moment.
Each day you were excited to ask “can we watch some Olympics?”
Dear Boys,
It was clear as could be that you liked the Olympics. You were willing to cut back to only one Reading Rainbow a day, and your joy in sharing it with me, with mama, and with your grannies was clearly apparent. After hoping for more swimming at first, you came to enjoy whatever came your way: bike racing, sprinting, relay races, ribbon dancing, diving, it was all fun, and you were all in.
But there was a moment that you missed. A moment, I wish I could capture for you again and again.
That simple question: “can we have two golds?”
It’s such an easy question that it’s a little surprising that no one ever asked it before Mutaz Barshim. [Though, having refereed my share of disputes between you two boys, maybe not terribly surprising.]
“Can we have two golds?”
That kind of question at the height of your sport, the peak of competition, with the eyes of the world on you.
“Can we have two golds?”
I’m blown away by it, because it simply questions every expectation we have in sports. We expect competition. We expect victory and defeat. We expect winners and losers. We expect finality, a degree of absolute fact or truth: one record, one best, that’s it. Either Barshim or Gianmarco Tamberi would be gold medalist. One would be in history books forever. That’s what we expected.
“Can we have two golds?”
That’s something we don’t expect.
In this essay I will analyze how “Grocery Truck” embodies a win at all cost culture…
As Barshim says in his interview, “[Sports] is a tool for us to come together.” So, what if, instead of the expected delineation between winners and losers, what if we sought to celebrate moments where we share.
It’s certainly not easy. Even in soccer, one of the few sports where teams may share the same number of points, it’s a challenge. I can’t tell you the number of times growing up I heard friends ask “how can you like that? can’t you like…tie?” The tie was a complete unknown to us. One team won, one team lost. It might take slo-mo instant replay, but you could figure out who came first and who came last. [To paraphrase one of your preferred Little Blue Truck Books]
Bobby Moore (L) and Pele (R)
Soccer draws are often frustrating for fans, we often come away thinking about the two points dropped rather than the one point gained. But truth to tell, even if they coulda-shoulda-won….they could-woulda lost if something else had gone amiss. Maybe that’s why soccer players often come away from the end of a match with appreciation for the other side, swapping jerseys and exchanging pleasantries no matter how bitter the blow is.
The players understand that the game is one thing, but life is another. We fans, we citizens, we don’t always understand that.
Sadder still, we have taken the sport mentality, the thirst for victory, well beyond cheering on our local team/high jumper. Lots of people look to gloat at the failures of their rivals.
In the wake of the fall of Afghanistan and the deaths of innocent people, there are some who have seized this moment to denounce not violence, not human rights violations, but their political opponents. They don’t bother to acknowledge the suffering of people, the desperation and fear, but instead they demand we blame someone…someone other than them. At the same time, there are those who fight back. Pinning the blame back on those who are criticizing the failure. In their own way, seeking to score a win in the history books for their side, regardless of what failure is happening on the other side of the world.
It’s strange that in a serious moment of humanity we seek to push others down still further, but in a moment of fevered competition, Barshim and Tamberi chose to lift each other up.
I write these words knowing that you boys will probably never be olympians, or soccer stars, or have the fate of an armed invasion on your hands. But whatever you do, I hope you boys find new ways to question expectations.
With their second loss to Sandviken, there’s no denying it anymore: the unbeatable Rosenborg is not the best team in the Topp Serien. Hard as it is to admit, it does focus the campaign not on staying unbeaten, but on reaching the Champions league (So far, so good)
Niort 1 – 0 Grenoble [M]
Mon dieu. It’s getting grim in Grenoble, as manager Maurizio Jacobacci has yet to win a match and our Alpiners are rooted to the bottom of the table.
Minnesota United 0 – 1 Los Angeles Galaxy
Another week, another Loon’s home match I had to miss. This time there wasn’t much to see as despite a strong defense and the usual Bébelo magic, the Loons couldn’t finish their chances.
Emelec 3 – 0 CSD Macara
Despite being a man down for much of the match (why cleat someone on your run Sebastian Rodriguez…why?), Los Bombillos dominated. Jose Cevallos had become an invaluable target man (just ask Dixon Arroyo), and Facundo Barcelo offers another bolt of speed to burn the opposition. Don’t look now, but Emelec’s just two points off the lead in the league and gunning for a season sweep of trophies.
Vozdovac 3 – 2 Novi Pazar
With Nikola Vujnovic leading the way the Red Dragons got another win. None of the goals were beautifully developed, but beauty and Serbia don’t exactly go together, I mean, just watch the wrasslin’ move that took down Milos Pantovic in the second half…eeks.
Mjondalen 1 – 2 Rosenborg [M]
While Carlo Holse hasn’t been the big name on recent Rosenborg score sheets he had a great game here supported by goal scorers Anders Konradsen and Erland Dahl Reitan. It still took some doing for Rosenborg to withstand the final onslaught of attacks, but they managed to make it across the finish line.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 1 Minnesota United
A late night match that I wasn’t going to stay up for, the Loons started out with an uncharacteristic gaffe from Bakye Dibassy at the back. Even with the Quakes losing a man a few minutes later, Minnesota struggled to get much of anything connected (playing two games in three days can have that effect on you).
News & Notes
Here come the Griz
It’s Taylor time! The Griz will follow the lead of fifth year seniors Taylor Stoeger in the front and Taylor Hansen in the back as they seek to cement their spot at the top of our MacKenzie Cup standings. The big challenge there will be extending their competition beyond the Big Sky. While Conference games made up 9 of their 11 matches in the spring, they start out with 8 non-conference games including three against power sides like Creighton, Gonzaga, and Boise State. Even their conference schedule is less comfortable with 5 road games (including at co-favorites Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado) as opposed to 4 home matches.
Hopes for Afghanistan
After 20 years, the United States armed forces (including a few dozen of your dad’s high school classmates), have left the nation of Afghanistan. The war started shortly after your mother and I met. It continued long enough for me to teach refugees from it and future soldiers in it. And then, we left with the same people in power as when it began and the same threat to women, girls, and contrary thinkers as we had at the beginning. We hope that the people of Afghanistan are safe and secure and remember that soccer is nothing next to that.
Player of the Week
Despite the lasting Kristoffer Zachariassen sized hole in our Rosenborg hearts, Anders Konradsen’s great form has gone a long way to easing the pain.
Standings Update
The Griz get back into action this week with their lead on the line. Kicking off with the Big East’s Creighton (alma mater of a couple Loons players), is going to put them to the test right away. Meanwhile, Alebrijes slides to the bottom of the table.
Los Bombillos had to wait two days to get their match against Colombia’s Tolima (and it happened in Peru just to keep things safe). For the first time in the continental contest Emelec ended up falling behind and then, only managing one point in the contest. The extraordinary circumstances will hpoeful make it a rare occurrence but we’ll have to see.
Guayquil City 1 – 0 Emelec [F]
Las electricas are back in action against one of their local rivals. Unfortunately the return wasn’t quite as thrilling as they might have liked and after grinding out the narrow defeat, they’ll have to reorganize and bounce back quickly.
Hertha BSC 3 – 0 Freiburg [M]
This should be exhibit A in the more maddening pieces of inconsistency in Freiburg’s season. A crushing loss to a relegation side…oof…
Auxerre 1 – 1 Grenoble [M]
While Grenoble jumped out to an early advantage courtesy of an Auxerre own goal it couldn’t stand up for the whole match. Brice Mableu saved a possible winning penalty in his return to the lineup, but the rotating fullbacks (Abdel Abdallah, and Haruna Demba) couldn’t contain Auxerre fully.
Barcelona SC v Emelec [M]
Because Emelec had to push back their match against Tolima and change course to Lima Peru, they weren’t going to be ready for their big battle against rivals Barcelona SC and so, the match was pushed back until further notice.
Colorado 3 – 2 Minnesota United
Seriously. I mean…Seriously. The Loons had a 2-0 lead within a half hour. And then they just crumbled like a cicada shell under a toddler’s foot.
Vozdovac 4 – 2 Napredak
A brilliant and well earned win for the Red Dragons. They didn’t so much get over the line as they did batter the door down until Napredak had to give in. Milos Stojcev’s brace was well earned, but I was particularly heartened to see the distribution and daring accuracy of winger Aleksander Stanislavejic who had a critical part to play in the first three goals. The win vaulted them past Napredak in to 10th. Of course that’s till just two points clear of relegation…so…there’s much to do, especially before facing Partisan this weekend.
Koln 1 – 4 Freiburg [M]
Hmmm…note to self: when Nils Petersen and Vincenzo Grifo play most of the match things seem to go markedly better….I wonder why…
SC Freiburg 3 – 1 SGS Essen [F]
It’s been a while since we’ve seen the ladies of Breigsau have such a dominant performance. (And with Magenta Sport sharing only 4 matches of Freiburg highlights all season…it’s even longer since we’ve actually SEEN IT seen it). Again Hasret Kayicki was critical to the win, but she was joined by Naomi Megroz, and Jana Vojtekova.
Ebusa Dwarfs 0 – 1 Legon Cities
It was a solid opening from the Royals, with some sturdy defending (thanks Joseph Adjei) and absolutely rugged attacking (thanks Victorien Adebayor), but then…well…see notes from News section below
Valerenga 1 – 1 Rosenborg [M]
At the start of the Norwegian campaign, the Rosenborg roller coaster got off to a rocky and rainy start. Sloppy defending ceded a slew of chances and–eventually– Even Hovland scored the first goal of the year into the back of his own net. Fortunately, midfielder and unnaturally handsome man, Kristoffer Zachariassen got the equalizer before the half on a fine cross from Vebjorn Hoff. Zachariassen also helped link the team together including new Swedish target Stefano Vecchia. They’ll get another test in a few days, strangely before other teams play their first match.
Emelec 0 – 0 Macara [F]
Las Electricas didn’t have to wait long for their first point of the season, but we’re still awaiting that elusive first goal.
Red Bull Bragantino 2 – 0 Emelec [Copa Sudamerica]
Los Bombillos closed out their travels in Copa Sudamerica in Brazil with their first loss. They’ll be home to wrap up the group stage and will have to be on point to hold on to their slim one point edge over the Brazilian corporate entity (Note: Emelec was founded as a corporate entity, so we don’t have much to brag about…but still)
News & Notes
Less Important
We love soccer, but it isn’t as important as democratic principles. So, here’s a cheers to all those protesting the militarized police response to peaceful protests in Colombia.
My Kingdom for Clarity in Liga MX
So…there was a playoff in Mexico, not that it was publicized, or discussed, or reviewed around the world. So a month ago (!!) Oaxaca played their last match of the season, a 6-0 thrashing at Zacatecas. Disappointed as we are to miss the end of the year, we’re more confuzzled by the machinations that lead to bottom of the table teams paying fines that help…bottom of the table teams??
Cruelty in Cape Coast
The Royals match with the Ebusa Dwarves was called off after several fans threatened the referee. It only adds to the drama surrounding the Royals as they are desperately scrapping to avoid relegation and mired in a will-they-won’t-they manager sacking affair (with a league winning coach waiting in the wings). Will they get badly needed points from a forfeit? Will other teams accept that? Never a dull moment in Legon.
Le fin de saison
M. Hinschenberg en repose
This weekend sees the end of Grenoble’s regular season campaign in Ligue 2, but may not be the end of their overall campaign. There are three teams fighting for two remaining playoff spots to face Toulouse. Win or draw against Rodez and Grenoble live to fight another day. Lose, and they need either Auxerre (facing recently eliminated Sochaux) or Paris FC (facing relegation battlers Chambly) to lose.
Slainte…
Hughes holds the Staggies high
By the next time we check in Ross County’s season will have come to an end after two crucial games this week. First a game against bottom of the table Hamilton Academical a win there and a loss for Kilmarnock will leave the Staggies safe before their final match. Any other result and the match with Motherwell on Sunday will be an absolute must win. While many County fans seem resigned to their fate (and excited about competing against teams at our level), the financial boon of big sides visiting Dingwall can’t be understated.
Player of the Week
In a week without a lot of victories (sorry Emelec), it feels worthwhile to recognize one of the best showings for one of our many teams fighting off malaise and the drop to a lower league. In that Aleksandar Stanislavejic stands apart for enabling and supporting the vital victory for Vozdovac, just two weeks away from the end of their year.
Thumbs up indeed Aleksandar
Standings Update
With four matches in the week and zero wins in the bunch Emelec’s reign at the top came to an end, with the Griz now well perched atop the table. Meanwhile, Rosenborg’s debut puts them one step above the turd bucket season that has plagued the Loons so far
The world makes it pretty easy to be a man. Men have been in charge of world affairs for such a long time that we’ve more or less made being men (especially white men) the easy bit, and made everything else more challenging.
But just because something was done that way before, doesn’t mean we have to keep doing it that way forever. Just because traditionally men were appreciated for their strength, or their swagger, doesn’t mean that’s the way y’all have to be too. (Assuming your gender identity is male)
I bring this up because news last week forcefully reminded us of that fallacy and because my soccer feelings from this week responded very well.
To start with: the fallacy.
There are a sort of men in the world whose faces ripple and snarl, like a bubbling volcano. They maintain a swaggering macho bluster in order project some sense of strength, ferocity, and power. If their style could speak for itself, it would say: “I am the manliest man who ever manned!! Don’t you forget it!!”
These proponents of “masculinity” have a hard time admitting their weakness, their vulnerability, and their fears. Instead they blame others, posture for a fight, and radiate anger.
For four years now, one of the ugliest proponents of this breed of manhood has been at the head of our government. He literally, this week, had his campaign call him “the most masculine man ever to be president.” He has rallied thousands of like minded “men” to his side. And Wednesday, when they all got together, the preening and posturing led to the attack on their own government.
Profiles in Jackassery
Soccer, far as it is from insurrectionist mob violence, still reiterates that same view of manliness sometimes.
There’s a belief that you have to be “hard”. Return injury with injury. Play through pain. And just generally prove that you are a man (preferably by belittling other men).
Players show this in pointless shoving, bumping and antagonizing. Coaches show it by attacking any critique, belittling various foes, and diminishing anyone who doesn’t reflect their views of how a player ought to be.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Not in soccer. Not in general society. One of the finest examples of that is a fictional coach: Ted Lasso.
Ted Lasso and the Redifining of Manhood
Your mom and I just finished this series, and it’s both funny, sweet, sincere and serious. Ted May seem a bit buffoonish, but beneath the comedic veneer is a welcome antidote to the macho manners of other Americans and athletes.
Ted says repeatedly that he measures success differently
For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.
Jane Becker (Ted Lasso, S1.E3)
Sometimes that means pushing them to run faster, tackle harder and go for glory. But most of the time it means inviting them to be vulnerable, to understand rivals and forgive yourself your mistakes.
He doesn’t blame, bluster or berate. He shrugs at the insults and dismissals of others, returning time and again to a belief in the value of everyone. Antagonistic reporters, surly supporters, petulant players, he has a smile and kind offering for everyone.
That method transforms the locker room. Not into world beaters, but into fuller forms of themselves. Beyond serious sportsmen, they become more comfortable in who they are: admitting failures, admiring others, owning the anxiety that comes with having one thing define you from the age of 13 and wondering what to do if you can’t do that.
I cannot imagine that introspection, honesty, or temperance in the horde of manly men who attacked the Capitol last Wednesday.
If the innermost feelings of those macho men could speak, I’m quite sure they would deafen us all with fear. Fear of being inadequate, fear of failing, fear of being forgotten. They are terrified, but cannot bring themselves to admit it, and rely on macho make believe to deflect from confronting their reality.
That fear is nothing more than the long shadow of ignorance. In particular the ignorance about all the ways you can be a man. You can play hard and sing out your love for everything and everyone. You can pursue athletic excellence while baking cookies and brushing up on your YA Sci-Fi. You can lead a nation while asking questions and admitting you aren’t sure.
All this to say, being a man has less to do with strength (as the president assumes) or dominance (as many managers believe). Being anything means being the best version of yourself.
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