Tag: Current events

Week 17: Don’t drink bleach

Week 17: Don’t drink bleach

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Scores

Logic 0 – Craziness 1

One of the long standing mantras of this who Coronavirus crisis is “stay safe, stay sane.” Much as I feel like the weekend isn’t the weekend without a soccer match somewhere in the world, I wouldn’t say I’m going crazy.

Would that the same could be said for our leadership who this week suggested, maybe “injecting disinfectant” could be researched because “it kills the disease immediately” (on tables…not your lungs). While he attempted to use video review to claim it was sarcasm, it’s pretty clear that word doesn’t mean what he thinks it means.

News & Notes

We’re In the Endgame Now…hopefully

A few more leagues have sorted out what they hope to do to work out the snafus in their league schedules.

Scotland has all the drama of a board meeting on Succession with slightly less profanity and more, as the BBC put it, “bunfighting” . It sounds like the four divisions of Scottish soccer may be condensed to three leagues of 14 teams each. This would save some of the teams on the cusp of relegation (Ross County this year), award teams who would have been promoted (Ross County last year), and only irk the big teams (not Ross County).

Germany continues to make clear their intent to come back to the field in May, preferably May 9th. The only thing standing in their way? Angela Merkel’s government. Merkel is obviously tremendous off the ball and has a great tactical mind, but the real strength is that 11 players for the soccer teams versus thousands from the government offer no real contest. Maybe the league will be back in later May, if there isn’t a second spike in cases (fingers crossed).

Mexico has the worst of it. With promotion postponed for five years, there are significant questions about whether or not lower level teams can survive. That’s fine by the top division sides, some of whom also own lower league teams and could do with the excuse to cut the budget. It’s significantly harder on independent sides like Oaxaca who opted for a league payout and financial security over stubbornly demanding a shot at the top tier. Weirder still, some theorize that this is actually a ploy to unite the Mexican and American soccer leagues with big name teams in a top tier and other sides (like say, Oaxaca and little old Minnesota United) being pushed down the pecking order.

Man of the Matches

Last week we saw what Germany is doing to tie players to gamers in a modified competition. This week we tip our cap to a local competitor in the same vein: new Minnesota United goalie Tyler Miller who played for the black and blue against Sporting Kansas City

Even though Miller lost 4-0 he’s still the paws down pick for Man of the Matches

What’s Next

Wednesday, April 29

Thursday, April 30

Celebrate Grandma Bekka’s Birthday with a hearty round of “Shalalalalala–Oh Rosenborg”

Friday, May 1

Saturday, May 2

Sunday May 3

Monday May 4

Week 16: Dancing, and dribbling, by myself

Week 16: Dancing, and dribbling, by myself

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Scores

None…still

The Corona-Virus remains unbeaten against athletic competitions around the world. Really, if they can beat the Olympics, what chance does Ecuador’s women’s league have

We’re getting so hungry for competition that several leagues have organized video game competitions between teams. I for one only hope someone writes a hot tale about how these games should count to the final table.

News & Notes

How does all this end?

Not the disease mind, but rather the various leagues going on a month of hiatus? Here’s a brief update on every league we follow.

In Europe, each country has their own plan. Germany wants to come back in just about 2 weeks to play at empty stadia, but with the government urging against gatherings of more than 2 people, that seems implausible. France’s similar strategy starting in six weeks may be more viable. Serbia and Norway are quietly waiting to see, and Scotland well…

Scotland has a right mess on its hands, with teams voting to continue or terminate their seasons under strange circumstances. Almost every team turned in a vote on that proposal over a week ago.

Every team except Dundee United who voted no, then said they weren’t sure and since no one had said “no take-backsies” they could change their mind. Naturally the teams on the verge of relegation were livid, those who won titles, far less so.

Elsewhere, Ecuador can afford to wait it out; however, Ghana is fretting about losing vital money for the newly restarted league; with the title decided, it only makes sense for India to wrap up now; Liga MX cancelled the Acenso spring season and ended promotion for five years…so Alebrijes is thoroughly hosed (and their fans are…not happy about it)

Here in the US, Dr. Anthony Fauci announced that the only way any sports would return this summer was without fans. That’s not an issue for the fall season Lady Griz, but could be a problem for the summer season MLS. Rather than mirror Germany and France, Minnesota United might be bound for a neutral site (say: LA) to live and train and play in front of empty stadiums so the athletes can be contained. How exactly television crews are allowed (or not) to cover the games has yet to be seen.

Man of the Matches

Another entry in the increasingly enjoyable world of e-sport substitution is the “Bundesliga At Home Challenge”

Each team is setting one regular team player and one e-sports player to battle against their league rivals. Sadly for Freiburg, they have no e-sports team and are instead sending two players out. Nico Schlotterbeck and Mark Flekken took care of business this weekend with wins against VfB Stuttgart’s players.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

What’s Next

Wednesday, April 22

Debate whether I can work and watch Sunderland Til I Die simultaneously. Continue until realizing mid-student phone call that watching a show that inspires me to adopt a Jordie accent probably isn’t good for instruction.

Thursday, April 23

Friday, April 24

Saturday, April 25

Sunday April 26

Monday April 27

Week 15: …That’s called clapping that doesn’t count

Week 15: …That’s called clapping that doesn’t count

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Scores

A month worth of nothing

It’s been a month since most of the major leagues around the world were in action, and next week we’ll have gone a full moon since Vozdovac, Alebrijes and Legon Cities were in action.

Players continue to train. Managers continue to strategize. Fans continue to pine. Game day employees continue to look for any sign of relief. But until we flatten the curve, or at least find some way to minimize risk for athletes, we’ll be cooped up watching more documentaries, replays, and video game simulations than we ever thought possible.

News & Notes

Nicaragua more like Trick-a-rag-ua, right?

Last week I pointed out that they keep playing in Belarus, but they also have kept matches alive in Nicaragua.

Diriangen FC taking some precautions

In a case of sticking his head in the sand deeper than a nerd at Playa El Coco, President Daniel Ortega would sooner admit that his defense minister is a six foot tall bunny only he can see than he would admit that he ought to cancel a popular sporting league. Like his Belarusian counterpart, Ortega rules fiercely and with little fear of reprisal. But he also desperately wants to keep the bread and circuses coming, lest his people get restless (as they did in a near purge in 2018).

Of the 10 teams in Liga Primera, only Driangen FC advocated for shuttering the season. The others, loyally pledged to plow on. They also loyally pledged to keep cashing pay checks from local government authorities (like city governments or police forces). We’ll see if a return to normalcy allows Ortega to give his teams a break, or if Nicaragua is in it for the long haul.

Man of the Matches

Once again we have no matches, but we do want to tip the cap to three leaders already in action. Your Lady Griz 2020 Captains: Avery Adams, Alexa Coyle, and Clare Howard.

If you can’t see them, just check out the featured image.

Over the last two years with coach Chris Citowicki, the Griz have won a Big Sky Tournament and a regular season trophy, with Howard leading the program in career clean sheets, Coyle topping the team’s scoring list, and Adams organizing the back.

On top of all this, they’re also Academic All-Conference Award Winners (because the only thing cooler than destroying people on the pitch, is destroying them on the pitch, then having them ask to peek at your Environmental Biology notes)

What’s Next

Wednesday, April 15

Wait hopefully for FIFA to announce more #WorldCupAtHome games to fill the ever growing void in our hearts where football used to be. (Repeat daily)

Thursday, April 16

Friday, April 17

Saturday, April 18

Try to watch Sunderland ‘Til I Die while doing laundry…get too cold after twenty minutes and head back upstairs.

Sunday April 19

Monday April 20

Week 14: You can’t high-five yourself…

Week 14: You can’t high-five yourself…

by scruffyrube ♥ 1 Comment

Scores

None…Seriously…this is everywhere

The Corona-Virus continues its unbeaten run drastically altering life around the world. This week there were some mutterings about how exactly to get back to the silly, little, inconsequential world of professional sports.

To be sure, sports fans around the planet would love a live distraction right about now. But the people put at risk by every game (even those where fans are blocked from entering) from players, to officials, to security, to medical and transportation staff make it unlikely at present.

Add to this something I only realized when The Independent noted it, an injured athlete might need urgent medical care (say for a torn ligament or concussion) but that urgent care is going to the, you know, thousands of people diagnosed with a serious virus. However you slice it, things need to get a whole lot better before we get back to this.

News & Notes

Belarus more like Bell-a-RUSE! Right?!?

Let’s take one minute to acknowledge one place on earth where the games continue without a blink: Belarus.

Look, I didn’t wash my hand!

Since President Alexander Lukashenko announced that COVID-19 was actually just a western “psychosis”, it’s been dismissed. When he claimed that such a disease could be healed because, “in the villages, the tractor heals everyone. The fields heal everyone”, people just sort of kept living their lives. (Lukashenko’s iron grip on the country probably doesn’t hurt.)

So Belarus plays on with sweat, spittle, and germs spreading across the pitch and in the stands, and nobody ready to do anything about it. So…that’s going to be fun to see.

Man of the Matches

Once again we have no matches, but we do have a new front runner in best Social-Media Training

Like keepy uppies but with more international cat-burgler style

Legon Cities Keeper Fatau Dauda’s workout is equal parts reflex drill, acrobatic tumbling, and general unflappability. Even if all you have is a driveway, you can still train; so he does. For that Mr. Dauda you’re our man of the (non) Matches.

What’s Next

Wednesday, April 8

Wait hopefully for FIFA to announce more #WorldCupAtHome games to fill the ever growing void in our hearts where football used to be. (Repeat daily)

Thursday, April 9

Friday, April 10

Saturday, April 11

Sunday April 12

Monday April 13

Week 12: Do you like…stuff?

Week 12: Do you like…stuff?

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Scores and Recaps

None

Every game was cancelled due to concerns over Coronavirus. This keeps not only fans safe from spreading the virus to one another, but players safe from swapping it like a sweaty jersey.

News & Notes

Ross County faces off with Cork City…Digitally

In an effort to bring a little more football into an otherwise silent stretch, little Leyton Orient FC in England tossed out an idea: video game tournament.

In a response my brothers and I could only dream of 127 more teams signed up. Among them: Ross County FC, drawn against Ireland’s Cork City.

Late Monday afternoon, Defender Sean Kelly and Cork City FC Midfielder Daire O’Connor played the game on the streaming service Twitch. Kelly and his Staggies dominated with a bevy of balls splitting defenders and setting up dozens of shots that left O’Connor consistently wrong footed. The final score was 3-0 and probably flattering for the Irishman. With the win Kelly and County moved on to the Sweltering Sixty-Four (Draw TBD)

Legon Cities begins a purge

While the season began with a beautiful bus, boisterous fans, and big name half time performers, the Royals’ first season has been (to put it mildly) a colossal disappointment.

Jonah Attaquaye hopes to help Royals Attaq
Credit: Frank Darkwah

To that end, Ghana Web is reporting that 15 players will be dropped soon and in their place will come a variety of other stars in the league (including Kingsley Osei Effah, Empem Dacosta and Douglas Owusu Ansah of Kotoko and John Attuquaye of Berekum Chelsea)

Of course with the team ignoring medical expert recommendations to stop gathering, they may need all the replacements they can get.

Man of the Matches

There’s really only one choice, the only person in action at all, Ross County’s man at the controller: Sean Kelly! En route to a comfortable 3-0 win he never looked trouble running long balls over a harried Cork City to set up delicious cross after delicious cross so effectively that some might wonder if he was making a play for a promotion.

Non-Digital Kelly

What’s Next

Wednesday, March 25

12 AM-11:59 PM staying alone at home hoping this all ends soon (repeat every day of the week.)

Thursday, March 26

Friday, March 27

Saturday, March 28

Sunday March 29

Monday March 23

12. For Good and for Ill

12. For Good and for Ill

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It’s cancelled. Almost all of it.

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.

7. Gracious Winning

7. Gracious Winning

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Dear Boys,

I really wanted to write this with as little reference to the world beyond soccer and our family as possible.

The writer in me thinks contemporary references have the half-life of a fruit fly, and the parent in me wants this to be both a diversion and an excuse to let the weightiest bits of the world slide by.

But sometimes you have to acknowledge the wildness right in front of you (and tie back to soccer however you can).

The President of the United States was acquitted of abusing his power, however your history classes judge that moment, let me say as a lived observer: it felt weird.

Not the accusations: those were dumbfounding but totally in keeping with a leader who sees everything as a deal.

The Weirdness

Not the acquittal: that seemed inescapable for the last three months.

What felt weird was seeing strongly worded and logically argued condemnations treated about as seriously as a trash-talking pro-wrestling promo.

We’re calling you out Mr President. You don’t deserve that title.

Democratic Impeachment Managers

Blah blah blah, bring it on you pencil necked geeks

President of the United States of America

For something that is genuinely historic, to see it handled like a brief installment in a petty feud felt weird.

Just as weird, the speaker tearing up the president’s speech on national tv, and the president telling religious leaders that he didn’t want to forgive his rivals (despite their prayer right before). Weird again, the ease of many people writing it off as “usual” or “typical”.

It’s not usual or typical. This is weird.

My own politics aside (Our President is a two-bit crook whose goals are limited to being the center of our collective universe), it’s frustrating to see partisanship, dislike and disdain normalized while graciousness and compassion are made weird. Gracious living is easy to do, just practice when it’s hard.

Two of the best doing the best

I hope, beyond watching soccer, you play it too. I love watching youth teams line up for a round of “high-fives” and “good games” just like I love watching pros end bitter rivalry games with a congratulatory nod and a jersey swap to respect those you just played against.

You don’t have to tolerate intolerance or always seek the higher ground, but those moments are rare. Graciousness is good for you, good for your rivals, and good for the soul.

You just have to try.