Scores
SC Frieburg 2 – 1 SC Sand [F]
Several weeks after winter weather delayed their return the ladies of Freiburg got to take the field and they celebrated with a thrilling win against SC Sand. After ceding a late equalizer, Sandra Starke struck back with a great winner.
Vozdovac 2 – 1 Backa Backa Palanka
The goal drought reached 435 minutes before the Red Dragons finally got one back. Recent arrival Lazar Asric’s pulled the squad back from a dangerous position against the bottom team in the SuperLiga. After ceding a first half goal on sloppy defending, Asric came alive in the second half. He blasted home a penalty won on a hand ball and followed up with the winning volley 4 minutes later. The new gun sparked hopes throughout the Dragon’s nest of Belgrade.
Cimarrones 2 – 0 Alebrijes
Already down two goals, Oaxaca went down a man when Fernando Plasencia was sent off. The youngster’s temper cost the team a solid midfielder against a solid, but limited Mineros.
Punjab FC 0 – 1 Golukam FC
The Warriors were held scoreless for the first time in 5 matches and lost their first match in 7. An ill timed tackle by Surabh Banwala gave Golukam the only chance they needed. Despite the formidable duo of Chencho and Diawara Punjab couldn’t respond in kind.
Freiburg 0 – 3 RB Leipzig [M]
Once upon a time, Freiburg and Leipzig were rivals in the second division of Germany. Freiburg built gradually, carefully, methodically and now they’re consistently in the thick of the league. Leipzig spent a lot of money and now they’re consistently contending for titles…these are the moments I’m tempted to raise you as Marxists.
Ross County 3 – 2 Kilmarnock
Despite falling behind early to their fellow cellar dwellers (on a questionable non-handball-call), County came back. Billy McKay was every where you would want him to be, scoring a wicked volley, delivering a goal in traffic and drawing attention of the defense to free up defender Leo Hjelde for the third goal. It all combined to help the Staggies to a big win in their quest to stay in the top league.
Emelec 1 – 0 Delfin [M]
It’s a good time to be Emelec in Ecuador. A perfect 3 for 3 to start the campaign has them top of the table alongside rivals Barcelona. Plus Facundo Barcelo remains ridiculously in form and the clever movement from Esteban Rodriguez suggests that Facundo will have all the opportunities he needs.
SC Freiburg 1 – 5 Bayern Munich [F]
Former Freiburg starlet Klara Buhl kicked off the scoring for the league leaders who never looked back in Breigsau.
FK Metalac 2 – 1 Vozdovac
The Red Dragons firepower faded quickly in under a week and despite a well organized midfield that kept pressure on the hosts for most of the first half they couldn’t keep the pressure up long term. As the offensive pressure wilted, the defense crumbled too. An uncharacteristic foul from keeper Miloje Prekovic set up a penalty, and an unwise challenge from newcomer Rashid Oboubi gave Metalac a man advantage. Only a clever back heel volley from 17 year old Dragan Stoisavljevic kept them in the match.
Eleven Wonders 1 – 0 Legon Cities
After 7 unbeaten the Royals dropped all the points against Eleven Wonders. Hans Kwofie, Baba Mahama, and Jonah Attaquye all came close, but one goal was enough to end the points streak. Trust that the Royals will rule again soon.
Grizzlies 3 – 0 Montana State-Billings Yellow Jackets
For the first time in almost 500 days the Griz took the field. For only the fifth time in coach Chris Citowicki’s three season tenure they scored more than one goal. Alexa Coyle had the honor of breaking the seal on the new season, with a standard long distance blast. The Griz kept up the pressure on lower division side (but the closest thing we get to a soccer brawl of the wild) and pulled away in the second half with lots of pressure from midfield transfer Mimi Eiden, and a great cross from Taylor Hanson.
Alebrijes 4 – 3 Mineros
It was a wild one in Oaxaca. Things started to get tetchy when Fernando Morales committed an ill-timed challenge against a Mineros attacker in the box. A fortunate bounce from Ricardo Monreal equalized things at 1 all. Between banging goals at the start of the second half, legs got higher and pushes and tugs started to tear at jerseys. When Oscar Torres delivered a elbow in the box it looked inevitable that things would escalate. Sure enough, Mineros’ Luis Hernandez rassled a man to the ground in the box, and Alebrijes sealed a penalty of their own. Soon their after some confrontation on the far line netted Hector Mascorro a red card, and with the man advantage Jair Cortes delivered a great through ball to Fernando Vasquez at the back post to net the winner for Alebrijes.
News & Notes
Pabrai’s Mango/League Split
The official unofficial ice cream of this blog
The I-League has reached its championship/relegation split. Our coverage of it will be brought to you by Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle Ice Cream. The only Kolkata Ice Creamery operated by a former student of mine. (Hence the unpaid advertisement)
Punjab entered this section of the tournament in second place behind undefeated Churchill Brothers, but the loss to Golukam quickly sent them back to 4th. We’ll track their position with bated breath…and a big bowl of Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle!
Rookies and Vets Join the Loons
Our local team has brought in a few more players to continue their preparations for the upcoming season. First among them is veteran Striker Juan Agudelo. Over 10 years Agudelo has scored about once every four outings, made several appearances for the national team, and been a top choice for multiple American clubs. Also re-signed is team captain and Cuban enforcer Osvaldo Alonso who scored the first goal in the history of the Loons’ new stadium and has led it to its first two playoff runs.
Meanwhile the newest young talent to come aboard is a local product: Patrick Weah of Maple Grove. Weah is a former Mr. Minnesota Soccer, a former leader of Minnesota’s academy, and the nephew of former FIFA World Player of the year/current president of Liberia, George Weah. So….no pressure
Vozdovac’s Wholesale Shifts
With all the stuff going on I’m very late to updating this news for the Red Dragons, but holy cow did they change things up.
As of the start of March, only 13 players out of the squad of 31 had been with the club for a year. Every spot in the goalkeeping corps has turned over, and after bringing in 3 new left backs, the defense has similarly evolved. The new life of the dragons has yet to yield much in the way of advancement up the table, but we’ll have to wait and see (at least they’re not in the relegation scrap this year).
Player of the Week
With so many great crosses here it is tempting to choose one of the assist masters, but Billy McKay saved the day in Dingwall and played a part in every big play that brought the Staggies back into and then ahead in their match. He scores when he wants! He’s Billy McKay!
Standings Update
Emelec’s got company in the perfect start club and the Griz join them with a perfect 3 points per game (I kept Emelec first since they have played more games). Meanwhile an idle Grenoble moves past a struggling Freiburg and Ross County only has goals separating them from surpassing the Royals.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Emelec | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
| University of Montana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Punjab FC | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1.64 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
| Grenoble foot 38 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1.62 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Freiburg | 6 | 2 | 5 | 1.54 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Legon Cities FC | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1.45 | 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Ross County | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1.45 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Alebrijes | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.2 |
| FK Vozdovac | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Rosenborg BK | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Minnesota United | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
What’s Next
Wednesday, March 10th
Punjab FC v. Mohammedan SC
Thursday, March 11th
10:00 Partizan Belgrade v. FK Vozdovac
6:00 CSD Macara v. Emelec
8:00 Idaho Vandals v. Montana Grizzlies
Friday, March 12th
Saturday, March 13th
8:30 Mainz v. Freiburg [M]
9:00 Ross County v. Hibernian
1:00 Grenoble v. Pau [M]
Sunday, March 14th
8:00 MSV Duisburg v. SC Freiburg [F]
3:00 Idaho Vandals v. Montana Grizzlies
Monday, March 15th
5:30 TRAU v. Punjab FC
10:00 FK Vozdovac v. Red Star Belgrade
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