Dear Kids,

I spend a lot of time trying to find valuable lessons within soccer for you all, but this time I’m going to try something different. On a recent walk to see the Loons play we began discussing tactics, and Alex realized that his love of soccer mirrors his love of a real hobby (and fictional sport) Bey Blades. I’ll let his words take it from here:

Alex: “I think there are a couple things you can do, if you’re a beyblade or a soccer team. You can be an attack type where you go all out for goal and try to knock the other team out with big shots. You could be a defensive type where you just try to stop the attacks and then surprise them with a goal of your own. You could be a stamina type where you try to outlast your opponent and just let them get tired out…then, in soccer, you can get it in the goal. Or you could be a balance type and do all of them.”

Me: “I think balance sounds good.”

Alex: “Yeah, but also you’re just good at each thing and not great at any of them. That can make it easier for teams that do any of the other things to get you.

Me: “I see, what style do you think the Loons are?”

Alex: “Probably a defensive or balance type…but it’s harder to do without Dayne.”

Me: “What style do you like best?”

Alex: “Definitely attack type! They’re the most exciting…but I can see why you’d do something else if you really want to win the game.“

So there you have it. It’s a very solid broad strokes game theory…and I’m happy to say congratulations Dayne St. Clair…you are the Obsidian Shell of soccer…or Obsidian Shell is the you of Beyblades…either way, good company.

Results & Notable Players

Part 1: The Hard Times

If April is the cruelest month, then our teams in Legon seem to be trapped in an endless April from which there is no escape. Chris Junior Narh’s attempted jail breaks from the back line of the Royals to knock in two goals (half of the whole club’s total), only mustered a few points and left the team still anchored to the bottom of the table.

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Premier Team: W # – D # – L 1 ; GF: 1 / GA: 5

Divison 1 Team: W 1 – D # – L 3 ; GF: 3 / GA: 9

Meanwhile other troubles have befallen Alebrijes mostly of the between season lull variety. Once again the Oaxacans were limited in attack and exposed in defense until they finished their spring season well shy of the playoffs. Israel Garcia and Julio Cruz did help the team get the most points in two years (four campaigns), so we can only hope this is a step in the right direction.

W 1 – D 0 – L 2 ; GF: 4 / GA: 5

But in the Alps there seem to be nothing but missteps for Grenoble, particularly as the Men slide perilously close to the relegation zone. The usually stout defensive line seems to be well shy of its full strength with Gaetean Paquiez and Loris Mouyokolo the most steadfast defenders, but they can’t stop it all. Nor can Jessy Benet be the only functioning piston in the offensive engine (though goodness knows he will try). The silver lining is that the Women’s side has secured a spot in the second division again next year, again, like Alebrijes, looking to make slow and steady progress towards the ultimate goal. Their recent 4-0 win over Nice was (don’tdoit, don’tdoit, don’tdoit, don’tdadjokeinwriting) nice! (sigh…I’m not proud of myself) Kudos to Melanie Chabrier on her double (and sorry to put you in such proximity to such bad writing.

Hommes: W # – D 3 – L 1 ; GF: 5 / GA: 6

Femmes: W 1 – D 1- L # ; GF: 4 / GA: 0

Part II. Hanging Tough

It’s hard to acknowledge that you often have to take the good with the bad, and should expect both for moments of triumph and hours of disappointment. So it is with our next set of teams.

Ross County came in at the bottom of the league, and they’re still there with only one game to play, but a few vital results (including a 4-0 thumping of Greenock Morton) have given them a lifeline if they can only grab it (while their rivals stumble) Alex Iacovitti’s big winner against Ayr and Ryan Duncan’s tremendous game has lifted their spirits…but they may come crashing down again on Friday. Unfortunately, their good showing has come at the same time that the Lasses slip (two straight losses by a total of 8-0).

Lads: W 2 – D 0 – L 2; GF: 6 / GA: 6

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Lasses: W 0 – D 0 – L 2; GF: 0/ GA: 8

It’s been a similarly mixed bag for Emelec with the men’s squad stepping up through a superb resurgence of Goalkeeper Pedro Ortiz. He’s had to be excellent while the defense leaks attacks, but there may be hope ahead with 16 year old Luis Fragozo becoming a regular and netting the winner against LDU Quito at the end of the month. If Ortiz is winding down his career, perhaps he can spend some time with the Electricas, who shipped a total of 15 goals over their three defeats in the month (cue jokes about the power going out for Emelec)

Masculinos: W 2 – D 1 – L 3; GF 4/GA: 8

Femininas: W 0 – D 0 – L 3; GF 1/GA: 15

The final club I want to talk about it in this bracket is Rosenborg. It was baffling to find them at the bottom of the March table, but it was the only place for them after failing to garner a win during the opening weeks’ of the Norwegian seasons. They now have wins to their names…but are still playing catch up: a rare place for the most decorated men’s side and most consistent women’s team in the country. Eivor Ulvand ran the show from the striker spot to help the women beat Honefoss, but they squandered that same momentum against Aalesund. Meanwhile, Ole Kristian Selnaes has been an immediate impact player for the men after missing the first few games….unfortunately he’s only one of eleven, so there’s still more to do.

Kvinner W 1 – D # – L 1; GF 2/GA: 1

Menner: W 1 – D 2 – L 1; GF: 3/GA: 4

Part II. Flying

Then there are the teams that are on strong runs of form and looking for all the world like, you know, professional soccer teams. You could make a case that Freiburg have actually just been solid, but the fact that Julian Schuster shepherded his team to two cup semis (both Europa League and the Pokal) can’t be ignored. The offense beyond Vincenzo Grifo is developing nicely as Igor Manatovic has been clinical, Yuito Suzuki is a lightning bolt and Johan Manzambi is poised for a massive breakout. Plus I’m growing especially fond of Jan Niklas Beste’s cult figure status as Europa League whisperer. (The women were largely idle this month)

Herren: W 4 – D 0 – L 3 ; GF: 12/ GA: 11

Frauen: W 0 – D 0 – L 1 ; GF: 1/ GA: 4

Meanwhile, the team that topped our table last month (Punjab) have continued to show plenty of strength, thanks in large part to the stoutest defense in all of the subcontinent. Despite saying farewell to club legend Luka Macjen, Nigerian Nsungusi Effiong is quickly writing his own name in the history booksz. But defense remains the hallmark of the Indian team members with Bijoy Vargehse and Khaimintang Lhungdim forming the strongest part of the line while benefitting greatly from two way player Manglengthang Kipgen.

W 2 – D 0 – L 1; GF: 8 / GA: 4

Closer to home, Minnesota clearly made a big bet on bringing in a South American sensation to capture the hearts and minds of cold midwesterners. The trick is, it isn’t Golden Ball winning James Rodriguez, but veteran winger Thomas Chancalay (though to be fair veteran of Los Loon like stalwart defender Nicholas Romero and leader creator Jaoquin Pereya have been impressive contenders too).

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I was a little wary when James finally started and played a majority of a game against LAFC last weekend, but he showed staggering array of skills for a man older and less comfortable than most of the more consistent players. Try as he might, he just could not get a goal or carry teammates into a position to deliver the same. The bigger question now is can the team find some way to fill up the pitch with all their most talented players? (And please…give Bongi some more playing time)

W 4 – D 1 – L 1 ; GF: 7/ GA: 3

The final team to talk about is the one with the most at stake: FK Vozdovac. After a tepid run in after the winter break, you might have seen a clear limp in the Dragon’s gait as they began the Championship Round (against the other top 6 teams). That was certainly apparent in an opening loss to Loznica. With only four matches left and no room for error, they came out like a house on fire during the last week of April. It started with a thumping of Jedinstvo Ob (5-1) and was shortly followed with a drubbing of Zemun (3-0). Jasin Rasljanin came away with three goals over those two games and Nenad Lukic with two more. It’s unclear to me if the promoted teams are the top 2 from this set of 5 matches, or for the season as a whole. But either way, a match Friday against Macva Saba (their direct competition for promotion) will be seismic.

W 3 – D 0 – L 1; GF: 10/ GA: 3

Looking Ahead

It’s getting down to squeaky bum time, so let’s consider the leagues that will wrap up before our next post.

In Ghana, it’s all over but the crying, each and every Legon player is doomed to the drop.

Things are pulse-pounding in Scotland, as County needs a win on the final day and an Airdreones loss or draw to sneak out of the trap door and buy themselves another bit of life (A super big win against a stout Raith Rovers and they could even slip past Greenock Morton to avoid the playoffs for relegation.)

Vozdovac has two games left to seal their return to the top flight, but they’ll be playing against some heavy hitters and has to face two teams they haven’t beaten this season. Freiburg has a lot to do in a short span of time, but they might want to get a move on if they want to make it to Europe (either by passing Frankfurt for a top 7 spot, or by winning the Europa League and going up to the Champions League). And then there’s the wildness of India’s pell mell competition, where Punjab who have to go out and play 5 matches in three weeks.

Grenoble needs at least one result to save themselves from the drop. With multiple teams withdrawn or in forfeit mode I think the Electricas should be okay…but I have no certainy about the final out comes.

While 9 teams will be done for the summer soon, Minnesota Aurora kicks off their season in the middle of May

Standings

A very rare occurrence where the Loons and the Dragons have the exact same standings.

Team	W	D	L	PPG	GFA	GAA
Punjab	4	2	2	1.75	1.88	0.88
Vozdovac	5	3	3	1.64	1.27	0.55
Minnesota	5	3	3	1.64	1.00	1.27
Freiburg	13	4	16	1.30	1.18	1.55
Grenoble	7	12	7	1.27	1.08	1.12
Ross County	9	5	15	1.10	1.07	1.38
Alebrijes	4	4	7	1.07	1.33	1.93
Emelec	5	2	10	1.00	0.71	2.06
Rosenborg	2	4	5	0.91	0.82	1.36
Legon Cities	4	1	21	0.50	0.85	2.73
Montana–b	0	0	0	—	—	—