A few weeks ago, while driving into work, I heard a summary of political philosophy that neatly captured what I see in society, soccer, and myself.
Put simply: everyone wants to act in response to problems we see. Progressives want to do something while conservatives want to stop something in progress or undo something that’s been done.
Dear Boys,
I’m not about to pretend which point of view I prefer (particularly in politics–hint it starts with a P and ends with “rogressive”.) But as the pundits pointed out both instincts can lead to unintended consequences.
Je pense le meme Adrien (from the Athletic)
Start with my progressive view. Like a lot of folks I want to see my teams make some changes when they struggle. That’s when I start begging for Alebrijes to switch their system, or for the Loons to sign a big striker, or for Ross County to bring in a new coach.
But those changes that many in fan bases yearn for don’t yield immediate results and fail as often as they succeed. Alebrijes might not have the players to make any system work. Adrien Hunou might not find the goal for a couple months. Your team may hire a racist…etc. etc.
The conservative approach is no less fraught. The glory days are so enticing that it’s natural to want to go back. Bring back Jessy Benet in Grenoble, increase the focus on the men’s team at Rosenborg, or undo the appointment of the manager with a few weeks under his belt (see: Tottenham Hotspur).
These too assume that everything can return to the way they were (despite the fact that context, and surroundings, and everything else has changed around them). Jessy’s got a new club. Rosenborg aren’t the league titans they once were. Tottenham’s squad isn’t the fresh faced world beaters they were a few years ago.
This is not possible
The same is true at a personal level.
The more I try to make things the way that I want them to be, the more I struggle, grapple, and grow frustrated.
Whether it’s control in the classroom, or getting you boys to brush your teeth when I want you to, the more I try to do/undo something, the less likely I am to do anything differently.
But, when I accept that things are the way they are, and my role is to bring my full self to them, the more I add to the space, add to the experience, and change it for the better.
Being present with you is so much more meaningful for all of us (and makes brushing fun). Sending love and concern into my classroom yields much more than exerting control over the situation.
On the pitch too, bringing your full self into a space can create a better, more valuable experience for everyone. Think of Coach Citowicki in Missoula, whose manners and approach have given kids at a smaller school professional opportunities and enabled a transition from one generation to the next (see Claire Howard and Camila Xu).
When you are fully present rather than distracted by what you want to make happen, you find a pleasure in what is. The Griz can see that Big Sky titles are beautiful themselves. Freiburg’s loyalty and appreciation of the understated Christian Streich has built the environment for their best season in years.
We get caught up talking about and fixating on the forces of change: how the world ought to be and what tools to make it so. We want to be a force for change in the world. But hard as it is, I believe we ought to resist that temptation, and insteadof being a force for change, change your force to quiet grace.
Both sides levvied a barrage of shots but brought the on target drama when it counted most. Liberty took the lead with 10 minutes to go, gave it back on an own goal 5 minutes later and lost it when Jonah Attaquye came through just before the final whistle through the goalie’s legs.
Ross County 2 – 1 Hamilton Academical
With the Accies in a win or else situation, they came out and took the lead on a well placed free kick. As soon as the Staggies had their backs against the wall, they fought to get it back. Jordan White led the charge, notching both assists on clever back passes. With that County gave themselves a fighting chance before the final game on Sunday.
Minnesota United 1 – 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
The wait is over, the Loons have their first points. Much was made of the team’s choice to bench young keeper Dayne St Clair, who had been fine while the offense sputtered. Tyler Miller was equally effective, while the attack (Lod, Reynoso, Dotson, and Abila) finally looked dangerous. So, naturally the coach gave the credit to Miller because correlation equals causation.
Rosenborg 5 – 0 Viking [M]
Trondheims top side looked the part at home in Lerkendal. Markus Henriksen’s early departure after scoring the opening goal seemed ominous. But Carlo Holse’s arrival led to the Dane contributing two assists and Kristoffer Zachariassen ran the show in the center. Half the league has yet to play, but Rosenborg looks well equipped for the season to come.
Freiburg 2 – 2 Bayern Munich [M]
Munich already have their 31st title (9th straight) in hand, but Freiburg held their own regardless. After an ugly foul in the box set up Robert Lewandowski for a record tying penalty (his 40th of the campaign). Mark Flekken has turned up to stake a claim to the goal (and deny Lewandowski a record setter), and Christian Gunter delivered a scintillating run to level the match before time. With one game to go the Griffins remain mathematically (but not really logically) in the hunt for Europe.
Partizan Belgrade 3 – 0 FK Vozdovac
For a little while it looked like the Red Dragons could keep up and get a vital point. But Aleksander Bogdanjovic’s own goal ensured that Vozdovac’s last game would be the decider (the extra goals by Partizan made goals even more important).
WAFA 1 – 0 Legon Cities FC
While Asamoah Gyan finally saw the field for LCFC, it didn’t make a difference. The Royals still haven’t had consecutive points since February, or consecutive wins since January. (Good news, those opponents are coming up in a couple weeks so…fingers crossed)
Grenoble 1 – 0 Rodez [M]
The Alpiners were held in a scoreless draw for most of the match. Long enough to feel Auxerre breathing down their neck and feel the frustration of every scuffed shot. Then a wide cross from Anthony Belmonte missed Marcellin Anani who took a (admittedly exaggerated) tumble. But that set up Jessy Benet for the penalty, the win, and the guaranteed home field for the first round of promotion playoffs.
Emelec 1 – 0 Guayquil City [M]
It took a while but Emelec got what they needed when a late penalty gave Sebastian Rodriguez the winner at home. Emelec now tops Ecuador (though not our little league).
Minnesota United 1 – 0 FC Dallas
It took the Loons even longer to get their winner but flying Fin Robin Lod notched the game’s only goal with a vital poke in stoppage time. The Loons have some polarizing data. First hand accounts report their haplessness. Stats suggest they could be 4-0-2 instead of 2-0-4. At this stage that’s the difference between second and eleventh in the league. One non-stat to bear in mind: Emmanuel Reynoso shoots the ball so hard factory machines who assembled it wince.
Motherwell 1 – 2 Ross County
When Owen woke up the Staggies were taking the pitch. When Alex joined us, doom surrounded us (an early deficit and Kilmarnock leading their match). As I popped cinnamon rolls in the oven, I implored you to say “cmon you Staggies!!”. Moments later Ian Vigurs grabbed the equalizer with one of the most beautiful bits of footwork and placement you’ll ever see to shift the momentum. Michael Gardyne’s winner was a delightful bit of icing on the saved season.
Bodo/Glimt 2 – 2 Rosenborg BK [M]
Facing the title holders had Rosenborg a bit behind the ball. Though they had to come back twice, they did the needful as Carlo Holse notched another goal.
Carneras UPS 2 – 0 Emelec [F]
I’ve said before, I will say again: my kingdom for highlights.
Grenoble 2 – 0 Paris FC [M]
The first of three stages to reach the promised land of Ligue 1 got off to a great start with Marcellin Anani delivering both a solid header and a vicious rebound to grab the lead. From then on in fell to Brice Mableu and his defense (especially Adrien Monfray and Haruna Demba) to stymie the attack. But when they were finally able to launch a counterattack late in the game, the fresh legs of Willy Semedo sped all the way to the box to deliver the clincher.
News & Notes
Royals Rouser
Few things are quite as fun as seeing Legon Cities’ celebration in just coming to the stadium (also, Asamoah Gyan, it’s the nicest bus in Ghana…why are you riding your fancy car just to sit around and watch…?)
Quo Vadis?
That’s latin for “What’s Next” (a favorite phrase around our family). Ross County is now safe, though unfortunately soon to be without the services of some very strong loanee players (looking at you Leo Hjelde of Norway).
With Season 20/21 now completed thanks to our loan players for all of their efforts during their time spent in Dingwall as they head back to their parent clubs.
💙 Leo Hjelde 💙 Stephen Kelly 💙 Charlie Lakin 💙 Joe Hilton
But Grenoble marches on to face Toulouse in their second round on Friday. The Alpiners are definite underdogs against the third place side that was so close to automatic qualification. But surprises do happen, and with an awesome hashtag on Grenoble’s account right now, I really hope they continue to happen. (Together we will reach the peaks)
Vozdovac’s season ends this weekend. Their situation is marvelously simple: beat Javor and they stay up. Drop points and they have to hope results go their way.
Freiburg’s Farewell
With one match left in the Bundesliga, the Griffins are still in the hunt for a spot in European competitions. They’d need to beat Frankfurt (themselves fighting for a spot in the Champion’s league). They’d also need Stuttgart, Munchengladbach, and Union Berlin to lose (all of them are playing sides battling for Europe or a place in the league). So there’s plenty to watch for.
Player of the Week
It’s hard to choose between superlative moments and surpassing support, luckily this week’s player of the week was supportive throughout the season’s final stages and had an absolute golden moment on the weekend: Ian Vigurs was every bit the captain you want to see for Ross County and his thunderous shot that saved the Staggies season was an absolute beauty. Thank you Ian Vigurs.
Michael Gardyne is probably congratulating Ian on staying up, but maybe it’s winning this little honor instead. Photo Credit (The Herald)
Standings Update
Ross County heads into their break on a high while Grenoble has a few more matches to go to determine their league status next campaign. The Loons finally notched some points on the board, but remain stuck at the bottom of the table (for now)
Doff your caps to Alejandro Cabeza. The young striker raced out to a brace in 10 minutes and got his hat trick in the second half. Just what every Ecuadorian side wanted to see, another in form striker for Los Bombillos.
Leones Negros 1 – 1 Alebrijes
It took just about everything that Alebrijes had to keep up the pressure throughout the match. Johan Alonso took charge of the right flank and peppered a wide array of opportunities that went awry. In the end, the greatest contribution came from Center Back Oscar Torres, who played a critical role at both ends of the field: disrupting a barrage of Leones’ attacks and being in the right place at the right time to net the equalizer.
University of Montana Grizzlies 2 – 1 University of Northern Colorado [Big Sky Semifinal]
After a steady and solid season Taylor Stoeger got a great moment to shine in the conference Semifinal. She was instrumental in the midfield and delivered the golden goal in overtime to get the Grizzlies to the much awaited and much deserved conference final.
Seattle Sounders 4 – 0 Minnesota United
That wasn’t great, but the video we sent to trash talk our Sounders friend Aly was.
Freiburg 4 – 0 Schalke
Boy did Freiburg need this one. Christian Gunter blasted some beautiful goals and Roland Sallai made his presence felt. (Oh also, Schalke is terrible, but every win gets 3 points.)
Dunkerke 1 – 1 Grenoble
Speaking of beating bad teams, it’s something les Grenobloises have failed to do lately. It probably owes something to Jekyll/Hyde games like Maumodou Diallou whose first half assist was mitigated by his second half red card, forcing a team fighting for promotion to simply play not to lose against a team battling to avoid relegation. Their next four all come against teams jockeying for playoff position too so, this time next month things will be great or absolutely not.
University of Montana Grizzlies v. Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks [Big Sky Final]
CANCELLED DUE TO NAU VIOLATIONS OF COVID PROTOCOL–Griz named champions by default
As Homer [Simpson] once said, “the two sweetest words in the English language: De-Fault!!”
TBA Guayaquil City v Emelec [F]
Que soprisa!! Another delay to the women’s league. We’ll see if May 1 proves more lucky than March or April.
Wolfsburg 3 – 2 SC Freiburg [F]
Hasret Kayikci continued her strong showings but Wolfsburg blasted back to confirm their place among Europe’s elite.
Medema 2 – 1 Legon Cities
The Royals made a comeback even without top Center Back Joseph Adjei who got red carded in the first half. Adjei’s absence was felt on Medema’s second and game winning goal 8 minutes from time.
TSC Backa Topola 4 – 1 FK Vozdovac
This thumping put the Red Dragons firmly in the relegation scrap. Napredak’s great form has capitalized on Vozdovac’s lousy showings. One reason for hope: 3 of the last 6 will be against fellow fighters separated by goals and two points. Here’s hoping the turn around is straight ahead.
Emelec 2 – 0 Técnico Universarito [M]
I hope you boys learn to love beauty in life. Hugs from little kids when they are sleepy, your mom’s smile, monsoon mists in Mussoorie. Caciedo and Barcelo dominating Ecuador isn’t quite at that level, but it’s getting close.
Grenoble 2 – 0 Sochaux [M]
It was quite a crunchy match in the offing with Sochaux on the outer edges of the playoff scrap. A win would have made their last months extra tense. But while Sochaux’s energies seemed to unsettle Esteban Salles, they also led to foolish errors that earned two penalties for Grenoble (both of which were duly buried by Jessy Benet). The win gave a little more breathing room for Grenoble (now 7 points clear in the playoff spots) but likely knocked Sochaux out of the running for progression.
Mineros 6 – 0 Alebrijes de Oaxaca
That was…what’s the word? Bad. That was bad.
News & Notes
Big Sky Superlatives
With the Griz getting both the Northern Division trophy AND the Big Sky trophy we have the first hardware won by any team on our Favorite XI. But the fun doesn’t stop there.
Four Griz were named to the All-Big Sky team: Holding Midfielder Avery Adams, Wingback Taylor Hansen, Striker Alexa Coyle and (quelle surprise) goalie Claire Howard were named best in the conference at what they do. Howard also won the Goalkeeper of the Year honors (not a shock with her record breaking form). Centerback Alli Lang was named to the second team and attackers Rita Lang and Taylor Stoeger took home honorable mentions.
The Griz came into the year as favorites to win, and they delivered. Now all that’s left is…
The Big Dance
The NCAA tournament is one of our family’s favorite events. You boys got a taste of that this year when we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s, ate tasty snacks, talked with family, and played and played and played. While we usually watch the basketball tournaments, Soccer has one too. This year’s tournament will be in North Carolina (one of the biggest hotbeds for college competition in the country).
Thanks to their regular season dominance (and the Lumberjacks’ illness) the Griz are Charlotte bound to be part of the Fabulous 48, and the chance to play into the thrilling thirty-two.
Up first a game with the South Carolina Gamecocks. If you extrapolate out the regular seedings the Griz would be 12th seeded in the region of 12 (45th of all 48 teams). The Gamecocks were a potent force in a powerful league, which means the Griz will be an underdog for the first time this year…but that’s a fine place to be. Win and the Griz tie a best ever season showing, lose and they still have a couple pretty Big Sky trophies in tow.
Superliga Feminina Forever
As in forever waiting to start.
This delay’s irrational cause for optimism that this time it’ll really happen. A detailed and stylish schedule tweet from the official league account! Surely a graphic designer’s work is always respected and honored.
— Superliga Femenina Ecuabet (@SuperLigaFEF) April 16, 2021
Super League Salvos
The biggest news in soccer this week is the promised beginning of a new European Super League. This will be the 15 biggest clubs in Europe (plus five of their friends) raking in oodles of money, while their former opponents just make gobs of money.
Depending on who you ask, this is either a bad idea or a sign that the world is nearing an implosion of epic proportions. League officials are threatening to banish the big sides. Global leaders in the game claim that they’ll impose harsh fines and punish the players. Fans are mulling boycotts. It’s a fraught subject that brings to mind questions of “nationality”, “tradition”, “fairness,” and “global society.”
None of which matters to you two in the slightest. After all, you are under 4, by the time you bring full attention to any sport this league will either be an established institution or a bygone bit of trivia. Still this is my sporting journal of our times, so…there’s the big news.
Player of the Week
Jessy Benet had a huge impact on Grenoble’s standing for the end of the season, but Alejandro Cabeza had far and away the best performance, the least we can do is acknowledge it again here.
Bienvenido a nuestro casa Alejandro
Standings Update
The Loons debut provides a much appreciated cushion to FK Vozdovac in at least one table as Freiburg and Legon Cities continue to jockey for the advantage in the middle of the table.
The Red Dragons have settled into the middle of the Serbian league table. While some see that as a place where nothing dramatic happens, it’s really nice to have a consistent practice to improve, challenging yourself against the top teams and building confidence against the lower sides. This was one of those games against a top team…it didn’t go great. but that’s okay.
Real Kashmir 1 – 1 Punjab FC
The Northwestern derby was contentious even if it was played in the far east of the country. After some testy defending by Mohammed Irshad, Chencho Gyeltshen was knocked to the ground in the 63rd minute for and sent off for instigating a shoving match. After the fraca ended, Punjab went down the other end, drew a penalty and saw Joseba Beitia bury it. But former Punjab player Asier Dipanda struck an equalizer 5 minutes later. The draw broke a three match winning streak, and marked the first time Kiran Limbu gave back a lead in six matches.
Freiburg 0 – 1 Union Berlin [M]
Not much seemed to work for the Griffins. Despite having more of the ball and being more effective sharing it, the offense simply couldn’t set up dangerous chances. When Berlin capitalized on their opportunities, that turned out to be all they needed.
Nancy 1 – 2 Grenoble [M]
On one hand it’s a bit disappointing that trailing relegation battlers Nancy required Grenoble to send out second half reinforcements when Jessy Bennet could clearly use a break (Sorry Esteban Salles, it was unlucky). On the other hand it’s a testament to Bennet that he laced a gorgeous pass to draw a penalty, scored the equalizing penalty itself, and THEN delivered a great free kick Moussa Kailou Djitte’s outstretched foot for a 90th minute winner. Vive Jessy!!
Atletico Morelia 6 – 3 Alebrijes
Rascon (in Red) won’t believe this…any of this…
Whatever else is said, we should own that this was a highly entertaining match. Featuring more goals than the first four matches of the week combined. But while Julio Cesar Cruz continued his hot streak, the defense couldn’t keep the game in hand, or really anything in hand. Truthfully at a certain point everyone had to feel like keeper Angel Rascon, disbelieving, hands to the sky, why god why responses to the inexperienced (and boy did it show) trio of Gerson Huerta, Emmanuel Quezeda, and Fernando Plasencia.
Bechum United 1 – 1 Legon Cities
It might have gone better if not for an unfortunate hand ball to gift the Eagles a penalty. Still, with the draw Bashir Hackford’s side ran their record to unbeaten in six. But with only two wins in that time, they remain mired in the bottom half of the league.
Ross County 1 – 0 Celtic
They did it again! They did it again! Great Day in Dingwall, they did it again!!
It wasn’t nearly as complete or impressive a win as the cup victory in Glasgow. The offense was more lucky than good. Jordan White’s late winner from a beautiful bit of movement on a free kick was the decider. Ross Laidlaw continued to show up in all the ways that counted most with a last second finger tip save. It all got County got a critical win as they prepare for the league split. (Though sadly, they won’t be able to beat up on Celtic the same way they have been…darn.)
Emelec 4 – 1 Deportiva Cuenca
Ecuador’s season restarted with a great jolt from Los Bombillos offense. Target man Facundo Barcelo got his first goal of the campaign early in the second half on a beautiful back heel. But the team spread the wealth around with four players finding the net including Anibal Leguizamon with a smart header.
FK Vozdovac 0 – 1 Rad Beograd
In the Belgrade pecking order, Vozdovac doesn’t have many sides they can look down on, but Rad is one of them. The Red Dragons hadn’t lost to the Builders in almost six years, going a combined 10-2-0 against them. Of course, the reason I bring this up is because they lost, clearly and decisively. Worse, the offense is now 261 minutes without a goal (they last got lucky the day before Valentine’s day).
News & Notes
Bowling > Soccer
In this household you seem to have both decided that the best use of a ball is bowling. No matter what substance the ball is made from or what it’s previous purpose was, now, all balls are bowling balls. Hopefully I can get you back on the bandwagon eventually, otherwise this may need to be concerned with the PBA. (The MacKenzie Boys Ball Bag?)
Your Hero/Reading Icon
Player of the Week
It’s another hard choice, almost impossibly I’m going to pass by Jordan White’s masterful heroics against the Hoops and give credit to a midfield player for the first time this season: Jessy Benet only had half a match to make a difference and he made all the difference in the world. We said it before, we’ll say it again, “VIVE JESSY”
Thanks “World Today News” for taking a picture of your tv.
Standings Update
Emelec’s debut sees them top the table, but Punjab leads the table veterans, and while Vozdovac is mid-table in Serbia, within just 2021…it’s not going great on our table.
There’s nothing quite like waking up to an alarm and seeing a swath of updates about a match half way around the world. It was a wild one in the second round of India’s Hero League. Chencho Gyeltshen roared out of the gate with a first half brace to give Punjab a confident 2-0 lead (and a front runner for coolest celebration with the see/speak/hear no evil style). Rupert Nogrum added a third off Gyeltshen’s golden run before the whistle to make it 3-1. In the span of 5 minutes it all came undone as Denny Antwi and an own goal knocked in 3 goals in quick succession to unravel Punjab’s hard work. (It was especially hard after Kiran Chjempong stymied so many so many Kerala attacks, and Ashray Bhardwaj got away with a couple late tackles)
Toulouse 2 – 0 Grenoble [M]
The season’s second half continues to be a struggle for the Alpine side. This week, without talisman Jessy Bennet or most of the stalwart defense they let two goals slipped and fell further behind 2nd place Toulouse for automatic promotion.
Ross County 4 – 1 Aberdeen
The Staggies came out in a new formation with Jermaine Hylton up top and a more aggressive midfield. Sure enough it paid off with two early goals courtesy of Ollie Shaw and Charlie Lakin and two more late goals from Shaw and Hylton. The defensive line did some stout work and the offense capitalized on every opportunity they saw. A pretty great result against the #3 team in the league.
Bayern Munich 2 – 1 Freiburg [M]
Any trip to the Teutonic titans is likely to end in tears, but Nils Petersen almost got an unlikely result. A second half goal equalized once, and a late crossbar rattler nearly did again. sure it was still a defeat, but against Bayern a near tie is something to build on.
Aduana Stars 2 – 1 Legon Cities
After 767 minutes this season, Legon got a goal from open play. Francis Addo got on the end of a long ball when the keeper was MILES out of position and finished it. It wasn’t exactly a mark of talent, more just capitalizing on a MAJOR OPPONENT ERROR. But at this stage, we’ll take it. Oh, the Royals still lost.
Punjab FC 0 – 1 Churchill Brothers
Punjab reverted to a much more defensive style for this match up (shoring up the defense after seeping four goals will do that for you). While the team did vastly improve their defense, and held the opponents goalless for 85 minutes. Once again, a late winner broke their hearts.
Alebrijes 0 – 1 CD Tepatitlan de Morelos
Alebrijes is back in action at home in Oaxaca, but the results remain depressingly consistent. Once again, Oaxaca saw the home side drop a match and slide down the table
News & Notes
New Impeachment High Score
Until this week the most times any President had been impeached was 1, and the most votes any President received for his removal from his own party was 5. Wednesday Donald Trump doubled those scores! He’s been impeached twice and got 10 people to vote against him!
While most teams are fine tuning in the middle of the season, others are gearing up for bigger transformations before the next season begins. Most clearly, Rosenborg who has picked up more Swedish style than a newly married couple at Ikea. First they bolstered the defense with Adam Andersson and Jonathan Augustinsson to battle for the left back spot vacated by Pa Konate. They also brought on 12 goal man Stefano Holmquist Vecchia from Sweden and brought up Ole Christian Saeter who recently racked up a hat-trick to win promotion for Ranheim.
Player of the Week
Jermaine Hylton gave us a like for his last player of the week performance. For that alone, it’s tempting to award him this again. Most of the Staggies could get a nod given their strong showing, but when it’s that much of a team effort it doesn’t feel right to single out one person. So, despite doing it in a losing effort, the sterling individual performance of Chenchyo Gyeltshen gets the nod this week.
CG7 Hears No Evil (Photo from I-League)
Standings Update
Only Alebrijes dour opener lifts Grenoble off the foot of the table (see what I did there?) while Ross County rockets up to second place.
Having run to Easter Road on our last trip to Edinburgh, it was very cool to see a stadium that I knew in action. Even cooler was getting to watch part of the match thanks to the magic of technology and the free time of a necessary construction of Alex’s new bed frame. Even though you should have been napping Alex, it was also great to share a match with you and hear you cheer for “the blue guys” with gusto. To cap it all off, County started the year off with a win thanks to some great wing play and counter attacking style with Ollie Shaw scoring against his old club.
Hoffenheim 1 – 3 Freiburg [M]
The German League returned from their haitus faster than most, and it came at a great time for an in form Freiburg. Baptiste Santamaria has gone largely unsung on this blog, but the newcomer has been a vital part of the Freiburg midfield during their return. His booming goal kicked off a great showing, while Vincenzo Grifo picked up his personal best 7th goal in one season.
Liberty Professionals 1 – 0 Legon Cities FC
Again, Legon Cities proved that they have a top tier defense. (They finished third in fewest goals allowed in our table last year). But when the offense again comes up empty it doesn’t take much to lose the match. It makes 630 minutes without a goal from free play…any time Baby Jet….any time…
Ross County 1 – 1 St. Johnstone
John Hughes continued whatever weird science it is that has helped him in the turn around project in Dingwall. Given recent form, every point is deeply appreciated. Ross Draper and Stephen Kelly did a fine job slowing down the game in the middle and keeping things organized.
Clermont Foot 2 – 0 Grenoble Foot 38
2020 was not as great a kick off for Grenoble. They dropped their first competitive match since mid-October and none of our recently rewarded players (Jordy Gaspar, Jerome Mombris, or Jessy Bennet) looked particularly effective. The loss drops them down to third place in Ligue 2 with one more match before the midseason marker.
News & Notes
Transfer Time
The Winter Transfer window opened up and gave fans a lot to dream on. Though fewer players switch sides in the winter, it does happen.
Pieringer’s next step
Rosenborg has had a few players take off with Pa Momodou Konate and Vegar Eggen Hedenstad saying Ta-Ta to Trondheim. Meanwhile young Marvin Pieringer from Freiburg’s youth side left top of the table Freiburg II for more seasoning in the second tier of German soccer (with the well named: Wurzburger Kickers).
Punjab Takes to the Pitch
It’s been 10 months since Punjab played a competitive match, a lot has happened in that time. Beyond, you know, the world and what not, the team has changed owners, names, kits, and a big chunk of players. The season will take place in the Mumbai Bubble (not as cool sounding as the Bombay Bubble…but more respective of the people who, ya know, live there). Fingers are crossed that the new look Warriors shine again.
The new color scheme is for sure in line with the colors most associated with Punjab.
Best as I can tell, only two players return from the 2020 edition of Punjab FC: Defender Anwar Ali, and Midfielder Sanju Pradhan. But the squad will bring on Bhutanese striker Chenchyo Gyeltshen, which will give me a reason to talk about the Land of the Thunder Dragon, and I’m always okay with that.
2021’s first POTW (Ross County)
Player of the Week
Granted, I may be biased because I watched him play, and because I may be wrong in my assessment of John Hughes’ revised game plan, but for me, Jermaine Hylton’s wing play was instrumental to Ross County’s strong showing to start the year.
Standings Update
I’m going to try to keep this up to date more effectively this year than last year, so I’ll use it each week to see if that helps.
Freiburg takes the top spot for now with 3 points in their one game, while Ross County sits second and Grenoble sits in an uncomfortable bottom spot.
I started this blog a year ago thinking it would be a fun thing to do during the season with a little light reflection during the summer. Instead the entire world turned upside down and I found myself trying to make meaning from press releases in March and bubble tournaments in August.
Here’s how things shook out in 2020 among our favorite 11 sides on the planet.
Final Standings
Team
W
D
L
PPG
GFA
GAA
Rosenborg BK
27
13
10
1.88
1.74
0.96
Minnesota United
13
6
6
1.80
2.08
1.12
Emelec
17
9
12
1.58
1.71
1.03
Grenoble Foot 38
10
6
7
1.57
1.39
1.35
FK Vozdovac
11
2
12
1.40
1.60
1.64
SC Freiburg
18
11
18
1.38
1.36
1.53
Punjab FC
2
5
2
1.22
1.44
1.33
Ross County FC
11
5
18
1.12
0.97
1.62
Alebrijes de Oaxaca
5
4
12
0.90
1.00
1.52
Legon Cities FC
3
8
8
0.89
0.63
1.16
University of Montana
0
0
0
–
–
–
Table Updated 12/31/2020
As was becoming apparent by the middle of the summer, the longer Rosenborg’s women went undefeated, the more likely they were to win our trophy. In the end, Rosenborg’s Men struggled to finish off the season gave Minnesota United a closer chance than you might have expected in November.
Emelec wins my money this year for the best showing of a team whose jersey I didn’t own going in (but I’m seriously mulling doing something for Grenoble to shore up my fandom bonafide as they fight for *knock on wood* Ligue 1 promotion)
SC Frieburg’s struggles saw them slip to the middle of the table just above Punjab FC which has been idle for months now, and the Lady Griz must be licking their chops to finish above Asamoah Gyan and company in 2021.
Players of the Year
Rather than choose 1 best of best, given that my entire theme this year was coming together and relying on others, it only made sense to award a full team.
Up top, it should be no surprise that we chose the two most imperious scorers in our year especially given Marit Clausen’s sizzling summer and Farcundo Barcelo’s amazing autumn.
The midfield was trickier. There was no shortage of good candidates, but in the end we couldn’t ignore the excellent run of young Julie Blakstad, the superb creativity of Emanuel Reynoso, or the consistency of Vincenzo Grifo. Kristoffer Zachariassen claimed the last spot due to his goal scoring prowess and excellent control for a Europa League bound side.
We probably could have done more to recognize defenders during the season, but as center back was our own position of choice on the rough and tumble pitches of Great Falls, Montana we were proud to recognize the Grenoble tandem of Jerome Mombris and Jordy Gaspar. On top of that Dominique Heintz seemed to always be the answer to the question “how did Freiburg stop fill in the blank Bundesliga striker king from scoring?” And Alex Iacovitti provided the most iconic image of the most iconic win of the year with his delirious wheeling joy after sealing the win over Celtic.
There was no shortage of great candidates in goal either. We went with Vozdovac’s Miloje Prekovic whose arrival coincided with an excellent unbeaten run for the Red Dragons.
Our bench has two players we really struggled over putting in the top XI: Grenoble’s Jessy Benet and Minnesota’s Michael Boxall, but we know they’ll be ready to step up for a sixty or a six minute shift. We also got a chance to recognize all the other teams in our list: strikers Asier Dipanda, Luisa Espinoza, and Franco Arizala represent Punjab, Las Electricas de Emelec and Alebrijes de Oaxaca respectively. Klara Buhl will be the one we ask to fill in all over the field (the least she can do after leaving Freiburg for Munich). And Fatua Duda holds down the Legon Cities spot in the squad (the Royals may be bottom of our table, but Duda is the unquestioned leader and has kept scores low while the offense sputters).
We were sorry not to find a representative for the Grenoble women’s side (we’d love if the social media squads from Rosenborg and Emelec could show them how its done), and we hope to include more than a few Grizzlies when they finally get back on the pitch this spring.
What’s Next
I really like soccer. Like, a lot a lot.
I really like writing. Like, a lot a lot
Doing this project for a year reminded me how much I like both, and also how impossible it is to do both, and parent, and teach, and write what is burning a fire in my brain.
So here’s the plan Stans: I’m keeping this site alive. The annual fee is a small price to pay for keeping track of all the lectures you’re going to get in your life. I won’t post in it as often. (One weekly update, One monthly video with all three of us (barring tantrums), and one monthly commentary).
I’m going to work on writing other things I’m fired up about. But rest assured, I’ll always love sharing lessons with you boys and I’ll love sharing them over soccer matches too.
(Oh, and if this is being read by someone other than my sons, feel free to write a note below so they know other people are judging their dad too).
Despite Grenoble dominating the possession, the shots, the passing, and all the attempts, Grenoble couldn’t find a way through. To be fair, it was a second string side (Bennet, Diallo and Djite, came on with about 30 minutes left) and they still did quite well to dominate a top half of the table team and pick up a point on the road.
Javor 3 – 1 FK Vozdovac
A third minute penalty was a pretty clear signal that it would be a rough day for the Vozdovac defence. Despite Marko Putincanin’s late first half equalizer, two more cases of sloppy defense undid the Dragons and saw them slip to 9th place. (4 points from their past 18 possible is a sign of the struggles)
Schalke 04 0 – 2 Freiburg [M]
There’s a whole book to be written about Schalke’s fall. Flush with Russian oil money, they’ve slowly collapsed like a bridge made out of flan. But that’s someone else’s job, our job is just to say: BRAVO ROLLAND SALLAI! Two quality goals in the second half gave the Griffins a much needed second win in a row, so things are trending up just when they are most needed.
Livingston 2 – 0 Ross County
Welp. There goes the plan to focus on the cups.
Deportiva Cuenca 2 – 1 Emelec [M]
This was a hard one. Despite being a man up for almost an hour, Emelec could not find a way through Cuenca’s defense. Diego Dorregaray managed to get two goals against the run of play including a 90th minute winner to undo Jose Cevallos’ late equalizer. The result, plus rival Barcelona’s win at the same time makes for a very challenging final match on Sunday. Emelec would need to win against Olmedo and Barcelona would have to lose to Universidad Catholica, PLUS they would need a 6 goal swing to take it (so Emelec winning 3-0 while Barcelona loses 0-3).
Sochaux 1 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Jessy Bennet again ran the show for Grenoble and set up another Moussa Djitte goal. Unfortunately, Grenoble couldn’t capitalize on a Souchaux red card and ended up ceding an equalizer before half time.
Legon Cities FC 1 – 2 Cape Coast *Mystic* Dwarfs
An early Benjamin Acquah brace was enough for Cape Coast and their Dungeons & Dragons avatar/team name. Good news: the Royals scored for the first time in 450 minutes. Bad news: it was another penalty, so in addition to Asamoah Gyan staying goalless, the team has yet to score in regular play all season.
Ross County 0 – 2 Hamilton Academical
Welp. So much for being able to focus on the league.
Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 1 SC Freiburg [W]
Despite Stefanie Sanders’ second half equalizer, Freiburg couldn’t snatch a point in Bavaria.
Freiburg 4 – 1 Hertha Berlin [M]
Meanwhile the gentlemen Griffins continued their winning ways with Vincenzo Grifo notching a goal and another assist. The result came at the expense of former Freiburg stopper Alexander Schwolow who’s done about as well as frequently fallible Florian Muller.
CS Emelec 4 – 1 Olmedo [M]
Los bombillos did their best to inject some drama in the final match of Ecuador’s season. Jose Cevallos 40 minute hat trick gave them a great start towards closing the gap against Barcelona. But as their rivals played out a goalless draw, Emelec settled in to a strong second place.
Sandefjord 0 – 0 Rosenborg [M]
In the final match of the season, Rosenborg was…uh….there? Goalless draws are never terribly noteworthy, and this one, away from home, without retiring captain Tor Reginusen, to seal a respectable but not shattering fourth place finish, was particularly inert.
Grenoble 2 – 0 Troyes [M]
When Troyes lost a man to a red card in the second half, Owen was crying bloody murder and Alex was doing anything but resting. 30 minutes later, Mamadou Dialo and Jessy Benet had both delivered goals for a great win over their top of the table rivals. At the break, Grenoble sits atop of the league on goal difference.
News & Notes
Buh-Bye Hot Boy
Kevin Molino, Minnesota United’s first big name signing announced his plan to leave the team. This might be the biggest surprise of the Loons’ Off-Season so far. Molino was a long-standing favorite of coach Adrian Heath, and he earned the fans respect too for working hard in any role he landed in. With cuts in cost across the board and a sizable offer from Minnesota, a lot of folks are wondering where he could be heading. (I know he’d be a savior in Oaxaca, but think he’d have more fun along side Yoric Ravet and Jessy Bennet in Grenoble)
Tusen Takk Tor
Rosenborg captain Tor Reginusen has retired before the end of the season walking out on his own terms and with gratitude for the club. The veteran defender was still earning caps with Norway’s national team in November,but its nice to see him exit with grace.
Two decisive defeats in a week was two too many for Stuart Kettlewell. After six months as solo coach, and three years as at least co-manager, the long standing Staggies man stepped aside after the loss to Aberdeen. Clearly the club wanted him to succeed (he’d done wonders with the youth team before joining the first team), but to stay afloat in Scotland it’ll take something more than he’s mustered.
County will hope that something can be unlocked by John Hughes former manager of their highland rivals, Inverdonian Caley Thistle. Hughes has led a few rescue missions for teams facing the axe, and a few cup triumphs. But he has also led some botched rescues. Here’s hoping for the best.
Player of the Week
It’s a close call between two very strong midfield mavens. With a pair of big wins and more big goals I will tip the cap to Vincenzo Grifo with his goal and assists, but note again that Jessy Benet may have been the biggest difference between Grenoble being top of League 2 or top of League 3 right now. Of course, Grifo is the difference between a comfortable Freiburg season
For the first time in a while Emelec didn’t seem to have much of anything going for them. Worse, this loss gave loathed rivals Barcelona sole claim to the top spot in the league
Rosenborg BK 1 – 0 Mjondalen [M]
Rosenborg snapped their skid, but it wasn’t exactly convincing. Åge Hareide’s team couldn’t find a way through throughout regular time despite dominating the run of play. But Ol Piercing Blue Eyes himself Kistoffer Zachariasen saved the day with a last minute winner.
Asante Kotoko 1 – 0 Legon Cities
Against the most legendary club in Ghanaian soccer the Royals looked majestic again in name only. The defense should be commended for their resilience but now would be the time for the attack to flourish as well. (h/t Fatua Duda for winning commendations despite losing)
Freiburg 2 – 0 Arminia Bielefeld [M]
Christian Streich switched to a three man back line a month ago. In the four matches with that formation they’ve drawn twice and won once. It’s not a tremendous turnabout but it’s a big improvement from the side that drifted down the table in October. Phillip Leinhart and Vincenzo Grifo’s surge in form sure helps too.
Aberdeen 2 – 0 Ross County
Speaking of drifting down the table, the Staggies have sunk to the bottom of the premiership. They haven’t gotten a point from the league since early November, and haven’t won since two months before that. They may still have a shot at cup trophies, but their time in the top league may be done after this year.
FK Vozdovac 0 – 2 Partizan Belgrade
I’d be lying if I said I expected anything else, but kudos to the dragons for holding the league leaders scoreless for more than one half!
Grenoble Foot 4 – 0 Dunkerque [M]
Grenoble’s performance in the shadow of the Alps was nothing short of dominant. Again led by Jessy Benet and rampaging full backs Jordy Gaspar and Jerome Mombris they looked every bit the first place (yes, first place) team they have become.
CS Emelec 3 – 0 El Nacional [M]
Estadio George Capwell would have been rocking had people been allowed in. A win over bottom of the table Nacional isn’t exactly surprising, and never seemed to be in doubt., but Jose Cevallos’ brace and another clean sheet sure feels good.
Meppen 0 – 1 SC Freiburg [W]
Meppen has struggled this year, and as Freiburg grows into form they looked strong throughout. Lina Bürger’s late winner was well deserved.
Rosenborg 3 – 1 Molde [M]
A week after a red card got him an early shower, it was a day of good Dino Islamovic. It couldn’t have come at a better time. His brace against fellow top 4 side Molde went a long way to seal a shot at European soccer.
News & Notes
See You Loons
As has been the habit each year, Minnesota United celebrated the end of the season by declining a big pile of contracts.
It’s not too surprising that Kei Kamara and third string keeper Greg Ranjitsingh were let loose. Frequent role players Jose Aja, Aaron Shoenfeld, and Raheem Edwards were a little more surprising, but, without ticket sales, costs must be cut.
HAO! Rosenborg!
O’Rielly trading Stars and Stripes for just stripes?
On the BBC’s world football podcast American soccer legend Heather O’Reilly admitted that she felt tempted to come back from retirement for a shot at the European Champions League.
A year into her retirement, O’Reilly might need some time to gear up again. So she’s likely have to target the 21-22 campaign. She’s also working as a coach of younger players. So that would be a good thing to continue abroad. And if she seeks to just play in the champions league, a Scandinavian side makes sense….chances are you see where I’m going with this.
Another score from the election. This certainly looks decisive. With no time left on the clock, there’s no real chance for a comeback. But President Trump continues to insist that he’s winning and refusing to leave the field. So…not unlike games I used to play against your uncles in the backyard.
Player of the Week
Since they came back from COVID Cancellations, Jordy Gaspar has played 518 of Grenoble’s 540 minutes. In that time, they’ve allowed only two goals and scored ten. He’s been excellent on both sides of the ball, and this week his assist gives us an excuse to finally reward him.
A man and a goal down at half time, you’d be excused if you thought Emelec was doomed.
After LDUQ lost one of their players, Los Bombillos stormed back, with Sebastian Rodriguez equalizing on an absolute howler and Jose Cevallos winning it in the 90th minute with a shot that left Universidad completely stunned on the field.
Not far from the fields in MT (Photo: University of Ghana)
Accra Great Olympics 3 – 0 Legon Cities
Fun Fact: Accra Great Olympics used to train across the street from a middle school I taught at in Legon.
Less fun fact: they totally dominated the professional team from Legon as if they were only middle schoolers
Kilmarnock 3 – 1 Ross County
It takes a special team to go down a man inside of 8 minutes and still dominate a match. It also takes a special team to be up a man for 92 minutes and never look competitive. Ross County is special (you can tell from the score line why they are).
Pau 0 – 2 Grenoble
In the long slog of a spring Grenoble’s lone solace seemed to be midfielder Jessy Benet. The lone creator and goal scorer of February has now become just another cog in a well run machine but after netting a penalty (made possible by his own creativity) and enabling an assist (for defensive standout Loic Nestor) it’s nice to remember what a gem Jessy is.
FK Vozdovac 1 – 1 Novi Pazar
Ivan Milosavljevic’s tremendous control in his eighth minute goal put the Red Dragons ahead and the stingy defense kept them there. Until an absolutely silly hand ball by Marko Gajic gifted a late penalty to the visitors, which they duly buried. Maybe it’s worth saying: in class put your hands up, on the pitch, keep them down.
SC Freiburg 1 – 5 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim [F]
It’s hard to put a shiny face on what was a complete and total domination by Hoffenheim. Instead we’ll just tip the cap to Hasret Kayicki on returning to the score sheet for the first time since her excellent equalizer versus Wolfsburg.
SC Freiburg 1 – 3 Mainz [M]
It just wasn’t a great day for the Griffins, as fans might have been grateful to be barred from entrance. Frenchman Jean Phillipe Mateta’s first half hat trick was plenty, as Keeper Florian Muller and Phillip Leinhart must have seemed about as intimidating a couple Breisgau cream puffs.
CS Emelec 3 – 2 Delfín [M]
In a match that absolutely explained the contrast between Emelec’s first campaign of this fall and their current one, Los bombillos fell behind (again). Then stormed back with a brace from (yup) Facundo Barcelo to win it at the death.
Minnesota United 3 – 0 Colorado Rapids [Playoffs]
The Loons first playoff win since 2012, was a very strong showing. Despite having little to show from an opening 20 minutes when I was trying to get you to sleep, Owen, the team was cohesive and strong throughout. Emanuel Reynoso’s two assists and Kevin Molino’s two goals gave us all some much needed relief in 2020.
Rosenborg BK 2 – 3 Brann [M]
Despite a Norway’s most handsome striker led comeback (kudos Kristoffer Zachariassen) leaving all your offense for the last ten minutes was not an effective game plan for Rosenborg.
Grenoble 1 – 0 Nancy [M]
In their first COVID make up game les Grenobloises met the moment. Particular gratitude goes to Jordy Gaspar and Adrien Monfry for holding down the right side for their second shutout in four days.
News & Notes
The Royals Need a New King
Barjakta-ball never took hold (Photo: Prime Ghana)
Another underwhelming start to the season sealed the fate of Legon Cities’ Bosnian coach Goran Barjaktarevic
With as much as LCFC is doing to set themselves apart off the pitch you can only tolerate underwhelming results on it for so long. Three wins in the first year of the club just can’t cut it. Though, to be honest, the sparse press release announcing the firing left much to be desired. I’d have loved if a hip life star had dropped the announcement in a half time show.
Player of the Week
Hot Boy on Fire (Photo from MPR News)
Kevin Molino was the first widely known player to join the MNUFC roster. His best matches often lead to our greatest triumphs, his longest absences mirror our worst runs of form. He’s no longer required to be the star, Emmanuel Reynosa has that covered but when Hot Boy is hot, so is the team. And the Loons first playoff win in 8 years is a testament to his dedication.
Also, his teammates roasting and his kids celebrating is further testament to this awesomeness
MacKenzie's Boot Room 