Tag: Legon Cities

Week 44: Jet Lands and a few fly to playoffs

Week 44: Jet Lands and a few fly to playoffs

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Minnesota United 2 – 1 Colorado Rapids

It’s been six unbeaten for the Loons. But they haven’t really looked unbeatable since early September. This time a late own goal helped them across the line despite Emmanuel Reynoso’s best efforts to connect with attack partners.

Union 0 – 1 Emelec [M–South American Cup]

Los Bombillos May still be languishing in domestic contests but they do what’s needed on the bigger continental stage. A vital goal away from home came from an opportunistic Facundo Barcelo who punished the Argentines for not clearing the ball more decisively.

Dundee United 2 – 1 Ross County

Oliver Shaw got his first goal as a Staggie on an excellent sprint. But by that time the Tangerines of Dundee had the game in hand. So the Stags took another tough defeat.

2:00 Niort v. Grenoble [M]

Cancelled due to COVID 19

FK Vozdovac 2 – 0 TSC Backa Topola

For a team that was winless for most of the spring, Vozdovac looks equally consistent now, albeit in a much better way. It certainly helps to have a stronger back line anchored by a keeper in great form. So, as is becoming habit around here, thanks Miloje Prekovic.

Rosenborg BK 3 – 1 Avaldsnes [W]

A decisive and vital win against a fellow top 4 contender saw Rosenborg jump into first place (with Valerenga’s win over LSK they fell back to second). As top opponents shut down passing lanes for Clausen/Blakstad other options have had to rise up, including this week’s star: Lisa Marie Utland. Her headed brace gave her 5 goals on the season and further cemented the team’s attacking strength.

SC Freiburg 2 – 4 Bayern Leverkusen [M]

After several close contests, Freiburg’s battle with Bavaria’s top team was a little more open. Despite an early goal, the Griffin’s defense couldn’t hold back a Leverkusen attack, with Florian Müller conceding more than he saved

Rosenborg BK 1 – 0 Start [M]

As with the women, Rosenborg’s attack has needed to diversify of late, but they’ve made it work. Carlo Holse has served as a super sub and scored again here

Sporting KC v. Minnesota United

Yup COVID got the loons…again…though with playoffs clinched its not the worst thing to happen.

Aucus 1 – 1 Emelec [M]

Emelec hadn’t dropped points to Aucus since May 2018. In the last match before COVID closure they trounced the red and gold 4-0. This time they only managed a point as Marlon Meija’s first half red card stretched them too thin to cope.

7o de Febrero 0- 4 Emelec [F]

With a resounding win, las Eléctricas sealed a spot in the super league playoffs. Ginger García found the net inside of two minutes, but it was striker Luisa Espinoza’s brace that sealed the victory and advancement.

*The most important contest of this year Biden (D) v. Trump (R)*

NO RESULT AS OF PUBLICATION TIME…or even several days later when I finally had time to find the videos and images I wanted.

News & Notes

Baby Jet Flies Home

Last week, we had high hopes that black stars legend Asamoah “Baby Jet” Gyan would be coming to Legon this year.

Consider him arrived.

Playoffs?!?!?

Yes, those leagues that wrap in the winter are nearing their conclusions, which means a shorter series of matches among the best of the best to determine a champion.

Rosenborg’s 16th straight result means that even if the Trolljenter totally collapse they’ll finish in a top 4 spot.

Emelec’s Eléctricas also qualified, though less conclusively than their Norwegian cousins.

And, despite a desperately underwhelming run of form and enough COVID cases to make you wonder if socially distanced positioning might be a game plan, Minnesota United’s points per game was enough to guarantee them a crack at the cup this year.

Player of the Week

It must be said: Luisa Espinoza lifted las Electricas to the next round of the Superliga Feminina this week. A great performance and a great result is exactly what Player of the Week was built for.

We Love you too…and we’re about 80% sure this is Luisa Espinoza…seriously Emelec, clarify!

What’s Next

Wednesday, November 4th

7:00 Minnesota United v. Chicago Fire

Thursday, November 5th

4:15 Emelec v. Union [M-South American Cup]

Friday, November 6th

1:45 Ross County v. Livingston

Saturday, November 7th

6:00 Rosenborg BK v. Sandviken [F]

8:00 Grenoble v. Le Havre [M]

8:30 RB Leipzig v. Freiburg [M]

1:00 Cukaricki v. FK Vozdovac

Sunday, November 8th

7:00 SC Freiburg v. Werder Bremen [F]

11:00 Viking v. Rosenborg BK [M]

5:30 Minnesota United v. Dallas [5:30]

6:00 Alebrijes de Oaxaca v. Atalante

Monday, November 9th

Tuesday, November 10th

1:45 Elgin City v. Ross County [Cup]

Week 43: Close Run

Week 43: Close Run

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Vozdovac 3 – 2 Gráfica [Cup]

The Red Dragons fell behind early, but made a stirring second half comeback to tie the match. Then it was Milos Krunic playing hero with crucial penalty saves to push them on to the last 16 of the Serbian Cup.

Alebrijes 1 – 2 Celaya

Oaxaca held their own for much of the match. Keeping the score level through 45 minutes. But a second yellow to Victor Reyes opened things up for league leading Celaya, and Diego Chorena’s late red will only complicate things following another loss

Union Berlin 1 – 1 SC Freiburg [M]

In a very even contest, Vincent Grifo netted an opening goal from a tough angle that was promptly negated on the next sequence. It was the type of draw where it seemed like the best outcome. Both sides deserved something, and both sides got something.

Motherwell 4 – 0 Ross County

Young Ross Doohan did not shine on the day. A week after keeping Hibs off the board, the Celtic loanee mustered only one save against an imperious Motherwell.

Grenoble v. Nancy [M]

Postponed due to COVID

Emelec 0 – 0 CSD Macara [M]

That is a thing that happened.

Cincinnati 0 – 1 Minnesota United

The loons continued to struggle to regain their old form. Again there were moments of quality, tempered with moments of agonizing awkwardness. It took until 2 minutes into stoppage time for a break through, with Jan Gregus’ great corner kick meeting Michael Boxall’s head. While the post blocked Boxall, nothing stopped Aaron Schoenfeld’s winner.

Sarpsborg 08 1 – 2 Rosenborg BK [M]

Pa Konate scored his first goal since joining Rosenborg in September, and Dino Islamovic netted another penalty as Rosenborg kept up the race for Europe staying just one point behind Molde.

Proleter 1 – 1 FK Vozdovac

Though former Olympiakos starlet Leandro Pinto struck first for Proleter, Vozdovak came back with a second half equalizer to grab a vital point on the road. Dragan Stoisavljevic’s half-volley capped an excellent attacking streak from the Red Dragons. That’s the system needed to keep the race for top 3 tight in Serbia

Pumas Tabasco 0 – 2 Alebrijes de Oaxaca

Things got a little wild when Pumas’ goal keeper Jose Castillo executed a hefty challenge well outside his area on veteran striker Franco Arizala. After a Pumas complaint and a substitution, Oaxaca’s Rodolfo Vilchis absolutely cranked his free kick into the upper right corner to give Alebrijes a lead. Despite being a man up, Oaxaca still looked shaky at the back but Arizala continued to torment Pumas’ defenders setting up more chances for a security goal that finally came in stoppage time. It was certainly a fortunate and not terribly convincing win, but it was a win, and Alebrijes needs those.

News & Notes

Asamoah Gyan’s Homecoming?

One of the biggest players in Ghanaian soccer history may be on the verge of a return home.

Asamoah Gyan

Arguably the biggest striker in the Black Star’s golden generation, Gyan has bopped around the world with stops at big clubs in Italy, France, and England and big money moves to Qatar, China, and India.

Now at 34, he’s certainly nearing the end of a storied career and has pledged to cap his career back at home in the nascent Ghanaian Premier League. But…while the former Asante Kotoko fan has said he’d like to play in Kumasi, Legon Cities, our very own Royals, appears set to swoop in with big bucks and bring him on to their side.

Player of the Week

We’ve been recognizing a lot of defenders lately, so let’s take a moment to appreciate Franco Arizala of Oaxaca. Though he didn’t get his name on the score sheet he was integral to Oaxaca’s third win. From the penalty drawn on Tabasco’s keeper (which…on replay might have been a little…embellished) and providing the opening for the first goal, to the dipsy-dooo-drop-aroo moves that tormented the thinly stretched Pumas defense, to requiring a double team that opened the net for the second, Franco was critical.

Franco Arizala feels fine (La Marca)

What’s Next

Wednesday, October 28th

7:00 Minnesota United v. Colorado Rapids

Thursday, October 29th

Union v. Emelec [M–South American Cup]

Friday, October 30th

Saturday, October 31st

10:00 Dundee United v. Ross County

2:00 Niort v. Grenoble [M] Cancelled due to COVID 19

2:00 FK Vozdovac v. TSC Backa Topola

Sunday, November 1st

6:00 Rosenborg BK v. Avaldsnes [W]

8:30 SC Freiburg v. Bayern Leverkusen [M]

11:00 Rosenborg BK v. Start [M]

6:30 Sporting KC v. Minnesota United

Monday, November 2nd

Tuesday, November 3rd

*The most important contest of this year Biden (D) v. Trump (R)*

Week 41: Skin of the teeth

Week 41: Skin of the teeth

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Rosenborg BK 1 – 0 Kolboltn [W-Cup]

In a quick break before the biggest game of the season against Valerenga, the troll girls, found a way to snatch a valuable win. It took until a late corner kick for them to find the goal, courtesy of a Kristine Minde header. The squad is already set for the quarterfinal against fellow Toppserien titans, LSK in early November.

Turbine Potsdam 3- 0 SC Freiburg [W]

Meanwhile, in Germany, Freiburg was overwhelmed by Potsdam. A total team effort left the lady Griffins labored and a little lost before the weekend’s big clash against German Giants Wolfsburg.

Montrose 3 – 4 Ross County [Cup–PKs]

Ross County’s offense sprang to life only to see their defense shrivel like a sheep’s stomach in the oven. Despite racing out to a three goal lead, they were pushed to the limit until a sterling PK performance got them the win.

Mineros 1 – 0 Alebrijes de Oaxaca

Did you know that Oaxaca is home to some of the oldest structures in all of Mexico, they even excavated a mountain for a new settlement atop of what is now Mount Alban. They even used it to do astronomy. So, Alex, they have a great environment you’d love. See, losing a soccer game [again] isn’t nearly as important as that cool stuff.

SC Freiburg 1 – 1 VfL Wolfsburg [W]

Might Wolfsburg hadn’t dropped a point since late August when they fell in the Women’s Champions League Final. They’d beaten Freiburg the last three times by a combined 18-2. But one late Hasret Kayicki header was all it took to save a thrilling point for the last griffins.

Grenoble Foot 1 – 1 Olympique Marseille

After losing 3-1 to Nice last weekend a match against one of France’s biggest names might have been doomed. But a second half equalizer by Andrea Compper and a crucial penalty save by Julie Perrodin saved the point, with Perrodin’s performance serving some extra-special saves for Les Grenobloises.

Alebrijes 1 – 0 Venados

Great day in the morning Oaxaca won a game. Daniel Cisneros capitalized on a rebound to end a 394 minute goal-less streak. That was enough as Alebrijes leaned on Angel Alonso to stop Venados constant atacks, and they held on for the team’s first point in five matches. It’s a feast or famine schedule from here, with two games against struggling sides, one against a mid-table crew, and one match a piece against the top 3 teams.

Dallas v. Minnesota United

Postponed

Ross County 2 – 1 Arbroath [Cup]

Falling behind, to a lower league team, at home, isn’t ideal. But like so many other teams this week (including themselves), the Staggies were able to do what had to be done to get the win. In particular, Ross Stewart delivered both a header and a penalty winner to boost County to top of their Cup division.

News & Notes

COVID catches Loons

With all the safeties and protocols surrounding sports at the moment, you’d be forgiven for thinking the global pandemic is under control. Nope.

Minnesota United is the first of our eleven teams to have someone test positive. In fact they had two. And so their match in Dallas, their training, and all gatherings are on hold. Come on you Loons, Get Well Soon!!

Return of the Royals

With about a month until the Ghanaian premier league kicks off again, Legon Cities has returned to training for year two. The squad has a few additions, and will be playing this year on the grounds of University of Ghana (koohhhhh Ghana!)

Player of the Week

In a week where it was a matter of inches, let’s acknowledge someone who had to be inch perfect to keep their team in the clear. Sadly, with no statistics we have to base our evaluation totally on the eye test, and as our eyesight isn’t every good we’re going to play it safe and split the award between Julie Perrodin of Grenoble, and Angel Alonso of Oaxaca.

What’s Next

Wednesday, October 14th

7:00 Minnesota United v. Chicago Fire

Thursday, October 15th

7:00 Correcaminos v. Alebrijes

Friday, October 16th

Saturday, October 17th

8:30 SC Freiburg v. Werde Bremen [M]

9:00 Ross County v. Hibernian

12:00 Amiens v. Grenoble [M]

1:00 FK Vozdovac v. FK Spartak Subotica

Sunday, October 18th

7:00 Eintracht Frankfurt v. SC Freiburg [W]

9:00 Valerenga v. Rosenborg BK [W]

11:00 Kristiansund v. Rosenborg BK [M]

7:00 Minnesota United v. Houston Dynamo

Monday, October 19th

Tuesday, October 20th

Weeks 37: Ladies Nights and the Scores are Right.

Weeks 37: Ladies Nights and the Scores are Right.

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Minnesota United 3 – 2 FC Dallas

The Loons certainly know how to score now. Getting to watch half the game (a lengthy viewing session given your bed times), I was thrilled to see Bebelo dominate the midfield. It was great to see Kevin Molino and crew darting in and out of traffic to challenge the goal. It was difficult to watch Michael Boxall carry the entire defense on his back…but other than that, this is fun to see.

Alebrijes 2 – 2 Tlaxcala FC

It was a much needed first point in three matches for Oaxaca, but could have been an even more needed second win. A late equalizer keep last years fall champions far from their best, but not comfortable…yet.

Rosenborg 2 – 0 Roa ( W )

At the risk of tedium: the women were great, Marit Clausen was especially great, and the prospects for glory truly feel real. Still, over the next month, they’ll play only twice. Keeping this momentum will be tricky.

Ross County 0 – 5 Celtic

Celtic continues to suck the competitive joy out of Scotland like Boris Johnson sucks hope in governmental competence from England.

Chambly 1 – 2 Grenoble

Will wonders never cease! Les grenoblois gave up an early goal, played from behind for most of the game (per usual) BUT they also had a great defensive performance and came back to win in the last 20 minutes behind Jerome Mombris’ excellent stop and pin point assist.

FK Vozdovac 4 – 0 FK Metalac

I legitimately can not recall Vozdovac pulling this complete a victory together in the time we’ve watched them. (Editors note: because they haven’t.) The game plan seemed to be, set up with a thick midfield, and let ‘er rip outside the area. It worked for Milos Pnatovic, Edin Adjinovic, and Jovan Nisic. Let’s go ahead and let this Splash Brothers mentality take over the rest of the season

Olmedo 1 – 1 Emelec [M]

When you’re getting draws against opponents this far down the table something is amiss. The first round of games in this bizarre season is almost over and it can’t come too soon for Emelec.

Emelec 3 – 1 Guayaquil City [W]

Las eléctricas are back! The local southern league kicked off with a great win. (I’d say more but there is little else on the web for me to draw from)

Grenoble Foot 38 0 – 1 St Etienne [W]

Grand Geneva 1 – 3 Grenoble Foot 38 [W]

The women of Grenoble have actually been back in action for two weeks (sorry I missed last week y’all) and after a hard fought defeat to regional power St Etienne, they dominated Geneva.

SC Sand 0 – 3 SC Freiburg [W]

The lady griffins came out fast and never looked back in another stellar win for the women. (Noting a pattern here?) No Klara Buhl no problem as Freiburg held on thorughout

Stromsgodset 3 – 3 Rosenborg [M]

With 10 minutes to go things looked dire, having trailed since early in the first half, there seemed little chance of a comeback. It could have been a grossly disappointing defeat to a relegation area side. Then: Per and Dino rose to the occasion with a stellar showing to snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat.

Well done Jeong and Kwon!!

Waldof Mannheim 1 – 2 Freiburg (M-C)

In the first cup match of our blog (seriously…most teams were out and others got cancelled) the tiny league 3 side almost pulled a stunner, until right back Jonathan Schmidt struck a winner. (The match also saw the first starting tandem for Korean kids Woo-Yeong Jeong and Chang-Hoon Kwon…the latter even got the first goal)

Sporting KC 1 – 0 Minnesota

Remember what I said about the Loons knowing how to score. I maintain that the team does, but when coach Adrian Heath opts for a whole sale line shift it doesn’t do anybody much good. Still, they kept it close and only a late bobble by Dayne St. Clair left the Loons in second place in the West.

News & Notes

Don’t send men to do a woman’s job

It is awfully nice to have all our female sides back in action this week. As las electricas and les Grenobloises join the Trolljenta and the Glamorous Griffins to take to the field. Even better, every ladies team recorded a win this week…can’t say that for the men folk.

Also, don’t send men to compete with this design.

Mahama’s Make it Rain Moment

I talk a lot about US politics, but I also notice Ghanaian politics (especially given that their presidential election is just four weeks after ours). NDC (Socialist) candidate John Mahama made an intriguing campaign promise to help every player in the Ghanaian League (including our own Legon Cities FC) to make 1500 cedis a month (or $250 bucks). Just for the sake of comparison: that would be 18,000 cedis in a year (or less than the median Ghanaian makes in the year). Still it would be a big boost to solvency in a league that has been hampered for decades, thereby winning the coveted: Soc’adamfo (Soccer friend) vote. (Also, I should note that it’s unclear if this would supplement existing salaries or replace them.)

Player of the Week

Running away with it

Again it was a pretty even mix of players with no one person turning in a superlative performance. (Unless you have access to game film of the ladies playing in Ecuador/Germany/France…in which case, please show me the dominance. I’d love to see it). In the meantime, we can’t title this with praise for the ladies and then hand it off to Jerome Mombis or Dino Islamovic (sorry guys, you’re worthy runners up). So let’s just say it again: Marit Clausen come on down you’re our favorite (again)!

What’s Next

Wednesday, September 16th

Thursday, September 17th

7:15 Ventspils v. Rosenborg BK (M-E)

Friday, September 18th

Saturday, September 19th

8:30 VfB Stuttgart v. Freiburg (M)

9:00 St. Johnstone v. Ross County

12:00 Grenoble v. AC Ajaccio

1:00 Red Star Belgrade v. FK Vozdovac

6:00 Emelec v LDU de Quito

Sunday, September 20th

11:00 Rosenborg BK v. FK Haugesund

9:00 Tapatio v. Alebrijes

Monday, September 21st

Tuesday, September 22nd

Week 24: So Much News

Week 24: So Much News

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Rad Beograd 0 – FK Vozdovac 2

It might be the scheduling, it might be the refreshing pandemic break, whatever it is, it’s working for the Red Dragons

After 6 games without a point, Vozdovac has won 3 in a row. They vaulted two spots up the standings, with the best performance of any Belgrade team since the restart. (Their 3 opponents stood, 16th, 12th, and 15th in the 16 team Super Liga, but they still are in the Super Liga)

The derby with Rad was marked with typical Serbian League struggle. The home team looked imperious, only for some sterling defensive work to save the day. Some bitter exchanges climax in a red card (this time for Rad’s Veljko Trifunovic who made a stupid stomp even more ridiculous with the biggest “come at me bro” body language outside your local frat house). Vozdovac made their advantage count with two goals in the next half hour as Stefan Hajdin slapped in a low bouncer and Dragan Stoisavljevic finished a beautiful team goal made sweeter by coming right in front of a Confederate flag. (Screw you systemic racism, and screw you Rad Beograd.)

Next Saturday, Vozdovac wraps up their season at home. Next season is secure, and Europe is too far off. But another win would be a great vote of confidence going into the summer.

(M) Wolfsburg 2 – Freiburg 2

When you give up 4 goals in 30 minutes, you need a lot of things to salvage a point. Two overturned goals and a pair of sterling finishes gave SC Freiburg exactly that in their do-or-die tilt for Europe on Saturday.

The Wolves could have sealed a victory early on, but Daniel Ginczec’s rotten luck saw two of Wolfsburg four twine ticklers get pulled back, while gargantuan Dutchman Wout Weghorst capitalized first on a volley and then on a penalty that played a part in cancelling out one of the goals.

The reprieve was reason enough for Freiburg to come back with a sterling second half. Lucas Holer’s diving header from Vincent Grifo’s cross pulled one back before the break, and Roland Sallai’s looping chip of a header won the point.

The draw kept Freiburg’s hopes of a spot in next year’s Europa League alive for now. Given the strength of the German league right now, the team need only reach 7th to go gallivanting about on a Eurail pass. Right now Hoffenheim has that spot, 1 point clear with three to play. Both sides have one likely L in the offing (against Bayern Munich and Dortmund). Hoffenheim plays the teams that are lower on the table (Union Berlin & Augsburg) while Freiburg have the teams in worse form (including Schalke with 1 point in their last 5). There’s a kind of trophy to be had in this weird season after all.

(W) SC Freiburg 6 – FC Koln 1

Another week, another six goal shellacking by the women of SC Freiburg who, in 8 days, went from -14 goals to -3.

Our favorite wündermadchen, Klara Bühl scored again, but the battle to replace her saw Naomi Megroz score twice (I’d love to give more details, but I can’t seem to track down highlights).

To temper our joy, the Griffins have League leading Wolfsburg next. A team that let in 6 goals over the first six months of the campaign and skunked Freiburg 8-0 IN Freiburg last fall. If they rack up 6 on Wolfsburg, I will do the Gangnam Style dance for 90 minutes.

News & Notes

Best. Move. Ever.

OH YEAH GOOD YORIC!

Yoric Ravet is officially the first player to jump from one of our family teams (Freiburg) to another (Grenoble). Though he hasn’t seen the pitch for Freiburg this year, and only factored on the team sheet three times as a substitute, he has a strong history lighting up both Swiss and second division French football. The move will see him return to his first club, Grenoble, and hopefully give the French side a much needed offensive boost. (His twitter feed is a bit out of date, but the plethora of Grenoble cheering tweets will warm your heart)

Loons drawn into local crew

Last week I mentioned that Minnesota United would join a mini-tournament in Orlando. They now know their fate: facing fellow mountain/Midwest sides Salt Lake City, Colorado, and Kansas City. Given the friendly rivalry with KC and the barely restrained animosity with Colorado, this could get interesting.

Staggies Shuffle the Deck

Ferguson (L) and Kettlewell (R) planning
their next stratagem. (The Scotsman)

After two years, a cup title, promotion, and survival in the top league, Ross County have made some changes. Steven Ferguson leaves the technical area to be the club’s chief executive, covering signings as well as academy plans. Stuart Kettlewell takes some control of the first team while veteran midfielder Don Cowie retirés to join the coaching staff and captain Marcus Fraser moves on to new pastures after turning down a County contract.

Legon Cities Eyes the Axe

With a six week restart still required and a lot of the season left to play, Legon Cities and a number of other sides in Ghana seem to prefer cancelling the remaining season and starting afresh in the fall. Whether or not the local federation would approve with the tv money at risk and a battered reputation to clean up, remains to be seen.

Man of the Matches

Give some credit where it is well due, even without scoring a goal, Vazdovac defender Nikola Mikic made all the right moves under the floodlights in Belgrade. He broke up early goal scoring opportunities, added pressure to unnerve big runs and kept his team calm while Rad broke down in dissent with the officials and frustration with each other. Hat tip to you Nikola.

Nikola Mikic rocking scarves and beards with pride

What’s Next

Tuesday, June 16

11:00 Rosenborg BK v. Kristiansund (M)

1:30 SC Freiburg v Hertha Berlin (M)

Wednesday, June 17

7:00 SC Freiburg v. VfL Wolfsburg (W)

Thursday, June 18

Friday, June 19

Saturday, June 20

8:30 Bayern Munich v SC Freiburg (M)

11:00 FK Vozdovac v. FK Radnik Surdulica

1:30 Molde v. Rosenborg BK (M)

Sunday, June 21

7:00 AM SC Freiburg v. FC Koln (W)

Monday, June 22

Tuesday, June 23

Week 12: Do you like…stuff?

Week 12: Do you like…stuff?

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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.

Week 11: Football in the time of COVID

Week 11: Football in the time of COVID

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Alebrijes de Oaxaca 0 – Atlante 1

Alebrijes seemed content to challenge the visitors to stop a variety of longer range efforts. But if their goal was to draw out the back line, it was unsuccessful. Atlante continued to sit back in defense and pepper the box with their own attempts, until Francisco Rivera ran through the defense like a whooping cough patient can run through Target these days. (too soon?)

FK Vozdovac 1 – Partizan Belgrade 2

When you’re a team that hasn’t won all year, facing the team that is the gold standard for Serbian football isn’t appealing. It got even worse for FK Vozdovac as it easily could have been an absolute annihilation had Keeper Marko Ilic not stood on his head for most of the match. A late consolation from Milos Stojcev was a sight to see, but that was about all there was to enjoy.

Legon Cities 0 – Medeama 2

It was over early in the capital when the league leaders came to call on Legon Cities. Prince Opoku Ageymang ripped up the Royals defense to show who the crown really belonged too. As the impotent Legon Cities attack again came up empty, there was little to enjoy but the usual joyous trumpets in the stands.

News & Notes

Coronavirus Crushes Competitions

Like most of the world, I’m taking extra precautions to protect myself, my family, and my strangers from disease. Soccer players are no different. Every league we watch is facing at least some postponements. Some hope to be back at the end of this week (see below) but most everyone else is taking an extra holiday.

Man of the Matches

What better time to debut a new feature than when there are few to no games and all of them were losses?

Recognizing the player of the week is a fun little task to do, even if things aren’t great. This week it’s the man who made the Belgrade derby kind of close! Marko Ilic, Congrats Marko!

What’s Next

Wednesday, March 18

Thursday, March 19

Friday, March 20

Saturday, March 21

Sunday March 22

11:00–FK Vozdovac v. Napredak

3:00 (M) Emelec v. LDU Portoviejo

Monday March 23

Week 9-10: Speed Round

Week 9-10: Speed Round

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores (Plus Recaps Kinda)

Aberdeen 1 v Ross County 2

Motherwell 4 v Ross County 1

Ross County 0 v Rangers 1

Every time the Staggies start to establish some security they slide back to the bottom. Despite a great run of form by Northern Ireland’s Billy McKay, a pair of predictable defeats undid the miraculous win in Aberdeen

Golukam FC 1 – Punjab FC 1

Indian Arrows 1 – Punjab FC 1

Neroca FC 4 – Punjab FC 3

A poor run of late from the men of Minerva means they’ve slipped to third despite Asier Dipanda’s one man efforts to save the day.

(M) Grenoble Foot 0 – Chateroux 1

(W) Grenoble Foot 0 – Nice 0

(M) Caen 2 – Grenoble Foot 0

(W) Thomson Évian 1 – Grenoble Foot 0

(M) Grenoble Foot 1 – Valenciennes 3

Unfortunately, the ladies of the alps continue to suffer near miss after near miss, and may need to rely on goal difference to avoid the drop. Meanwhile, Shockingly, Grenoble struggled to score and to shut down opponents. (Did I shockingly, I meant predictably) Most exposed: left side defenders Loic Nestor and Jerome Mombis who have been about as useful as as a megaphone for a mime.

(M) SC Freiburg 0 – Fortuna Düsseldorf 2

(M) Borussia Dortmund 1 – SC Freiburg 0

(W) SC Freiburg 2 – MSV Duisburg 2

(M) SC Freiburg 3 – Union Berlin 1

(W) Hoffenheim 4 – SC Freiburg 1

Maddeningly inconsistent, Freiburg’s men remain close but not close enough to qualification for Europe. Meanwhile the women’s fortunes have faded with the inability to get WunderMadchen Klara Bühl integrated in the attack, leaving them safe but far from competitive with the imperious Wolfsburg.

Cukariki 2 – FK Vozdovac 1

FK Vozdovac 1 – Vojvodina 2

Indjija 3 – FK Vozdovac 0

Easily the worst run of form of any team we cover, the red dragons are winless in 2020. Worst they’re sliding ever closer to relegation just in time to face local super club Partizan Belgrade

King Faisal 1 – Legon Cities FC 1

Legon Cities 0 – Eleven Wonders 0

Legon Cities 4 – WAFA 1

Berekum Chelsea 2 – Legon Cities 0

The good news: The Royals got their second win of the season! The bad news: they remain just 5 points clear of relegation and face a long season ahead where no number of Hip-Life Half times can make up for a lackluster team.

(M) Emelec 2 – Blooming 0 (Copa Sudamericana)

(M) Emelec 1 – Guayaquil City 2

(M) CSD Macara 1 – Emelec 0

(M) Emelec 4 – Aucas 0

While their goal difference would place them 4th, Emelec’s results have them in 10th. It’s worth wondering if the division of attention between the league and the Copa has them dealing with a bit of a hangover in domestic competition.

Jaibos 1 – Alebrijes de Oaxaca 1

Alebrijes de Oaxaca 0 – Correcaminos 0

Cafetaleros 4 – Alebrijes de Oaxaca 1

February was full of heartbreak for Oaxaca who came up winless and could only manage 2 points from a pair of games against sides fighting relegation. Maybe they’re helpless without an in form Daniel Jimenez. Maybe they’re coasting on their apertura title waiting for a promotion playoff to turn it on. But it may be hard to get up for the big game when you’ve been sleepwalking for a month.

Portland Timbers 1 – Minnesota United 3

San Jose Earthquakes 2 – Minnesota United 5

Our local Loons are flying high to start their campaign. Winning twice on the road in convincing fashion to top the table. The wings have helped keep the attack aloft as killer crosses from Ethan Findlay and Kevin Molino have set up new striker Luis Amarilla twice and even put reigning defender of the year Ike Opara in a goal scoring mood.

News & Notes

I have no idea…I’m burnt out

I’ll do better in future

What’s Next

Wednesday, March 11

Thursday, March 12

9:45 Alebrijes v Atlante

Friday, March 13

2:00–(M) Orleans v Grenoble

Saturday, March 14

8:30–(M) RB Leipzig v Freiburg

9:00–Ross County v Hamilton

9:00–FK Vazdovac v Partizan Belgrade

2:00–Legon Cities FC v Medeama SC

???–(W) Emelec v Guayaquil City

Sunday March 15

3:30 AM–Punjab FC v Aizawl

3:30 (M) Universidad Catholica v Emelec

6:00–New York Red Bull v Minnesota United

Monday March 16