Week 24: The Quiet Season

June 15, 2023 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Recap

Rosenborg BK 4 – 0 Arna-Bjornar (F)

It seems that Rosenborg’s ladies have found their full stride, four goals in the first half put them far ahead, and coach Steinar Lein chose to solidify the lead after half time. Familiar attackers Anna Joesendal and Emilie Nautnes each got a goal, and back-up goalie Lene Christensen returned for the first time this season with a clean sheet.

Montreal 4 – 0 Minnesota (M)

With your mom having a girls night, we celebrated boys night with thirty minutes of soccer watching. Well, I watched and Alex asked questions and Owen bounced around slamming Anna and Elsa into everyone and everything. Sadly, Anna and Elsa had more fun than the Loons who were over run by Montreal including former Loon/Sassy Librarian Mason Toye. Michael Boxall and Miguel Tapias couldn’t do everything and Montreal’s great passes made them too dangerous to stop. But the Loons attack looked better with Emanuel Reynoso involved (though, it may lead to the return of “hero-ball-starring El Rey”…)

Legon Cities 3 – 2 Samartex

The Royals raced out to a quick lead with Ahmed Rahman and Ebenezer Armegah hitting the net before 10 minutes had passed, the Royals repeatedly taking full advantage of some shaky Samartex defending. With the advantage, Legon was able to absorb a lot of Samartex’s attacks, and when Michael Otou got the third with nine minutes to play, the Royals were safe. (It should be noted that Michael received the most Man of the Match honors in the Bet Pawa league this season: cue the slow clap).

Stabek 2 – 2 Rosenborg (M)

Rosenborg fell behind early (an inverse of Legon’s game) but kept driving forward until Jayden Nelson got the first. The second half showed Rosenborg storming the Stabek goal, but coming up empty handed until Erlend Reitan set up Carlo Holse for a last minute equalizer.

Chicago City SC 1 – 3 Minnesota Aurora (F)

The Aurora gave up another goal, but it didn’t make much difference with Kenzie Langdok, Hannah Adler and Mariah Nguyen finding the net and Tianna Harris continuing to lock down the defense en route to being one of the players of the month in the whole USL-W

Emelec 0 – 0 Gualaceo SC (M)

Yup, I got nothing to say here. I do expect that Emelec won’t be overly disappointed to have the first half of the season end on Sunday. (They’ll have one more group match in the Copa Sudamericana, and a win should get them through to the knock-out stage, but a break would not be a bad thing.)

Minnesota Aurora 5 – 0 Green Bay Glory (F)

Rolling smoke from Canadian wildfires made it unsafe to play outside on Wednesday night, but even under a dome and without the normally raucous fans the Aurora continued to run roughshod over opponents, this time with Cat Rapp notching a brace and the steady defensive line once again pitching a shutout.

News & Notes

Overbearing Parent/Coach Update

Alex had another great week at soccer. He ran up and down the field a lot, and continued to love getting in the way of shots, which was convenient because his four man team was dwarfed by a pair of 5 year olds who looked 7 so there was a lot of running to do. And again he got his team’s only goal….but that’s not as much fun as defending. The best thing though: he found several chances to cheer on his team as they ran including little Jack (from Owen’s Pre-school class)

Let’s get Messi

You may remember that I wrote about the delights of watching a World Cup final with you both and seeing one of the greatest players of this generation reach the greatest pinnacle of this sport. Well, that same legendary player has decided to write the last chapter of his story here in the United States, including in Minnesota (eventually).

Messi turned down hundreds of millions from Saudi Arabia (literally the Saudi Arabian government owns four teams…) just for playing, to instead accept hundreds of millions from American companies who will pay him for existing and thereby selling more streaming services, shoes and tickets.

The Loons won’t see him until 2024 at the earliest…assuming he’s willing to play on an icy/sweltering Minnesota pitch in the first place. I’ll continue my internal debate: go watch him, or sell the tickets for much more than they are worth.

International Update

We’ve reached the time in the year where (most) soccer players finally, mercifully, have a break.

Unless you’re really good, in which case you need to play more…but this time for your country!

We don’t have exact names of which players will be going where so here’s a brief overview of possible places to look.

North American players will be gearing up for the Gold Cup, but we’re surprisingly light on those. Dayne St. Clair will likely be hanging around Team Canada’s bench, while Samuel Rogers of Rosenborg could line up again for the US. Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales will look to team up in Honduras’ midfield.

In Europe, we have more players based, but just as many hanging around. Mark Flekken the (now former) Freiburg keeper will be hoping to play in the Nations League semif-finals after start Justin Biljow was smoked by Croatia’s attack). Phillip Leinheart and Michael Gregositch will be ready to go for Austria, and Rolland Sallai will be on hand for Hungary in their Euro Tournament qualifiers, and Mathias Ginter will be the lone Freiburg representing Germany.

Finally, Asian/African teams will simply be getting their work outs in preparing for games ahead with Woo-Yeong Jeong joining South Korea, and Ritsu Doan suiting up for Japan, and Bongokhule Hlongwane aims to help South Africa.

Bet Pawa’s Final Update

And that, as they say, is that.

Medema SC held on to claim the title they were driving for. Their win over Tamale City also doomed the northerners to relegation, when Great Olympics got a big win over Nsoatreman to save their bacon…or fried plantain if you prefer. And unless I’m much mistaken Legon Cities’ 9th place finish equaled their best ever showing.

Player of the Week

As we enter the stage of the season where we only have a few teams playing each week, we’ll be able to reward some players who do extremely well and a few who had good years but weren’t able to be the best player on a given week. This week, it’s time to give an overdue shout out to Tiana Harris. As Alex continues to admire defenders, Ms. Harris is a heckuva role model.

Our Queen T is Captain of the May 2023 @USLWLeague Team of the Month! 👑

Aurora has only allowed one goal in five matches. Harris has also contributed three goals from the backline.#LightTheNorth | #ForTheW pic.twitter.com/UJAnBjh1CE
— Minnesota Aurora FC (@MNAuroraFC) June 9, 2023

Standing

The quiet season means we’re not real likely to see much movement in the standings, but with Minnesota and Rosenborg the only two sides still clicking along after this week (sorry for my pessimism Emelec), we should still have the race to pressure Punjab in full swing.

Team	W	D	L	PPG	GFA	GAA
Punjab–b	12	2	3	2.24	2.29	0.94
Minnesota	14	5	7	1.81	2.08	1.15
Rosenborg	14	6	9	1.66	1.69	0.90
Legon Cities–b	9	7	8	1.42	1.25	1.29
Grenoble–b	15	6	17	1.34	1.16	1.13
Emelec	5	8	6	1.21	1.16	1.11
Freiburg–b	12	7	19	1.13	1.24	1.66
Alebrijes–b	5	5	8	1.11	1.33	1.39
Ross County–b	6	4	12	1.00	1.23	1.50
Vozdovac–b	4	3	11	0.83	0.67	1.65
Montana–b	0	0	0	—	—	—

Table Updated 6/14/22
b–Team is between seasons

What’s Next

Thursday, June 15th

Friday, June 16th

Saturday, June 17th

Minnesota Aurora v. Bavarian United (F)

Sunday, June 18th

Lyn Football v. Rosenborg (F)

Deportiva Cuenca v. Emelec

Monday, June 19th

Tuesday, June 20th

Wednesday, June 21st

Arna Bjornar v. Rosenborg (F)

RKC Soccer Club v. Minnesota (F)

Week 51: The Present is a Gift

December 29, 2022 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Recaps

Ross County 0 – 1 Rangers

A first half goal for the Glasgow giants was more than enough, as Rangers never looked bothered by Ross County, who needed strong showings from Ross Laidlaw and Alex Iacavotti to keep things close.

Elves 3 – 1 Reindeer (North Pole Classico)

Jingle and Sprinkle played with the inspiration of having seen a diminutive creator win it all in Qatar, they applied the same lotic to the annual North Pole Classico. Their victory was a bit more surprising, but well earned after the long battle of making toys for hundreds of millions of children.

Quevilly 2 – 0 Grenoble (M)

Les Alpines could not find the connecting pass to make more opportunities in front of goal, and while old reliables Loric Nestor and Adrien Monfray played well Quevilly had too much to be pushed aside.

Dundee United 3 – 0 Ross County

Whoof. This was a key game for County, who could have gotten a much needed road win against another inconsistent second-tier team. Instead an early own goal against Connor Randall, and a late red card to open up the defense for a decisive third goal gave Dundee a bigger win than other numbers would indicate and dropped the Stags to the bottom of the standings.

News & Notes

‘Tis the Season

The Holidays were a treat as they always are, especially introducing your grandma to Bluey and having cookies and Star Wars marathons. I resisted the temptation to force you into watching Boxing Day Soccer, but Boxing Day sledding was well worth it, and as it turns out, not watching was maybe the best choice I could have made.

Player of the Week

It wasn’t a great week for our favorites, so lets go to the tried and true and cheer on Loic Nestor. Safe to assume he’s earned it already, even if this was an award based on timing rather than talent.

Standings

There’s still a little bit to play for in 2022, as Grenoble can move up as high as 7th with a win, and Legon Cities can slip to 8th or 9th without one. But next week will debut the 2023 table, and the search to see if Rosenborg comes out with their third sippy cup in four tries.

Team	W	D	L	PPG	GFA	GAA
Rosenborg BK–b	36	11	17	1.86	2.23	1.2
Minnesota–b	28	8	15	1.80	1.84	1.27
Freiburg–b	26	14	14	1.70	2.41	1.54
Punjab	12	6	7	1.68	1.52	1.36
Alebrijes–b	14	14	8	1.56	1.28	0.83
Vozdovac–b	14	9	12	1.46	1.03	1.14
Legon Cities	12	13	10	1.40	1.06	0.60
Montana–b	7	7	6	1.40	1.25	0.85
Grenoble Foot	21	10	22	1.38	1.25	1.19
Ross County	13	9	21	1.12	1.12	1.46
Emelec–b	17	13	18	0.67	1.50	1.27

Table Updated 12/29/22
b–Team is between seasons

What’s Next

Thursday, December 29th

Friday, December 30th

Legon Cities FC v. Karela United

Grenoble v. Metz (M)

Saturday, December 31st

Sunday, January 1st

Monday, January 2nd

Aberdeen v. Ross County

Tuesday, January 3rd

Wednesday, January 4th

The Big Lesson from the World Cup

December 25, 2022December 22, 2022 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This World Cup, like every world cup, had a lot to teach us. But one story stood out above the others: the fairy tale story of Lionel Messi.

Messi is world renowned, possibly the most famous soccer player of our age even though he looks like your run of the mill hipster barista. His skills make him possibly the most outstanding player alive, but to many he couldn’t compare with legends of the past, because he hadn’t won the World Cup.

This year was likely to be Messi’s last chance to win the cup. Think pieces, documentaries, podcasts, everyone was talking about Messi’s chance to end his career with a happily ever after. But when the tournament started with a stunning defeat to Saudi Arabia and a lackluster win against Mexico, many people began to talk about how it wouldn’t end well for him. So there was a lot of excitement and uncertainty as the next round approached.

Twas the night before the Second Round

And all ’round the earth

No one was comfortable

In their Round of 16 Berth…
–A silly poem I wrote to your uncles and grandpa before the second round

But as the tournament progressed, Messi grew into the matches. He helped pilot the team through the challenges of knockout matches. As time went on the best teams continued to win, and the best players continued to showcase their skills. Suddenly there was a feeling that Messi might yet win the trophy that had eluded him and end his international career with a flourish.

Still there was reality to deal with. Specifically the fact that real life isn’t a fairy tale. There are any number of fairy tales that could happen, but don’t. In this tournament there were fifteen other teams that felt just as destined. There was a raft of other great stories to hear and legends to tell, and there was excitement for all of them. There was every reason to expect that the fairy tale wouldn’t come true. And as first Australia and then Holland pushed Messi’s team to the limit, only for them to come out on top anyway. But there was still a final to play.

The upsets were over

But the drama was great

both legends and new stars

had made the last eight…

Then during the quarters

There arose such a clatter

Even non-fans tuned in

to see what was the matter

Surprise wins delighted

and PKs caused pain

As Brazil and Ronaldo were ousted

And so too, Harry Kane
Three more stanzas of poetry written after the octa/quarter finals

So we reached the final. The last team in the way of the fairy tale ending was France, the reigning champions, and a team with little patience for narratives. Your grandpa came over, and the whole world tuned in. It looked as though Messi would lead his side to an easy win…until it didn’t.

First one goal, then another, and France had the momentum. Messi scored again…and so did France. It seemed that the fairy tale would end…until, it didn’t, and the dream came true.

Then with the last whistle blown

and the trophy raised high

All our month-long obsessions

Vanished like dust in the sky

With Leo Messi triumphant

And Argentinean victory

We relish the moments

And call on our memories
–Post semis and finals stanzas

That was the big take away. Everywhere I turned, all those think pieces, documentaries, and podcasts, they all echoed the same thing. I tried to think of something different, another moral, another lesson, but honestly, that’s the truth. sometimes, fairy tales do come true (especially if you work tirelessly).

That’s something worth remembering. Given that most of the World Cup carried the stink of corruption, of bribery, of abuse and intolerance, it’s easy to forget that there are magical things that happen. That cynicism can creep into everything that we do until we blind ourselves to even the non-Messi fairy tales.

Dear Boys,

I even saw it a few days after the tournament, as an article introduced a new series on another website. The Athletic will follow 7 players from around the world before the next World Cup kicks off in 2026. One of them, Bikash Yumnam, plies his trade for our own Roundglass Punjab FC. So this series is right in my wheel house, and I was discouraged to read a comment from a fellow reader.

I don’t see the point of following a player who’s still playing in the 2nd Indian division at age 19. He’s likely not going anywhere.
–Athletic Reader “Kim P.”

Perhaps I’m defensive of Punjab FC. Perhaps I’m sentimental. Perhaps I personalized an online comment that maybe took the writer twenty seconds to think about. But this is exactly what drives me crazy. We just saw a fairy tale ending for one of the greatest players of all time. Why can’t we suspend our disbelief and hope for a fairy tale for 19 year old Center back from Manipur?

We can. We should. Because fairy tales come true. Bikash likely won’t win the World Cup in 4 years, but maybe it will. Maybe his fairy tale will end with a Hero League trophy. Maybe it will end with an Asian Cup appearance. Maybe it will end with a hamstring tear that leaves him to find the love of his life. Who knows what it will be, but whatever it is, maybe we can appreciate the magic of it just as much as we believe in the magic of Messi.

Yay Likovic, yay Hakimi

Yay Doan and Gakpo

Yay McCallister, yay Kudus

Yay Adams and Ramo–s

We’ll cheer and we’ll cheer

all through the highlights

Happy World Cup to all

And to all a goodnight
–The end of my poem, another silly bit with dreams about future stars.

Week 50: Back in the Saddle Again

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Recaps

Churchill Brothers 0 – 0 Punjab FC

This was a match that happened.

Ross County 1 – 2 St. Johnstone

In the first match-day back on the British Isles, Yan Dada did his Welsh family proud with some insightful passing that set up a great opener from Jordan White. But two goals in two minutes from Alistair Crawford undid all that good work…sigh…

Punjab FC 1 – 0 Gokulam Kerala FC

The Warriors of Punjab continued their strong end to 2022 with another win, and remained undefeated at home (just down the road from Chandigarh). Luka Majcen was the man behind the big goal, getting revenge on his former team after a sloppy tackle, with his fourth goal in 6 matches. He’s rapidly becoming our favorite Slovenian!

Kotoku Royals 0 – 3 Legon Cities FC

On the one hand, the Royals are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table in Ghana. On the other hand, you need victories over poor teams just as much as you need them over good teams. Legon got their holiday started early with three goals, their most since April, and will hope to kick off 2023 with as much panache as they finished up their 2022.

News & Notes

Small Man Lifts Big Trophy

We had a heck of a time watching the World Cup final with your grandpa.

Okay, I had a heck of a time watching the World Cup final with your grandpa, and you guys had a great time running around, smashing legos into walls and singing/dancing to your hearts content while jacked up on sugary donuts that grandpa brought. But you both watched for at least 15 to 30 minutes, cheering, clapping, and generally getting sucked into the same feeling that your grandpa and I did: it was very nice to watch Lionel Messi, a man whose nickname should probably be “statistical outlier“, finally win the biggest trophy of them all. Alex in particular has decided that the blue and white shirts are his new favorite. So congrats Leo, you are officially in the stratosphere of Pele and Maradonna…and you have another 5 year old fan.

Player of the Week

We’re late in getting back to these, but it’s worth saying that almost every highlight we see of Punjab FC includes the man-bunned #99, Lucka Majcen celebrating with someone else. So let’s thank him the only way we know how: by writing his name in an obscure corner of the internet, where maybe his mom will be amused!

Majcen (middle) celebrating, which he’s done a lot this year (Photo from ILeague)

Standings

The Table remains pretty locked in place, but Legon did see their win vault them up past Montana, and Punjab ended up just outside of the top three. We’ll see if Grenoble or Ross County can adjust their place again.

Team	W	D	L	PPG	GFA	GAA
Rosenborg BK–b	36	11	17	1.86	2.23	1.2
Minnesota–b	28	8	15	1.80	1.84	1.27
Freiburg–b	26	14	14	1.70	2.41	1.54
Punjab	12	6	7	1.68	1.52	1.36
Alebrijes–b	14	14	8	1.56	1.28	0.83
Vozdovac–b	14	9	12	1.46	1.03	1.14
Legon Cities	12	13	10	1.40	1.06	0.60
Montana–b	7	7	6	1.40	1.25	0.85
Grenoble Foot	21	10	21	1.40	1.25	1.19
Ross County	13	9	19	1.17	1.12	1.46
Emelec–b	17	13	18	0.67	1.50	1.27

Table Updated 12/21/22
b–Team is between seasons

What’s Next

Thursday, December 22nd

Friday, December 23rd

Ross County v. Rangers

Saturday, December 24th

Sunday, December 25th

Elves v. Reindeer (North Pole Classico)

Monday, December 26th

Quevilly v. Grenoble (M)

Tuesday, December 27th

Wednesday, December 28th

Dundee United v. Ross County

65. Who Owns Art

December 13, 2022 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Last year, I wrote a lot about trying to understand the balance between our initial responses or judgements about a person (or ourselves, or our world) and the more complete, complex, context that surrounds us all the time. Some of those things come back in what I wanted to write about this month, but in a different way.

In a world with a surfeit of entertainment options, people infer a lot of your personality type based on what you consume. In a culture of infinite privileges, how you choose to spend your finite resources (money, and time) matters a great deal. And so, it’s not only the cultural products you like that matters, but the people who make it.

There’s a whole lot of judgement that circles around what you like. Who/what you support. Who/what you endorse with your time, your money, and your fandom.

Many people get stuck on the notion of liking something created or owned by a person who makes their skin crawl. Enjoying or endorsing the product or work of someone you disdain and disavow can feel awful. But, as I talked about last year, I hope you keep considering the context, and remember that art is owned by the audience, not the artist.

Dear Boys,

For your mom and I, the most contentious bone in this conflict is JK Rowling.

‘Harry your eyesight really is awful,’ said Hermione as *she* put on her glasses.

Illustration–Mary Grand-Pre

When your mom and I were beginning adulthood and eagerly offering books to your Uncle Simon and Auntie Julianna, there was no greater conduit to the world of literature than Ms. Rowling. Her Harry Potter series inspired millions, captivated and delighted billions. It spawned joyous expressions in new writings, and art, in film, television, song and community. It was beautiful.

And then she began to espouse some truly hideous beliefs about those who don’t fit neatly into one gender type.

Rather than accept that she might have more to learn, or that others might see things differently, she has doubled, tripled… centupled down on the notion that her view of people is right and all others are wrong. She has mocked people who found solace and opposite meanings in her books, and she has brought her now considerable wealth to bear to justify her views.

All this is so ugly, that some of the shine on Harry Potter has worn away.

We were still delighted when Alex asked to read them, often again and again. We were more than willing to watch the films, to share the games, and offer our own thoughts about the meaning of the series. But we also know a lot of friends who wonder why we haven’t shunned Rowling and her work yet.

This conflict isn’t entirely consumed by one author though. Soccer is filled with problematic personas. Loons winger Franco Frangapane offers a potent attack…but he also attacks people of different races. The same is true of Ross County coach Malkay McKay whose racist views likely affected his management.

The very World Cup that has consumed the last three weeks falls in this bucket too. The hosts in the Emirate of Qatar have many fine and admirable qualities. They’ve created a small scale but globally inviting celebration of football to demystify the middle east. But they are quick to dismiss anyone who asks too many questions about how homosexual or immigrant people are treated outside of the stadia.

So for three weeks I’ve thrilled with stunning Mema Ochoa saves, and superb Ghanaian strikes, stellar American tackles and Cinderella stories from Japan, Senegal, Australia and Morocco. It’s been a pleasure to cheer the last runs of Messi and Modric, and to learn about Gakpo, Salisu, Doan, and Hakimi. But every game, every thrill, every moment is tempered by the uncomfortable reality that time spent celebrating Qatar, is time not spent promoting change in Qatar and elsewhere.

To chant for the Loons when Frangapane is on the pitch, or revel in wins masterminded by McKay, or express elation that our world has been connected in watching games seems in poor taste to many. I can’t say that they’re wrong.

While all of these people (Rowling, Frangapane, McKay, and the World Cup organizers) present ideas or values that are directly opposed to what I would say or teach to you boys, the things they do and the work they create is bigger than them.

Art is meaningless without an audience. Whether it’s the crafting of a story on the page, the creation of a scoring opportunity, or a grandiose sporting event: none of it means anything unless an audience reads it, watches it, and considers it. Once it leaves the author’s hand (or foot) it ceases to be theirs alone, and becomes our collective property.

In that context, Harry Potter means what you want it to mean. The triumphs of Loons and Stags means something to me, regardless of what it means to the team’s personnel.

To some, that might seem convenient, an excuse to let me continue reading, watching, and cheering with a clear conscience. But I think it’s an active engagement: I won’t just consume and accept, I will watch, consider and make meaning on my own. I am not a docile sheep being herded towards hatred by Rowling, or Qatari billionaires. I am in charge of my own mind, and my free will allows and even encourages me to disagree.

So I will, and I hope that you boys do too. There’s a lot of beautiful things in this world, even though there is also a lot of ugliness. You decide what you see and what you do with it. That’s your power. Use it well.

Week 32: Making Moves

August 11, 2021August 12, 2021 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

News & Notes

Rosenborg 6 – 1 Domzale [M-Europe]

The Norwegian squad welcomed the Slovenian side with a barrage of attacks with Dino Islamovic again at the point of the attack with Emil Konradsen Ceide linking beautifully. Left Back Adam Andersson continued to build up his resume on both sides of the ball notching a goal of his own and a solid spell at the back.

Stabaek 2 – 5 Rosenborg BK [F]

That was almost a stunner. Bunched up in the bottom Stabaek had two leads over RBK (1-0 and 2-1) but then they ladies of Rosenborg rose to the occasion and left no doubt, knocking in 4 goals in 15 minutes. Lisa Marie Utland’s hat trick stole the show and set up a vital match at Sandviken next week.

Grenoble 0 – 0 Guingamp [M]

When a nil-nil result is the best outcome of the season so far, you can see why Grenoble has struggled of late.

Minnesota United 2 – 0Houston Dynamo

I was really hoping to go to this, but the cold that tore through our house made it unviable. I missed out on a good one for the Loons as Emanuel Reynoso continues to make magic happen with a pair of great assists and numerous dangerous chances.

Hibernian 3 – 0 Ross County

The Staggies met a clearly better side and came out clearly the worse for it.

Wurzburger Kickers 0 – 1 Freiburg [M-Cup]

Starting off the season against a Wurzburger side that’s struggling in the fourth division didn’t ask much of the makeshift Freiburg side, but the back line showed well and Jonathan Schmid scored the winner.

Vojvodina 2 – 0 Vozdovac

The Red Dragons continue to struggle this season, as the defense continues to rattle and the attack struggles to connect.

Delfin 1 – 2 Emelec [M]

Los Bombillos seem to be finding their stride, showing strong control over Delfín. The balls were consistently flying in from the wings, but when Alejandro Cabeza got it at his feet in the area it was all they needed with a desperate Delfin unable to stop him when he was that close.

Domzale 1 – 2 Rosenborg [M-Europe]

Rosenborg had to came back to win it, but Domzale’s struggles to score in the first half made clear they wouldn’t be able to challenge RBK’s 6-1 edge. Lower wattage stars: Noah Holm and Andres Konradsen looked to have a great connection working in the second half. The continental squad hasn’t been tested yet but that will change against France’s top flight side: Rennes.

News & Notes

Blood Feud in Bergen

This weekend sees the rematch between Rosenborg and the team that ended their unbeaten run in the Toppseiren (and the current first place side) Sandviken. This time Rosenborg is on the road so the battle will be by all the more difficult, but we have hope: blind foolish hope.

El Rey de las Estrellas

While most leagues save their awards for the end of the year, the MLS likes shouting out superb players mid season to represent the league in a friendly against Mexico’s all stars. This year Reynoso was chosen to represent Minnesota (who’ve never had more than one rep despite a strong first four years in the league).

Messi’s Moving

This week the greatest player of this (maybe any) generation had to leave his life long club. Before I could write this he signed with well-financed French giants Paris Saint-Germain. He’ll make 41 Million bucks for two years, play with some superb teammates and have a chance to win the most coveted club trophy in the world. But what if….he got offers from some of our favorites.

What follows are pitches from possible landing spots for Lionel Messi

Minnesota United: come bring the CONCACAF Champions League to the US! You’ll play alongside a miniature version of yourself in Bébelo, and we’ll pay you Joe Mauer Money ($109 mil)

Emelec: the only trophy that compares with the Champions League is Copa Libertadores, which you can win with us while also avoiding partisan club fans in Argentina. We don’t have quite the same players but we’ll pay more ($75 Million)

Legon Cities: Come change the world and lead us to African Champions League Glory! You’ll probably get Asamoah Gyan to target…eventually and we’ll give you 500 Million Cedis (please don’t ask about the exchange rate)

Rosenborg BK: Why change the world when you can change history! We’ve got elite players, and with you on board we can make UEFA Inter gender teams the future of the sport! Blakstad, Utland, Messi!!! Make it happen (we’ll just give you a share of the team)

Player(s) of the Week(s)

Every little thing he does is magic, give it up for Emanuel Reynoso.

Standings Update

The Troll Teams are giving the University Of Montana very little room for error as a three win week keeps them well within reach of their second strait MacKenzie Cup.

Team	W	D	L	PPG	GFA	GAA
University of Montana–b	9	0	2	2.5	2.1	0.6
Rosenborg BK	21	4	5	2.2	2.7	1.0
Emelec	20	8	10	1.8	1.5	1.2
Minnesota United	7	5	5	1.53	1.2	1.2
Punjab FC–b	7	4	6	1.47	1.2	0.9
Freiburg	13	4	13	1.43	1.7	1.6
Legon Cities–b	11	6	11	1.39	1.2	1.0
Grenoble Foot	10	8	10	1.36	1.1	1.3
Ross County	8	2	11	1.32	1.2	1.3
Alebrijes	4	7	6	1.05	1.4	2.1
FK Vozdovac	6	6	11	1.04	0.9	1.7

Table Updated 8/11/21
b–Team is between seasons

What’s Next

Wednesday, August 11th

Tlaxaca FC v. Alebrijes

Thursday, August 12th

Friday, August 13th

Saturday, August 14th

Arminia Bielefeld v. Freiburg

Sandviken v. Rosenborg BK [F]

Vozdovac v. Novi Pazar

Niort v. Guingamp [M]

Minnesota United v. Los Angeles Galaxy

Sunday, August 15th

Mjondalen v. Rosenborg

Emelec v. CSD Macara

Monday, August 16th

Tuesday, August 17th

San Jose Earthquakes v. Minnesota United

30. Out of Many, One

July 23, 2020 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Dear Boys,

We’re in a strange state.

It feels like I say that every week, but every week of this project finds our country in an increasingly strange state of affairs.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the United States has relapsed into a worse rate of infection than we had before. Other countries are getting better, we’re getting worse. And there’s a very real possibility that our one saving grace: a low rate of people dying from the disease, may not last much longer.

Why is this? There are plenty of possible answers but the one that makes the most sense to me is this: a team of competing individuals can lose, competitive individuals together on a team cannot.

It comes back to the national motto: “E Pluribus Unum”, Latin for “Out of Many, One”. Out of many states, from many different interests, from many unique positions: one national society.

It’s a nice motto. It captures who we are and who we aspire to be. It is good both for a diverse nation and a typical sports team.

It’s just doesn’t reflect us that well.

Out of our many positions, we have many societies. From our many interests, we have a competition to see which one stands supreme.

It stands out in sports as well. While we might think that out of many players comes a team, or from many teams a champion, the way sports is sold makes it more likely that from many players comes several players you love or love to hate. It’s not so much about this team or that, it’s about Brady, or LeBron, or Giannis, or Bellicheck. Even sports without transcendent superstars are talked about in terms of where the next star is. Baseball is still looking for the next Willie Mays, hockey the next Gretzky.

Totally humble Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner (Sports Illustrated)

Some people will tell you that’s because the players are prima donnas, playing for themselves and for contracts rather than a “love of the game”. But it’s on us too. Owners (like Comiskey, Steibrenner, or Cuban) have long looked out for their own bottom lines not the interchangeable players or communities. Fans also talk about their wins, their trophies, their bragging rights, dismissing players’ humanity.

So, it can’t be too surprising that we, as a nation of individuals, look for ways to compete and win and beat others both in sports and in life. In the context of American sports and individualism, it makes sense that many people would rather go to a party for themselves than wear a mask to protect a bunch of others they’ll never know. If we care so much about being “winning”, we will accept that many of our neighbors have to lose. So long as we get what we want (a vote, a haircut, a return to the way things were), it’s okay for others to lose (a job, a loved one, a home).

Part of the reason I love soccer is that it defies these transcendent players and narratives. Lionel Messi can’t be goalie and creator. A team that waits for its star to save the day, isn’t likely to be champions (just ask Zlatan-era Los Angeles teams).

So while there’s a steady thrum of questions like: “where’s the American Messi,” or “when will the US Men’s game find their own Megan Rapinoe”? I think that is part of the problem.

It’s not about that competitive individual, it’s about several individuals, coming together to compete for a common purpose. Where’s the American Liverpool? When will the US Men’s game find a partnership like Julie Blakstad and Marit Clausen? How can I help myself, and my neighbors, and total strangers I don’t expect to see today?

We are competitive. That’s a strength, not a flaw. But as long as we are competing with each other rather than for each other, it’s just going to get stranger and stranger, until, from many, we are many more.

23. Ask to Help

June 4, 2020June 5, 2020 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Dear Boys,

After the last three months, I know you can see the ways that life will be hard for you. Rarely have we had as long or as unsettling a series of experiences as we have had in 2020. While you are insulated from most of it now by your age, your sex, your family’s financial status, and your innocent age, I know that you’ve gathered some of the pressure that’s on your parents, grandparents, and neighbors every day.

At times like these the pressure often pushes us to do one of a few things: look outward to find someone to blame, or look inward for support. Please, please, please boys look inside yourselves and ask “how can I help?” as often as possible.

In the last week, our neighborhood has been on fire, our block has teemed with men and women carrying guns, our streets have been covered with heavy duty army grade equipment. I know you loved the sight of so many different trucks, Alex, but I also know that you saw your mama and I looking stricken, confused, and worried. Owen, I’m sure you could feel the anxiety in our arms and urgency in our whispers.

But more than think about what has happened or assigning blame for why, what matters now is helping with doing something next. This is where sports provide us with a reflection on life.

When things go wrong, some players ask who’s to blame. They turn around and point fingers and demand that others change to serve them. Think about the best goalie in American soccer history: Hope Solo.

Solo was excellent for the Women’s National Team, and she knew it. If the team won, it was because she was great. If the team lost, she often put the onus on dirty playing opponents or incompetent teammates and coaches. In particular, she lambasted her predecessor (and Minnesotan Soccer saint) Briana Scurry after a 4-0 loss.

Some people will tell you that such focus and ego is essential to being an all-time great. That may be true. Certainly Solo is an all-time legend. But sports, especially soccer, like life, isn’t about your own individual greatness, it’s about the community around you.

The most dominant player today…and Lionel Messi.

Consider the two players named the best in the world last fall: Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe. Each is excellent sure, and certainly, each has an ego. Messi’s competitiveness is legendary, but his memory for failure is short. He has the most goals in the history of Spanish football, he also has the most assists, providing opportunities for others and making his team (like himself) successful.

Likewise, Rapinoe is a dominant, tenacious competitor. Likewise she can be an imperious goal scorer and a tremendous distributor. But unlike the antagonistic Solo, or the quiet Messi, Rapinoe still speaks up, but does so to promote and support, rather than to diminish or blame.

She knelt to oppose police violence when no other women or white athletes were taking such a position. She questioned the expectation that her team celebrate with a divisive and crude leader. She repeatedly risks her own income to emphasize equal pay for all the women on the team. Rapinoe doesn’t just focus on her own greatness, she works for a greater society for all.

We could take this time to think about ourselves. But our discomfort doesn’t come from the peaceful protesters who camped out on our yards on Monday, or the frustrated few who broke things across the river last week.

It’s not something that the mayor, the police chief, the governor or even the president could control, and we shouldn’t waste time parceling out responsibility to them.

Even the officer, whose callous indifference to cries for help cost George Floyd his life, doesn’t shoulder the blame for our unease. We weren’t physically harmed by him and our unease is nothing compared to the Floyd family’s loss. He is simply the embodiment of a larger, heavier, inescapable system that fostered a belief that what he chose to do was right. It’s the system that makes us uneasy, and all the people, organizations, and inner voices we want to fight against that cause us this conflict.

Rather than assigning blame and absolving ourselves, like Hope Solo or our All-of-the-Credit-None-of-the-responsibility president, we can take this moment to ask how can we help. We can give, we can volunteer, we can agitate and advocate. We can assist others like Messi, we can fight for change like Rapinoe. And if you’re not sure what to do, start by asking “how can I help”, then do the needful.

18. Distracting GOATS

April 30, 2020May 5, 2020 by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Dear Boys,

Cooped up as we are these days, it’s tempting to chase after distractions with an almost reckless zeal.

Ooh an oral history of the making of a movie I haven’t seen, better read that!!

Twitter tells me to choose three of nine Disney villains to keep: allow me to carefully analyze my options for the next two hours!

Hmm what was the name of that guy in that thing with that hat I liked? Let’s start the googling!!

In this unplanned off=season for sports, those kind of distractions are even more inviting and attention grabbing. Without the steady stream of results and data points to analyze, fans around the world have begun to fixate on debates over who was the Greatest of All Time (or GOAT).

Which triple crown winning horse would beat the others? Which World Cup winners from 2019 would make the legendary 1999 squad (and vice versa)? And, of course, Messi or Ronaldo? Jordan or Kobe or Lebron? Gibson or Maddux? Messi or Kobe or Maddux?

Let’s be clear: GOAT debates are fun, but they are also pointless.

I’m not saying that you should never indulge in a little thought experiment. If you love a sport and it’s history, It’s quite amusing to wonder whether Ruth & Gherig’s Murderer’s Row of the ’27 Yankees could beat Jeter, Clemens, and the ’98 Yankees.

I’m also not saying that you have to eschew these questions in favor of weightier debates over say: universal healthcare, or whether the role of the state can ever be expanded (even temporarily) without impinging on civil liberties.

I’m saying that GOAT debates aren’t the ultimate arbiter of athletic excellence.

I’m saying that fixating on these questions or righteously defending our answers to them is not the fans equivalent of a championship game.

I’m saying subjective evaluations distract us from appreciating accomplishments in and of themselves.

Which was the more monumental accomplishment: Roger Bannister’s 4 Minute Mile, or Nadia Comaneci’s Perfect 10 at the Olympics? Here’s a better question: have you SEEN THESE!?!?

Bannister’s Four Minute Mile

Comaneci’s Uneven Bars Routine

I mean…who cares which I think is better. No offense, but, I don’t care which you think is better. Let’s not compare, let’s just enjoy. Enjoy watching Bannister churn his legs into a sudden burst in the last 300 meters. Enjoy watching his form wobble as he realizes what he’s about to do. Enjoy watching Comaneci’s hands slap and swing and swiftly switch between bars. Enjoy watching her speed and grace and strength beyond what any one else could do.

Sure, it’s fun to debate these things. It is a great distraction. But it doesn’t change the fact that both accomplished incredible things. Nor does it stop us from admiring the athletic skill in each case. Watching those accomplishments its much more fun to relish the moment rather than rehash infinitesimal differences to support an irrelevant argument.

The same is true for all those other questions: which all-time great line up would win a game? Pfft. How much fun would it be watching Gherig stretch at first to get Jeter by a whisker?

Megan Rapinoe needs a trophy case
THIS BIG

Which 2019 star could keep up with the ’99-ers? I have no clue, but man, imagine Rapinoe and Hamm running roughshod over every field between here and the Moon.

We don’t have to live in an either or world: you get to watch Messi ping-pong, and Ronaldo lash thunderous free kicks; you can tremble at Gibson’s fast ball and gawk at Maddux’s control; you can swoon at a Jordan scoop, a Kobe step-back, and a LeBron stuff; and when that’s all done you can also thrill at a triple in Kickball, or shout about a saved slap-shot, or stare in disbelief at any number of lesser-knowns far from the GOAT debate.

You’re going to be pushed in life to pick sides or argue for one thing over another. Sometimes you should, but when it comes to debating “Greatness” remember, everything has a touch of greatness.