Tag: Marit Clausen

Week 31: 3 Steps Forward, 3 Steps Back

Week 31: 3 Steps Forward, 3 Steps Back

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Scores

Columbus Crew 1 – 2 Minnesota United (PK)

The Loons may not have had a lot of hype coming in, but they played an effective/brutal game against Columbus. The squad took the lead when Robin Lod finally got lucky knocking in a set piece. They kept the lead as Ozzie Alonso and Hassani Dotson kept the attack away. They nearly lost it, but were saved by Tyler Miller’s big body covering a late winner and multiple penalties.

With all that effective if unglamorous play enabling the win, the Loons moved on to face San Jose (more on that in a sec).

Rosenborg BK 3 – 0 Viking (M)

The early stages of the game made the final result truly startling. Viking seemed to pick out perfect passes stopped only by unfriendly woodwork, or desperate blocks. But The Troll Gutter righted course and brought on their own attack.

A superlative strike force came to the fore with Pål André Helland squeezing a scintillating shot past the keeper and Torgeir Børven knocking in a perfect long cross from Erland Dahl Reitan. Viking played better than the score indicates, but when the season ends, the score will be all that’s left.

FK Vozdovac 1 – 3 FK Radnik Surdulica

In a throwback to the months of Vozdocac BEING dominated, the Red Dragons didn’t have much chance, starting on the back foot and ending on their rumps. Defenders Luka Jakovljevic and Marko Gajic looked to have terrible nights, but I could be wrong. The way Radnik ate up the defense, they might just have been giant piles of Slatko (Serbian fruit preserves) dressed up in uniforms. (A mindnumbingly bad challenge by Marko Zivkovic is worth mentioning, but only worth watching if you are a glutton for punishment)

San Jose Earthquake 1 – 4 Minnesota United

The Loons are without defender of the year Ike Opara. Hot shot signing Luis Amarilla has been missing in action. Captain and master midfielder Ozzie Alonso has been limited by injury. So of course they cruised into the semi finals of the MLS is Back Cup with a dominant showing, as Hasani Dotson dominated the center of the pitch and Jan Gregus continued to pepper the box with nearly perfect set pieces.

Rosenborg BK 1 – 1 Klepp (W)

The Troll Jenter were the first to falter in their month long tussle atop the Toppserien. While Lillestrom and Vålerenga won, their draw at home was saved by a late equalizer from sub Sara Kanutte Fornes. The result sees them slip to third in the table, and make the match against Vålerenga in two weeks all the more important.

Odd 2 – 1 Rosenborg BK (M)

The coup of the offseason might have been Rosenborg signed away the golden boot winner from Odd: Torgeveir Børven.

Maybe that was all the motivation Odd needed, as they put Børven in a bottle with only 25 touches in the game. A few well placed strikes from distance put enough past the normally stingy back line that even a late strike and some nifty work by Dino Islamovic and Emil Konradsen Cide couldn’t salvage a point.

Emelec v. Orense (M) See note below.

Ross County 1 – 0 Motherwell

Listening in to the match on Scottish radio was a wonderful exercise in imagination and appreciation of the old days. It was also terrifying because the game was mildly terrifying.

Ross Stewart starred throughout the first half, holding on the defense and perfectly placing a penalty kick to take a lead in the first half. The Staggies stayed conservative in the second half, seeking to hold on to a vital three points against a strong Motherwell team. After avoiding disaster on Liam Donnelly’s poorly taken penalty shot, a poor challenge from Motherwell’s Callum Lang earned a late red card and helped seal the win for the Staggies.

News & Notes

Ecuador in Delay

From Emelec’s official photographer

We were pumped to see Emelec back in action (just look at our reflection on Emelec’s place as one of our teams last week), but The Liga Pro is holding off two more weeks as teams take a little more time to prepare.

Los Bombillos did take the field to train against Guayaquil City, but wound up short on a 3-1, 135 minute affair.

Grenoble Gears Up

The French Alps side took the field to train against Ligue 1 mainstays Niemes and held their own with two goals from open play. Of course it was just one training exercise for two teams shaking off months of rust, so clearly this shows that Grenoble Foot 38 are destined for greatness this year!

Sidebar: This match featured Birger Meling )(recently added to Niemes from Rosenborg) against Yoric Ravet (who moved from Freiburg to Grenoble.) Thus marking the first time two players from our favorite 11 sides faced off (even if the game didn’t matter)

Ghana hopes to halt Haitus on Halloween

The Ghana Premier League was abuzz for restarting the league this year, only to be sucker-punched by COVID-19. As the disease picks up on the continent, the restart has been delayed as well. Now the league hopes to start up their second stab at a first season at the end of October. Reports suggest they will do so with two divisions rather than one simple table. Strangely, Legon Cities, based just outside of coastal Accra will play in the Northern division against heavyweights like Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold. Maybe it’s an homage to the team’s history in the far northern city of Wa, or maybe there’s just that many teams on the coast.

Player of the Week

The Loons did everything they had to and more to get two critical wins in the knockout stages of their tournament. Perhaps the biggest shift has been their consistently impressive performance on set pieces. Much of the credit for that goes to the accuracy of midfielder Jan Gregus (Gray-Goosh). For the last two years I have promised that if I see us score on a set piece, I will finally learn which slavic country Mr. Gregus hails from. So I’m happy to say: JAN GREGUS IS SLOVAKIAN. HURA SLOVENSKO! GREGUS JE SKVELY!

Gregus and Juice (From Star Tribune)

What’s Next

Tuesday, August 4th

Wednesday, August 5th

1:00 Indjija v. FK Vozdovac

Thursday, August 6th

7:00 Orlando City v. Minnesota United

Friday, August 7th

Saturday, August 8th

8:00 AM Sandviken v. Rosenborg BK (W)

9:00 AM Hamilton Academical v. Ross County

Sunday, August 9th

1:00 FK Vozdovac v. Vojvodina

1:00 Rosenborg BK v. Sarpsborg 08 (M)

Monday, August 10th

Tuesday, August 11th

*7:00 MLS is Back Championship (IF MNUFC Wins on Thursday)

Week 30: Grin and Marit

Week 30: Grin and Marit

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Scores

Colorado Rapids 2 – 2 Minnesota United

This game gave us two things. One was the memory that Romain Metanire + Ethan Finlay equals right wing gold. (Gold we’ll hopefully see glitter again if we get to go watch them sometime this year.) Seriously that second goal was a thing of beauty and a joy to behold.

Two was a chance to watch a game that mattered mathematically and teach grandma MacK some of that calculus

Explaining the games to grandma

Of course, with progression assured, there was a little more sloppiness than usual, but that’s all a side note before tomorrow’s game against Columbus

Arna Bjornar 1 – 2 Rosenborg BK (W)

The ladies in black and white continue to show superlative form with another road winner. Marit Clausen scored again because of course she did, but the hero of the hour (or hour and a half rather) was substitute Lisa Marie Utland. Her 90th minute laser beam header made it three wins from three, and you’re forgiven, if, like me, you’re ready to shave the Troll Children’s record into your hair. (I mean, obviously I won’t because haircuts are risky in the age of COVID, but that’s about my only reason.)

FK Haugesund 1 – 0 Rosenborg BK (M)

For the first time since the opening weekend, the Troll Children dropped all the points. (Sidebar: should they be Troll Boys while the Kvinner are the Troll Girls? is that too gender binary??)

The air was sucked out of the away side early on when a late and sloppy slide from Anders Trondsend conceded a penalty that Niklas Sandberg converted within ten minutes. From then it was rather dispiriting The Trollgutter looked shaky and shambolic in defense, and seemed desperate in the attack. The loss dropped them out of the top 4, but as their only other defeats came to top two sides Bodo/Glimt and Molde, there’s plenty of reason to hope.

News & Notes

More Kickoffs Coming

This week sees a return for the Serbian League (yes, they were in action just a month ago, and yes Vozdovac kicks off against the same team they wrapped up against), the Scottish League (with Ross County back under singular manager Stuart Kettlewell), and the Ecuadorian Men’s League (starting afresh with the fall campaign). While other leagues are unsure about their restart date, the Montana Grizzlies can boast about being the most feared team in all the Big Sky ahead of their September 18th return.

New Opportunity For Oaxaca

Alebrijes de Oaxaca might have been on the cusp of the big time in Mexico. Then COVID-19 shut down the season and eliminated promotion for six years. So, instead of saddling up against the big boys, Alebrijes will play in the new “Liga de Expansion” with 17 teams seeking to stabilize the lower leagues. They have a few weeks left to kick off, but let’s get excited now, shall we?

Loons Swoon into Knockouts

The late winner that kicked off their campaign in Orlando seems a distant memory, after Minnesota wobbled through a couple draws. Still 16 of 24 teams advance, which is pretty darn convenient. Still they are undefeated and rank third in the updated league table. Sadly, finishing second in the group behind second place Kansas City earns them a match up against top of the table Columbus Crew…YAY MLS

Player of the Week

Let’s not mess with a good thing, shall we? Marit Clausen. We remain your biggest family of fans on our street in St. Paul. (It’s Minnesota, we assume there are more fans/family of yours nearby)

Clausen (Left) with winning Utland (right)

What’s Next

Tuesday, July 28th

7:00 Columbus Crew v. Minnesota United

Wednesday, July 29

Thursday, July 30

1:30 Rosenborg v. Viking (M)

Friday, July 31

Saturday, August 1

12:30 FK Vozdovac v FK Radnik Surdulica

**7:00 San Jose Earthquake v. Minnesota United

Sunday, August 2

8:00 Rosenborg BK v. Klepp (W)

1:30 Stabaek v Rosenborg BK (M)

2:00 Emelec v. Orense (M)

Monday, August 3

1:45 Ross County v. Motherwell

Tuesday, August 4

30. Out of Many, One

30. Out of Many, One

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.

Prima donna superstar Babe Ruth.

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.

Distance Shmistance (National Post)

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).

Waiting for Messi (La Marca)

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.

Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Start 0 – 0 Rosenborg BK (M)

That was a thing that happened. Moving on.

Real Salt Lake 0 – 0 Minnesota United

Your curly haired “cousin”
(Minnesota United)

Both Salt Lake and Minnesota won their first games of the “MLS is Back” tournament (which I still prefer to call “July Jamboree”), so they naturally played a boring as hell cagey match with both teams taking a point and staying in position to advance. However, Minnesota got to see Thomas Chacon, who looks to be only a couple months older than you boys, so that was nice

Rosenborg BK 3 – 1 Kolbotn (W)

For the first time this year, RBK had both the ladies and the gentlemen playing at home on the same day. Unfortunately, also for the first time this year, the ladies of Rosenborg gave up a lead. Though Cesile Andreassen put them up in the first half amid a rampaging attack, Kolbotn struck quickly after half time to level the score.

Then Marit Clausen did a number of Marit Clausen-y things (you know dominating the air, causing havoc in front of goal) and Rosenborg ran out winners. None too shabby for an undefeated start to the season, and it should be said that their post match song is flame.

Rosenborg BK 2 – 1 Sandefjord (M)

The gentlemen of Rosenborg found a way to win and sweep the double header day thanks to Kristoffer Zachariassen whose presence on corner kicks was a major difference maker. Scoring one in the first half on a blooping cranial chip, and a second to seal the win

One concern for the now fourth place Rosenborg side is that during this six game unbeaten run their attacking crew has changed more often than filters in a home made Coronavirus mask.

Midfielder Zachariassen now has four goals, all from set pieces, while no other player has more than 1 (including big name signings Dino Islamovic and Torgeir Borven, as well as stalwart Pal Andre Helland, and starlet Emil Konradsen Ceide). Combine Sunday’s scrambles for goal with the paltry opportunities on offer in their midweek game at Start, and RBK has reason to start strategizing differently

News & Notes

Kvinning

Yes, Rosenborg is on top of the ToppSerien in Norway. Yes, this is the first time any of our teams has led any league during this (admittedly relatively recent project). Yes, this means they are awesome and we’re having a lot of fun. In particular, Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad who are now tied for the ToppSerien golden boot watch! Can’t lie, this is fun.

Young Warriors walk away, Loons check in

This is not the offseason Punjab FC would have hoped for. First came the transfer ban, and this week two young stars left the club. According to the awesome Nehal from the Away End, first Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, headed to Odisha FC, and now Makan Chothe has left for top tier side FC Goa

Bebelo may be flying north soon
(Photo from ESPN)

Meanwhile, Minnesota United have their eyes set not on a departure but a massive acquisition: Emanuel “Bebelo” Reynoso a young star for Boca Juniors in Argentina. While Boca is stacked and playing time is thin, Reynoso still seems like a serious talent who could light a fire under the Loons offense while the defensive spine continues to blockade the goal.

Player of the Week

Marvelous Marit
(RBK.no)

Right now Marit Clausen’s game is so hot it makes a July day in Minnesota feel like a January day in Minnesota. Clausen is so on fire that she doesn’t drink water to cool down, she drinks flame retardant chemicals (Note: THAT WAS A JOKE, DON’T DRINK FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS EITHER IF YOU PLAY WELL, PLAY POORLY, OR NEVER PLAY AT ALL). Clausen has kicked so much butt, that Chuck Norris is asking her for pointers. Point is Marit Clausen rocks.

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 22

9:30 Colorado Rapids v Minnesota United

Thursday, July 23

Friday, July 24

Saturday, July 25

8:00 Arna Bjornar v. Rosenborg BK (W)

Sunday, July 26

1:30 FK Haugesund v Rosenborg BK (M)

Monday, July 27

Tuesday, July 28

Week 28: Practically Perfect in Every Way

Week 28: Practically Perfect in Every Way

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Lyn Football 1 – 4 Rosenborg BK (W)

A late first half goal put RBK up, and a flurry to start the second half put it away. Marit Clausen and, our fave, Julie Blakstad each had a brace to give RBKKvinner a first win in their new colors.

The win saw RBK jump to a tie atop the ToppSerien. Granted both of the top two teams have big wins against last-placed Lyn, but wins are wins and with four points being the maximum this year, this may be a great year for parity.

Rosenborg BK 3 – 0 Stromsgodset (M)

Another strong showing from Rosenborg’s men’s side, should allay some fear of regression. That it came together only after a second half substitution may leave some lingering tactical questions.

Pål André Helland played the hero with a goal and two assists in just 31 minutes of game time. Coach Trond Henriksen opted to drop Helland for more recent signees Carlo Holse, Dino Islamovic and Torgeir Børven, but in retrospect, maybe play the hot hand…er, foot.

Sporting KC 1 – 2 Minnesota United

Your mom and I got to watch the second half of this game after you boys went to bed.

We missed the bad news: a spotty defense without Ike Opara and Ozzie Alonso, and a shaky offense after both Luis Amarilla and Mason Toye caught an injury each. But we did see a stellar comeback led by Aaron Shoenfeld who drew a red card from KC keeper Tim Melia, then provided the distracting target for an equalizing own goal.

Finally a late winner worked from a cross by Roman Metanire to a redirection by Raheem Edwards and a ripping finish by Kevin Molino elicited a lot of reactions. I shouted “yes!” Your mom muttered “wow!” Broadcaster Taylor Twellman gave us 12 variations on “it wasn’t pretty, but it is a win”. And Minnesota sang Wonderwall for the first time in months.

News & Notes

Welcome Back, Man

There are increasing signs of a slightly more normal fall. COVID cases are falling in most countries and most major leagues are gearing up for a return to action in August. Social media is full of training camps from Dingwall and Grenoble to Belgrade and Guayaquil.

College Plan

One place where transmission of COVID-19 is still deeply problematic is right here in the US. While the professional leagues have kicked off with modified structures, college conferences are still mulling their options. Several big football conferences have narrowed their scope to games against regional rivals only. No word yet on if Grizzly Soccer will follow suit, but they do seem keen on making sure you mask up if you come to cheer.

Punjab Ban

There’s no plan yet for India to return to the pitch either, which offers some particularly bad news for Punjab FC. Without any matches for amusement, fans could be watching rosters for some daydream thrills. But that watch got a lot more pointless this month.

Hristan Denkovski, who ended up being much
more expensive than initially thought (Sportskeeda)

Over a year ago, former Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj signed Macedonian Hristijan Denkovski. Denkovski didn’t show so Bajaj ended the contract without paying him. Then Bajaj sold the club, COVID hit, and Denkovski still hadn’t been paid (even though Bajaj and the new owners knew they had to). Now, almost a year later, international judges levied the consequence for not paying someone who never played for you: NO MORE SIGNING ANYONE FOR A YEAR!! I’ll bet there’s another appeal coming, but surely it would’ve been easier to pay the man $18,000 and move on. Instead the club faces the soccer equivalent of having your library card set on fire because you didn’t pay six month of late fees on Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

Woman of the Matches

Sure Pål André Helland played a part in every goal against Stromsgødet, and Kevin Molino netted a late winner, but I’m of going to miss the chance to plant myself firmly in the driver seat of the Julie Blaksted Hype Train. Three goals in two games have put the Kvinner in the thick of the early title race

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 15

Thursday, July 16

1:30 Start v. Rosenborg BK (M)

Friday, July 17

9:30 Real Salt Lake v Minnesota United

Saturday, July 18

Sunday, July 19

9:00 Rosenborg BK v. Kolbotn (W)

11:00 Rosenborg BK v. Sandefjord (M)

Monday, July 20

Tuesday, July 21