Welcome to year three of this sports writing exercise. I hope that who ever you are who reads this, please write a note so I know who you are. Otherwise I’ll just leave this awkwardly for my kids to read…when they are able to read.
Results
Legon Cities 0 – 1 Accra Lions
Not exactly the way we’d hope to start out the new year. But facts are facts, and Legon Cities struggles on offense are as they ever where: debilitating. There was no shortage of opportunities, but the Lions were able to hold off the Royals and got one of their own back in the second half to snatch the points.
News & Notes
Adieu…
Jerome Mombris is one of only three players to make the starting XI for this blog two years in a row. Julie Blakstad is a force of nature, Emanuel Reynoso is a cut above the competition, but Jerome was a true leader and exemplar for a Grenoble team that was uneven, then stellar, and then, done with him. Jerome did it all and helped lead the side (while also partnering with Minnesota United back Romain Metanire on international duty for Madagascar). Though he left Grenoble last fall, he left the game for good this week, and, like all the teams he played for and fans who loved him, we wish him the best: merci Jerome! Merci pour tout.
Ehhhhhhh…..
Speaking about Emanuel Reynoso…he um…well…he went to jail on suspicion of attacking a teenager. Suspicion isn’t proof and we shouldn’t jump to judge, but it seems that he’s been there for a while and there’s no concrete evidence he’s heading back to the States any time soon. So…it looks like Julie’s the last person standing, doesn’t it?
The other alphabet
You boys are good with your A, B, Cs and you’re getting better with your Greek letters too! Now it’s time for Omicron, the latest variant of the germs, and one that is so easily transmitted that the whole world shut down…again. Almost like the people who refuse to learn from the past are destined to repeat it. Including…the entire Indian Hero League, which, after an outbreak in their bubble was forced to reschedule the entire season for all teams…whee.
Players of the Weeks
With only one team in action this week (and with the poor/highlight free performance of that team), we don’t have much to choose from. So let’s pay some respect to someone from history who deserves a little more awareness: Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio Viera de Oliveira, or more simply, Socrates.
The midfielder reached his playing peak when I was born (and your grand parents were totally oblivious to his exploits). But I’d like to look beyond his play on the field towards what he did beyond it. While he was an incisive and excellent distributor, he was more than that. He was a strong student who insisted on completing his studies to be a doctor. When he hung up his boots, he went to his hometown to practice medicine (something everyone around the world can appreciate much more during this global pandemic). He also stood up for his beliefs, pro-peace, pro-community, pro-democracy (he spearheaded a revolutionary Brazilian club style during a military dictatorship). In all, he seems to have done a fabulous job of being a human being first and a soccer player second. Well done Socrates! (In case you struggle to spot him during this highlight reel, just look for the guy who is approximately 65% legs…you know…like me)
Standings Update
Not terribly dramatic or remotely indicative of where we’ll end up, but still worth being consistent here.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| University of Montana–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rosenborg BK–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Emelec–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Punjab FC–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Freiburg | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grenoble | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Minnesota United–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FK Vozdovac | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ross County | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alebrijes | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Legon Cities | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, January 5th
Alebrijes v. Cancun FC
Thursday, January 6th
Friday, January 7th
Saturday, January 8th
Freiburg v. Arminia Bielefeld [M]
Grenoble v. Auxerre [M]
Sunday, January 9th
Grenoble v. Rodez [F-Cup]
Monday, January 10th
Dreams FC v. Legon Cities FC
Tuesday, January 11th
Jaibos v. Alebrijes
MacKenzie's Boot Room 