Week 3: The Agony of Defeat
This week we played Peninsula United, our one true hope for a win this season. In true Gunners fashion, we found a way to lose. The game was tied at 0 to 0 until the latter part of the second half when Jurgen fouled a Peninsula player by sliding in from behind. The tackle got ball first then the guy but in this league a tackle from behind is illegal. Peninsula scored on the ensuing penalty kick. Sad times for all involved as we went down to defeat.
Other notable contributions to our loss included large numbers of our team not showing up, again in true Gunner fashion. We still managed to field 11 players but shortly into the second half something "popped" in Patrick's leg and we were left with only your humble author at forward.
That's right, your humble author at FORWARD! I managed to create extreme havok at the begining of the game by harrying midfielders and backs, stealing the ball and causing several throw-ins. But unfortunately my 283 pounds of soccer fury quickly ran out of gas and I had to pick my spots. I had a couple of ineffective shots on goal, one of which ended with my cleat stuck in the oppenent's shorts, pulling them down inadvertently.
Like many soccer players, these guys had a whiny little bitch on their team, his name was Dave, which shames me to no end, having to share a name with big baby like this. He got hot under the collar early for getting kicked in the ankles. Hey, here's an update to any whiny bitches reading this: SOCCER IS A CONTACT SPORT DUMBASSES! Also if there is a ball at your feet and people are trying to steal that ball from you; EXPECT TO BE KICKED IN THE ANKLES! ITS PART OF THE GAME! When the whiny Dave asked if we ever played the ball or just played the body, I responded, "Yeah we pretty much play whatever we can get."
Late in the game ol' Dave came charging in at yours truly for a 50/50 ball, he decided to slide and I decided to kick the ball. He came in cleats up, I kicked the ball, evidenced by the ball being advanced down the field in our direction, and on the follow through my shin collided with Dave's cleats. I guess the hurt the fragile little flower as he immediately jumped up yelling at me about playing the ball. I yelled back, "I did kick the ball, idiot. You're the one who just cleated my shin, dickwad!"
To Dave's credit, he did come and apologize to me explaining that he was frustrated. Whatever, our teams will play again in the playoffs and when we do, I'm sure I will have a surprise in store for my old friend.
Also, Drew put Dave down to the ground, sending him out of the game.
Forward was fun, I got to make several plays, had my chances at goal and ran a lot more than I thought I was going to. Hopefully, by the playoffs I'll be more like 270 pounds of soccer fury or maybe even less which should allow me to run a little more.
I have to take some responsibility here, I talked Chris out of putting Pedro on our back line in place of Jurgen. I probably made a mistake there as Jurgen's penalty pretty much cost us the game. Our next game is on Wednesday and we'll most probably see a change in lineup. I hope we put Sal back for Jurgen and move him up to defensive mid, leaving Pedro to play midfield but we'll see.
Well, it's getting late and I think it is time for me to have visions of soccer balls dancing in my head, but look for another post later this week describing our next stunning defeat on our quest for a perfect winless season! Oh yes it is great to be a Gunner!
- posted by David @ 9/24/2006 08:02:00 PM