TheCalabrias.com

We replayed the AUSA Gold Team — a rematch of our first match of the season. It was certainly not as easy this time around. As expected, we are not the only team that has improved, and they are way more organize now. However, it was not technical skills or speed that made it so difficult. It is simply the sheer size of the Gold team players. These kids are HUGE. It seems their parents have confused supplemental vitamins with growth hormone steroids. I have no doubt some of the Gold team players must be at least twice as large as Ben or Owen or Ryan, and still quite a bit bigger than our largest player, Luke.

As you can imagine, being lager, the Gold team players were also very aggressive. And since our team didn’t back down, they usually got the worst end of things when fighting for possession. It was especially difficult to watch some of our kids to be mowed down and then watch the referee to be so complacent about it. In fact, for a game as passionate as soccer, I don’t understand how the referee could have been so lethargic about it.

OK enough of that. We started well, and we had some great shots at goal, but the Gold team was first to score. However, before the the first quarter was over, Ben tied the match with a beautiful shot from just inside the keeper’s area. Green 1 x 1 Gold.

The Gold team got a lucky break on the very beginning of the second quarter, and they were able to strike again. Green 1 x 2 Gold. However, we really took control of mid-field, controlled the tempo, and Lorenzo scored two great goals — one from a fast counter attack, and another from a beautiful volley from a throw-in. Green 3 x 2 Gold.

The third quarter was once again a battle. Neither team scored; both teams played hard; but some of their big players started to fatigue. It remained Green 3 x 2 Gold.

The final quarter was very much like the second. We had a bit of an advantage, and we did create some great changes. We kept pushing, and Ben showed, once again, how quick and technically sound he is, and scored a much deserved fourth goal for our team.

Final score: Green 4 x 2 Gold; with one match to go towards an undefeated record for the season.

(Here are some photos of the match. You will quickly find there is a inverse relationship between the number of shots taken and how tough the match has been. When the going gets touch the photographers turns coach! )