Saying the Legends are not a cup team is like saying the Jets are not the most functional organization or that watching Tony Romo in the 4th quarter isn’t equal parts exciting & terrifying (you know what’s coming in the Playoffs Drew, you might as well prepare for it now). The Old Boyz themselves were not the most successful cup team, but the spinoff Legends have taken the cup to new depths with an 0-4 record. Playing an unknown Long Island Over 30’s team was an unknown quantity, but taking in to account their league as Over 40 & Over 50’s divisions it would seem to indicate they had to be at least somewhat competent to stay at Over 30’s. In an interesting twist, the manager of NY Hota was an old CPR Metroboy Peter Profeta who had a 3 game cup of coffee with the ‘boyz back in 2006 courtesy of Jim Grandinetti.
Field #75 is no friend of the Old Man, not as big as Pier 40 but still vast enough. With the lack of recognized center backs the Legends had to put in Steve Morse & Mark Dean back there, especially with the prodigal Ochoa returning to his stellar role as defensive midfield. Almost from the kickoff it was clear that the Legends would be in for a long afternoon. NY Hota possessed the ball as well as any team the Legends had played this season and were quick on the tackle and closing the ball down. The Legends struggled to maintain possession, tending to try to do too much with the ball. Despite only having two subs the opposition also appeared to be in much better shape as the Legends quickly started cycling through their substitutes, the reason they try to have 4 on the sidelines for every game. After weathering the initial storm the dangerous left midfielder from the opposition skipped past the defence and drove a low shot in from the right. Soon after the same player went down the byline and drove the ball low to have it turned in from point blank range. Meanwhile the Legends were starting to push some possession further up the pitch but with only a couple of long distance shots to show for it.
At 2-0 down in a cup game the tactics were fairly straightforward. Continue to try and get in the game, but if CPR were down with about 20 minutes to go it would be time to go to 3 in the back. These tactics were rendered moot almost immediately as NY Hota executed a clinical counterattack, with two forwards toying with the 4 defenders and utilizing the space nicely to put the ball away. The game started to get a little chippy with a few more robust tackles and Resnik in particular unusually seeing the red mist, but fortunately the game edged back from any major confrontations. NY Hota contented themselves with lying back and waiting to get the ball on the counter, and with their superior conditioning & athleticism were able to create a couple of more chances off of turnovers, scoring on one of them. The Legends tried in vain to get a consolation but short of hitting the post couldn’t quite get the ball in. It was one of those days at the office.
Competition: NY Hota, LISL
Location: Randall’s Island #75, Randall’s Island
Conditions: First truly chilly afternoon of the season, with the late afternoon sun adding a degree of difficulty
Fans: None, although by midway through the second half a few players had decided to play spectator on the sidelines
Result: N/A
Yellow Cards: None, although Resnik was the only person on the entire field who didn’t think he should have been booked for using a two handed shove down on a player who was getting up in full view of everyone. It was fortunate the Legends had a good relationship with the referee who decided a quiet word was in order as opposed to the brandishing of a card.
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| Angry Old Man of the Match goes to Resnik, fortunate not to get a booking by the genial referee |
Red Card: None
Mike D’s aka No Shows: None
Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: None
”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: The forward line suffered a little from some potential aches and pains, with Venkataraman’s calf & hamstring being matched by Chris William’s calves. Ollie Roberts couldn’t make it because of wear and tear on his knees, the price he’s paid for being the only recognized centerback for the Legends.
Old Man of the Match: Each goal the team loses by significantly decreases the chances of there being an OMoM, and an 0-4 scoreline where the team was overrun sealed that. A special mention does have to go to Mark Dean & Steve Morse who were shoehorned out of position as centerbacks against a swift pass & move team.
El Presidente (new award for Old Men who don’t make it to game but come to the bar): None.
Statistics of the week: Ochoa’s cameo helped him tie Resnik & D’Andrea for all time caps at 33.
Team Bar Showing: 4 out of 15 (27%)
Team Bar Night: 2 out of 5: 4pm is an awkward time to play, with barely enough time after the game to get back to the bar for the 4th quarter. With an unusual lack of cars it also split the team up a little, and with no other teams around it was a relatively quick evening.
Team (No new profiles this week): Telly Vamvouris (GK), Mark Resnik (DF), Andrew Faherty (DF), Mark Dean (DF), Tony Vamvouris (DF), Manohar Venkataraman, Randall Klitz (DF), Steve Morse (DF), Tom Pattinson, Ugo Solinas, Willian D’Andrea, Chris Williams, Mike Cassidy, John Hodges, Dan Ochoa
I’d of been fine with a yellow if the tackle that was clearly directed at me, not the ball, that instigated my reaction was also booked. My knee only has so many games left and I don’t need that purposely shortened. Was about as light a shove as is possible, and more of a non-verbal: “i did not appreciate that tackle so don’t get up too quickly”. All ended up fine. Everyone calmed down and mutually apologized on sideline before game was even over..