After a draw and a loss in a highly competitive division CPR would be playing bottom team SC Eintracht.  Traditionally a strong team, the Legends had engaged them in a memorable 5-4 shootout the previous season.  As with any game in the Over 38 division, the Legends were wary of reading too much into Eintracht’s previous results given their historical pedigree and the fact that a couple of missing key players or substitutes can make a big difference.  On a scorching afternoon, the Legends were happy to have 4 substitutes to help out, and started the game at a good tempo.  The opposition appeared to be suffering more from the heat, and the Legends were permanently encamped in the opposition’s final third.  However they were unable to convert deep possession into goals with notable misses from Mckeown and Casanova along with the woodwork being rattled twice conspiring to keep the game goalless.  Eventually a corner broke the deadlock, with Pattinson’s inswinger and Oli Roberts’s hard run resulting in an own goal.

With a drinks break during each half the Legends had the chance to get some tactical reinforcement, although it didn’t appear much was sinking in.  The request to make the simple pass in an increasingly open game was often ignored for low percentage Hollywood balls with predictable results. Playing according to the score line also didn’t seem to sink in as all the midfielders flooded forward but couldn’t make it back.  But for yeoman work by the Legends back line the lead would have been forfeited.  Indeed, one such counterattack produced a moment of controversy when a header off the post “may” have crossed the goal line but with the referee unsighted by goalie Carducci he had to waive off the claims, much to the fury of Eintracht who had an excellent view from their sideline.  The goal would have been pivotal in regaining momentum from the Legends after D’Andrea’s superb free kick had stretched the lead.

In the end, the Legends won despite themselves with a 7 on 4 counterattack and hard shot by Carlsen providing the final margin.  Not scoring more despite so many counterattacks with numerical advantage was certainly a point of exasperation for management, as was abdication of defensive responsibilities by many.  If the Legends are going to do better this season than last, they will have to learn to understand basic positioning, strategy and how to handle game situations.

Competition: SC Eintracht, League Opposition

Location: Randall’s Island #71, Randall’s Island

Conditions: Sweltering noon kickoff

Fans: 10+ (Harper Conboy, the Casanovas, Accordinos, Jones)

Result: 3-0 HT: 1-0

Goals:

1-0: OG Assist Pattinson

2-0: D’Andrea Assist Conboy

3-0: Carlsen Assist Pattinson

Yellow Cards: N/A

Red Cards: N/A

Mike D’s aka No Shows: N/A

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: N/A

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: A few minor injuries in the game but nothing major.

Old Man of the Match: The group of 6 got too distracted watching some absorbing NFL games to discuss OMoM.  Will try to remedy next week.

Old Man of the Bar: For a fairly old school showing by the new metrics (5 hours instead of 10), Faherty and Venkataraman.

El Presidente (Old Men who don’t make it to game but come to the bar): None

Statistic of the week:  Venkataraman takes temporary sole possession of all time games at 79.  Finally some defensive shutout points to add.

Team Bar Showing: 6 out of 15 (40%)

Team Bar Night: 4 out of 5. A decent sized group by modern standards and good longevity.

Team (No new profiles this week): Mike Carducci (GK), Luciano Belizan (DF), Mark Edmunds (DF), Oli Roberts (DF),  Jan Carlsen (DF), Bevan Rosenbloom (DF), Hermilo “Santiago” Morales, Charles Bradley, Mike Conboy, Willian D’Andrea, Tom Pattinson, Manohar Venkataraman, Simon Mckeown, Manuel Casanova, Drew Faherty

After a tough fightback and draw against the Shamrock Legends, CPR were to take on an unknown quantity, America FC.  The new team were supposedly built from the embers of Hoboken, but this was mere hopeful speculation given their home field at Phil Rizzuto park.  Before kickoff it was clear that this wasn’t going to be the typical walk in the park of playing a Hoboken team.  Soon America FC showed they could play a little football as well, pleasing combinations all over the park stretching the Legends.  On a hot day with multiple substitutes CPR still looked lethargic while America were passing and moving constantly.  Their first goal was a little fortunate, a cross hitting Oli Roberts arm from point blank range for a called penalty that was calmly dispatched.  Overall though America were significantly the better team as the Legends lack of composure on the ball was matched by their lack of basic understanding of the positions they were supposed to be playing.  The midfield was a vast wasteland populated only by America midfielders while the Legends strikers inexplicably tried to see how far from each other and the center of the field they could possibly get.  It was only a stellar performance by the Legends back line and Belizan in particular that helped stem the tide at a mere goal at half time.

Plodding to the fence under the blessed shade, the Legends were given an earful about playing simple basic football.  It appeared everyone had an opinion, interestingly but not surprisingly including some of the culprits.  However the talk had managed to be absorbed as the second half started noticeably better.  The shape of the team was tighter, and when it drifted the players were vocally reminded of their responsibilities.  Despite the improvement yet another weak goal was conceded.  As players were chirping amongst themselves America cannily took a quick corner and whipped over a ball to a wide open player inside the 6 yard box who gleefully converted.

With the heat beating down and down 2 goals, the Legends didn’t wilt as well they could have. With strong attacking talent to match their usually reliable defence, CPR were able to cause America problems at the back.  A nice run by Frazier resulted in an open header from Subah to pull one back, however America were able to extend their lead back to 3-1 when a misplaced pass allowed a goal off the crossbar.  Some unfortunate bounces and some quality saves from America’s exemplary keeper kept the Legends at bay for the most part, until that rarity of rarities an indirect free kick within the penalty area was called.  As the America players cynically complained and their wall meandered, the Legends speculated on what their best approach of attack would be.  The best approach consisted of a touch to D’Andrea who casually drifted an inch perfect lob over the wall and into the back of the net, the best Legends goal since Teesdale bought a ticket to the lottery with a first time volley from outside the box last season.

Alas unlike last week the Legends were unable to pull a further goal back and succumbed, although with more pride than it looked given the dismal first half.  With new players bedding in, hopefully the lessons learned can be implemented against a typically strong team on the grass field of #71 at Randall’s Island next week.

Competition: America FC 1927, League Opposition

Location: Randall’s Island #74, Randall’s Island

Conditions: Very warm noon kickoff

Fans: 10+ (Several Old Boyz + WAGS)

Result: 2-3 HT: 0-1

Goals:

1-2: Subah Assist Frazier

2-3: D’Andrea Assist Frazier

Yellow Cards: Hahn, Frazier

Red Cards: N/A

Mike D’s aka No Shows: N/A

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: Santiago Morales, who as a new guy needs to understand the importance of notifying us of his appearance before simply showing up at game time.

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: A decent sized squad helped avoid any injuries.

Old Man of the Match: A little controversial as D’Andrea’s moment of brilliance appeared to swing the small sample size of voters, although he did play well.  Belizan had an exceptional performance at the back but lost out due to the somewhat reasonable premise that giving up 3 goals eliminates a defender as OMoM, despite the fact that one was a penalty and one was slack marking from a corner.

Old Man of the Bar: None.

El Presidente (Old Men who don’t make it to game but come to the bar): None, although Stower was close to counting.

Statistic of the week:  D’Andrea takes back sole lead of all time goals at 20 from Mckeown.  Frazier is starting to rack up the assists along with the bookings with 2.

Team Bar Showing: 5 out of 16 (31%)

Team Bar Night: 2.5 out of 5. A third of the team came and stayed for the first NFL game .

Team (No new profiles this week): Mitch Miller (GK), Luciano Belizan (DF), Mark Edmunds (DF), Steve Roberts (DF), Pete Hahn (DF), Oli Roberts (DF), Mark Resnik (DF), John Hodges, Hermilo “Santiago” Morales, Charles Bradley, Willian D’Andrea, Steve Teesdale, Manohar Venkataraman, Simon Mckeown, Tim Frazier, Ernest Subah, Manuel Casanova

After the fiasco of last spring where the Legends ended the season forfeiting not once but twice, a lot of care was taken into recruiting new players from inside and outside the club.  Although like any transfer window the team wasn’t able to hit its goals, the Legends certainly appeared to have been successful overall.  The parent friendly 8pm kickoff and first game of the season may have helped, but having 17 players available was encouraging nonetheless.  With the Shamrock Legends having taken advantage of undermanned Legends in the past, it was good to be able to play them with a virtually full strength squad.

After a slight delay for an unnecessarily fussy referee the season kicked off.  The Shamrocks were who the Legends thought they were, physical with some talented individuals and speed on the wings.  The first few minutes were fairly even but a midfield mistake led to a Shamrock counter that was expertly converted.  CPR were able to settle down after that and made some attacking forays of their own.  Conboy was able to beat his man several times on the left with the crosses being received unimpeded on the right.  Unfortunately a lack of composure saw first time shots attempted despite plenty of room, with balls either sailing over the cross bar or sideways.  However possession in the last third was encouraging.

The four new additions comported themselves admirably, with Miller’s athleticism and distribution immediately noticeable.  Edmunds at center back added some more speed and composure to perfectly complement Belizan, and Morales passing range was also evident.  Frazier certainly made his mark with the opposition.  It’s hard to remember the last time the Legends had someone who could get under an opponent’s skin as much as Frazier, with all due respect to Steve Roberts calculated verbal darts.  Along with his mouth and physicality, Frazier was also able to bring in a goal threat to match Mckeown.  Although not featured on the score sheet he was able to draw attention from the opposition for a variety of reasons, opening up space for the rest.  The hope is that he is able to channel that aggression positively including staying on the field.

	Frazier won’t make any friends with opposition defenders this season. As long as he’s wily about it instead of being obvious, the distracting edge should help the Legends

Down 1-0 at the half the Legends continued to press and were able to get their just rewards.  The ball pinged around the area and while some Shamrocks confusedly stopped play while misunderstanding the offside rule Conboy corralled the ball from the defender’s deflection.  His cross clipped a defender’s arm for a clear penalty.  Despite having a notable failure against Cozmos on his rap sheet Mckeown requested the responsibility and this time converted into the side netting.  Shamrocks converted their irritation into a superbly taken goal, the danger man #11 pounding an unstoppable shot from distance to regain the lead.  The Legends started pressing and players other than Frazier started matching the physicality of the Shamrocks to their displeasure.  For the most part the referee had a handle on the game which never boiled over, but it certainly became fiercely contested.  In the dying embers, D’Andrea’s dancing feet attracted some late tackles resulting in a free kick at the top of the box.  Once again Mckeown stepped up and this time converted with a superbly taken free kick.  Although Shamrocks tried there were only seconds remaining, and so the Legends were able to secure a draw.

Although the Shamrocks certainly didn’t feel so, on reflection a draw was a fair result.  CPR needs to work on their finishing and converting possession in the final third into high xG chances, but that should come as the front 6 become familiar with each other.  All in all, an encouraging start to what promises to be a competitive season in the division of death.

Competition: Shamrocks SC Legends, League Opposition

Location: Randall’s Island #74, Randall’s Island

Conditions: Lovely pleasant late summer evening

Fans: 1 (Tom, Tim’s friend)

Result: 2-2 HT: 0-1

Goals:

1-1: Mckeown (pen) Assist Conboy

2-2: Mckeown Assist D’Andrea

Yellow Cards: Hahn, Frazier, Morales

Red Cards: N/A

Mike D’s aka No Shows: N/A

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: N/A.

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: Thankfully none for the first game of the season, the number of players helping.

Old Man of the Match: There was some discussion at the bar but it was brief, with Mckeown getting the nod for both goals despite one being a penalty.  The free kick obviously made all the difference and being active in the box helped with winning the penalty, despite some of the opposition being confused regarding the rules.  All the new boys made strong debuts and Hahn gained an official honorable mention for both attacking and physical defensive play.

Old Man of the Bar: None.

El Presidente (Old Men who don’t make it to game but come to the bar): None.

Statistic of the week: With two goals Mckeown broke the tie with Venkataraman for second place all time goals leader and is now tied with D’Andrea for the lead at 20, though with a far superior conversion rate (20 in 29 vs 20 in 67).  Venkataraman ties Resnik at 77 for all time caps in a battle that is sure to continue for a few years while D’Andrea pushed his all time assists lead further with 16.

Team Bar Showing: 4 out of 17 (24%)

Team Bar Night: 2 out of 5. Given the increasing age of the squad, the scale will have to be adjusted.  The fact 4 people came for a few beers after an 8pm game is a reasonable display.

Team (No new profiles this week): Mitch Miller (GK), Franco Denari (DF), Luciano Belizan (DF), Eduardo Mazzi (DF), Mark Edmunds (DF), Steve Roberts (DF), Pete Hahn (DF), Drew Faherty (DNP), Tom Pattinson, John Hodges, Hermilo “Santiago” Morales, Bevan Rosenbloom, Mike Conboy, Willian D’Andrea, Manohar Venkataraman, Simon Mckeown, Tim Frazier