Numbers once again weren’t the issue for the Legends as they gathered a sizeable contingent of 16 for the game against the perennial champions Cozmos.  Some of the Legends were eager to gain a semblance of respect after the 8-0 crushing that happened in the Fall. Back then Cozmos took full advantage against 8 men while the core of the Legends were watching the US men’s national team embarrass themselves in Trinidad.  With double that number CPR were still facing a tall order, especially with the team leaning towards the elderly contingent and missing key players like MVP Belizan.  Playing on the vast expanse of Field #75 certainly didn’t help but the Legends tried to set up tactically compact to do what they could.

Early on Cozmos showed why they are so hard to play with constant movement always finding players open between the lines.  It’s one thing to tell players to play narrow and compact, but another to keep track with the athletically superior opponents, especially with the ball sometimes travelling all over the field.  The opening goal arrived in such a manner, a Cozmos player strategically kept outside at an angle in the penalty box but nevertheless able to take a step wide and having the precision and power to smash the ball past a helpless Carducci.  Far from beginning a rout it roused the Legends who started to impose themselves on the proceedings.  New boy Rainares came close with a shot pushed wide by ex Legend Telly Vamvouris, who had left last season for greener pastures.  A few corners were scrambled wide and a couple of shots were saved by Vamvouris but didn’t find an onrushing striker.  Eventually the Legends gained their reward.  Rainares was fouled in a defensive sandwich just outside the box.  With Vamvouris very keen on the danger presented by D’andrea, he cleverly dummied over the ball so that Frazier could finally open his account with an accurate shot into the side netting.

At half time the Legends weren’t just sure they could hold their own, they knew they could actually win the game.  Cozmos had only a pair of substitutes but most of them were in good enough shape to play the full 90.  The Legends had plenty of substitutes but positionally they were more of the attacking kind, putting stress on the old legs at the back.  CPR were certainly holding their own at both ends of the field and came dangerously close a few times, just missing opportunities bouncing around in the box.  It was Comzos speed up top that finally broke the deadlock, a long run and calm finish beating the curiously high line being played by the Legends.

The Legends tried but were not quite able to get the equalizer, finally getting the ultimate respect as Cozmos played for corner kicks to cower in the corners to waste as much time as possible.  There are no league points for moral victories but the Legends certainly cashed in their moral points at the bar later on.

Competition: Cozmos, League Opposition

Location: Randall’s Island #75, Randall’s Island

Conditions: Chilly early morning

Fans: 0

Result: 1:2 HT: 1-1

Goals: 1-1: Frazier Assist Rainares

Yellow Cards: Harrison’s physicality is the type that will more often than not lend itself to bookings in this league, and after a few robust tackles he went into the book.  Steve Robert’s booking for dissent was excessive given that by his standards his discussion with the referee was only about a 5 out of 10 on the Frazier scale.  Speaking of which, the record non pareil continues as Frazier added to his consecutive game booking record with yet another.

Red Cards: None

Mike D’s aka No Shows: Fortunately none, with El Presidente making it clear he was there primarily in his photojournalist capacity.

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: None.

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: None, although the rock hard sand caused many a bloody scrape.

Old Man of the Match: A strong performance throughout, with players running hard to cover the constantly moving Cozmos on the large field.  Although the Legends were able to substitute frequently to give players a rest, both Centerbacks and Harrison had to play 90 given their positions and importance.  Given his roving all over the field and the beating he took, Harrison earned his spurs with his first OMoM award.  Honorary mentions go to the center back pairing of Roberts and Roberts, even though the choice to play a high line in the second half against the speedy Cozmos front line seemed questionable.

Old Man of the Bar: N/A

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

Statistic of the week:  Frazier finally added a debut goal to his interminable booking streak, now at 11 bookings in 10 consecutive games to start a career.

Team Bar Showing: 5 out of 16 (31%)

Team Bar Night: 4.5 out of 5. An early post game visit to the new sponsor pub Blooms yielded an unexpectedly long session for an 8am game. It certainly helped that members of several other teams arrived and left throughout the day to keep Tier 1 company.

Team (No new profiles this week): Mike Carducci (GK), Willian D’Andrea, Steve Roberts (DF), Manohar Venkataraman, Simon Mckeown, Simon Harrison, Tom Pattinson, Tim Frazier, Drew Faherty (DF), Marc Walby (DF), Oliver Roberts (DF), Eduardo Mazzi (DF), Eduardo Rainares, Franco Denari, Mark Resnik (DF), Santigo Morales

Although far in distance, the Verrazano sports complex was fortunately easy to get to on the highways from Manhattan.  Damage from St. Patrick’s day on Saturday was virtually nonexistent, a testament to the age of the squad.  With the Legends managing to bring in Carducci in goal in place of the recovering Miller it was a decent strength squad that was ready to go.  The inevitable Morales no show was more than offset by the appearance of Hahn, giving the Legends 3 substitutes to the opposition’s 1.  However the goal to wear the Rovers down was negated by the conditions, the bobbly grass pitch more than matched challenge wise by the cross field wind.  The Legends were getting the ball in the final third but a combination of the conditions and rusty skills meant they had a hard time getting a decent shot off.  The closest opportunity they had was when Frazier was bundled over next to the keeper for a strong penalty shout that was casually ignored by the referee.

Frazier was certainly in full form, furious like a pin ball breaking off its moorings.

Early on both veteran teams with strong English contingents quickly recognized the referee was easily suggestible, setting the tone for a game long moanathon.  Some took the Over 38 middle table Leicester vs Everton mediocrity a bit too seriously, and there was always Frazier bouncing around like a Tasmanian Devil to raise the temperature above tepid.  Despite his shenanigans things never seriously looked like getting out of hand, with these old franchises having players who knew each other going back to 2000.  Although there was more action in the complaining to the referee than with the ball there was still the odd chance.  Carducci made an astonishing save off a free kick from a sheepish Venkataraman handball at the edge of the box, soon following it up with another.  The Barnstonworth striker danced all the way through several tackles and although forced wide by Carducci managed to miss an open goal having done all the hard work.

At half time the Legends were hopeful as the Rovers were clearly tiring with just a single substitute.  Space was starting to open and the Legends were hungry.  Slowly they turned the screw and started to dominate possession in the final third, but with few clearcut chances.  Frazier had a tight angle but blasted over, and a few silly fouls let the Rovers off the hook deep in their own half.  The press was starting to have its effect, and near the end Casanova was able to intercept a ball, float to his left and launch a shot that completely eluded the keeper only to bounce off the bar.  Mckeown was open for the rebound but snatched at the shot to smash it over, much to the despair of the team.  Although it felt like the Legends would eventually break through against the injured and shorthanded Barnstonworth they ran out of time.

It was a fun, competitive game with everything except goals and a bar by the side of the pitch so the teams could commiserate afterwards.

Competition: Barnstonworth Rovers Old Boys, League Opposition

Location: Verrazano Sports Complex back grass field, Brooklyn

Conditions: Chilly and windy

Fans: 0

Result: 0:0 HT: 0-0

Goals: 0-0: N/A

Yellow Cards: As the sun rises in the east, the tedious inevitability of another Frazier booking.  Getting this phlegmatic referee to finally lose it and issue a booking would be a feat for anyone else, but for Frazier it was par for the course.  His amiable alter ego at the bar complete belies the Red Mist persona on the field, and one just hopes the Legends aren’t unwillingly dragged into an unnecessary conflagration one day after yet another late tackle.

Red Cards: None

Mike D’s aka No Shows: Santiago Morales inevitably no showed via the evite less than an hour before the game.

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: Fortunately Hahn showed up, not only lessening the impact of the Morales no show but at a position of need.

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: As the other side were struggling with a single substitute the 3 legends on the sideline helped the team finish the game with nothing more than the usual old man aches and pains.

Old Man of the Match: Belizan could win this award weekly, with his combination of elite closing speed (at the Over 38 level) along with positional nous.  Harrison came in and provided some English steel in the tackle, much to the constant grumbling of the opposition.  Although the dodgy pitch negated some of his skillful runs his physicality and passing still made a difference.  Carducci pulled off a truly jaw dropping save in the first half off a free kick, and did well to keep the Legends in the game.  However in recognition of his constant runs up and down the field and the horror of some team members when he had to be briefly substituted, Teesdale wins OMoM (a few post game pints to press the case may make this one of the more controversial weekly picks).

Old Man of the Bar: N/A

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

Statistic of the week:  Frazier should be listed here as long as he continues his booking streak, now at a barely fathomable 10 bookings in 9 consecutive games to start a career.  In the annals of sports records that will never be broken (or should be broken), this will surely be up there with the Cal Ripken streak.  Belizan pulls into a tie with Resnik for the all time defensive shutout lead at 24, and Venkataraman pulls ahead of Resnik for the all time caps lead at 86.  That’ll teach him to get hungover.

Team Bar Showing: 3 out of 14 (21%)

Team Bar Night: 3.5 out of 5. Compared to the new normal, this was a solid deep outing if lacking breadth.  It was especially surprising considering St Patrick’s day the day before and missing a Tier 1 member, however Teesdale slid right in, a one man advertisement for self driving cars.  On reflection, next time the team will go to a less touristy place given the size of the bill at the establishment.

Team (No new profiles this week): Mike Carducci (GK), Luciano Belizan (DF), Willian D’Andrea, Steve Roberts (DF), Manohar Venkataraman, Simon Mckeown, Simon Harrison, Tom Pattinson, John Hodges, Tim Frazier, Pete Hahn (DF), Manuel Casanova, Steve Teesdale (DF), Drew Faherty (DF)

The travails of management entailed going from barely enough for a team with no goalkeeper the day before the game to ending up with 17, and that didn’t include Teesdale who did yeoman’s work in bringing the balls to the field before heading back to work (nobody tell him that we could have gotten by without the balls).  4 Oranges which included Doug Breckner as a sorely needed keeper ensured the squad looked good to have a chance to win only its second ever cup game in 13 chances.  Gjoa had also brought along a decent sized squad along with several supporters, the only thing missing being the referee.  With CSL referees not known for their punctuality every person in yellow that wandered by the field brought an expectant look only for everyone to be disappointed (coincidentally, also a trait shared by most CSL referees).  Finally when it was clear there would be no lazy late referee arrival the managers gathered together to try and plot a course forward.  Fortunately Mckeown volunteered that he would be okay to ref, and a Gjoa player happened to have a whistle with him.  With that combination the game kicked off.

The Legends started strongly and within a few minutes Conboy had two good chances that provoked some excellent goalkeeping to keep the tie level.  The Legends were putting the pressure on and causing mistakes and much gesticulating from the opposition.  The Legends had a few more half chances before Gjoa’s strong possession game started to change the dynamic.  CPR had the better chances but Gjoa had more of the possession in the final third without every really troubling Breckner.

The Legends had played a decent half, but as it came to a close the players unfamiliarity with each other as well as a tendency for ball chasing had opened up some yawing gaps across the midfield.  Against a team like Gjoa with the ability to play quickly and through, that was a dangerous failing that needed to be addressed.  With more discipline in the second half, the Legends once again started putting pressure on Gjoa although this time they only had 2 clear cut chances but with more attacking pressure in the final third.  As was traditional, Gjoa’s midfielders started playing more and more attacking leaving their defence further and further open but also making them dangerous on the counter attack.

Finally with the game seemingly headed to penalties, a corner resulted in a Conboy header arrowed straight into the goal before a defender’s thigh and then hand intercepted it.  Despite the Legend’s Mckeown blowing for an almost last minute penalty, the opposition were silent to confirm the veracity of the call.  Resnik somewhat surprisingly had D’Andrea take the penalty, and although it wasn’t one of his better ones it was good enough to do the job.  Gjoa caused a couple of late scares but in the end the Legends edged their peers for a first round win.

	No not that Doug, the other Doug! Goalie Doug!

Competition: SC Gjoa, League Opposition

Location: Randall’s Island #82, Randall’s Island

Conditions: Decent early spring afternoon

Fans: 0

Result: 1:0 HT: 0-0

Goals: 1-0: D’Andrea (pen), Assist Conboy

Yellow Cards: To nobody’s surprise, Frazier earned yet another booking to add to his jaw dropping never to be equaled streak of 9 consecutive games with bookings to start a career.  Adding to the level of difficulty was getting a booking when your teammate was refereeing the game, making the fouls so egregious and cumulative that Mckeown had no other option.

Red Cards: None

Mike D’s aka No Shows: Teesdale will get a pass this time having driven all the way to Randall’s to hand the balls over before going back to work.  Fortunately we had a lot of players this week.

Conboy’s aka Reverse Mike D’s: Mckeown showed up despite the flu only to have to referee the entire game.

”Mr. Glass” Fragility/Old Man Injury Award: Fortunately there were enough substitutes that only Belizan had to play 90 as a field player.

Old Man of the Match: Some good performances, with Belizan as usual with stellar work at the back marshalling the defence with his speed and agility.  However in this case he was edged out by his running mate Pete Hahn who not only stuck a boot in at the back when necessary but was consistently an offensive force that constantly worried the opposition on his side.  Strong honorary mention to Mckeown, who came out to play and ended up refereeing 90 minutes and doing a stellar job, upper tier compared to most CSL Referees in both our and Gjoa’s estimation.

Old Man of the Bar: N/A

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

Statistic of the week:  D’Andrea stretched his overall all time goal lead to 28.

Team Bar Showing: 5 out of 17 (29%)

Team Bar Night: 2.5 out of 5. Time to adjust to the new normal, which is that getting 5 people back to the bar is decent (would have been 6 if Conboy had found parking).  Stepping the toe in to the water at Bloom pub will help for bringing folks back to the future with a location in midtown a block away from the 59^th street trains.

Team (No new profiles this week): Doug Breckner (GK), Mark Resnik (DF), Luciano Belizan (DF), Willian D’Andrea, Steve Roberts (DF), Bevan Rosenbloom, Manohar Venkataraman, Simon Mckeown (DNP, Ref), Franco Denari, Tom Pattinson, John Hodges, Tim Frazier, Mike Conboy, Pete Hahn (DF), Jason Cyrus, James Carrico (DF), Gabriel Cowles (DF)