Foran was coated in Pink last night as uncountable masses of Peptos appeared for the final regular season match. The field was unlined and unmowed and the manager had to fight to wrest it from the clutches of a trainer who was too put out to move to the far field. But she is no milquetoast and eventually, he moved off, kowtowed.
We had 20 something players wearing the Pro-Activity P for this match. Yes, even Jo was there, her daughter safely married off. Little Olivia was also sporting pink in support of her mom. We have struggled to put this team on the field with 11 for a match or two, but no need to call out more troops for this one. We were 2 deep at every position and we put two complete teams out there- each for half the game.
For some reason, playing the Mavericks is never super fun. They seem always to be short of players and short of temper. Their team leader, Tammy, is a fire hydrant of a player known primarily for breaking other players’ legs with her two-footed slide tackles. To her credit, she kept her feet for this match. Last summer, in extreme heat, we played poorly and slowly and barely emerged with a 3-2 victory against like 8 (yes, 8!!!!) of them. This year, they had 8 or 9 players. In days past, they used to take joy in destroying us when we were short of players. We would like to return the favor, but somehow, we don’t always bring our A game against this team.
In the team huddle, everyone was abuzz about the game plan and the manager’s brilliant allocation of players- they were speaking, of course, about Pia Sundhage. Lisa piped up- “Guess what? I’m going to Germany! My daughter’s whole team is going!”
Not to be outdone, Meags countered, “Yeah, well, Nike called me on the way to the game and they are chartering a jet to send me over there and I am going to be on the bench, or in the press box, or something.” So there! We are so famous. Even Nike has recognized the amazing way that Team USA’s season has tracked that of Clinton United. I am sure Nike would have called me, but I never give out my cell number. Our “Let’s GO United” cheer was the loudest ever because we had so many hearty voices in the huddle.
We started off so-so and we stayed that way, pretty much, but we got the first goal. Shannon makes a practice of scoring every game and she did not disappoint today. She was only going to stay for a half, so she decided to take her goal early, from distance, curling in over the keeper’s outstretched arms. A bit after our 17 minute changeover to Clinton United II, Scott signaled a penalty kick against us after a tackle from behind in the box. Krissy was working the player and when Lindsay went to double up on her she fell over. Everyone was thinking about Germany. Luckily, there was no penalty arc painted because the lines were too faint to replicate, so no one could step inside it. That meant it was Mary v Maverick. The shot came in high and just a bit to Mary’s right. She is so quick that she got a strong hand on it and pressed it skyward but it hit in just under the bar and dropped into the net. What a great effort. 1-1.
I missed the go ahead goal because I was retrieving one of our $40 game balls from the ball-eating bush J when it happened. I couldn’t even tell from the cheers whether we had scored or Mavs, so I asked Heather. She said it was us- yea!!! Later on I consulted with my official goal-tallier, Kelly, who confirmed it was Linda. Angel and I know it’s very hard to tell who scores from the defensive end- we are just happy when the ball is not in OUR net. Halftime talked confirmed that we were not playing very well, but, whatever. Krissy mom thinks we’re good, so that’s enough.
Team I went out there and played so-so but Heather got a scrappy goal. So we were leading, 3-1. Not for very long, though. Mavericks somehow had us outnumbered on the right all game even though they have like 9 players. Krissy said she would go ball, and for once, she did not get it, and the rest of the defense was kind of, like watching in disbelief. Catherine came out and got a hand on it but it went in the goal- 3-2. This is when things got unfun. Scott called a foul against Mavericks, which was rare in this game, most calls seemed to go inexplicably against us, and Krissy placed a ball just a bit up the field- like say, maybe 10 yards. Much griping ensued. Krissy said, “Hey, whatever, we have all the time in the world.” Tammy said, “Oh, you do, do you?” and kicked the ball not very close to Krissy, kind of away, in fact. I had visions of yellow cards starting to appear, but Krissy placed the ball and we restarted. Soon after, we put in team II. Team I stood watching, knowing we needed another goal, not feeling comfortable at all. Needing Pepto, in fact. Then IT happened. Just like when Abby Wambach popped up in the box and bashed that header home, only shorter, EJ popped up in the box at the end of a scrum and pounced on a rebound and slotted that ball in! I sound like Jordan but it’s me and it’s true- it was a great goal and the relief on the sideline was like a double dose of the pink stuff. EJ is always in the right place at the right time, and this time, she finished off the chance. I think, looking at the standings, that we are thus assured of Second Place at least and we will have Home matches through the playoffs! Unless, of course, I’m wrong.
When I got home after beers and libations and cookies, my daughters saw me sporting our Pepto kit and asked if the P stands for Pepto-Bismol! Now THAT is funny. Thanks, everyone, for coming out to play.
Our next game is Quarterfinals next Wednesday, 6:30 pm, Foran. More on our opponent after Sunday’s make up games and the US’s victory in World Cup. Speaking of which, Lindsay is opening the Fuel Good Café for the game. She will send out an email with details- but please plan to go to Fuel Good for the game- I’m gonna go. Let’s get the team there.. Let’s GO United, all the way!!!!
Kerry
Squad- Mary, Catherine, Kerry, Lindsay, Krissy, Angel, Kara, Meags, Maryanne, Harv, Heather, Erin, Jo, Kelly, Shannon, Hines-y, Amy, EJ, Linda, Lisa, DJ
Timekeeper Bart.
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