The FC77 Rangers kicked off their Fall 2007 campaign under glorious September skies on the new club pitch located at the Montessori Earth School in SE Portland. In front of a record crowd for the Over-30, Third Division squad --consisting of approximately two dozen club players, fans, family and some malted beverages-- 'Gers faced a tough new opponent, Inka United, who had been playing in the Hispanic Leagues for the past few years.
Aye, carumba!
The first fifteen minutes was a fairly open affair as both teams worked the lush, wide open grass pitch. Inka broke the deadlock with their first goal after the quarter hour and then another strike approximately ten minutes thereafter, followed by a third goal around minute 35 from a toe punch well outside the box. This appeared to put the match out of reach; the Rangers were were obviously disappointed but remained unbroken. Goalkeeper Steve Berg, frequently tested by close-range and long distance efforts, remained a formidable presence between the posts, coming off his line to challenge the Inkan strikers and sliding in to take the ball of their feet. Down 0-3 at the half, the 'Gers regrouped under the shade of the pitch trees and returned for the second half renewed and determined.
The soccer gods appeared to smile on the home team as the Rangers quickly took position of the ball, rushed the right side of the field, and put a cross to striker Ron King, who found the back of the net...only to have referee Bobby Neeway disallow the goal with an offsides call. For a fifteen minute span in the middle of the second half, it really looked like the Rangers would find their opening strike. One frantic series saw two consecutive shots rocket off the woodwork, deflect off the keeper's gloves and bounce off another defender at close range...
but Soccer is a cruel mistress and she was not in a loving mood this afternoon. United's fourth goal fifteen minutes from time was unfortunate and, I recall, against the general run of play.
Jim Snyder's children, Ethan and Rory, volunteered to be the Junior Rangers for Match Day #1 of the campaign and, as previously mentioned, the home team had good fan support along the touchlines. While we wished the first result on our new pitch had been more favorable, the team agreed the field was definitely an improvement over pretty much everything we played on in the spring. Rangers continue their World Tour next week when Viet Portland comes calling at the Earth School. Season tickets are still available!
Sean Ingersoll
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