FC77 Rangers 4:0 Wolfhounds FC (Preseason Friendly)

FC77 Rangers 4 - 0 Wolfhounds FC

Preseason Friendly Exhibition

(Bennouri 12', Kevin [WFC loan] 45', Radigan 65', Muralt 90')

Rangers Supporters, I ask you this: Is there anything better than a friendly match of soccer with your teammates on a temperate late August afternoon against a team with a really cool bunch of guys you genuinely like?

Yes, winning 4 - 0 with nobody getting hurt.

Oh, and maybe not having your matches be scheduled on Sunday mornings.

And robot ponies that shoot lasers from their eyes. But I digress.

Rangers kicked off their preseason tour of, um, the Montessori Earth School with a fine win against famed derby rivals Wolfhounds FC. But really, the afternoon wasn't about the score. It was about a bunch of guys playing the footy, tuning up for the season, not injuring each other, not even getting ticked off, and everyone walking away with smiles on their faces. Two of 'Gers new players got their debuts--dream debuts, if I may be so bold--the entire team got a great workout, and, to borrow a line from '80s "one hit wonder" Timbuk 3..."the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."

Starting XI:

Silverman, Goalkeeper

Fahrbach - Vogel - Pullen, Fullbacks

Gaffney, Holding Midfielder

Calkins - Radigan - Muralt - Ingersoll, Midfield

Bennouri - Kevin [On loan from WFC for the afternoon], Strikers

Rangers were formally introduced to new players Nabyl Bennouri and goalkeeper Aaron Silverman before the match. Silverman immediately began a dialogue with his defenders to organize the back line, which a manager likes to see. Bennouri scored a goal during warm-ups off a corner kick with an honest-to-goodness, totally off the ground bicycle/overhead kick from twelve yards out, which makes managers giggle like little girls in delight. Despite only fielding ten, Wolfhounds offered an eleventh player, Kevin, to fill out the 'Gers roster and ensure everyone got maximum playing time.

I'll forego the usual lengthy match report as this is only preseason, but there were a lot of reasons for Rangers fans to get excited. Bennouri opened his Rangers account after just twelve or so minutes, deftly picking up Ingersoll's rebounded shot after it slammed off 'Hounds keeper Fred Schroeder. The new striker was also actively involved in many of the attacks, offering diagonal runs, long balls, and dropping deep on defense as the situation merited and nearly bagged a brace when his second half volleyed shot skipped off the woodwork.

One of the hallmarks of Ranger football is a commanding midfield and familiar center mids Radigan and Muralt both owned most everything between the implied goal boxes. Both got at least a half-dozen shots during the afternoon, with both netting in the second half. Radigan thumped a loping header from approximately the penalty spot area that dropped just under the crossbar and Muralt slotted past the second half goalie into the inside right netting on the Division Street End to finish the scoring. On loan player for the day Kevin also added a goal to end the first half when his expertly timed run--and as I was even with him, I can vouch he was a good yard and a half onside--broke him free and clear and he finished casually past Schroeder.

Calkins and Ingersoll both provided industrious runs along the touch lines, opening up play and unnerving the Wolfhound outside backs. Calkins switched to sweeper for the second half to support Vogel, Pullen, and Fahrbach and the four of them (with Gaffney, playing his testimonial match with Rangers) pretty much ensured Silverman had a slow day at the office. The stickminder was forced to go one-on-one with a streaking 'Hound midfielder midway through the first half, which he snuffed out nicely, and then was forced in the second 45 minutes to tap over a bold long distance shot and make a brilliant near side reflex save in the match's dying minutes. Vogel, Pullen, and Fahrbach all did well to nullify the threat from 'Hounds forwards and were effective in getting the ball out of danger to the midfielders on several occasions.

Junior Rangers for the match were Kendall Ingersoll and Kira Busch. Match photographer was Becki Ingersoll.

Match notes...Attendance was good for an exhibition, with approximately a dozen supporters enjoying the afternoon...Ingersoll debuted his "Argentine Azul" adidas Predator Powerswerve boots with lead shot in the sole channel...they are like lil' robot ponies on your feet...Gaffney earned a unanimous penalty kick call when he was taken down in the box, contrary to Gentlemen's Rules...The season starts in two weeks, boys...

Next Match:

FC77 Rangers vs. Dawgs

Sunday, September 13, 2009

10:00 AM (f**k!) KO

Montessori Earth School