FC77 Rangers 6:1 Wolfhounds FC

FC77 Rangers 6 - 1 Wolfhounds FC

(Ingersoll [PK] 10', Holstein 15', Burden 20', Payne 30', King 40', Schutte 70')

Losing to Wolfhounds = NOT ACCEPTABLE

A four match losing streak. About half of the team unable to play due to injuries, scheduling conflicts, or drunken carousing in Vegas. (You know who you are. Ahem.) Stagnating at the bottom of the O30-3 division table, below friggin' Hawks of all teams. And now the return leg of the famous Blue Monk Derby against Wolfhounds FC. Desperate times called for...something. A ray of hope. A glimpse of glory. Perhaps a catchy mantra or slogan that could rally the remaining squad members around a common cause of purpose and drive.

Losing to Wolfhounds = NOT ACCEPTABLE

Some things a recreational adult soccer team can't control, like when your bosses make you work on Sunday or the team you coach is doing something teamy at the exact same time. I mean, you can't just not show up for a bunch of kids, right? (Well, technically, I have but my priorities are kind of whack.) But some things a team can control...like getting eleven players on the field. Blessed by last week's reschedule of the KMA match, Manager Seanny did some research and realized that having only played six matches, the team roster was not required by league rules to be closed as it is on the seventh match. As such, he was able to acquire some other on-loan players. Normally that means contacting FC77 Hibernian, the O40 squad, and hoping Brian Gaffney and several others would play another match...but Hibs were playing immediately after the famed Blue Monk Derby in another part of town, so that wouldn't work. Well, bollocks! Wait. Bollocks! FC77 Bollocks! A quick email was sent to Open 2nd Division side FC77 Bollocks manager Jeff Lucas and, happily, he and two or three other players offered to come "help a brother out". Ingersoll also chanced upon former Ranger Dan Holstein at the Timbers-Rapids match Saturday night and casually dropped the nugget he was looking for some players on Sunday. Holstein's eyes lit up and after a few moments, it was evident the Prodigal Son was comin' home to Daddy. And by Daddy I mean Rangers. Just want to clear that up.

Starting XI:

Silverman, goalkeeper

Pullen - Calkins - Payne, fullbacks

Travis from FC77 Bollocks, stopper

Burden - Nic from FC77 Bollocks - Jeff Lucas - Ingersoll, midfielders

Holstein - Youssef, strikers

Reserves (Oh, glorious reserves!):

King, Schutte, and Fahrbach

Not Available:

Abso-freakin'-lutely everybody else

Sometimes everything just clicks. Sometimes the weather is just right, the passes are going where they are supposed to, the ball falls to the right person in a 50/50 challenge, and the opposing goal looms really, REALLY large. Sunday, June 12th at 11:30 a.m. was just such a day. The new players from Bollocks and Holstein immediately found their groove and place in the starting scheme and everything just kind of went the way it used to--the way it is supposed to. Sharp runs down the outside flanks. Smart hold-up and control in the middle. Silverman bored out of his gourd from most of the first half. Ten minutes in, Burden made a run into the 'Hounds box and was adjudged by the match official to have been unfairly tackled by the opposing defensive line. As the 'Gers left winger dropped to the turf, the referee showed no hesitation pointing to the spot.

"You want to take it?" Ingersoll asked Burden.

Ron graciously shrugged it off. "Naw, go ahead."

And thus began a complex (ha!) psychological mind game of captain and keeper. See, Ingersoll and the 'Hounds keeper have played on the same winter team before and one afternoon, during a practice at PSU when Ingersoll was practicing his penalties, he distinctly told this very keeper this: "My coach in high school told me to always shoot at the exact same spot. Make it automatic so you never miss. Find your spot in the net and always shoot at it. I once took a PK in high school and put it so far over the bar that my coach made me take 25 PKs after every practice and I had to shoot at the same spot every time. Since I figured most keepers were right handed, I would shoot right (their left) hoping their left side would be weaker. So every practice my senior year, I took 25 PKs to my right." The 'Hounds keeper is a smart man and I was sure he remembered that conversation. So what would he do? What would I do?

Would he leap to the right because he knew I always shot right? Or would he leap left because he knew I knew he knew I always shot right? Or would he still go right because he knew I knew he knew I knew I shot right but he was trying to fake me out? Or would he go left because he knew I knew he knew I knew he knew I knew I shot right?

Ah...f**k it. I'll kick it down the middle and see what happens.

The keeper leaped right. The ball drilled into the net in the center of the goal. It wasn't Hasli's chip of Keller from the spot over the weekend, but they don't ask how, just how many. 1-0 'Gers.

Losing to Wolfhounds = NOT ACCEPTABLE

Thus began a veritable deluge of goals. Holstein opened his scoring account after only fifteen minutes with the team with a deft move from the left side, finding the net from well within the box and doubling up the score. With Travis subbing himself off due to a calf strain and ankle knock, 'Gers was still left with two subs available and took full advantage of the fresh legs. 2-0 became 3-0 when Burden himself connected also from the left side, sliding a worm-burner into the far corner of the goal and then, just a few minutes later, launching a 25 yard effort that went just wide. The comfortable lead loosened up the side to make smart runs and play with added confidence. Lucas made an unopposed run from his center midfield position to the right side of the box onto Nic's slicing pass behind the 'Hounds back line, but the field was just a little too short to support the move. Nic later played a looping ball from his central midfield position to the left side of the opposing goal, finding Roy Payne of all people making a sixty yard run deep into the box. Payne took full advantage of his rare foray forward and hit the ball with the outside of his foot, sending it across the goal mouth and into the netting for his first goal as a Ranger and the team's fourth of the day. (Not bad considering he was only 90 yards out of position! Ha!) Youssef was integral to several passing plays and King later scored from another left-sided series that beat the keeper near side, I recall, and all but killed any vestige of momentum, hope, or desire 'Hounds may have entertained.

Losing to Wolfhounds = Not Likely at This Point

The back line provided rock solid protection all half. Silverman was required to only make a few collections, mostly long through balls that were fast on the turf, and Calkins, Angry Mike, Fahrbach and Payne (when he wasn't in the other box!) all totally dominated the infrequent balls that got into our half. Lucas eventually dropped back into a stopper role and further denied any 'Hounds movement through the center. 'Hounds started finding more success in the second half as the sides got tired and the field was broken into the "attacking" and the "defending" halves of the team. Eventually, they played a long ball and got lucky, but Payne did make their striker pay for it with a decent tackle to get his pound of flesh for the goal. Schutte answered with a strike of his own--his first goal as a Ranger, too!--midway through the second half after anchoring the center midfield and working the right side enough to get close for a pop. 'Gers did an excellent job of making off-the-ball runs, exploiting space, and retaining possession. The game was wide open back-and-forth for the last twenty minutes, with Silverman making a few of his signature slide tackles to keep additional shots from not happening. I think someone even cracked wise, "Hey, Aaron, a few more tackles like that and we are going to make you a field player!" 'Hounds got a yellow card for dissent late in the match, but the overall mood was generally cordial and the final whistle welcomed by all, including the three Ranger supporters in attendance...Kendall Ingersoll, Toby Holstein, and Paddy's lady friend.

Losing to Wolfhounds = Not Gonna Happen

So another three points, no new cards, and a rousing Blue Monk Derby performance...that's a pretty good afternoon's work. Hey, here's a crazy thought...let's do it again next Saturday against CHA and get a new Streak of Awesomeness started? What do you think? Sound cool? Right on.

Match Summary:

RAN-Ingersoll (PK), 10'

RAN-Holstein, 15'

RAN-Burden, 20'

RAN-Payne, 30'

RAN-King, 40'

WOLF, 60'

RAN-Schutte, 70'

Halftime: RAN 5-0 WOLF

Discipline: WOLF (1) - Dissent

Attendance: 5-19, depending upon what time you counted

Next Match:

CHA CHA CHA 0/30 (0-5-1, 1 point) v FC77 Rangers (2-4-1, 7 points)

Saturday, 18 June, 2011

Gladstone High School

Gladstone, Oregon

8:00 a.m. KO

CHA has one point...from a tie with us.

They have only scored five goals this season...and three of those were against us.

I find this...NOT ACCEPTABLE.

'Gers Spay 'Hounds in Opener, 6-0

FC77 Rangers 6 : 0 Wolfhounds FC

(Muralt - PK 10'; Youssef 15'; Ingersoll 20';

Gullung 25'; King 28', 35')

FC77 Rangers announced their return to the GPSD O-30 Third Division with authority on Sunday, crushing rivals Wolfhounds FC 6-0 at Rob Strasser Field in North Portland. An almost flawless first half of soccer put the match out of reach twenty minutes after kick-off as the Yellow and Black cruised to their eleventh consecutive Blue Monk Derby victory. Cheered on by an enthusiastic trio of Junior Rangers, for the first time in approximately a year Rangers looked like Rangers...and it was friggin' dog-gone awesome.

Get it? Dog-gone awesome. Dog. Gone. Awesome. Get it? Of course you do.

Starting XI:

Silverman, goalkeeper

Pullen - Calkins - Payne, fullbacks

Snyder, holding midfielder

Ingersoll - Muralt - Bennouri - Burden, midfielders

Gullung - King, strikers

Reserves: Youssef

Not Available: Reyes, Nollenberger, Radigan, Fahrbach, Bauman, Seaton

The delayed 11:00 a.m. start, under the mindful auspices of match official Andy, showed promise for FC77 right from the beginning. Playing the outside wing game that earned them success in the previous spring campaign, 'Gers maintained an approximate 70% - 30% possession advantage over their opponents for the entire first half. Keeper Aaron Silverman touched the ball twice--both times for goal kicks. Muralt, Bennouri, and Snyder kept tight control of the center of the field, ably assisted by Pullen, Calkins and Payne, who all showed calm and collected control when the ball occasionally did reach their high line.

Charles Gullung's second foray into the box around the tenth minute found him tackled from behind and Referee Andy showed no hesitation pointing to the spot. Still recovering from...uh...man surgery, Gullung deferred the penalty kick to Muralt, who clinically dispatched the ball into the back left side of the net for an early lead. 'Gers doubled their advantage five minutes later when Bennouri--returning from a winter stint with FC77 PBR--turned the right back and flashed a quick box into the mixer. Ingersoll's shot ricocheted off the 'Hound central defense, eventually landing at Youssef's feet. The Ranger substitute blasted a shot from 9 yards out past 'Hound keeper's right side and with a joyous whoop, put the match all but out of reach.

But there was more. Oh, was there more. A smartly played arching ball from Bennouri just five minutes later dropped behind the Wolfhound left back and Capt. Seanny rushed wildly past to receive it. Smartly taking possession on the bounce about thirty yards out, the strikingly handsome manager turned into the box and, finding himself one on one with the keeper, blasted a shot back into the far corner for the third. This made Ingersoll very happy because he usually whiffs it and obligingly, he flashed the Ranger "Gangsta" sign to celebrate. This is important to note because in the thirtieth minute Bennouri turned the right back again and served up the most beautiful pass to a wide open Ingersoll on the six yard line. Instead of tapping it in, he ripped a shot over the bar in defiance of all known laws of geometry and physics. Crumpling to his knees in shame, Ingersoll will be mercilessly taunted until he scores again.

Gullung opened his Ranger account just a few minutes after that with a cheeky chip on the near post. Running onto another dangerous attack, Gullung (playing only for the second time with Rangers) beat the keeper and managed to pop the ball up and over the goalie. The ripple of the net signaled a fourth.

'Gers veteran King earned himself an inaugural brace in the next ten minutes. The first goal [King: Correct me if I'm wrong as you know I value my journalistic integrity] came off a thundering run through the middle and ended with a clinical finish to the near side, while his second in the 35th was a hustle play to rush onto the end of a widely slotted shot and put it back across the face of goal and into the net. Both goals were the result of some neat passing against a slightly blitzkreiged defense. Although he didn't get on the score sheet, Burden played his typical high energy game with several left-side runs and crisp passing with Bennouri and Muralt.

Ingersoll's half time team talk was essentially, "Let's give Silverman a clean sheet," and while 'Hounds continued to put up a spirited display and earn three or four shots in the second half, the Pullen-Calkins-Payne Axis held strong. Snyder stymied several closer-in attacking moves but was not required to execute his trademark flawless slide tackle. Silverman did slide out to meet a striker on a far run late in the match but the result was never in doubt.

Despite frequent attacks on the Wolfhounds net, a seventh goal was surprisingly not to be found. Youssef got a one on one midway through the half and was, like his captain, also unlucky to find the net. Not so easy after all, is it my friend? Eh? Gullung picked up a caution in the seventieth minute after exchanging words with the opposing keeper and...uh...aggressively giving him the ball. A steady flurry of shots and offside calls kept their defense busy until the final whistle and the six goal first half barrage proved to be the story of the afternoon.

"The boys looked sharp and we executed as well as we ever have in the first half," Ingersoll said after the match. "If we play like we did today every week, the results will go our way. And if we don't play like we that, I guess I start cutting people from the team. Ha! Just kidding. But not really."

Match Summary:

RAN-Muralt (PK), 10'

RAN-Youssef, 15'

RAN-Ingersoll, 20'

RAN-Gullung, 25'

RAN-King, 28'

RAN-King, 35'

Halftime: RAN 6-0 WFC

Discipline: RAN-Gullung (Yellow), 70'

Attendance: 10-ish. Kind of.

Next Match:

FC77 Rangers (1-0-0, 3 Points) v CHA CHA CHA 0-30 (0-1-0, 0 Points)

Sunday, 10 April, 2011

Rob Strasser Field, Delta Park East

Portland, Oregon

9:00 a.m. KO

Match Day One: FC77 Rangers v Wolfhounds

SPRING 2011

MATCH DAY ONE:

BLUE MONK DERBY

FC77 RANGERS (0-0-0, 0 Points)

V

Wolfhounds FC (0-0-0, 0 Points)

After coming off a much improved winter season--with the exception of the Kells FC match, of which we will never speak again--'Gers kicks off the new spring O-30 Third Division season in fine fashion...with a Blue Monk Derby!

Will you be there to watch the return to greatness for the Yellow and Black? Season ticket packages still available! The first 100 fans will get a special commemorative Rangers Collectors item!*

FC77 Rangers v Wolfhounds FC

Sunday, 3 April, 2011

Delta Strasser Field - Delta Park East

11:00 a.m. KO

* - Commemorative Rangers Collectors item availability subject to said Commemorative Rangers Collectors item actually being produced. Terms of the Commemorative Rangers Collectors items are subject to change without notice. Does not include dealer's registration fee. Do not use a Commemorative Rangers Collectors item if you currently taking beta-blockers such as Propranolol, Metoprolol or Carvedilol as this may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Consult your doctor before accepting a Commemorative Rangers Collectors item. Commemorative Rangers Collectors items should be collected for entertainment and not investment purposes. Commemorative Rangers Collectors items may not be available in all states. North Carolina residents please include applicable sales tax. Commemorative Rangers Collectors items may be produced in a facility that process nuts and dairy products. Commemorative Rangers Collectors items may include small parts unsuitable for children under 3. Be careful! The Commemorative Rangers Collectors item you are about to enjoy may be hot! I am a non-attorney spokesperson.

Spring 2011 Fixture List Released!

The Spring 2011 GPSD Over-30 Third Division fixture list was released this evening and if this schedule 

doesn't make you tingly in your nether regions, you are a heartless cyborg sent from the future to destroy humanity!

Which is geek-cool in some respects, but not at all germane to this blog post.

Wolfhounds FC!  Symmetry!  Controlled Chaos!  CHA CHA CHA CHA CHA CHA CHA CHA!  Oh, and look...

our favorite no-shows from last spring, the Hawks and FC PFA.  Oh my...I feel all funny...like when I climb a rope in gym class!

Will you be there?  With not a single Portland Timbers home match conflict, you [bleep!] well better 

be there!

Game # Date  Time  Home Team  Away Team  Field   
3302 Sun 04/03/2011 11:00 AM Wolfhounds  FC 77 Rangers  Delta Park Strasser  
3305 Sun 04/10/2011 9:00 AM FC 77 Rangers  CHA CHA CHA O/30 Delta Park Strasser  
3310 Sun 04/17/2011 10:00 AM FC 77 Rangers  Hawks   Devereaux Field  
3315 Sun 05/01/2011 1:00 PM Symmetry   FC 77 Rangers  Delta Park Strasser  
3320 Sun 05/15/2011 3:00 PM FC 77 Rangers  Controlled Chaos Delta Park Strasser  
3324 Sun 05/22/2011 3:00 PM FC PFA   FC 77 Rangers  Delta Park Strasser  
3327 Sun 06/05/2011 1:00 PM FC 77 Rangers  KMA    Delta Park Strasser  
3330 Sun 06/12/2011 11:00 AM Wolfhounds  FC 77 Rangers  Delta Park Strasser  
3333 Sun 06/26/2011 9:00 AM CHA CHA CHA O/30 FC 77 Rangers  Delta Park Strasser  
3338 Sun 07/03/2011 10:00 AM FC 77 Rangers  Hawks   Devereaux Field 

Wolfhounds FC 0:1 FC77 Rangers

Wolfhounds FC 0 - 1 FC77 Rangers

(Burden 40')

'Gers recorded their first match victory in a freakishly long period of time against eternal rivals Wolfhounds FC at the now familiar confines of Dick Baker Stadium, Gladstone High School on Match Day Three of the GPSD 030/1st Winter (Pre-)season. Ron Burden's curving corner kick was the difference between the two sides in a closely pitted contest. It wasn't a classic Blue Monk Derby, but we'll take the three points nonetheless, ma'am...

Starting XI:

Silverman, goalkeeper

Pullen - Calkins - Payne, fullbacks

Snyder, holding midfielder

Ingersoll - Muralt - Gullung - Burden, midfielders

Switzer - Youssef, strikers

Reserves: Harris

Not available: Bauman, King, Schutte

After the official winter 2011 team picture was taken--because honestly, we get literally hundreds of requests for photos so our throngs of fans can get them autographed. Seriously--'Gers took to the pitch in their familiar 3-1-4-2 formation. Welcoming Snyder and Gullung into the side for the first match of the year, the Yellow and Black pressed the play from the start. Rushing down the field, former Wolfhound Switzer, playing for perhaps the final time as a Ranger, blasted an early shot past the left upright. A couple of throw-ins deep in the 'Hounds half of the field hinted at more chances and Ingersoll's drive from inside the box chipped past the right post. Youssef fought hard up front and often found himself battling multiple defenders for space or the ball.

The home side recovered their composure and started to put together some passes. Payne [Fun true fact: He was playing with a fractured rib!], Calkins, and Pullen were able to intercept any potential messes and Silverman aptly dealt with any balls that trickled through. Muralt looked dangerous from distance as the half wound down with a wicked shot that was headed just under the crossbar, but to their keeper's credit, he stretched big and got enough of his fingers on the ball to push it off the top of the frame and out of bounds for a corner kick.

After the interval the side went back to work through the middle, with Muralt, Gullung, Snyder and Harris all working hard to change up the play, make quick passes, or look for an outlet. The little bit of luck that has eluded us for quite a while finally came round ten minutes into the second half when Burden came across the pitch to take a corner kick. His kick was expertly delivered into the mixer and seemed to curve inwards just enough to make the goalkeeper nervous. The delivery found eyes for net and despite a valiant effort to punch it away, the ball splashed into the net for the only goal of the afternoon. "I'll take that!" Burden cheered as the sides reformed. 'Hounds put up a spirited bit of ball for the final twenty minutes and found a lot of possession in our side. Silverman roared out to make several sliding saves, eventually getting his clean sheet. A late series of shots had the home side screaming for a penalty, but match official Padman would have none of it and looked like he was giving serious thought to carding one of the more vocal Wolfhounds. 'Gers got a couple of more breaks, with Muralt and Ingersoll both letting fly from outside the box, but in the end it was Burden's blast from the corner that was the game winner.

Match notes...As mentioned, this was Switzer's last match as a Ranger...Attendance was estimated at ten, consisting mostly of joggers running along the track...Wolfhounds donned yellow pennies as the home side since both sides were wearing black...

Next Match:

FC77 Rangers v Kells FC

Sunday, 6 March, 2001

Liberty High School, Hillsboro, Oregon

7:00 p.m. KO

"Rangers vs. a Celtic replica wearing Kells...

A potential Rose City Old Firm in the making?"

Preseason Friendly: Rangers 4-1 Wolfhounds FC

FC77 Rangers 4 : 1 Wolfhounds FC

Duniway Park, Portland, Oregon

Attendance: 10...and some joggers

FC77 Rangers played their only preseason match of the Winter 2011 season on Sunday, 6 February against Wolfhounds FC and came away with a well-earned 4-1 victory. The match had originally been scheduled for PSU's Community Recreation Field for a 12:30 kick-off, but unscheduled turf maintenance sent the two teams to nearby Duniway Park for a good-spirited and lively seventy minute scrimmage. (Did you know that turf needs to be mowed or rolled? It's true, apparently.) Several new squad players debuted with Rangers, including Dan Harris, Paddy Schutte, and Charles Gullung and all made a positive impact on the afternoon. The Yellow and Black side also included guest players Tyler Shook and Jason Carney.

Starting XI:

Payne, goalkeeper

"John" from Wolfhounds - Shook - Pullen, fullbacks

Snyder, holding midfielder

Schutte - Harris - Carney - Gullung, midfielders

King - Youssef, strikers

Reserves: Ingersoll, Burden, Calkins

Not available: Switzer, Bauman, Muralt, Silverman

After a thirty minute delay to get to Duniway Park and stretch out, the match kicked off at approximately 1:00 p.m. with 'Gers in their typical 3-1-4-2 formation. Payne graciously stood between the posts as keeper and proved his keeper skills are not limited to the indoor style of play. Relatively unbothered for most of the match, Payne was only forced into a few collections and a couple of punches on corners. The back line proved stalwart and maintained good control of the ball when it got into our half. The Wolfhounds keeper pulled a hip muscle early on in the match and was soon substituted, forcing the new arrival to face a series of wing-inspired breakaways and touchline sprints down both flanks. Harris led a calvary charge ten minutes into the match that netted--if there had been nets, obviously--the first goal with Youssef (I believe) finishing a similar sequence shortly thereafter with a tap-in. Harris may have had a second, also (sorry Dan, I can't remember) and Snyder added the fourth in the second half after a quick throw-in from Shook on the near sideline.

More important than the goals, however, was the relatively good movement and passing the team exhibited for their first practice together. The field was boggy in spots, to be sure, but 'Gers seemed to knock the ball around well on a short pitch and really opened up the wings...much like our regular style of play.

With the regular season starting next Sunday at Gladstone High School, let's hope that ball control and movement translates to a good start on an artificial pitch.

FC77 Rangers 6:1 Wolfhounds FC

FC77 Rangers 6 - 1 Wolfhounds FC

(Radigan 2'; McConnachie 15', 25', 35', 75'; Muralt 55' - PK)

Starting XI:

Silverman, goalkeeper

Calkins - Bauman - Pullen, fullbacks

Snyder, holding midfielder

Sibanda - Radigan - Muralt - Burden, midfielders

King - Switzer, forwards

Reserves: Ingersoll, McConnachie, Fahrbach, Bennouri

The 'Hounds of the Burgervilles

(with apologies to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...

there isn't much that rhymes with "Baskerville")

In the fair Rose City two soccer teams did play,

A proud footballing tradition long established this way.

"The Blue Monk Derby" as the match was known,

Bragging rights to the victor and three points to own.

Clad not in sexy black, Rangers donned yellow,

Defending the Powell Street End? Wolfhounds (Hello?!)

Referee Ernesto was late, but at least he did arrive

Perhaps he thought the match started at five?

With a blast of the whistle 'Hounds kicked off; their attack well set!

Two minutes later Radigan put the ball in their net.

Ahead 1-0, 'Gers didn't stop there.

Bullie hit the crossbar, King went wide by a hair.

Another header just missed...so many shots to start the game...

Until in the fifteenth minute a goal by James!

He got 'round the sweeper (injured ankle) who said

He wanted to be named in this post: Hi Fred!

McConnachie's next goal he also claimed proudly.

Complaints about interference vocalized loudly

Ernesto was unmoved. James just shrugged.

Maybe he wouldn't have been open if that hole in the back line was plugged?

Our fullbacks made some clearances. Bauman "made friends".

Silverman didn't need to do much, as it tends

To be the case when 'Gers is always on the attack.

There's not much to defend when the ball is not anywhere near your back.

James got his third with a cheeky chip off the pitch

Then boldly proclaimed, "That's a hat trick, bitch!"

Up 4-0 by half, the game out of reach,

The mood became disgruntled...a sportsmanship breach.

Nabyl got forearm shivered..then another foul most heinous!

By the same central defender: What a first-rate anus!

In the second half the smack-talk was getting a little spastic

While happily, on the sidelines, Junior Rangers did gymnastics.

Fifty-fifth minute, hand ball, 'Hounds box...more misery still

Muralt steps up, slots left, now it's 5 - nil.

Then a turn of fortunes back at the other end,

An errant hand ball in our box. 'Hounds send...

Miguel to step up and try to earn their first goal,

Aaron's unlucky and the strike finds the hole.

The last thirty minutes is a testy affair.

Wrestling on corners, pissy comments everywhere.

Bauman gets carded for a tackle around the eighteen

And thus would ensue the match's ugliest scene.

"I think the ref's biased!" they cry. "A red card it should have been!"

"Back off!" 'Gers sneer. "We would still beat you with ten!"

The free kick goes wide...it hardly bothered our keeper.

We also get flipped off: Stay classy, Big Sweeper.

James poaches a sixth off a wild goal mouth fumble.

Down by five, however, there was nary a mumble.

Play goes on for another quarter hour

Unlike past Derbies, the mood is definitely sour.

Another caution produced, this time to Burden

'Hounds' Brian twisted his ankle; he looked to be hurtin'.

All around a fine scoreline, same as last fall.

A win, fourth in the table, and I didn't lose the ball.

But as the sun drops low and beckons a pleasant night,

One 'Hound is still angry and looking for a fight.

He drops f-bombs around the kids and screams from the fence,

Bauman doesn't back down and the moment is tense.

OK, 'Hound Dog: You're pissed off, we get it, but...

Just know that next week you're going to get killed much worse by FC Hut.

Match Notes...Attendance was estimated at a dozen...Junior Rangers were Kendall Ingersoll and Stella Bauman...Rangers extend best wishes to former player Mark Vogel for a speedy recovery from recent surgery, which, without going into detail, sounded really, really, really bad...The new black adidas kits were showcased and will be worn for the first time next week...You know you don't want to miss that action!

Next Match:

FC77 Rangers v. FC Bridgetown O-30

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Cleveland High School

10:00 AM Kick-Off

"Remember 'Gers greatest victory ever?

I'm positive our opposition does."

Preseason Friendly: Rangers 7-1 Wolfhounds FC

FC77 Rangers 7 - 1 Wolfhounds FC

Scorers: Switzer (X3); Radigan (x2); King; Bennouri

Preseason Friendly

Powerlines Park Soccer Field #3

Sunday, March 28, 2010

FC77 Rangers opened their preseason tour in convincing fashion with a robust win at Powerlines Park in the Rock Creek Area of Portland. Bob Switzer, returning from an extended ligament injury so unique his physician might name it after him, blasted in a hat trick and Aaron "Hello Kitty" Radigan added a brace as 'Gers went up 3-1 at the half and added another four goals before time was called. Ron King and Nabyl Bennouri also netted--or rather, virtual netted because we didn't actually have nets, but whatever--and Brian Bauman got his long-standing wish to finally play striker for the last fifteen minutes. Manager Seanny even played goalkeeper for twenty minutes...during which time he made one awesome save of a cheeky chip and did his best Zoolander "Blue Steel" pose during his spontaneous photo shoot courtesy of Connor Foubister. Yes, I said a photo shoot. My one lasting memory of the second half will always be Mike Pullen turning around, seeing me bust the "Blue Steel", and exclaiming in total surprise: "What is Sean doing back there? Is he posing for pictures?!"

Yes. Yes, I was. If you were my Facebook friend, you'd know this already.

The Yellow and Black, dressed in our street "pick-up" darks to foil the THPRD officials who might have grown suspicious if we had our really nice uniforms on and asked to see our (ahem!) field permit, did a fine job controlling the midfield, the wings, and both the attacking and defending thirds. All in all it was a fine return to the pitch and a good run-out in advance of this our toughest season yet, what with clubs like Highlanders, FC Hut, and Controlled Chaos all on the schedule.

Starting XI:

DeBar, goalkeeper

Pullen - Bauman - Ingersoll, fullbacks

Bennouri, holding/attacking midfielder

Burden - Radigan - Muralt - Foubister, midfielders

King - Switzer, strikers

Gaffney - Generously offered to play for Wolfhounds for the first half before slotting in to Ingersoll's left fullback position when he assumed goalkeeping duties in the second half.

Next Preseason Match:

FC77 Rangers (O-30 Second) v. FC77 Newcastle (O-40 Second)

Saturday, 3 April, 2010

Montessori Earth School

3:00 p.m. KO

Mark Vogel's Testimonial Match

Be there to help Rangers wish our favorite, ageless Canadian "farewell, eh!" as he finishes his 18+ year career with "The Greatest O-30 Recreational Football Club in the Greater Portland, Oregon Area" and joins his new team, FC77 Newcastle.

A very special, probably slightly corny ceremony will conclude the match and I'm willing to bet that there will be adult malted beverages.

Venue Change v. Wolfhounds and an Inspirational Music Video from Clint "Deuce" Dempsey

Due to field maintenance at the Montessori Earth School, the preseason friendly match vs. Wolfhounds FC has required a change of venue and will be played at Powerlines Park in the Rock Creek neighborhood of Portland/Beaverton.

Powerlines Park

21155-21199 NW Rock Creek Blvd.

Portland, OR 97229

You'll know you are at the right location when, well, you see power lines.

Sunday, March 28 March - 3:00 p.m. KO

Players are asked to bring a black and a white jersey to give the impression that this is a random pick-up match and not an organized match...not that anybody is going to be using all of the fields late on Palm Sunday the weekend after Spring Break.

In the meantime, please enjoy this delightful inspirational music video from US Men's National Team and Fulham FC superstar Clint "Deuce" aka "I Sent Juventus Crashing Out of the Europa League with a Wonder Goal" Dempsey and some Texas rappers with whom, I'll confess, I'm not that familiar.

Spring 2010 Schedule Released!

The Spring 2010 schedule has been released. It will be epic!

Old foes Controlled Chaos, FC Bridgetown, (Tekvision) Lager Legends, No Subs, and Wolfhounds FC are all on the fixture list, as our new squads Highlanders, FC Hut Old Boys, and FC PFA. Start clearing your calendars now, boys, because every match this season is a must win clash of the titans!

Upcoming Games

Game Time	Match	Home	Result	Away	Field
Sun 04/11/10 04:00PM	3201	Controlled Chaos		FC 77 Rangers	Montessori
Sun 04/18/10 04:00PM	3208	FC 77 Rangers		FC Hut Old Boys	Montessori
Sun 04/25/10 04:00PM	3215	Hawks		FC 77 Rangers	Montessori
Sun 05/02/10 04:00PM	3222	FC 77 Rangers		KMA	Montessori
Sun 05/16/10 04:00PM	3236	FC 77 Rangers		Wolfhounds	Montessori
Sat 05/22/10 10:00AM	3242	FC Bridgetown		FC 77 Rangers	Cleveland HS
Sun 06/06/10 04:00PM	3252	Highlanders		FC 77 Rangers	Tual Hills 3
Sun 06/13/10 04:00PM	3257	FC 77 Rangers		Lager Legands	Montessori
Sat 06/19/10 04:00PM	3229	No Subs		FC 77 Rangers	Montessori
Sun 06/27/10 04:00PM	3247	FC 77 Rangers		FC PFA	Montessori