Tag: soccer

Disappointing results

venturatrekerLeave a comment


Today we had a soccer game.  The team we were playing we have already played and we won 5 to 1 or something like that. Point is we beat them bad. But not today. Today we ended with a tie game.

I played a forward position so it fell to me as well as our other forwards to score. Unfortunately we could not finish, without lack of trying. We had ALOT of shots but nothing could just go in.

For the most part of the second half I felt like I wanted to strangle something I was so frustrated.  Nothing is more frustrating than having their goalie get the ball over and over and over again.

Sometimes these things happen where there seems to be an invisible wall preventing us from scoring, and it is infuriating. Next week we have another game and I really hope for my own sanity that we get some goals.

The true meaning of the Game.

venturatreker1 Comment


I have been playing soccer for almost my entire life now.  I really love the game and competing against other people.  I also love winning.  What I don’t love so much is losing.

Today we played the Dunn School soccer team and lost, but as I was driving home from the game, I realized that I was not upset at all. I actually had a smile on my face.

For the first time in over a decade of playing soccer I finally realized what it means to play the game.  Playing soccer is not about one team winning or anything, it’s about two teams going out on a field and playing their hearts out.  That’s what happened today.  It was by far the most fun game I have ever played.

I was constantly smiling and making jokes with opposing players, and when it came to one on one with the ball, the competition was always in good spirits.  Both teams played extremely well and there was a true sense of healthy competition.

Before today I never understood why in professional leagues players from opposite teams would talk to each other and joke. To me the other team was always the enemy and there should be no fraternization.  But once again today’s game brought down my preconceived notions of camaraderie and I did speak with players after the game.

Overall although we lost, I myself, and I think the team as a whole, learned more today then we have all season, and from here on OVS will see a different team.

our rear-ends saved.

venturatreker1 Comment


Our soccer team this year started out as a bright star. After crushing the Midland School we believed we could go all the way.  But coming back from our month break and losing five players, we have struggled since.  Unfortunately by losing those key players we have had problems finding players to fill those voids and we have not really been able to find our balance.

Coming off of two defeats to the Thacher and the Dunn schools, we have had our spirits down a bit.  Coming up on Saturday we were set to play one of the best teams in the state, Cate School.  Saturday morning I woke up to the wonderful sound of rain.  The pitter-patter had never sounded so good.

With the rain meant that we would not have to play Cate and most likely suffer another crushing defeat. Not I am not a coward but nor do I like to suffer terrible defeats, and with half our team “infirmed” we would not have stood a chance.

So we were saved by the weather from a terrible fate, and hopefully we will be able to stand a chance the next time we play them.

The cruel reality of soccer

venturatrekerLeave a comment


Last Wednesday I experienced what three weeks of inactivity can do to a student athlete.  We played the Dunn School in soccer and boy was it a wake up call.  We lost if you were wondering, but it was more of the journey than the destination right.

My journey at least was very educational. For one I learned that after spending three weeks of break mostly most running between sofa and kitchen during commercials, I made a scientific discovery about myself. I cannot go and play a 90 minute game after those three weeks.  In fact I can only play about a ten minute game before my vision narrows, I begin to hyperventilate and beg my coach to take me out.

Now that is obviously not a good thing, but I rallied in the second half and played the entire half, albeit I ran much less.

Although I am an athlete, I do believe that running should be a sin.  In conjunction with that I love to play goalie, and defense.

Worst person #7-Jerome Simpson

backinphillyLeave a comment

If any of you are familiar with soccer, you would know that very frequently, players take a dive and fake injuries. This almost never happens in football. Apparently, Bengals tight end Jerome Simpson thought he was playing soccer.

During a scramble for a fumble by Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, Simpson pulled Browns linebacker Scott Fujita from the pile. Fujita then gave Simpson a little shove, but Simpson SLIGHTLY overreacted. Take a look at this ridiculousness.

Crazy right? That’s not even good acting. Last time I saw acting that bad, Jerry Sandusky was saying that he was innocent.

What? Too soon?

Gimme some suggestions for my worst people in sports. If you think of something I would love to hear from ya.

Trying Something New

rangerthecatLeave a comment

Stepping out of my comfort zone is not an easy thing for me to do.
Generally, I don’t like to try new things, especially if I have to commit to them for a long time.

To be honest, I’m afraid of being bad at things that I try.

But this year, I promised myself that I would take new and appealing opportunities that came my way.

So, on a whim, I decided to join the soccer team.

It’s funny when I think about it, it really is. I am sort of clumsy, and I am the slowest runner you will ever meet. I also have no stamina what so ever. I knew I would end up making a fool of myself, but then I decided I didn’t care one bit if I did or not. I mean, how bad could I be?

The answer is, not too bad actually. Although I am very slow and have never played a day in my life before, it turns out I don’t suck as much as I thought I would. I was the manager/helper in past years of soccer, so I already know most of the rules and how the games work.

I know it’s not going to be easy by any means, but I’m so excited for this season. And honestly, I just wish I had joined sooner. Our first game is the week we get back from Thanksgiving break, and I can’t wait!

GO SPUDS! 🙂

Calm the “!@$ DOWN!

bedghostLeave a comment

I was just thinking to myself that tomorrow is the first game football game of the season. I’m not on the team, but this point got me thinking. How did I used to feel before a game? (I use to play soccer). And then I remembered That unforgettable feeling.

That feeling that burns your stomach, that feeling that keeps you awake, that feeling that never lets you sleep before a game… Pre-game nervousness. This is the feeling of the devil. The one that can ruin countless practices before a big game or performance. The key for me to overcome this burden, Is to stop right before the show starts and say to myself. “Calm the F%$! Down”. It works 80% of the time. The other 20% you just have to wing it and hope for the best.

If all else fails click here.

It’s Time to Say Goodbye

therightliberalLeave a comment

Old Trafford is one of the greatest stadiums in the world. It is the largest of any of the EPL club’s stadiums and it has an aura of magic. It has played host to many fantastic games and many incredible players. For some United players though, tomorrow’s game against Blackpool will be their last in the Theater of Dreams.

Edwin van der Sar has been a great goalkeeper throughout his time at United. I can still remember his penalty save against Chelsea that won the cup. He has been a great footballer and he will be missed. Sir Alex Ferguson announced that Van der Sar will start in the net in the last game of the season. This will give the fans a chance to thank him for his great work during his time at United.

Edwin van der Sar Edwin Van der Sar of Manchester United saves the penalty attempt from Ncolas Anelka of Chelsea to win during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21, 2008 in Moscow, Russia.

Although it is not certain that Paul Scholes will retire, there is a very good chance of it. It is a good opportunity for him to go out on a good note. Scholes has been a key member of United for since he came in to the first team squad in 1994. Before that, Scholes has been part of United’s youth program. He has always been a great players for United, getting in trouble at times but always coming off in style. His vicious tackles scarred even the most hardened players. He will always be remembered as one of the United greats.

Although these two players are retiring and others may be leaving, United will keep strong as one of the best teams in the world. They will get new players who have skill and knowledge but the greats that preceded them will not be forgotten.

Gers

therightliberalLeave a comment

Rangers Football Club (or the Gers as some of their loyal fans call them) recently won the Scottish Premier League title. This is the third title in a row they have won.

unfortunately in the SPL it is almost always only a competition between two teams, Rangers and Celtic. This year followed that. Rangers finished the season with 93 points in front of Celtic who had 92. The third place team? They had 63 points.

No other team in Europe has won as many trophies as Rangers, yet on the international scene they don’t get much credit. among many other large numbers, Rangers have won 54 league titles. 54! People are raving about United’s accomplishment of 19 (including me) but 54…that is incredible.

Granted the SPL is nowhere near as difficult as the EPL but it is still amazing.

I love Rangers because of my Protestant Scottish heritage, I’m no bandwagoner. But for those people looking for a team outside of the EPL to support, look in to Rangers.

They play pretty football for a Scottish team partly because they have players from all over the world. They have fanatic fans that give the atmosphere a great feel (usually) and they are a succesful club. They really deserve more credit.

But who deserves credit most of all is Walter Smith. After the last game of the season, Smith retired as coach of Rangers. During his time the team won 21 major titles including 10 times league champions. He has been a wonderful representative of the Ranger organization and he will be honored and missed. I cannot stress enough what a great coach and a great asset he has been. There is a great article on his importance here.

So go Gers! And for any Hoop fan reading this, don’t count on us stopping at 3.

19

therightliberalLeave a comment

The number 19 is not considered special by most people. It doesn’t get the glory of 10 or hold the importance of 100. But on Saturday, May 14th of 2011, the number 19 got a little credit.

Manchester United won their 19th league title this past Saturday. To most people, that does not seem to be a good enough reason to shave the number in to your chest hair, but for Manchester United star striker Wayne Rooney (pictured above) it was a great reason.

This league title now gives Manchester United the most league titles of any English club. Again this may not seem like a huge deal. But looking back it is a huge deal.

Before the 1992-93 season, United only had 7 league titles. This was not bad but compared to Liverpool’s 18 titles, it was quite small. But in only 19 seasons, United won 12 of their now 19. That is simply incredible.

With this new title United can now surpass their arch nemesis Liverpool as far as the most dominant team in history. All of the last 12 titles have come from Sir Alex Ferguson who took over a struggling team.

United had not won a title since the 1966-67 season. During that time they had been relegated and had lost much of their prestige. But Fergie changed all of that. During his reign, United have won many accolades including the Treble, the only team to have ever accomplished the feat.

Fergie should be credited with much of the rebuilding that has happened. He took over in 1988, taking over a club that was on the verge of relegation. He has now built them in to the largest team in the world.

United now hold 19 league titles, a number that for them seemed impossible to get to. They were weak and now they are strong. Now they can be the ones celebrating by carving numbers in to their chest hair.