From Kevin Vogt.
Congratulations to Vesuvio on their win yesterday. It was well deserved. Also congrats to my team, the Pats, for their late season run to the championship.

I’d like to thank Walter, Frank and the boys (and girls) who organized another BVFC successful season.

Yesterday’s championship game was what soccer and the community is all about. I don’t know what the official attendance was, but there were a lot of folks there, bringing their own chairs and making a good time of it. However, for some reason or another, those who run the field don’t want this. They keep on jerking us around with playing times, and refuse to let us use the field when, a majority of the time, its not being used. I’ve driven and walked by Palumbo at all hours on a Sunday, and unless there is a BVFC game being played, the field is empty, except for that elderly man who boxes. And then we have to beg and plead for 2 games to be played. Like they are doing us a favor.

It really is a great way for people to meet and play a game they love. We had guys on our team who just moved into the area and through BVFC found a way to continue to play soccer and at the same time meet some people, make friends… You get to meet people from all walks of life, from all around the world.

Lets keep this thing going and make it even better. Lets get some petitions signed if we have to. Lets make some calls if we have to. And lets not take no for an answer.

I couldn’t complain about yesterdays game, the play was good as well as the refereeing. So I had to rant about something on this Monday morning.

Race St. 4 – Vesuvio 5
El Fuego 3 – Patriot 5

Good Weather, Good Games…

The Noon game between El Fuego & Patriot Construction started a little late, due to the early start (?), but didn’t take long for the fireworks to begin. El Fuego scored early, within 10 minutes, on a centered volley, by Zack I presume, that Marcus just got enough of to get past the Patriot keeper. 1-0 Burritos.

The Patriots got the equalizer on a Jimmy Reg throw in which Greg controlled in the box to the goalies right and quickly turned and directed it between the keeper and the post off his left foot. 1-1.

El Fuego struck back with a Zack bullet which the Pats keeper had no real shot to defend. Details shotty as my back was to the play. 2-1 Burritos.

Goals #4, 5 and 6 would all come from the Patriots before the half time. One off a Paul Roberts from 30 meters out (actually I have no idea how far that is, but sounds good) which just eluded the outstretched Geoffrey. One off a JT pass to Greg. And the other I have no recollection off. However, It was 4-2 at the break.

Things seem to slow down a bit in the second half, at least the scoring did. However, the chances were there. The Pats took a 5-2 lead off Greg Simonds shot which may or may not have gone in depending on who you ask. However, the ref and assistant said goal.

It appeared as if the Pats would take an unsurmountable lead halfway through the 2nd half as Lil Kevin made a remarkable run from his back position and was delivered a glorious pass from Lil Jimmy. However, the shot from 3 YARDS OUT missed the target badly. Rumors are he had run out of gas.

The Burritos seemed to gain some momentum after that and pushed forward. Shane scored from the goalies right side of the box and all of a sudden it was a game again. 5-3 Patriots.

However, that was the end of the scoring. At times it seemed as if the Burritos would pull even closer, but the Pats defense stood its ground and Dave Wallace cleared not on, but two balls from the Pats goal line in the waning moments of the game.

Lil Jimmy tried to put icing on the cake with a late goal, but the Fuego goalie came up big with a spectacular save, keeping his team in it until the very end.

Next up for the Patriots are the Calamaris, who defeated the defending champs, Race St. by 5-4 in the 2nd half of the doubleheader.

This will no doubt be a derby that will go down in BVFC lore. Game time TBD.

11/28/06:
Pats, no patsy anymore, defeat Vesuvio 1-0 on Tuesday Night.

Under the lights at Palumbo, and seen on ESPN 8, the ocho, The Patriots continued their winning ways with an inspired 1-0 victory over the Calamaris, gaining revenge from an earlier defeat (4-3 week 1).

The game proved to be one of the better matches of the year as each team punched and counterpunched for the entire 90 minutes. Opportunities abound in the first half, with a Calamari missing from point blank range and a Patriot knocking a header just over the crossbar. I’m sure there were more, but they are the two that stand out the most. The teams were scoreless at the break.

The second half had the same ferver as both teams kept on coming. It seemed as if Vesuvio would wear the Pats down as they had subs and the Pats were with just the 11 on the pitch.

When it looked like this game might end in a scoreless draw, Greg Simonds headed a Jimmy Reg corner into the goal to give the Pats a 1-0 lead. Vindication for Lil Jimmy against his former squad, who had given up on the young lad after rumors milled around his lack of play in the cold climate.

I think there may have been 15 minutes remaining when the Pats took the lead. However, the Calamaris would not go quietly. Ricky tried to put his team on his shoulders and will them to a victory. Opportunites by Greg, Dave and Brian (quick guy on the right) seemed to mount, and the Pats were trying to hang on. It seemed as if the Calamaris would get the equalizer when a scramble led to a Vesuvio shot with the Pats keeper off his line. However, Paul Roberts manned his post and headed the ball out just before the ball crossed into the goal. Saving the day and the match for the Pats.

Up next for the Pats is a NOONER with El Fuego on Sunday. The Burritos no-doubt will come with their A game as Bulas Boys (and girls) will be looking to avenge their playoff loss last year to Race St., in a PK thriller, and advance to the finals. The Patriots, who now have a 3 game winning streak, will also be ready to rumble as they make it to the Playoff Round for the first time in team history.

Second game will be @ 2 as Race St. plays Vesuvio. Wow, who do you root for in this game? Is it possible that both teams could lose? Its like the Cowboys playing against…the Cowboys?

Good Luck to All.

11/26/06:
Race 3 – Fuego 0

Patriot Construction defeats Fergies 5-2 to clinch a playoff berth.

The Patriots clinched the final playoff berth with a 5-2 victory over an outmanned Fergie club. Fergies played the game with 9 or 10 players. However, although short a man or two, the men on the field gave it their all. Kudos to them for not giving up and playing hard for the full 90.

The Patriots took a 2-0 halftime lead on goals by Jimmy O & Jimmy Reg. Once again I played in the back, so details may be shotty.

Fergies could’ve mailed it in at that point, with a 2 goal deficit and a man or two deficit, however they continued to play hard and agressive. They cut the lead in half shortly after the 2nd half began on a corner kick which deflected off a Patriot and into the back of the net.

However, the Pats fired right back on a goal by Jimmy ( i don’t know, was it Okarma or Reg – either or, they each tallied 2 goals on the day).

The next punch of this fight came from Fergie striker Harald who found himself all alone at the edge of the penalty area and fired a left footed shot past the Pats keeper. (Notice how much detail on this goal as I had a great view of it, being out of position and “trying” to get back) Thus, a one goal game again (3-2).

After cutting the lead, Fergies seemed to lose a little strength, probably from being down men. The Pats took control and sealed the deal with two late 2nd half goals, one by one of the Jimmys and the other by a fast breaking Jeremy.

5-2 was the final and the Patriots were happy to join the Playoff Party.

Now up for the Pats is a bout with Vesuvio, whom won an earlier match 4-3. The winner gets El Fuego in a playoff match, the loser gets Race St. In the event of a tie…I’m not in charge don’t ask me what happens.

11/21/06:
On Tuesday, in front of a raucous crowd, the Patriots eliminated the Dodgers from playoff contention with a 4-1 victory. It was standing room only at Palumbo park as fans braved the cold climate to see a well played game by the two squads.

The Patriots, who had not played in two full weeks, seemed rested and eager to play. They came out aggressive and sustained it through the entire match. The Patriots took a 2-0 lead into the half on goals by Lil Jimmy Reg & Greg Simonds. One goal was set up by a Napolean Dynamite run and shot which Jimmy rebounded. Greg’s goal I couldn’t tell you what happened. I played in the back most of the evening so details are shotty at best.

After half, the Dodgers cut the lead about half way through on a missile placed in the upper corner by, I believe, Fabio. He was in the area on a modeling shoot. Although he looks a little different without the golden locks.

The Dodgers keep a comin’, with nice center mid play by Mike and had some other opportunities. But on this day Chau Phan, the Patriot keeper, said you only get one.

The Patriots gained some breathing room with another goal by Greg in the 2nd half, and Jimmy O’Karma sealed the deal with a poke that just sneaked in the far corner. To tell you the truth, I don’t think it was a goal, but what do I know

The game was well played on both sides and it seemed as if the bickering amongst the teams, players and the ref was kept to a minimum. Maybe its the Holiday Spirit.

Thanks to Dave for volunteering to ref.

Everybody have a great Holiday.

Patriot Captain

11/19/06
Noon Game:
Fuego 4 abused Vesuvio 0

2PM Game:
Race 3 spanked Fergies 0.

Better late than never.
Last Sunday (11/12/06) the noon game saw the Artful Dodgers up against Race Street. Dodgers came out on top 2-1 in a hard fought match and handed Race St. its first defeat this season.

2PM game, Fergies picked up a win and 3 points due to El Fuego’s unexpected forfeit.

Race Street won a very competitive match 3-0. Kenji scored two and Eddy scored one. The game was played in very good spirits with very few fouls, making Ben’s job as the lone referee relatively simple.

11/05/06

12PM Game: Close match but Fuego took the game with a 2nd half point from Irving. Another controversial call kept the Artful Dogders off the scoreboard and handed us our 4th straight loss

2PM Game: Fergies playing 2 men down, managed a draw with Vesuvio

10/31/06

I believe that the final score was El fuego 6 – Fergie’s 3.

Conrad

12 Noon:
Vesuvio 1 – Race Street Cafe 1
Race St started with 9 players and still took an early lead. Vesuvio came back and tied it up but Race wanted it more and closed ranks to keep a well-deserved tie.

2PM:
Artful Dodgers 0 – Patriot Construction 1
Tough, close game. Dodgers had plenty of chances, as did the Pats. A “Mano de Dios” goal put the Pats on the board in the last 15 minutes (the ref did not see it >:|)

Ja, it was the expected emotional and rough game. We took the lead with Alex scoring after nice assist by Harald (ca. 20 minute). Paco tied with a good “missile” after we lost the ball after our own goal-kick (ca. 30 m). Short before half time Race received a indirect free kick a couple feet before our goal because our keeper picked up a pass back to him and “somebody” saying use your hands. Kenji passed to Jason and somehow it got in (In Germany we call that a “billiard goal”).

second half:
in general we gave Race Street more (to much room) and their fast strikers continued to be always very dangerous. Nevertheless, we tied after a long ball by Juan Said scored after hitting the post but going very strong for the rebound to finish it by himself. Julian scored the 3:2 after perfect assist by Conrad (I think). but we still fought back… after a handball in the box the ref only gave us an indirect free kick – must be an Mexican rule..>- (info: Charlie who tried to ref the first half was replaced by a Mexican guy who watched the game and I don´t know his name. I have to admit that it really was not easy to ref this game with a lot of bitching and complaining from both sides and a game which was going up and down the field). we still tried to tie again but especially Jason was always a step ahead and jumped a few inches higher than our strikers. Short before end race Street scored again quite lucky via own goal after a corner.

Final score 4:2.
Congrats Race Street.