Blast HC Soccer

Blast HC 2
RISE 1

On a sunny early morning in perfect weather, the Blast took a close, tough game from RISE. Without our primary scorer Steve, we needed someone to provide some scoring punch, and Jay Randall got it done with two great finishes. We only had two really solid chances on goal in this game, and Jay went 2-for-2. Brett Randall had a couple great stops on the other end to hold off RISE.

This game seemed to have a lot of space, but RISE just wouldn’t go away, and whenever we got close to goal, RISE fullbacks seemed to materialize where they shouldn’t have been — sneaky slow. But finally the whistle came with the 2-1 result.

A good start to a tough week. Next up, Thursday night against Edo’s.

Five games in, The Blast find themselves atop the standings, with the all-important win over the Lions already in the barn. But there’s a lot of work left to do, and the division lead is a slim one point. Aside from the Lions game, the Blast have enjoyed a fairly light schedule thus far — the schedule gets tough starting this week.

The Blast face a three game week, beginnning at 9am Sunday against 3-2 RISE. This team has got quality players that can easily surprise the Blast. With the 9am kickoff, this may be a matter of subs and match fitness. I have taken a solemn vow of beer abstinence for Saturday night…

The next Thursday holds a night game against 3-1 Edo’s, another team with the quality to surprise the Blast. As always on a Thursday, it will be a test to see if we can get enough players out to have subs and give it our best game.

Wrapping up a tough week, Blast faces 4-1 Rats on Sunday at 1. Rats do not have a midweek game, so they will be working on a full week of rest.

With the competition and the midweek game, the Blast will have to really be on top of things to bring in points for three wins and stay on top of the division. Most importantly, we will need as many players as possible to keep fresh legs on the field for all three games. Please make plans for these games!

Blast HC 6
Kicks 0

The Kicks are having a tough season, and this game was a pretty easy cruise for the Blast. The game was played in great weather, with both sides keeping it fairly even tempered. A 2-0 halftime lead led to a leisurely second half where the goals cane often as the Kicks relaxed a bit on defense. Steve netted FOUR goals, and Jay and I chipped in as well. Thanks and congratulations to Brett and the defense for yet another clean sheet.

Blast HC 3
Nomads FC 0

The Blast got back to winning ways with a good game against Nomads. This game started out short of players, but the Blast were able to maintain controlled play while a full side and subs gradually arrived. After several great chances for the Blast, the half arrived with a 0-0 tie. Still, this game felt easily in control, and I predicted another 3-0 win — that’s just what we got in the second half. Big Dave corked a shot from the top box for the first goal, I stumbled through the box for a close shot and our second goal, and Joe iced it on a great hustle goal, cleaning up a loose ball, chipped over the keeper into the back of the net.

Celtic FC 5
Blast HC 2

The Blast enjoyed a terrific run in the last CVSA Cup with a favorable draw. This time was not so lucky.

In the play-in game, the Blast ran into a stout Division 1 team with a lot of youth and speed. After taking a 2-0 lead, the Blast wore down against Celtic’s speed and the game got away. This one never felt real tough, but as the game went on, Celtic was able to use their speed to break down the Blast defense and stymie the Blast offense. Still, a 2-0 early lead showed the Blast’s quality of play, and this was a fun chance to play under the lights with a nice change of pace from the Veteran’s Division. Steve and James tallied for the Blast.

The Blast are eliminated from CVSA Cup and Copa Bruce by way of a loss in the CVSA Cup play-in game. This will give more rest time in the run for the Veteran’s Division title.

Blast 4
Lobos Grises 1

The Hokies won, the Hoos won, the Blast won, and… the Redskins blew it. Almost a perfect weekend.

The Blast opened the game with a lot of space in what initially looked like an easy afternoon. Before long the Blast took a 1-0 lead on a misplayed ball by the keeper. But the arrival of additional players for Lobos Grises may have tilted the balance. Soon this was an even contest, and late in the first half, Lobos Grises tallied for a 1-1 tie. The Blast were caught pressing forward in midfield and for a while Lobos Grises had good space.

Fortunately, the Blast took control in the second half. A quick goal gave the Blast a 2-1 lead, and soon a set play from just outside the box found net for a 3-1 lead. At this point the run of play was firmly in the Blast’s control, and a late insurance goal gave the Blast a solid 4-1 win.

Blast 4
Lions1

Steve nets 4 in a great team-win for The Blast!

This game won’t make ESPN Sportscenter, but it feels like it should. In a stunning upset that will shake the very foundation of CVSA… well, not really… in an upset that felt really, really, really good, The Blast jumped all over the perennial champion Lions and pounded them for a very sweet 4-1 upset victory.

This game started off hot. With many subs on both sides, this game had far more pace than usual. The Lions found out right away that they were in a fight — just a few minutes in, a scrum on an airball in the Lions’ end resulted in a foul against me, and Steve easily banged the PK into lower left. Just a few minutes later, a little pressure deep in the Lions’ end resulted in an ugly turnover, and Steve pounded in his second, this time from the top left of the box for a 2-0 Blast lead.

The game continued at a high pace on both ends, but the difference was the Blast defense. With Brett in goal, and sturdy defense from Dave, Gordon, Frank, Chris, Sean, Rob, James, and more, the real difference in this game was that we had space to score and the Lions did not.

About 15 minutes into the half, Steve and Dennis worked a few good passes in the Lions’ end. Steve ripped a great shot, from outside the box, curling on target into upper left, for the natural hat trick. The Blast led 3-0.

The half continued at a frenzied pace for the longest 45 minutes I can recall in a soccer game. Both teams subbed liberally, I began to play in hockey-style shifts, making sprint runs for 4-5 minutes and coming off. The half ended without further score.

The second half brought the Lions offense on in force. The Blast midfield came out flat in the second half, perhaps reflecting halftime adjustments by the Lions. The Lions were able to apply a lot of pressure, passing midflield easily and pressing on goal. The Blast withstood the initial charge, with great stops by Brett and the defense, but about 10 minutes in, the Lions found net to pull closer at 3-1.

The game continued as before at a very high pace, leaving me to shorter and shorter shifts, coming off for a breath and then quickly back in. The Lions flooded their offensive end, which also created a whole lot of space in the Blast attack. While the Blast had many promising runs, it was a set play the put the game away. Well into the second half, I took a corner from the right, and Steve found a perfectly spaced run to near post. I curled the cross in and Steve headed it home for a 4-1 lead.

The rest of the game featured continued relentless attacking from Lions, matched by The Blast’s excellent defense. Every time the Lions got a good look or a loose ball, Brett was there for the stop, or the defense was there to clear before the shot.

Finally the ref blew the final whistle and the upset was complete. This has the be the Blast’s best game in my time, going back something like four years. The Lions were tough today, and we pounded them! I don’t think any win has felt this good since I won the 92-pound weight class in the Great Falls district freshman wrestling tournament in 1986.

Congratulation Blast! GREAT WIN!

Blast 1
Sounders 1

The Blast are off to a slow start as usual, but still collect a point.

The Blast played a little flat in a 1-1 tie with the Sounders. An early cross from me found the upper left on pure luck to put us up 1-0. A quality goal from the Sounders tied the game deep into the second half. Several great chances for The Blast went for nothing, but this was an even game — the Sounders had their shots too. In a repeat of the Spring matchup, The Blast came away feeling like the better team, but settled for a tie.

This game marks the first test for the notoriously slow-starting Blast. Week 2 is circled on the calendar, a chance at the Lions, who seem to own the division year after year.

Blast HC 3
Cannavaros 0

Another Sunday, another 3-0 win for the Blast.

Considering Cannavaros’ winless record on the season and the sparse numbers they brought to the game, this looked like a walkover, but the game looked different at a scoreless halftime. The first half was contested almost entirely in Cannavaros’ end, but The Blast could not put one in. Cannavaros also showed an occasional quality counter attack, consistent with a decent goals scored total on the season in spite of their winless record.

But the second half went more according to script. With only one sub for Cannavaros, the run of play tilted further in The Blast’s favor. At the top of the box, I took a great pass from Alan (I think), and an optimistic curling floater managed to drift over the keeper into upper left for a 1-0 lead. Steve followed up with two solid strikes for a 3-0 result. This game featured a couple good knocks to the post, including James’ great look that rattled around and back out (pictures below).

Credit is due again to the defense for another shutout. Thanks go to Brett and the whole defense for their third consecutive clean sheet. This game marks The Blast’s third straight 3-0 win, closing out a fantastic 7-game win streak with an aggregate 25-3 goal differential.

And that wraps up the season. The Blast finish in third place in the division, trailing the deserving champion Lions, with Titans taking second on head-to-head tie breaker in a game that The Blast would love another chance at with a full side. Yet another slow start to the season left the Blast trailing the Lions all the way. As predicted, the season opening Lions game seems to have decided the champion.

Which brings us to my first semi-annual Post-Season Awards… Its tough to pick an MVP between these three guys, but I have to give it to Steve for his excellent finishing up top. Right there with him I have to recognize Big Dave and Gordon for shutting down the back line. Where would we be without the guys with funny accents? (My mother-in-law said she was waiting for someone to yell “Freedom!” (Braveheart)). Joe gets the nod for Hustle Player, and I have to give myself the title for Out of Shape Sideline Loafer and Occasional Cherry Picker. Also thanks of course to James for managing the team!

Best luck to Jeff, Gavin, and Dennis as they rehab some tough injuries. Hopefully we will all come back stronger in the Fall as we look forward to another shot at the Lions. Keep your eyes open for new talent to put The Blast over the top.

Blast HC 3
Richmond City FC Veterans 0

In perfect weather, The Blast cruised to a very easy win, dominating posession, attacking at will, and holding Richmond City literally without a single shot on goal (as far as I can recall). Steve netted all three for a hat trick, two in the first half, one in the second. This game could have been a blowout, but the finishing wasn’t quite there on a lot of great chances, including yet another PK that the keeper didn’t have to save. We have to get those shots inside the frame!

On the defensive side, kudos to Brett and Casey in net, and the backline led by Gordon and Big Dave. Thanks to the keepers for tending the net back there without a lot of action on the defensive side.

The result leaves the Blast on a six game win streak, with a 22-3 goal differential, and looking forward to wrapping the season up against the struggling Cannavaros this Sunday, 1pm at Bryan Park. A Wednesday night game this week for the Cannavaros is likely to leave them a little less fresh for Sunday’s game.

If the weather looks good, let’s get a few wives and kids out on Sunday with chairs and tents and stuff. If we have a full side, this game should feature a lot of goals and a lot of fun for the Blast and devoted fans!

Blast HC 3
Kicks 0

Rob had two goals (both headers?) and Jim scored a highlight reel goal for a fairly easy 3-0 win over the Kicks. We had a lot of subs and won pretty easily, with great ball movement and posession. Brett and Casey combined for the clean sheet.

Looking at the rest of the season, the Blast looks great for 2nd or 3rd place in the division. After a typical slow start with two losses and a tie, we’ve reeled off 5 straight wins with a 19-3 goal differential and an overall 5-2-1 record. Remaining games against Richmond City FC Veterans (3-2-1) and Cannavaros (0-5-1) give us a decent chance to end the season with seven straight wins.

Blast HC 2
Jurassic Rats 1

The Blast started with three subs, then added a fourth. the Jurassic Rats played with 11 the whole game. It seemed like a very even match, both teams played solid defense, making the game seem a little boring. Then halfway through the second half the Rats got a quality goal for a 1-0 lead. Nevertheless the Blast kept at it, and worked to save time by chasing down loose balls out of bounds to keep the game underway.

Soon our break came when Steve was taken down deep in the box with control of the ball. After some extremely lame whining and jostling while we lined up for a PK, two yellow cards were issued to the Rats, and Steve easily netted the left corner to draw us even. Now deep into the second half, we kept the pressure on, and the benefit of subs began to show. Steve fed a perfect ball on a run to me, and to everyone’s delight the rats defense played keystone cops and fell down in the box. I was left alone to take a leisurely look at goal and slot one into lower left.

The defense locked it down the rest of the time and we finished with an extremely satisfying 2-1 comeback victory.

Blast HC 5
RISE 0

Reportedly RISE is a solid team but did not have a full squad for this game.

Blast HC 4
Scott & Stringfellow Lobos Grises 1

I don’t remember much from this game, except that Captain James Hewitt scored and it was super duper fabulous.

Blast HC 3
Nomads FC 0

Titans Veterans 2
Blast HC 1

(Recap from Frank)

Once again the Blast put up a valiant effort but come up short as only eleven players suited up at kickoff.  Absent was goalie Brett Randall, tending to a sick child, so James and Frank filled in the goalie spot.  Back in action was Denis Roose, on a tender heel, and starting his first game with the Blast was Chris as the one sub for the game.

The Titans came out strong with good ball control and passing but the Blast denied any significant penetration early on.  Gordon did a great job in clearing out any balls  that got by the defense.  The Blast had a couple of shots that barely missed going in.  Halfway through first half the Titans found a man open about 30 yards out who blasted a shot to the left corner of goal.  The Titans scored again off of a penalty kick after Sean ‘the walking hematoma” took out a player in the penalty box.

The Blast dominated the second half and out hustled, out shot, out defended the Titans who were happy to just boot the ball out of bounds at any opportunity to eat up the clock.  After mounting numerous attacks, the Blast’s Jay Randall scored from close in to make the game 2-1.

Sounders 2
Blast HC 2

The Blast were clearly the better team, but with no subs we couldn’t close this one out. We went up early, let in an equalizer, went up again, and let in another equalizer. We started with one sub, but Jim went out with a nasty looking ankle and we kept on with all 11 on the field the rest of the game. Its was a good game on a perfect sunny and warm March day – a good time in spite of the result. Also worth noting, Steve made some great saves in goal.

Next week is a bye. Get well soon Jim!

Lions Masters 3
Blast HC 0

 On another cold Sunday, the Blast played with just one sub against a tough opponent and went down 3-0.

The first half started with the Blast facing a tough wind into the goal and after a lot of pressure from the Lions, a simple corner kick came out of the sun and bent into the goal with the wind.

Down 1-0 in the second half, the Blast fought back and brought the game tempo level while the Lions stalled and wasted time at every opportunity. Pressing more and more energy into attack, the Blast were caught twice more by quality goals and the game ended 3-0.

On the plus side, these could likely be the two most difficult matchups of the season, so the Blast will look to begin a new win streak Sunday March 11. But the Blast will really need to add players to the roster or this could be a very tough (tiring!) season.

The next two games are against Sounders, a middle of the pack team, and Nomads, second place in the Fall.

CVSA Cup Round of 16
Richmond Blaze FC 2
Blast HC 1

On a dreary day in the rain, with temperatures in the 30s, the Blast played well but went down 2-1 to a younger team with 6 subs to the Blast’s 2. The Blast ended the game with no subs, as Sean and Joe each took a knock and had to sit out the last few minutes.

(see Photos page for more)

The game started with a lot of pressure from the younger Blaze team, but the tempo settled down after about 20 minutes into a fairly evenly contested match. The Blaze still enjoyed a clear speed advantage, but the effect was probably lessened somewhat by a very slick surface, preventing the Blaze attackers from playing effective kick and run with their speed advantage.

Nevertheless, the Blaze went up 2-0 in the first half on two quality goals.

In the second half, a very even pace saw both teams play well with good chances on goal, but it was the Blast who were able to capitalize. A well struck ball from the top of the box and a fortunate deflection in midair put the Blast down just 1.

Unfortunately the Blast were unable to pull even, and the lack of fresh subs certainly didn’t help. The Blast worked hard in the final minutes, but finally time expired with the final result 2-1.

On the whole it was a good game under weather conditions that couldn’t get much worse.

Hopefully Sean and Joe are OK and we’ll pull together for the regular season start next Sunday, March 4 vs. Lions Masters at 3:30pm at Bryan Park A. There’s no break in tough competition for the Blast, as the Lions finished undefeated last Fall at the top of the Veterans Division.

In a related note, today’s loss for the Blast breaks an incredible run through a 6-game win-streak and 30-2 goal differential to finish Fall 2006.

Time now for a well earned Bud Light, and the beginning of the weeklong process of recovery ahead of a big matchup with the Lions. Next week’s game is arguably the key matchup of the season, and the Blast will need to bring its A game out to knock off the Lions.

Scrimmage vs. Rat Masters

Paul Braun reports that we won the scrimmage 1-0, with Rat Masters playing a man down much of the time. This was a full-field scrimmage played in uniform without refs. It was warm enough while playing but not so warm when on the sideline. Presumably this means we had one or more subs… Sounds like a chilly but positive way to start the season in preparation for the Cup game on the 25th.