U-13+ Division

REAL Against The Wind v. Fat Daddy's UNITED

(The Gaffer: Deb Shost) Fat Daddy’s United added another tally in their win column as they defeated Real 9-2.  Brandon Chapman was the first to find the back of the net when he picked up a ball cleared by the Real defense and hit his shot.  It was the only goal scored in the first quarter.  In the second quarter Brandon added two more goals, one when he intercepted a goal kick and lofted it over the keeper’s head and the other when he capitalized on a scramble in front of the net.  The fourth United goal was scored when the ball deflected awkwardly off a Real defender.  Jessica Chapman scored the fifth goal off a beautiful cross from Matthew Brooks.  Then Jessica set up teammate Henry Savoie with a well placed corner kick for the sixth goal.  Real’s hard work paid off before the second quarter ended and they were on the board with a goal.  At the half the score was 6-1.  During the third quarter Real struck first making the game 6-2.  Then Garrett Shost set up Matthew for the only United third quarter goal.  Matthew scored his second goal of the game during the fourth quarter when he got his foot on a loose ball in front of the net after a corner kick.  The final goal of the game came when Kristin Lane took a throw in from Dalton Shost and placed her shot strategically between the post and the goal keeper.  Collin Thomas made his debut in goal, played aggressively, and made some important saves.  Olivia Garrett broke up numerous offensive drives by Real and distributed the ball well to her teammates.  Lizzie McDuffie’s versatility came into play as she contributed to both the offensive and defensive lines.  Great job, United!

U-8 Division

Cafe' Rendez-Vous CELTIC v. Royal STANDARD de Red Bar

(CELTIC Parent) The CELTIC Nation came up against a very game STANDARD team on a gloriously beautiful day of soccer which was only sullied by the less than favorable condition of the U-8 pitch of the Wind Garden Parkhead. The cold rain and wind in Glasgow could not have produced a more muddy ground for play. However, pitch conditions being what they were, neither team let that interfere with the action on the field. It was a back and forth battle for the midfield through most of the first half, with each team launching forays into the final third of the opposition's established territory. Finally, after several opportunities lost, #7 Jack Franek locked on to a shot from just outside the penalty area, and a well placed right foot found a seam in the STANDARD defenses and the deadlock was broken as CELTIC went up 1-0. This seemed to embolden the CELTIC Bhoys & Ghirls and they stepped up their attack. #10 Brandon Emerick exuded confidence with a laser strike from just past midfield that could not have been placed much better into the center of goal. Opportunity was certainly knocking as #11 Risdon Bradley and #3 Findlay Townsend had opportunities that were nearly realized, both up front and from the back. CELTIC went into halftime with a solid but tenuous 2-0 lead. At halftime, the coaches must have inspired them, when #9 Jaden Joodi came out and put on a dribbling clinic through the defenders before slotting home 2 more goals. #10 Brandon Emerick continued his assault on the Golden Boot and Golden Ball leaders with a final goal before STANDARD revved up their engine and hung two goals on CELTIC. Still, CELTIC  proved its mettle, with all Players contributing significantly to a win that was vital. It was a hard battle that assured CELTIC the third position heading into the playoffs and a final regular-season tune-up against Regular Season Division Champions, CPH GALAXY!

Fat Daddy's UNITED v. FC BAYERN 30-A Chiropractic

(cue AC/DC "Back In Black" here)

As their tour bus rolled into WaterSound, UNITED was a band decimated by flu and vacation.  Even longtime road manager Dougie "Mutt" Bock was out, doing community service in New Orleans as part of the bands' plea agreement with the Parish D.A. for last weeks' "over-enthusiastic" victory celebration.
How would a divided UNITED Bring the Rock shorthanded?

Hard and Heavy, that's how!!!

Against a talented and tenacious BAYERN crew, Captain Matthew Christiansen rallied the band with the help of head Roadies Mike and Vonn (umlaut optional), and drummer Elise Plunk pounded out a mighty beat on defense to set the tempo. Then, taking turns on lead vocals, Caden Casillo and Evan Gore blistered the mic with screaming goals, while lead vocalist Dylan "Rolling Stone" Sturdivant and highly-caffeinated lead guitarist Turner Porterfield poured some sugar on the opposition with 3 encore strikes EACH to close with their number one hit.

It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n' roll, but UNITED is on that highway and layin' tracks! On to the next show!!!

FOR A COMPLETE ROUND-UP OF REPORTED SCORES & STATISTICS, AND AN UPDATED LEAGUE TABLE, CLICK HERE: http://www.us98soccer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=1

Playoff Positions Hang In the Balance

While the pole positions have all been established in the U-8 Division by Regular Season Champions CPH GALAXY, 2nd Place Fat Daddy's UNITED, and 3rd Place Cafe' Rendez-Vous CELTIC, virtually every other spot in every other Division is yet to be determined. Here is a breakdown of those jockeying for position as we head into the Final Regular Season Saturday of Fall 2009 Champions League Fixtures!

U-13+

It comes down to current Division leader, STANDARD, and currently 3rd Place, UNITED, to provide any movement up or down the table and into a different Playoff Match-Up. REAL play spoilers to STANDARD, and IF REAL can pull the upset, the ball then lands firmly at the feet of UNITED to score the top spot!

REAL has secured the 4th position for the Playoffs, against whoever should end up as Regular Season Champions. BAYERN can end the Season no better than 2nd, due to consecutive losses to STANDARD.

U-10

US98 Soccer picks these as "Matches Of the Day!"

The Final Regular Season Match-ups could not have many more implications.

In the battle for Regular Season Champion, STANDARD win by more than 2 goals, and they end up Regular Season Champions and get the #1 spot for the Playoffs. UNITED hold them off or keep it closer than 2 goals, they slip into the Playoffs having never loosened their grip on #1 all season. A final regulation time score of STANDARD 5 - 3 UNITED, and we are headed to extra time!!

Even more drama remains to be played out in the U-10 Division as there is a log-jam of 3 teams vying for 2 spots left as the #3 and #4 Seed for the Playoffs, and an opportunity to "Play for the Cup!" BAYERN 30-A Chiropractic go toe-to-toe with REAL Canvas in one decider, while Canaan's DYNAMO need a win over a vastly improved Cafe' Rendez-Vous CELTIC to have a chance.

The Playoff Break down for each of these 3 teams is as following:

BAYERN: Win and in Top 4. Tie, and in Top 4 due to goal difference head to head. Loss, and need help from CELTIC, to win or tie against DYNAMO.

REAL: Win and in Top 4. Tie, need help from CELTIC, to win or tie against DYNAMO, due to head-to-head win against DYNAMO.

DYNAMO: Win and either BAYERN or REAL loss, sees them into the Top 4. Tie and either BAYERN or REAL loss, sees them into top 4. Loss, and BAYERN and REAL tie or loss will not be enough, which will land them with the 5th Seed.

U-8

As mentioned, GALAXY have locked up the Regular Season Championship. UNITED and CELTIC also have sealed their spots, 2nd and 3rd respectively, to meet off against each other in the first round. So the remaining drama in this Division will be provided courtesy of STANDARD and REAL, as STANDARD takes on a peaking UNITED and REAL meet a BAYERN team hungry for a win.

All-in-all, there will be no shortage of action and excitement this Saturday at Wind Garden Park at WaterSound!

LET THE PASSION DRIVE YOU!!!