Next Game:

Sunday, February 1st, at 10:00 a.m. at the Park School in Brookline, MA.

This is the final. This is why we have gotten up so early on Sunday that it is technically still Saturday. This is why Everton has driven a total of 600 miles before the recent collapse in oil prices. C'mon DPR! Let's finish this!

All Hands On Deck!

As predicted, the final is against Carioca. Everyone needs to show up early and be ready to play. Also, check back here on Saturday, as I expect to post a video of the last game against Carioca. Maybe we can watch and learn stuff.

Match Report: Semi Squeeker

With no Everton, no Terry, no Charlie, and no subs, what remained of DPR had to square off against an always dangerous Natick. Specifically, we are talking here about Nene. Natick's offense typically involves about 200 long tosses to Nene, and then a short grappling match as he backs in to the defender. Even though this play works about only 5% of the time, 5% of 2oo is 10 goals. So with that in mind, DPR had to make sure to get its goals, and try to minimize the gift goals.

Despite going down a goal early on, DPR took the lead with some good pressure. Dan in particular was all over the place, and helped get the offense going, even though the chances weren't always finished. A neat square ball by Dan for an easy tap in gave DPR the 2-1 lead. A perfect corner to Dave's noggin resulted in a perfect header into the far upper corner. 3-1. This is where fatigue set in. The lack of subs led to physical and mental breakdowns. Ilyas forgot to cover his man on a long overlapping run. Natick knotted things at 3, and then the teams started trading goals.

The second half had more of the same. Unlucky bounces resulted in counter attacks, with Nene finding himself wide open at times. Paul made a few brilliant saves to keep things under control. DPR found itself leading 7-6 when the dude who likes a miniature Easter Island statute decided to draw a yellow for being a moron. DPR was unable to convert the man advantage. A bad bounce resulted in a quick counter and a strike by Natick to tie things at 6.

Of course, this was a playoff game, so there had to be controversy. Dan found himself at the top of the circle and cutting in towards shooting position. A defender slid into him from behind and took him down. No call. It looked to be in the box too. Nene made up for things by booting a deadball away for another yellow. The half then ended, again with DPR unable to capitalize. Dan's foot was clearly injured, and he seemed barely able to walk. Nevertheless, DPR has prided itself on being a gritty team (except for those really prissy early years).

Overtime began with DPR still a man up for 2.5 minutes. DPR went to the classic 4-corners offense, trying to pull apart the three defenders. The plan worked, as Natick chased to the left, leaving Dave the right flank to lope forward, and casually strike the ball in a manner reminiscent of the hoof-strike in that beer commercial where the horses played football. (See dramatization above. Although no horses were injured in the taking of that picture, I wish I could say the same for Dave on the shot). The ball seemed to defy the law of physics and end up in the net, even though it seemed to go wide.

It was a win, but only barely.

Final Score:

DPR 7 - 6 Natick United
(DPR advances to Final)

Team Record: 5-1-0

Next Game: Friendly

Sunday, January 18th, at 8:00 a.m. at the Park School in Brookline, MA.

We are playing Otpisani, which is not just a bad scrabble hand with an extra tile.

Pianos (8 points)
Paints (8 points)
Points (8 points, ironically)

Can anyone come up with a 59 pointer?

Whatever!

So, the blog sent an email to our friend Jason at Mass Futsal about the scheduling items discussed below. I am copying his response below:

.

Sunday's Double-Header Canceled!

This just in:

The Park School has informed us that it will be closed this Sunday, Jan.
11. Adult games will most likely be rescheduled for one of the following: Jan.
17, Jan. 18, Jan. 19, Jan. 31 or a weeknight as mutually agreed by the
participating teams. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jason Miller
Director of Futsal
Massachusetts Futsal

Please see the post below. I don't think it is smart to go 3 weeks between games going into the playoffs. I also don't want to pay for games that we never play. Maybe we can barter the lost games in exchange for getting free entry into the state Tournament. Think about it. Let it marinate.

State Futsal Tournament: Any Interest?

Massachusetts Futsal, in association with Insoccer and Don King Productions, has announced that the Massachusetts State Futsal Tournament will be held on Martin Luther King Day weekend (no relation), most likely either Sunday the 18th or Monday the 19th. Is there any interest?

Before you answer (by voting to the right), please consider the following:

• The team fee is $300 bucks, although perhaps that fee could be lowered. Assuming all 8 of us joined, the fee would be $37 per person
• We would be guaranteed three games minimum (plus semifinals and /or finals)
• There are two 18-minute halves per round-robin game
• There are two 20-minute halves per elimination game
• All games are officiated by licensed FIFA/USSF Futsal referees, whatever that means
  
• Winners and runners-up receive trophies/medals
• Winners and runners-up qualify for national championship tournament, which is usually held in a city with slutty women
  
• Dates: Jan 16/17/18/19 ... Most games will take place on Sun. Jan. 18 and Mon. Jan. 19 in Brookline (some games may be played on Fri or Sat and/or in Concord or Lexington, depending on number or teams/brackets)
• This is the only Futsal tournament in New England sanctioned by FIFA and USSF, whatever that means
  
• The registration deadline is Jan. 11 2009

One final consideration is that this blog had promised its girlfriend a long weekend in ski country. I may get in some serious hot water by playing, but that is my dedication. You always see professional athletes engaged in grueling workouts as proof of their dedication. Not once, though, do you see any of these guys getting chewed out by the missus for playing. I'm sorry Kevin Garnett. I don't care how many curls you do in the off-season. Do you need to beg for permission to play in the NBA All-Star Game? I don't think so. Call me when you have to sleep on the couch.

Match Report: 4s Are Wild!

Dean Park Rangers played its 4th competitive match of the season, and for the 4th time earned the maximum 4 points for the victory. It was also the 4th time that DPR held the opponent under 4 goals. The win was accompanied by another 4 fair play points. Did I mention that the game was played on January 4th?

Although the game was meaningless, with DPR assured the top spot entering the playoffs, and Arsenal the basement, both teams found plenty to play for. For Arsenal, it was pride or something. For DPR, it was the pursuit of perfection and a traditional roast of some old friends that would make even Don Rickles proud.

DPR rushed out to a 5 - 0 lead without too much effort and held an 8 - 1 edge before losing steam and trading goals. The lead was padded by nice strikes by Terry, Everton, Dan, Mike and Dave (editor: "is this correct? It says 'Dave'!"; fact checker: "yes"). Towards the end of the match, things got edgier, with plenty of fouling, grabbing, and inartful play. One of the few highlights was Ilyas getting on the end of a long lob pass and flicking it over the keeper's head into the upper right corner for a classy finish.

Final score:
DPR 10 - 3 Arsenal Victoria

Team Record: 4-0-0