WMFC fall in second match

West Mifflin Football Club 0-1 Wolfpack

(0-1) Nimble Fat Ass (no offense) 40”

Yellow Card

Danzey 67”

Lineup:

Vargo; Danzey, Nickel, Eton, Reed; Baguet, Pcholinski, Hasson, Lacock; Volk, Gasparovic

A crisp May morning breeze could not help WMFC’s fortunes at Borland Park. Defensively, the squad looks capable. The lone goal was conceded only after a mental mistake that is apt to occur from time to time. In contrast, the forwards and attacking midfields seem to have taken the approach of the canine below towards putting the ball into the net:

The Blues once again dominated the game with the goal coming totally against the run of play. Right from the start, Wolfpack looked to establish themselves as the more physical of the two sides (Lord knows WMC far outmatched them in terms of skill). Reed was fouled hard from behind by Some Guy and went to ground (his landing causing the earth to tremble) and had to be subbed off. But not before he unleashed a very typical foul-mouthed barrage at anyone within earshot. It can be said that Wolfpack were a very physical, almost Bolton-esque side but that is to be expected of any team hailing from that far up Route 51. Bob Stinner was a game time decision and having recognized that the game was only worth a point consulted with the physio and decided to put off his season debut another week.

Reed returned after only a few minutes and later nearly found the net with his head. On a cross into the box, he leapt up (in similar fashion to the goal he scored in the pre-season friendly against the same team – his leaping foot only a centimeter off of the ground) and glanced the ball into the air. It looked good from my vantage but it clanged off the crossbar and the goalie collected. Despite being held scoreless at home, possession had to have favored the Blues to the tune of at least 80%-20%. The last time the Blues were blanked at home was against Heidelcunt last season.

Nick Cyr came on to begin the second-half and had quite an impact. He threatened the defense on almost every touch either with a slick pass through to an on-charging winger or with a one-two with fellow striker Volkster. Volk was again Volk-like and Gasparovic was busy and worked-hard up until his indefinite departure for a softball game (lame). After a shitty call by the absolutely horrendous center-ref (that makes it two out of two so far this season), Danzey let loose and was sure to let the center man know that he sucked and that he was a c*** and was promptly shown the yellow card.

Steve Gauss made a cameo at the Park Sunday to take in a match. He was a guest-coach on the sidelines and made a very astute observation: WMFC needs to keep the ball on the goddamn, motherf***ing, c**tflipping, tw*tlapping ground. Too many times the ball was blasted over the defense for a striker to run on to. However, that rarely works and when, as someone on the sidelines mentioned, a team is playing a 10-0-1, that goes from “rarely” to “will not ever”.

Man of the Match for the week goes to Daveon Lee. He had a very good game that has some speculating that he has earned a spot in the starting XI.

The offensive woes prompted the WMFC co-captain, Jared Pcholinski, to approach management with a revolutionary idea: to change formations from the traditional 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1. It was discussed by the brain trust and the co-captain and it looks like the club will institute the change at the weekend. Whether or not more than three people are able to practice the new formation this week remains to be seen. Nothing like making strategic information public but since no one, save for three people I know of, read this site, here is what WMFC will look like when they lineup next weekend:

with the squad lining up like this:

Vargo; Nickel, Dalibor, Danzey, Eton; Hasson, Kutscher; Daveon, Pcholinski, Stinner; Volk

The strategy change is a bold one but it may just be the tweak the squad needs for the first real game of the season. This formation allows Hasson and Kutscher to play as defensive or holding midfielders. Hasson has arguably the best control and touch on the squad. Kutscher is dynamic and has proven his worth in defense. Having them stationed in front of an already solid defense with the ability to push forward when necessary and support the attack should allow the attacking midfielders; Pcholinski, Lee, and Stinner to play more freely by feeding the ball up to the lone striker and playing off of him. This should allow more shots and better looks for the team as a whole and should lead to more than zero goals.

Remember, from here on in (except for the first game against EF to be made up) the games will count for wins and losses rather than just as a game played. So get out there and cheer on the squad. Next week, Reed and Baguet are out on holiday. Stinner should return barring any new complications with his injury.

WMFC’s next game is Sunday, May 24 at 1:00p at Borland Park. This one is mine. And this one counts.