FC Green Bay

First weekend of State League Play for FC Green Bay teams (9/27-9/28)

All four FC Green Bay 2008 State League teams played in their first State League matches this past weekend.  Below are the brief game reports.

9/27/08
FCGB U14 Boys Orange - SC Waukesha Pumas (0-1)
A tough first game of the year for the U14 squad. The Waukesha team was relegated from the State Premier division this past spring.
The game was an "ugly" affair, no flow, no pace and therefore not alot of good soccer. The warm weather was certainly a factor, but the "man in the middle" did not help the flow of the game by whistling for way too many (alleged) fouls, and also taking forever to get the game going again after he would blow the whistle.  A shame, because this game was played in a very sportsmanlike way, and in a U14 Boys game a whistle should not be blown for 50+ fouls.
The Orange gave up what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the early part of the 2nd half.  This after they almost went ahead when Edgar B.'s shot hit the post and the Waukesha defenders got to the rebound before any FCGB players could follow-up.  Worth mentioning is the fact that the Waukesha boys appeared to be eating a different kind of Wheaties in their neck of the woods (they were huge)!
PS Under the motto "you are never too old to learn", some parents wanted to take time to thank the referee for show and tell time regarding what is meant by the term "out of bounds."

FCGB U18 Girls Orange - FC Milwaukee White (5-0)
The Milwaukee side traveled north up Interstate 43 with only nine players, and FCGB made them pay.  After a scoreless first 20 with the Orange figuring out how to attack a packed defense - again, Sarah F. ventured out of her back four central spot and blasted a rocket into the upper corner after a sleek 1-2 with Kara Delie.  Aselibia A., Beckah R., Kristin K. and Lindsay C. added first half goals for a 5-0 halftime score.  This is how the match finished after FCGB attempted to play 2-touch soccer and was actually outplayed in segments by a group of nine inspired opponents that wanted to keep the score respectable.    
 

Brookfield Red - FCGB U17 Girls Orange (3-1)
This was the third time this fall season that these two teams got to play each other.  A 0-0 tie and a 2-0 win for the FCGB team in the first two games.  Things did not turn out too positive for the Orange Ladies on this day.  U15 player Devan S. was called up to help the U17 squad as they were missing their entire starting midfield.  For various reasons all three starting midfielders were not on the pitch in Brookfield this day. Players had to be moved around in order to fill these voids. The game started out with Brookfield having the better of the play and capitalizing on this about 25 minutes into the game.  A somewhat harsh PK call led to the 2-0 lead for the home team right before half-time.  An inadvertent foul, a Brookfield forward tripped over Brooke VanR.'s feet as they were running side by side towards the FCGB goal.
Right after halftime the "nail was put in the coffin" by the Brookfield team. Within a minute of each other, FCGB did not get a PK when Mackenzie VanR. was fouled by the Brookfield GK in their box, but on the ensuing breakaway the referee awarded Brookfield with their 2nd PK of the game, when FCGB defender Jessica B. (who had a solid performance) and a Brookfield forward were pulling at each other as they were heading towards the goal of FCGB keeper Jasmin McK.
A big turnaround, but part of the game unfortunately. FCGB's Ashley N. ended up scoring a nice goal with about 10 minutes left, giving the FCGB team a glimmer of hope for a comeback, it was not to be however.  Thanks to the "Wrightstown girls" as well as Jessica B. for going to their team's league game over getting their hair and nails done. Rumor has it they still looked stunning that night and had a great time at their respective High School Homecoming dances!

9/28/09
FCGB U14 Boys Orange - FC Milwaukee White (1-1)
A much better looking game on this Sunday AM. What a difference a day can make.  A promising young referee in the center who let the guys play and two teams who both came out ready to play on this pleasant fall day. In the first half Edgar B. decided to make sure that the post was still in the same spot as yesterday....it unfortunately was.
Some chances back and forth, in a tight, well played first half.  Right before the break, FCGB's Will K. scored on a nice left-footed shot on the near post.  In the 2nd half the game seemed to be going the way the FCGB team wanted it to.  Pressure from FC Milwaukee, but no clear cut chances, and some good counter-attacks for the team in Orange as the Milwaukee team had to push #'s forward.  "Seemed to be going .....", until that was the assistant referee made a call from across the field on a "pretty dive" in the box by a Milwaukee player after a no-call from the center referee.  Of course the FCGB staff and players were not happy, but the Milwaukee team finished the rewarded PK clinically with 2 minutes to play in the game.  A fair result taking into respect the way the game was played, but the boys in Orange maybe got the short end of the stick.  What do they say again, these things even out through the period of a full season.  We will find out in the next few weeks!  It has to be said the Orange were committed today and if they continue to put effort in as today, rewards will come!

FCGB U18 Girls Orange - NEW United (1-1)
What a great opportunity the Orange side had - to take command of the State Premier League early in the season, and perhaps gain some more respect if they could beat a NEW United team out of Appleton that advanced to the State Cup semifinals.  It started scary as the speedy NEW strikers got behind a lackadaisacal defense for 1v1's.  Meanwhile, the Orange were struggling yet again with how to attack a compact defense.  Scoreline 0-0, and back to class at intermission.  After the break, GK Jenna Phelps made a nice save on a volley, and with the help of U17 addition Mikayla M. at the back, proceeded to shut down the opponents attack.  Meanwhile, FCGB's Alyssa C. gave the Orange a 1-0 lead with a good finish to the lower corner.  The Orange then pounded one off the crossbar, had a string of 6-7 consecutive corner kicks, and Chandra E. almost locked it up with her attempt from 18 yards, but it floated just over the bar.  With around 5 minutes remaining and the NEW offense all but dead, a backpass to GK Phelps was misplayed and it gave the visitors an open net to finish easily for a 1-1 result and the opportunity was missed.        

After their Saturday opponent forfeited, the 15s got to play Sunday, but on a surface in New Berlin that was not very conducive to attractive futbol.  It took awhile for the Orange side to get ahold of the ball in possession, but once they did they created enough pressure to force free kicks, one of which Gabbie P. punished the home team with a shot into the lower net.  The score read 1-0 at the half, and the latter 40 minutes brought much drama.  First of all, striker Cierra P. was grabbed on a breakaway, and after questioning the official as to how this should be handled, the FCGB coach was sent to his car for the rest of the afternoon.  New Berlin drew even about midway through the 2nd half, and from there the 15s had several good looks, the best coming from close range by Emma T., but the Blazers GK was up to the task and the 1-1 scoreline stayed until the end.