Racer X - 0 Bloodhounds 0

With a chill and a light sprinkle in the air it's game time again and it's verse a familiar foe, The Bloodhounds. They are one of the elite teams in the league, anchored by a solid defense, a quick off sides trap and a solid mid field. Their only weakness is lack of speed in their attacking front.

Racer X is short 2 of it's best offensive players, Zach and Carlos, so it'll be a hard game to win. The game starts off with no real possession for either squad. A chance falls for Racer X as the Bloodhounds play a sloppy ball towards their own goal, releasing Chris on the fast break. He gets the shot off but the ball is parried over by the keeper. The rest of the half sees the ball on much Racer X's side of the pitch, but solid defense, great goal keeping and poor shooting keep the game 0-0 at half.

Undeterred, Racer X starts the 2nd half with more passion and conviction. Although they are not winning the ball in the air, they are marking better and even putting together some passes from the back. One such possession finds Tico with the ball at the 18 but he decides to do the Fat Joe lean back and puts the ball over the cross bar.

The Bloodhounds get a few more chances, the best of which is a shot from the left side by their talented midfielder, but the shot is fisted away by Mark. The Game ends 0-0 with both teams in good spirits over a hard fought match.

Men of the Match are both Marks for outstanding play in Mid Field and Keep.

Wonder Kid

This kid could play on our team.

Game 3 - Entellium Ants FC vs. Racer X

It's a cold night as Racer X takes the field at Sea Tac #1. Entellium Ants FC is new to Div 2 and they are looking sharp sporting their new green unies.

The game starts off with Racer X grabbing control of possession. The ball is in the Ants end of pitch for the first 15 minutes but the Racers can't capitalize on any of there chances. The Ants on the other hand find the net on there first set piece, a corner kick taken by their vertically challenged mid fielder. The kick arc's perfectly over the near post defender and into the net.

Racer X is not discouraged until 5 minutes later when the Ant's striker who looks like a full back is released up the middle on a fast break. He shrugs off the Racer X defender and puts in the goal. It's looking like the season will not start off with 2 wins. But then with 30 minutes in Racer X get a break off some sloppy defending. If they had read the scouting reports they would have know not to give up any free kicks in the 22 yard range. Carlos sends his trade mark bender into the top left corner, well outside the reach of the 6ft4 abercrombie keeper.

Momentum is back with the Racers. Zach wins a penalty for the team when he gets tripped in the box. Carlos steps up and hits a low roller that beats an unmoving keeper on the right. With 5 minutes left Randy finds the ball at the 18 and takes the shot which is blocked by a diving defender who seems to think he's working in the secret service. Shouts for hand ball go unheard. But amazingly the same defender tries it again just a minute later and this time the ref awards the penalty. Carlos finishes off the hat trick with a left corner strike.

The 2nd half is completely dominated by Racer X. Goal 4 was scored by Zach off a set piece. Greg played a long ball over the top that Zach was able to volley in. Goal 5 was also set up by Greg, a header he put on target which the keeper spilled. Team Captain Adam top shelved the rebound. Goal 6 was scored by Chris on a fast break.

All in All it was a solid game by Racer X. Men of the Match honors goes to Carlos and Greg.

Brazil's Next Star: Alexandre Pato

Alexandre Pato is the new rising star for Brazil. (like they need any more) He just recently made his first team debu for AC Milan, scoring a goal and looking right at home with fellow brazilians Ronaldo and Kaka. He's only 18 but he will be the next great Brazilian Goal Scorer.

Major League Soccer: Seattle's New Name? Emerald City Greens

This is the name floating around for the new MLS team that's coming to Seattle in 2009. I would have to say that this is about a 3 on a scale of one to ten. Part of my job in creating new skin care lines is coming up with new names and this one is not good. Most people will not know where the team is located. For a sport already in obscurity, a more obscure name is not going to help. And what is a green? Vegitables? Maybe it's not too late to give our feedback....

Ruiz to Galaxy

Over the past 2 or 3 years my appreciation for the MLS has grown. I still feel that the league will not grow without the help of the media but that's for another post. This is a great move on the part of the Galaxy if you're a fan of scoring but everyone knows that what the Galaxy needs is DEFENSE. I heard a stat the other day that said that Beckham alone will account for 9 scoring chances in a game so to have a real finisher in Ruiz is excellent but there is nothing more discouraging in soccer than not being able to hold a lead or playing from behind. The Galaxy are officially the Tottenham of the MLS.

FROM the Galaxy Website....
CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy have acquired forward Carlos Ruiz from FC Dallas in exchange for allocation money and a second round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Ruiz, who began his MLS career with the Galaxy, helped lead the club to their first-ever MLS Cup title in 2002. He is the eighth leading scorer in MLS history with 81 career goals in 140 regular season games and has scored more than 100 goals in all competitions since arriving in MLS in February 2002.
"We are very pleased to be bringing a proven goal scorer and veteran leader in Carlos Ruiz back to Los Angeles," said LA Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo. "Carlos is an experienced forward who has averaged better than a goal every two games during his MLS career and we believe that he will be a tremendous asset to our attack."

Ronaldo Gets Hat Trick.

Ronaldo scored 3 goals, all in the 2nd half, leading Man U to a 6-0 vicotry over Newcastle. Looks like the new vapors are going to work for him. The score could have been 10-0 if not for the outstanding play of keeper Shae Given. The goal of the match has to go to Rio Ferdinand who scored a far post volley from a set piece beating the keeper near post. Not bad for a defender.