Galesburg Avengers - Let Season 19 Commence!

[Coffee Warlord]

League games start in 3 days, and I'd like to herald the beginning of the
conquest for promotion with a new thread. Old thread is viewable
here.

Team Summary
Team: Galesburg Avengers
Field: Vengeance Field, Galesburg IL
Series: V.38
Head Coach: Ian Hogan (solid, defensive specialist)
Supporters: 801
Youth Squad: Solid
Arena: 10,920 seats

Overview
Galesburg is, always has been, and always will be an aggresive team.
The best defense is a good offense, both on the field, and off the field.
We are pretty much the antithesis of the Screamin' Seamen. Offense, offense,
and more offense, and the only reason not to spend money is because there's
no one worth buying on the transfer lists. No job is safe, if we find the
right player for sale for the right price.

We finished 4th last season, taking the reigns of a last place club after
the first 3 games of the season. We quickly got respectable, and competed
with the top clubs in the series. I declared the season a success when the
owner of the series champion (now promoted) Avalanche told me Galesburg was
the only team in the series he feared.

Now, we intend to bring fear into the hearts of V.38. Our goal is nothing
short of 1st place in the series. We have the talent to pull it off, and while
there are 2 teams who may be a challenge, I think we can beat either of them.

Week 1: Galesburg Avengers at LDA

At a Glance

LDA: 1 victories, 1 draws
Galesburg Avengers: 0 victories, 1 draws
Goal difference: 8 - 6
Most spectators: 32241 (2/17/2003)

1/13/2003 (League)
Galesburg Avengers - LDA 1 - 3

2/17/2003 (League)
LDA - Galesburg Avengers 5 - 5

Best Players in Matches

Keeper: Kristo Rosin (LDA) (2/17/2003)
Wing back: Martin Schrader (Galesburg Avengers) (2/17/2003)
Cent. def.: Dustin Robinson (LDA) (2/17/2003)
Winger: Kurt Maddox (Galesburg Avengers) (1/13/2003)
Inner mid: Alexander Silva (LDA) (2/17/2003)
Forward: Daryl Mosley (Galesburg Avengers) (2/17/2003)

NevStar Index For Last Matches (Cup Games)

LDA: 44
Galesburg: 46

Tough draw for the first match of the season. This is 1 of 2 teams that pose
a threat. As shown above, we showed we could hang with them as we improved
towards the end of the season. What always killed us was the fact that LDA
had us beat on Midfield and Stamina, which means we lost in the 2nd half.
This time though, we have comparable midfields, and I have exactly 1 starter
who is not passable or above stamina. Our midfielder's stamina is excellent/solid/solid.
The best player list is rather amusing for us, considering Schrader and Maddox
are sold, and Mosley is still in rehab. I have a feeling that list is going
to change...signifigantly.

At any rate, LDA's major strength is in their middle. Their wings, both offensivly
and defensively, are unimpressive. So what's the plan? Duh. Attack without
mercy on the wings, and let the central midfielders fall back from their usual
offensive posture. Thankfully, we have a 3 star player by the name of Wiley Otero
who happens to play winger. I'm hoping for a strong showing from him in the match.

Starters/Orders
Keeper: Arden Tirado
Right Back: Rickie Quiroz (Offensive)
Central Defender 1: Elliot Hammond (Offensive)
Central Defender 2: Tommy Joe Poulin (Extra Midfielder)
Left Back: Leonardo Andres Alvaro (Normal)
Right Wing: Wiley Otero (Offensive)
Midfielder 1: Jesse Matson (Offensive)
Midfielder 2: Inge Oskarsson (Normal)
Left Wing: Ken Shaffer (Offensive)
Forward 1: Sam Jones (Normal)
Forward 2: Paul Street (Normal)

Death to LDA! Power to the Avengers!

[DataKing]

Somebody get hold of LDA and let them know what the Avengers' lineup will be on Sunday.

Just kidding, of course. Give 'em hell this season, Coffee.

[Coffee Warlord]

*grins* I was thinking as I wrote this, thank god no one in my series reads here...at least I think!

[vex]

That's the only reason I don't invite the my series to the board.

[Coffee Warlord]

Youth Pull

Lenny Hart, the latest youth pull for the Galesburg Avengers, has been sold to the Fighting Crawfish for a bucket of crab legs. It is assumed that Hart will be used as a test subject for the Crawfish's nefarious plots involving crawfish and lasers.

His soccer skills? Well, let's just say he'll make a much better guinea pig than an athlete.

[The Afoci]

Have no worries as Lenny Hart has now been properly disposed of.

[Coffee Warlord]

Season 19 has commenced, and the Avengers respond with everything I could have hoped for.

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 36465 at Morera Soto today. LDA tactics involved an interesting 4-4-2 combination. The following players had been chosen: Rosin - Gant, Waldron, Robinson, Suarez - Shaver, Silva, Felix, Bates - Knutsson, Taylor.

Galesburg had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Tirado - Quiroz, Hammond, Andres Alvaro - Otero, Oskarsson, Matson, Poulin, Shaffer - Jones, Street.

Galesburg took the lead after 6 minutes with 0 - 1. Ken Shaffer placed the ball out of reach for the home sides keeper after a fine move, coming in from the left. Tommy Joe Poulin increased the visitors lead by putting a volley shot away on a pass from the right. 0 - 2. By now Galesburg were drawing the troops back in order to defend their lead. LDA didn´t give in and in the 12th minute Dustin Robinson was able to put the 1 - 2 goal away after a play from the right. The referee showed LDAs Dusty Shaver the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. 1 - 2 was the half-time score. Galesburg, bringing the final ball possession rate to 55 percent, dominated the battle.

Almost all the way down to the corner flag Wiley Otero somhow managed to get a perfect pass into the middle, impossible to miss for Sam Jones who struck for 1 - 3. LDA had a brilliant opportunity to reply as Anders Knutsson received a high ball from the right, striking the ball still in the air. Only Arden Tirado´s reflexes saved him. Alexander Silva of LDA received a yellow card in the 65:th minute for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Steve Felix of LDA received a yellow card in the 74:th minute for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Anders Knutsson had a good opportunity to reduce in the 78:th minute but wasn´t cool enough. The ball went miles over the bar. LDA, bringing the final ball possession rate to 51 percent, dominated the battle.

The most dominating LDA player was without a doubt Dustin Robinson. Lester Bates on the other hand, had a terrible day. Galesburg´s best player was Wiley Otero. Elliott Hammond was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 3.


Galesburg Avengers

Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: solid
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: passable

Arden Tirado: 2.5*
Rickie Quiroz: 2.0*
Elliot Hammond: 2.0*
Tommy Joe Poulin: 2.0*
Leonardo Andres Alvaro: 2.5*
Wiley Otero: 3.0*
Jesse Matson: 2.5*
Inge Oskarsson: 2.5*
Ken Shaffer: 2.0*
Sam Jones: 2.0*
Paul Street: 2.0*

NevStar Index: 48

Rock. Rock, rock, rock, and rock some more. This is the only team we never beat last season, (and to be honest, the 5-5 tie was luck). A very impressive victory on the road, and we get our nemesis out the way early.

Ratings wise...can't complain. Weak midfield in our debut means my goal is to get that to inadequate/passable by the end of the season. As we're training playmaking...it's most certainly doable. Once Mosley returns, our attack will bump up a bit as well, a Good Thing. Defense was good enough for us.

Stay tuned for our lineup for the Cup match vs another bot team. We're playing our midfield trainees, 1 reserve, and the rest starters, just to ensure we can win with a PIC.

[daedalus]

When the lowest rated player is 2* . . . that just ain't bad.

[Coffee Warlord]

It pays to keep players in good form.

That, and I've pretty much got a very balanced team. Decent players everywhere, instead of stars & scrubs.

[Coffee Warlord]

Pre Game: Galesburg Avengers at Las Vegas Spartans (Cup)

PIC. Series VI bot team, no worries. We're playing our midfield trainess, and a couple starters in other positions just to play it safe.

Keeper: Arden Tirado
Right Back: Rickie Quiroz (Offensive)
Defender 1: Leonardo Andres Alvaro (Normal)
Defender 2: Alfred Hurt (Extra Midfielder)
Left Back: Rodney Valadez (Normal)
Right Wing: Paofai Croom-Carter (Towards Middle)
Midfield 1: Nicasio Pinto (Normal)
Midfield 2: Elliot Hammond (Normal)
Left Wing: Howie Cole (Offensive)
Forward 1: Sam Jones (Normal)
Forward 2: Paul Street (Normal)

Game day lineups for the league match will be after the cup results come in, as I'll be out of town starting Thursday night, till monday. Unfortunatly, that means I won't get to set lineups based on form changes, but I'll live.

[Coffee Warlord]

Must....stay....awake.

Certain player going for ultra cheap in an obscure country that I *will* get. Oh yes.

[DataKing]

Addict.

[Coffee Warlord]

Gee, ya think?

[Qwikshot]

Originally posted by Coffee Warlord
Gee, ya think?

I've quit cold turkey, that and I have no money to spend.

[Coffee Warlord]

'Course, the bad news is, I just couldn't stay up long enough to get the guy I wanted. Freakin' solid scorer / inadequate passing was going at 13,000.

Damn work getting in the way of Hattrick.

[Coffee Warlord]

More writeup once I recover from my weekend of paintball fun, but I just had to post my ratings from my last match.

Passable midfield. Woooooh.

Galesburg Avengers
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: passable
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: passable

[Coffee Warlord]

10920 spectators arrived at Vengeance Field, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Galesburg had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Tirado - Quiroz, Hammond, Andres Alvaro - Otero, Oskarsson, Matson, Poulin, Shaffer - Jones, Street.

IronMen started off with a 4-3-3 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Hoff - Pham, Carmona, Lee, Hermansson - Fernandez, Jones, Matsson - White, Vela, Butler.

Sam Jones gave his Galesburg the lead with 1 - 0, as he successfully challenged both the guests central defenders, then placed the ball unreachably at the goaltenders right post. In the 16:th minute Galesburg put themselves up 2 - 0. The visitors defenders lost the ball to Paul Street coming up from the left, who proceeded to cooly round the goaltender and knock the ball home. After this Galesburg lowered the tempo in order to concentrate on their defensive efforts. In the 27:th minute of the match the visitors central line of defence had to look on as Sam Jones dashed through, knocking home 3 - 0 for Galesburg. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, Galesburg´s Jesse Matson got himself booked. A great save by goaltender Stephan Hoff in the 31st minute kept the visitors in the game as Paul Street struck from the left with a real cannonball. 3 - 0 was the half-time score. Galesburg, bringing the final ball possession rate to 85 percent, dominated the battle.

A header from Timothy White connected with a corner kick after 55 minutes, and the ball ended up with Paul Jones of IronMen who shot the 3-1 goal. In the 56:th minute of the match the visitors central line of defence had to look on as Sam Jones dashed through, knocking home 4 - 1 for Galesburg. At that, Sam Jones was noted down for a hat trick. Galesburgs Ken Shaffer got himself booked after a foul. In the 82nd minute of the match the visitors central line of defence had to look on as Jesse Matson dashed through, knocking home 5 - 1 for Galesburg. Unsportsmanlike behaviour by Ken Shaffer rendered him his second booking of the match, and Galesburg had to finish the game with a reduced squad. The fortyfive minutes were dominated by Galesburg, with an impressive 78 percent possession of the ball.

Most important Galesburg player was Wiley Otero. However, Rickie Quiroz made a disastrous appearance. Most important IronMen player was Jim Carmona. Paul Jones on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 5 - 1.

Galesburg Avengers
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: passable
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: passable

IronMen
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: inadequate

Arden Tirado: 2.5
Rickie Quiroz: 2.0
Elliot Hammond: 2.0
Inge Oskarsson: 2.5
Leonardo Andres Alvaro: 2.5
Wiley Otero: 3.0
Jesse Matson: 2.5
Tommy Joe Poulin: 2.0
Ken Shaffer: 0.0 (2 cards, no rating)
Sam Jones: 2.0
Paul Street: 2.0

Helluva match for us. I'm not sure what happened to IronMen, or frankly the other
powerhouses in our series. Last season, they were a far better team. Well, it
makes our job easier. We have now moved to first place in our series, and the
Galesburg Consortium does not intend to relinquish that spot for the rest of
the season.

Match analysis...all I gotta say is, fear my midfield. I shoulda PIC'd the game.
Our attack is starting to improve back to pre-defensive-coach form, and our midfield
is leaps and bounds better than anyone else in the series. I'm now shooting for a
solid midfield rating by the end of this season. That'll most certainly make us competative
in damn near any series IV league. If we can get our attack back up to excellent/formidable
range, I'll be happy. 2 more weeks till Daryl Mosley, the terror forward of V.38 returns
to the pitch.

The amount of cards we have gotten hit with early kinda sucks. Not that bigga
deal though, as our one suspension will serve his time in a cup match I do not
expect to win.

Next league match is at FD United, a team who is doing fairly well this season. We
dominated them last season though, and I'm truly not concerned about them.

Next (and likely final) cup match is at home vs Northern Iowa United, a decent
series IV team. I could likely beat them if I fielded my starters, but no.
We'll have the trainees in, and we'll be PICing. I want my TS to stay nice and
high. I 100% do not expect to win this game, but hey, stranger things have
happened. We'll see.

[Coffee Warlord]

Transfer list action for Galesburg comes in the form of young Emerson Farrel. We picked him up for a very reasonable 14,000, and he will replace the 19 year old PM trainee Alfred Hurd, who has been transfer listed for 1k. Emerson will be a FAR better sell once he is trained up. This now puts our PM trainees at 17/18, instead of 18/19. Our third full playmaking slot is still being used on Elliot Hammond, who is a 23 year old solid PM central defender. I want to get him to excellent and sell him for a good chunk of change.

The line on Farrell...

Emerson Farrell
38 000 US$, 17 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and passable leadership abilities
Hometown: Richmond, VA

Stamina: wretched Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: inadequate
Winger: weak Defending: wretched
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: inadequate

[Coffee Warlord]

10920 spectators had come to Vengeance Field this cloudy day. Galesburg had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Tirado - Quiroz, Andres Alvaro, Valadez - Otero, Hammond, Pinto, Farrell, Croom-Carter - Jones, Street.

Northern tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Lineup: Kjellgård - Fagerwald, Escobedo, Layton - Cooper, Larsson, Pomar, Görtzen, Pearce - Sjöby, Fjällius.

In the games 8:th minute Galesburg´s Emerson Farrell fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Emerson Farrell for taking a dive. Ellis Layton still has a lot to learn. Like for instance not to make half-hearted passes in front of Rickie Quiroz who now could score for Galesburg. to 1-0. With 18 minutes played Paul Street could have brought this one home for Galesburg, had his hooked ball gone in, but it went just a bit too high. Hilario Pomar behaved like an inexperienced youth player in the 21st minute as he gave the ball away to an opponent. Lucky for him though, there was no goal. The visitors almost came back with an equaliser in the 26:th minute after a good combination down the middle, but as Larry Sjöby was to put closure on the raid he couldn´t deliver a shot hard enough to seriously challenge the keeper. A great save by goaltender Kevin Kjellgård in the 27:th minute kept the visitors in the game as Emerson Farrell struck from the left with a real cannonball. The crowd was silenced in the 27:th minute as the visiting teams Larry Sjöby came in from the left, levelling the score to 1 - 1. 1 - 1 was the half-time score. Northern, bringing the final ball possession rate to 56 percent, dominated the battle.

In the 71st minute cheers broke out as Nicasio Pinto found his way through the guests central defense line, clipping the 2 - 1 goal in for Galesburg. The crowd was silenced in the 76:th minute as the visiting teams Gustav Fjällius came in from the left, levelling the score to 2 - 2. Northern held the ball, with a clear 74 percent possession rate.

As none of the teams had managed to win, extra time was called. The referee showed Galesburgs Leonardo Andres Alvaro the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. Northern were forced to a substitution as Kevin Kjellgård couldn´t continue playing due to the rough treatment. The result was still a draw, so the game had to be settled with penalties. Galesburg´s Leonardo Andres Alvaro cooly put the ball past Jim Barrios. 3 - 2. Northern´s Magnus Larsson hesitated a long time before shooting a penalty going just wide of the left post. Still 3 - 2. Galesburg´s Wiley Otero cooly put the ball past Jim Barrios. 4 - 2. Northern´s Larry Sjöby cooly put the ball past Arden Tirado. 4 - 3. Galesburg´s Elliott Hammond cooly put the ball past Jim Barrios. 5 - 3. Northern´s Ellis Layton penalty shot was very well placed but Arden Tirado went the right way, blocking it spectacularly. The score was still 5 - 3. Galesburg´s Sam Jones made no mistake. Jim Barrios didn´t have a chance. 6 - 3. Northern´s Greg Pearce penalty shot was very well placed but Arden Tirado went the right way, blocking it spectacularly. The score was still 6 - 3. Galesburg´s Paofai Croom-Carter, obviously having last minute doubt´s, produced a loose ball to the right post. Unfortunately Jim Barrios made a premature move to the left and didn´t make it back. New score 7 - 3. Northern´s Leo Cooper cooly put the ball past Arden Tirado. 7 - 4. Most important Galesburg player was Wiley Otero. Emerson Farrell on the other hand, had a terrible day. The most dominating Northern player was without a doubt Greg Pearce. However, Jim Barrios made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 7 - 4.

Galesburg Avengers
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: solid
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: inadequate

Northern Iowa United
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: passable


We don't know how we made it to PK's. We don't wanna know how. The fact of the matter is, we did, and we survived another round of the cup.

Some last minute research of this match showed me that this team was inactive, so they've been playing their same starters for a good month or two now. I decided at the last minute to put starters Wiley Otero and Sam Jones in, but I was not going to forgo my training, nor was I going to drop my TS, so we PIC'd. I figured this would at least give us a chance (we coulda slaughtered them if I played my starters), and it paid off.

Good news all the way around. No injuries, another chunk of change for next week's cup match, our TS still bumped back to delirious, and our trainees got their training.

Odds are we lose next in the next round, but who knows. I do, however, intend to keep my trainees in and PIC every cup match we get. The benefits to the far more important league games are too great.

Next up after training / youth pulls is an away game vs FD United, currently in a surprising 4th place. They are really not a good team, and we're still deciding whether or not to PIC it.

[Coffee Warlord]

We just got our seeding for next round.

Astoria Celtic, currently in 4th place in IV, and *gasp* an active team! Yay!

They are also beatable. Very similar rankings (a tad better) to the Northern Iowa. Like I said, we're not sacrificing training, but we may throw a couple more starters in to give us a fighting chance.

[sterlingice]

If they're beatable, I say go for it- play some starters and train stamina. How much cash did you get for your home game? Wouldn't you rather get another payday like that and trade out one week of training for a week of stamina?

SI

[Coffee Warlord]

You know...that's not a half bad idea.

[sterlingice]

It's what I did this week

Next week, I'm trying something a little more stupid- but I'll be posting that in my thread tonight.

SI

[Coffee Warlord]

I think it depends on whether or not anyone pops this week in playmaking. I've got 4 people who are due for one. 2 should pop, the others would be a pleasant surprise. My HD bombed a couple weeks ago, so I lost all my old HAM files to properly track things.

[daedalus]

Originally posted by sterlingice
If they're beatable, I say go for it- play some starters and train stamina. How much cash did you get for your home game? Wouldn't you rather get another payday like that and trade out one week of training for a week of stamina?

I actually have a similar situation - except that I'm D4 and they're a darn good D5. I'm probably going to end up training set pieces with most of my starters in.

By the way, does players have to be playing to get the 'benefit' from general training? [I know, I know. Training general is silly but I have far more inadequate forms from my offseason stamina training than I can afford at the moment.]

Ugh. Only players who play gets help from General training. I might just be desperate enough in a few weeks.

Edit: 'Cuz I learned to read the Rule. RTFM is a good thing.

[Coffee Warlord]

Training Update

One playmaking pop, and...eh. It's our young pure winger starter, Ken Shaffer, who popped to poor playmaking. Yawn. I was hoping for more.

Form...you couldn't ask for our starters to be in better form. Let me just sum it up, as the full details of our match are below.

Starting 11 Form
---
Inadequate: 1
Passable: 5
Solid: 5

Wow.

At any rate, now we get on to the fun stuff.

V.38, Week 3 - Galesburg Avengers at FD United

FD United has improved a lot since last year, where we dominated them both matches. We are not going to take them lightly, even though I'm confident we have a far superior team. I take no chances, as I want to build a good solid lead in our series.

At A Glance - Last League Matches

Galesburg Avengers (5-1 win vs IronMen, 3-5-2)
NevStar Index: 54
All Stars: 25.5
Def Stars: 9.0
Mid Stars: 12.0
Att Stars: 4.5

FD United (1-0 loss vs Barkhamsted Fighting Roadkill, 3-5-2)
NevStar Index: 42
All Stars: 22.0
Def: 9.0
Mid: 8.0
Att: 5.0

Head to Head History

Galesburg Avengers: 2 victories, 0 draws
FD United: 0 victories, 0 draws
Goal Difference: 4-10

Best Players

Keeper: William Thomas (Galesburg) (Since Departed)
Wing Back: Martin Schrader (Galesburg) (Since Departed)
Central Defender: Paris Numbers (FD United)
Winger: Wiley Otero (Galesburg)
Inner Midfield: Jesse Matson (Galesburg)
Forward: Daryl Mosley (Galesburg)

As you can see, we're flat out better. Aside from their wretched midfield, they do have decent game ratings, however. As it so happens though, they have a long streak of weak left side defense, which means...the Otero/Quiroz combo will be playing on our right to exploit that. We're hoping for a lot of goals from the left this week. Other than that...we're going to rely on our midfield to keep the ball away from them, and give us ample opportunity to score.

Starting Lineup, Galesburg Avengers

Keeper: Arden Tirado
Right Back: Rickie Quiroz (Offensive)
Central Defender 1: Elliot Hammond (Offensive)
Central Defender 2: Inge Oskarsson (Extra Midfield)
Left Back: Leonardo Andres Alvaro (Normal)
Right Wing: Wiley Otero (Offensive)
Inner Midfield 1: Jesse Matson (Offensive)
Inner Midfield 2: Tommy Joe Poulin (Offensive)
Left Wing: Ken Shaffer (Offensive)
Forward 1: Sam Jones (Normal)
Forward 2: Paul Street (Normal)

Ed the Travelling Wonder Monkey Predicts...

8-2 Galesburg over FD United.

[Coffee Warlord]

At Brotherhood Field, 11872 punters turned up, and despite threatening clouds at the horizon, no rain came. United started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Hardman - Belda, Numbers, Butterfield - Tucker, Paez García, Portillo, Weir, Wilbur - Alaniz, Dewey.

Galesburg had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Tirado - Quiroz, Hammond, Andres Alvaro - Otero, Oskarsson, Matson, Poulin, Shaffer - Jones, Street.

A mistake by the home sides central defence in the 2nd minute allowed Sam Jones to score 0 - 1 for Galesburg. One of many good passes from Ken Shaffer at the wing was recieved and skillfully taken care of by Wiley Otero, scoring for Galesburg to 0 - 2. After 19 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for Paul Street who increased Galesburg´s lead to 0 - 3. Jesse Matson of Galesburg received a yellow card in the 22nd minute for unsportsmanlike behaviour. The visitors Sam Jones took advantage of an error due to a misunderstanding between the home side´s goalie and full backs in the 23rd minute. 0 - 4 for Galesburg. By now Galesburg were drawing the troops back in order to defend their lead. United will have to do without Bryan Portillo for a time due to a bad foot injury. He was substituted by Gerardo Zaballa. 0 - 4 was the half-time score. Galesburg held the ball, with a clear 70 percent possession rate.

The away team´s Elliott Hammond took advantage of a mistake to the home side´s right in the 54:th minute increasing Galesburg´s lead to 0 - 5. After the ball got lifted in from the left Tommy Joe Poulin was on his own in the home side´s penalty area 67 minutes into the game, and should have scored, but missed, probably due to lack of concentration. In the games 76:th minute Sam Jones nearly put the visitors another one up as he broke through and fired from just outside the box, his shot passed just over the bar. In the 77:th minute of the game, Galesburg´s Jesse Matson had to leave the pitch after receiving his second booking. The visitors Wiley Otero took advantage of an error due to a misunderstanding between the home side´s goalie and full backs in the 78:th minute. 0 - 6 for Galesburg. The fortyfive minutes were dominated by Galesburg, with an impressive 74 percent possession of the ball.

Most important United player was Paris Numbers. Gerardo Zaballa was a disappointment, however. Galesburg´s best player was Wiley Otero. Ken Shaffer on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 0 - 6.


Shoulda PIC'd. I went back and forth on that decision, but we were away, and they looked like they had improved since last year, so I played it safe. Oh well, we won in convincing fashion and solidify our hold on 1st place.

Wish I could see our rankings without a player getting injured or carded out, dammit! As it is though...not bad.



Galesburg Avengers
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: passable

Keeper: Arden Tirado - 2.5*
Wingback: Rickie Quiros - 2.0*
Central Defender: Elliot Hammond - 2.0*
Wingback: Leonard Andres Alvaro - 2.5*
Winger: Wiley Otero - 3.0*
Midfield: Inge Oskarsson - 2.5*
Midfield: Tommy Joe Poulin - 2.5*
Winger: Ken Shaffer - 2.0*
Forward: Sam Jones - 2.0*
Forward: Paul Street - 2.5*

Matson, our other midfielder, usually gets 2.5*'s, so if you add that in, helluva match, star wise.

Barkhamstead Fighting Roadkill next week. One of 2 teams in the series I'm cautious about. We defeated the first, LDA, in convincing fashion. I'm hoping we can pull off the same next week and basically clinch our 1st place finish.

[daedalus]

Originally posted by Coffee Warlord
Ed the Travelling Wonder Monkey Predicts...

8-2 Galesburg over FD United.

Not a bad call by Ed.

[Coffee Warlord]

Ed rules!

[Coffee Warlord]

We won. Again. We don't know how. Galesburg elected to go the traditional training route and play their full set of midfield trainees, and, of course, PIC the match. What ensued was pure insanity...

Weather conditions were fairly good for football, and Vengeance Field saw a crowd turnout of 10920. Galesburg had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Tirado - Quiroz, Andres Alvaro, Valadez - Croom-Carter, Hammond, Pinto, Farrell, Cole - Jones, Street.

Astoria had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Knutsson - Anderson, Mathiasson, Boyd - Månsson, Wilcox, Wheeler, Kraft, MacPherson - Cook, Bersvendsen.

A well placed corner kick from Paofai Croom-Carter was followed by Rodney Valadez´s hard but accurate header. The nice combination meant 1-0 for Galesburg. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, Astoria´s Steven Wilcox got himself booked. Merv MacPherson levelled the score for Astoria making it 1 - 1 on a free kick going in by way of the right post. Howie Cole was dominating his wing and kept sending fine balls into the enemy box - Paul Street managed to kick one of them into 2 - 1 in the 29:th minute. Galesburg were given a penalty in the 30:th, neatly put away by Paofai Croom-Carter. 3 - 1 for the home side. The referee showed Galesburgs Emerson Farrell the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. The teams went for a half-time break at 3 - 1. The fortyfive minutes were dominated by Astoria, with an impressive 59 percent possession of the ball.

Astoria showed some good morale and were, in the 46:th minute, able to reduce the score to 3 - 2 as Efrain Cook got past the home sides full backs straight in front of the goal. Astoria held the ball, with a clear 65 percent possession rate.

Most important Galesburg player was Leonardo Andres Alvaro. Emerson Farrell on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important Astoria player was Steven Wilcox. Merv MacPherson on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 3 - 2.

Galesburg Avengers
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: passable

Astoria Celtic
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: excellent
Left Side Defence: excellent
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: weak


Thank you event goals.

Galesburg rides a 9 game winning streak into the bankrupt.com craphole this sunday, in a match between the top 2 teams of series V.38. Barkhamstead Fighting Roadkill was relegated last season into V.38, and has done well in keeping up with your very own 1st place Galesburg Avengers.

Galesburg enters this match with the same injuries they've had for awhile. Star aging striker Daryl Mosley, who is now at +2 and wingback Peter Guinot, who lasted exactly 1 match before he died. Guinot is also at +2.

The best news, however, is the fact that our Team Spirit is now at Paradise on Earth. This is probably the best we're going to play (not MOTSing) all season. A little shakeup in the FOFC rankings this week, perhaps?

[Coffee Warlord]

Please welcome the newest addition to the Galesburg Avengers, imported from, yes, the mighty Swedes.

Kenneth Löven (2758914)
27 years, weak form, healthy

A nasty fellow who is balanced and dishonest.
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities.

Speciality: Unpredictable

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 123 000 US$
Wage: 1 920 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Galesburg Avengers

Stamina: solid Goaltending: wretched
Playmaking: weak Passing: weak
Winger: passable Defending: poor
Scoring: solid Set Pieces: passable

Once his form pops up another level or two, he'll be replacing Sam Jones in the starting lineup. I've been looking for a solid scorer for quite some time, and weak/weak playmaking & passing is fair enough, especially when you factor in the fact that he is a raving lunatic (Unpredictable).

Galesburg is quickly gaining a reputation as a team chock full of madmen, as we now have 2 starters, Loven and winger Ken Shaffer, who are unpredictable. Vengeance Field is considering having its name changed to The Asylum.

Coming up shortly, the pregame show for the V.38 match of the week, Barkhamstead Fighting Roadkill vs your Galesburg Avengers.

[Coffee Warlord]

Galesburg Avengers at Barkhamstead Fighting Roadkill

The battle for 1st place, and if I dare say so myself, for who will capture the V.38 crown commences tomorrow at the Bankrupt.Com Craphole.

Galesburg enters on a very hot streak, having won their last 9 matches, and with the team in high spirits. They are undefeated in the early goings of league play, and have scored 14 goals to their opponents 2.

Barkhamstead, defeated by last years champion Avalanche in qualification, is in their first season in V.38. They sit in 2nd place, undefeated with an 11-2 goal ratio.

A look at this team tells me one thing. They have no offense, and a weak midfield. Neither of these things bode well for the Roadkill. They are balanced on defense, with a slight weakness on their left side. We'll be lining up our wing attack on the right to exploit this, as usual. Other than that, it's pretty much a basic game. Galesburg is simply a better team, and should dominate the pitch.

At A Glance - Last League Matches

Galesburg
---
Avengers at FD United (Win 6-0)
All Stars: 26.0
Def: 9.0
Mid: 12.5
Att: 4.5
NSI: 52

Barkhamstead
---
Barkhamstead at Lexington United (FOFC'r!) (Win 5-0)
All Stars: 18.0
Def: 6.5
Mid: 9.0
Att: 2.5
NSI: 37

Probable Lineup
Keeper: Arden Tirado
Right Back: Rickie Quiroz (Offensive)
Defender 1: Elliot Hammond (Offensive)
Defender 2: Inge Oskarsson (Extra Midfield)
Left Back: Leonardo Andres Alvaro (Normal)
Right Wing: Wiley Otero (Offensive)
Midfield 1: Jesse Matson (Offensive)
Midfield 2: Tommy Joe Poulin (Offensive)
Left Wing: Ken Shaffer (Offensive)
Forward 1: Sam Jones (Normal)
Forward 2: Paul Street (Normal)

Note our new purchase, Kenneth Loven, is not playing in the league game, as the form of our two forwards is solid and excellent, respectively.


Ed the Travelling Wonder Monkey Says....

4-0 Galesburg.

[daedalus]

Nice buy! What's the damage on the credit card bill?

[Coffee Warlord]

Whoops, forgot to mention that part.

150k. Not bad. By no means a bargain, but I've been following the market for solid scorers for a good 4 weeks now, and it's a little under factory standard (especially considering the specialty).

[Coffee Warlord]

10020 spectators had come to The Bankrupt.com Craphole this cloudy day. Barkhamsted had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Cherry - Nunn, Denson, Sanders - Ulfsson, Wilbur, Cavazos, Johnson, Fitch - Groves, Rodwald.

Galesburg had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Tirado - Quiroz, Hammond, Andres Alvaro - Otero, Oskarsson, Matson, Poulin, Shaffer - Jones, Street.

In the game's 27:th minute Galesburg´s Arden Tirado limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. Barkhamsted broke through to the left in the 32nd minute, Marvin Groves firing at an acute angle giving the home side a 1 - 0 lead. In the 33rd minute Barkhamsteds Jesse Nunn received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. The teams went for a half-time break at 1 - 0. Galesburg held the ball, with a clear 59 percent possession rate.

The referee showed Galesburgs Ken Shaffer the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. A corner kick created great disorder in the penalty area, but at last Galesburg´s Wiley Otero was able to shove the ball in. 1-1. Barkhamsted were very close to putting themselves one up in the 67:th minute as Anders Rodwald got through, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. A mistake by the home sides central defence in the 69:th minute allowed Paul Street to score 1 - 2 for Galesburg. Galesburg, bringing the final ball possession rate to 58 percent, dominated the battle.

Barkhamsted´s best player was Sanford Cherry. However, Jesse Nunn made a disastrous appearance. Galesburg´s best player was Wiley Otero. However, Rickie Quiroz made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 1 - 2.


Barkhamsted Fightin' Roadkill
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: weak
Left Side Attack: weak

Galesburg Avengers
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: solid
Left Side Attack: passable

Keeper: Arden Tirado (2.5)
Wingback: Rickie Quiroz (2.0)
Central Defender: Elliot Hammond (2.0)
Wingback: Leonardo Andres Alvaro (2.5)
Winger: Wiley Otero (3.0)
Midfield: Jesse Matson (2.5)
Midfield: Tommy Joe Poulin (2.5)
Midfield: Inge Oskarsson (2.5)
Winger: Ken Shaffer (2.0)
Forward: Sam Jones (2.0)
Forward: Paul Street (2.0)

This match scared the hell out of me, but we'll take it. Not the best performance we've had, and I'm somewhat surprised we didn't run up the score like usual, but we'll go back to Galesburg with the win. I'm even happier now I picked up a stronger forward, in the hopes that we can boost our offense a smidge more in the coming weeks. Also, Daryl Mosley should return in a week or two, and once he returns to form, we'll be set.

Ratings...eh. Not impressed with the inadequate midfield, since I got spoiled with the passable a couple weeks ago, but whatever. We've got good ratings across the board, and I've learned that a balanced team is a winning team. Give it a few more weeks of PM training, a stop for stamina, and I'll get back to you. My starting 3 midfielders are due to pop soon.

The good news for this win though, is, barring some insanity, we've locked 1st place for the duration of the series. Allow me to explain.

Current standings.

1. Galesburg Avengers 4 16 - 3 12
2. Barkhamsted Fightin 4 12 - 4 9
3. LDA 4 8 - 3 9
4. FD United 4 14 - 7 6
5. IronMen 4 10 - 13 6
6. Lexington Utd. 4 6 - 10 4
7. Naptown Punks 4 5 - 11 1
8. Ultra Pep 4 1 - 21 0

Now, take a look at who we've played thus far.

Barkhamstead - Win 2-1 (away)
LDA - Win 3-1 (away)
FD United - Win 6-0 (away)
IronMen - Win 5-1 (home)

Our early schedule was brutal, and we survived. We've faced everything V.38 has to throw at us, and walked away in sole possession of first place. Our goal now is nothing less than a full sweep of the series, and auto promotion into IV.

As a side note, we're now riding a 10 game winning streak. Unfortunatly, that's likely going to end wednesday, as we throw ourselves at a series II team. As I continue to enjoy having my TS this high, and I'm not quite ready for a stamina week, we'll be PICing and playing midfield trainees, as we have throughout the cup.

As a further side note, due to the influx of unpredictable players, and the fact that we already have had 2 players suspended, the Fan Club has been officially renamed The Brute Squad. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[Havok]

i see a auto-promotion in your future!!

[Coffee Warlord]

Bloody well better, or we're shipping the whole team to Fargo to be used for Crawfish Experimentation.

[Coffee Warlord]

In fairly irrelevant news, backup striker Johnny Pierre was deemed no longer necessary, and officially sold for the same price he was bought, a whoping 1,000 bucks.

[Coffee Warlord]

In more fairly irrelevant news, a rather surprising bidding war netted us $20,000 for our latest youth pull, Fred Benner. He is now playing in USA series VI ball.

[The Afoci]

Originally posted by Coffee Warlord
Bloody well better, or we're shipping the whole team to Fargo to be used for Crawfish Experimentation.

Perfect!!! MUHHHAAAHHHHAAAA...

[Coffee Warlord]

10920 spectators arrived at Vengeance Field, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Galesburg tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players had been chosen: Tirado - Valadez, Andres Alvaro, Quiroz - Cole, Hammond, Pinto, Farrell, Croom-Carter - Löven, Jones.

Smokin' had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Davidsson - Lundhbo, Andersson, Petch - Öhholt, Cornish, Slone, Bravo Roldán, Kyle - Stålquist, Longin.

A mistake by the home sides central defence in the 28:th minute allowed Ecer Longin to score 0 - 1 for Smokin'. In the games 33rd minute Smokin'´s Ecer Longin fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Ecer Longin for taking a dive. Galesburg´s Sam Jones made an attempt at equalising in the 34:th minute, coming in from the right, but the ball hit the post, the defense clearing the rebound. Dalton Slone unexpectedly struck an inside out ball from no angle at all, and Mikael Stålquist forwarded it into goal for 0 - 2 Paofai Croom-Carter messed up a penalty shot in the 42nd minute, the ball going miles wide. In the games 42nd minute Galesburg´s Elliott Hammond fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Elliott Hammond for taking a dive. In the games 42nd minute Smokin'´s Dalton Slone fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Dalton Slone for taking a dive. The teams went for a half-time break at 0 - 2. The fortyfive minutes were dominated by Smokin', with an impressive 61 percent possession of the ball.

In the games 49:th minute Ecer Longin nearly put the visitors another one up as he broke through and fired from just outside the box, his shot passed just over the bar. After 52 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for Dalton Slone who increased Smokin'´s lead to 0 - 3. In the games 56:th minute Galesburg´s Kenneth Löven fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Kenneth Löven for taking a dive. In the 65:th minute the visitors put themselves ahead 0 - 4 as Ecer Longin finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick. In the 67:th minute the visitors put themselves ahead 0 - 5 as Mikael Stålquist finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick. The structure of the game started to change as Smokin' decided to pull back and meet their opponents in the defensive zone. Smokin' held the ball, with a clear 76 percent possession rate.

Galesburg´s best player was Leonardo Andres Alvaro. Paofai Croom-Carter was a disappointment, however. The most dominating Smokin' player was without a doubt Barry Cornish. However, Alexis Bravo Roldán made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 0 - 5.


Thus ends our cup run. Not bad, all things considered. Make the most out of those missed chances I had, and you may have seen a different game, but really, I'm quite pleased with our run.

The bad part, however, is the fact that getting shutout at home cost us 4 supporters, and pissed off the fans a whole lot. TS is back up to PoE though, and we're going to utterly demolish the team we play sunday, so that'll calm down those whiney bastards.

[Coffee Warlord]

Training Update

Eh. No playmaking pops, and we're expecting 2 very soon, and form just sucked. But, here's the official list!

Starter Form

Rickie Quiroz - Up to passable
Tommy Joe Poulin - Down to passable
Paul Street - Down to solid

Reserve Form

Paofai Croom-Carter - Down to inadequate
Nicasio Pinto - Down to inadequate
Daryl Mosley - Down to wretched (hey, he's been injured for 7 weeks)

And that...is all. One form increase, and 5 decreases. Grr. I shouldn't complain too much though. Our guys continue to be in very good form.

In other notes...I forgot to mention our new forward Kenneth "I Need Some American" Loven picked up 2 stars in weak form. This bodes well for the club should he ever bump up in form a few notches.

Now...maybe we can get a decent yoot pull this week!

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by Coffee Warlord
[BIn other notes...I forgot to mention our new forward Kenneth "I Need Some American" Loven picked up 2 stars in weak form. This bodes well for the club should he ever bump up in form a few notches.[/b]

*groan* That's almost as bad as a Crawfish nickname. And that's a deep, dark place you don't want to go.

SI

[Coffee Warlord]

Who do you think gave him that nickname?

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by Coffee Warlord
Who do you think gave him that nickname?

I must have just completely missed it. It would be commonplace in that thread but out of place here. Like something that would cause you to do a double take.

SI

[Coffee Warlord]

Well then.

Looks like I need to add a taste of insanity a little more often!

[Coffee Warlord]

Week 5 - Galesburg Avengers vs Ultra Pep

Pretty straightforward here. Ultra Pep is the worst, and I mean worst human run team in hattrick. Ever. Let me explain. Ultra Pep has netted 1 goal in 10 league matches, dating back to last season. They have never gotton above disastrous midfield, they have had 1 inadequate rating in 1 single section...ever. They traditionally rate disastrous mid & straight poor down the line.
In those 10 league matches, the scoring line on them has been 1-69. Yes. They have basically averaged 7-0 defeats every time out.

They suck. A lot. I'm not sure I could suck that bad if I tried.

Anyway, we're PICing. Duh.

At a Glance - Head to Head Matchups

Galesburg Avengers: 1 victories, 0 draws
Ultra Pep: 0 victories, 0 draws
Goal difference: 8 - 0
Most spectators: 7275 (2/24/2003)

2/24/2003 (League)
Galesburg Avengers - Ultra Pep 8 - 0

Best players

Keeper: William Thomas (Galesburg Avengers) (2/24/2003)
Wing back: Martin Schrader (Galesburg Avengers) (2/24/2003)
Cent. def.: Leonardo Andres Alvaro (Galesburg Avengers)(2/24/2003)
Winger: Wiley Otero (Galesburg Avengers) (2/24/2003)
Inner mid: Inge Oskarsson (Galesburg Avengers) (2/24/2003)
Forward: Daryl Mosley (Galesburg Avengers) (2/24/2003)

Last League Match - Galesburg (2-1 win vs Barkhamstead, Away)
NSI: 52
All Stars: 26.0
Defense: 9.0
Midfield: 12.5
Attack: 4.5

Last League Match - Ultra Pep (8-0 loss vs FD United, Home)
NSI: 24
All Stars: 13.0
Defense: 6.0
Midfield: 5.0
Attack: 2.0

Game Day Lineup

Since we're obviously assured a win, we're trying a couple different things with our starters to see what happens. Inge Oskarsson will be moved to an offensive midfielder, and Elliot Hammond will be moved into the midfield. Otero will also be played towards middle.

Right Back: Rickie Quiroz (Offensive)
Central Defender 1: Inge Oskarsson (Offensive)
Central Defender 2: Elliot Hammond (Extra Midfielder)
Left Back: Leonardo Andres Alvaro (Normal)
Right Wing: Wiley Otero (Towards Middle)
Midfield 1: Jesse Matson (Offensive)
Midfield 2: Tommy Joe Poulin (Offensive)
Left Wing: Ken Shaffer (Offensive)
Foward 1: Paul Street (Normal)
Forward 2: Kenneth Loven (Normal)

And that, as they say, is that.

Ed the Travelling Wonder Monkey Says

9-0 Galesburg. Hattrick for Paul Street.

[Coffee Warlord]

By the way...if you guys want to see what *should* be a good match, V.38's own battle for 2nd place goes on today. LDA at home vs Barkhamstead. A run down from the mighty Avengers, these are two pretty decent teams about to duke it out.

[sterlingice]

Ed the Traveling Wonder Monkey?

SI

[Coffee Warlord]

Ed is the expert in all things Hattrick. He can see into the future, and see the outcome of all matches. He presently holds a 2-0 record since we imported him from Zimbabwe.

Just because he's a monkey though, means he got skipped over when they were casting for Crossing Over.