Hello Fans, 

 

Well it has been a couple weeks since you heard from me last, so I will try and feel you in with all the goodies.  Since my last post we were able to post a huge victory in LA against the Galaxy and managed to tie KC after going down a man (and a coach).  Needless to say we have gone 5 games in a row without a loss, and we have still yet to have what one might consider our “full squad” available for one game this season.  I know the team has felt like a few of our ties (Toronto & KC especially) could have easily been victories and additional 4 points in the win column.  Even more frustrating was that in both of those games we literally gave up one good chance and we were punished.  However, at a high level that is what will happen with you make a mistake.  So as we move forward we hope to prevent that one lapse a game and keep a clean sheet on the board.  

 

In my post this week I will discuss the KC game, a look ahead at our game against Chicago this Sunday, and massages.

 

As most of you were aware of, we tied KC at home last week 1-1 in a game that had a little bit of everything. From goals early and late, to red cards to a player and a coach, to a late goal to equalize it for the home side.  The first half I thought we struggled a little bit connecting from the back to the front.  We didn’t pass and move the ball as well as we usually do, and therefore the first half was a bit sloppy.  Having said that, other then KC’s goal, I don’t feel as if they had any other legitimate chances other then one towards the end of the half.  I am not sure what it was Hartman ate or did differently before the game, but if I were KC I would figure it out and make sure he did it again.  Definitely the man of the match, because if it were not for him I think we could have easily had at least 2 more goals.  But give credit where credit is due, he made some exceptional saves and kept his team in the game.  At the end of the day, we managed to salvage a tie from what have could have been a very, very disappointing loss at home.  A great goal by Danleigh, who I feel is gaining confidence every week (and what better way then scoring 2 goals in back-to-back weeks).  

 

We all have our own opinions about the red card to DVB, but after watching the game the other night I will have to say while he did not make too much contact, he definitely threw his elbow back a bit and any ref in our league is going to make that same call.  However, I will say that if the ref had called one of the three fouls before that, the whole situation could have been avoided.  Unfortunately for us, that was not the case and so we had to play down a man and will be without DVB this week in a big game against Chicago.  

 

Speaking of Chicago, there is only maybe one other team (Columbus) that has gotten off to a better start then they have.  Their offense is full of explosive and crafty players (Blanco, Mapp, Rolfe, Barrett) and their defense has been one of the stingiest in the league.  Combine the two, and you have a team that comes in three points out of first place.  We will definitely have our hands full this weekend, but having said that I think that Chicago’s hands will be just as full having to deal with us.

 

I think the main three guys that we have to keep an eye on will be Blanco, Rolfe, and Mapp.  Blanco obviously is a very good passer, great on free kicks, and very clever.  Rolfe has been playing out wide; he has the pace to take you on 1v1 and can finish.  Justin Mapp is an old friend of mine, having gone through residency together down in Brandenton, Florida with the US U-17’s.  For me, I think he can be one of the toughest guys to defend in the league when he wants to be.  I look forward to the challenge of marking him this weekend; he is a very quick and clever player and will create a difficult match up.  I am always up for a challenge, and it’s always great to compete against a good friend.

 

When thinking about what I was going to write this week, it occurred to me how many times friends and family give me a hard time about getting massages from our massage therapist.  So I figured I would share a little inside info.  

 

To begin with, we are very lucky to have two, massage therapists, which work with the team (one full-time, one part-time).  This is a rarity in the league.  Most teams have someone who will come in once or twice a week, but we are lucky enough to have someone there every day of the week.  This gives us a great advantage.  But before you all start saying to yourselves how easy we have it, wait just a minute.  This isn’t one of those massages that you may have received at a spa with all the oils, candles, and scents.  The type of work we get is what they call “deep tissue” work.  And yes, it is just that…DEEP!  So for those of you conjuring up a picture of us lying on a massage table all relaxed, I am here to tell you it is the complete opposite.  If you were to walk in the room, you would most likely see guys begging for mercy and squirming on the table.  Although the massages do make us feel better in the long run, they don’t feel that great while getting them.  

 

Our massage therapists keep a list of who gets work, and when and what they get worked on.  Right now I believe Kevin Goldthwaite is baring the honor of “most worked on”.  However, I would have to say he is closely followed by Juan Pablo, Claudio, Conway, and me (yes, all admit it).  There is no rule really for who can and can’t get a massage.  Although there is kind of an unwritten rule that the older guys pretty much get work whenever they chose.  As well as, whenever a rookie jumps up on the table to get some work, they usually catch grief the entire time they are on the table (the fridge with the water and Gatorade for the players is located right next to the massage tables, so it every time someone grabs a drink they usually throw in their two cents to whoever is on the table).  

 

Well I hope to see you all out at the game on Sunday.  No excuses this week that you have to work on Monday, as it is Memorial Day Weekend!  So bring out the whole family, enjoy the game, and watch a great match up.  I will be in the pub after the game, so feel free to stop by and give me your input on the blog, and whatever else is on your mind.  See you Sunday!

 

 

Now for your questions:

 

Hello Hunter, so many others and I are very interested to hear  

whatever you said to Mr. Robert in the TFC game that earned you a  

swift shove to the ground? Anything about his momma?

-Christine J

 

Christine, 

I wish this answer were going to be as juicy as you want it to be, but it’s not.  I honestly did not say anything at all to him.  I kind of kicked the ball away when they called a foul, and all I can figure out is that he wasn’t too happy that I kicked the ball away.  

 

Hi Hunter, what was your take on Danleigh’s wonderful goal?  

celebration? Has he received a lot of shtick from the guys in the  

locker room?

-John K

 

John,

Well it is definitely not the prettiest of celebrations, but one thing I will give him is that no one else has one like it.  That’s about the only good thing about it! To be honest though, he says that his dad did something similar when he played but he would do a back flip.  Since Danleigh cannot do a back flip, he does what he does.  I would tell you what it is, but I am still not exactly sure what he does and if there is a name for it. 

 

Hunter! that explanation of VDB’s goal celebration was great last  

week, are there any other player’s goal celebrations that have a back  

story? I love these kinds of information we wouldn’t otherwise know as

fans.

-Steven M

 

Steven,

Glad you enjoyed the insight.  Off the top of my head there are not any other celebrations that have a story like that.  Although, I do have to say that most guys celebrations a pre meditated for the most part.

 

Hunter, I saw that you’re a fan of Fruity Loops, what are your  

thoughts on Apple Jacks, Cheerios and other circular cereals? Any  

chance we could set up some kind of cereal tasting session? “Cereal  

Sundays with Hunter”? Onto my serious question, do any of the guys  

read any of the popular soccer message boards, i.e bigsoccer or  

metrofanatic? always was curious to see if any of the guys payed any  

attention to some of the fan chatter.

-Xavier F

 

Xavier,

Yes, definitely a fan of Fruit Loops.  Cheerios and Apple Jacks are okay, but I love cereal so I am pretty particular.  As far as guys reading message boards, I think some do and some don’t.  Personally, I try and stay away from message boards.  I’d be lying if I said I have never looked at them before. My curiosity can get the best of me!  I do read articles online though about the games and stuff like that.  But for the most part, I stay away from the message boards.

 

Hey Hunter, I was curious, where do you prefer playing in the 3-5-2

formation that has been adopted? Obviously you’ll play where you’re  

slotted, I was just curious if you had a personal preference, whether  

its on the right of the back 3, or on the wide right in the  

midfielder? Or are you a closet striker?

-David K

 

David,

To be honest I do not really prefer one over the other.  I have played both, but if I were to pick one I would probably pick out wide in the midfield.  I love to cross the ball, but that is difficult to do playing in a back 3.