Dusting off the blog...

The 2014 Spring Campaign has proved to be a tough one for Brookline FC. Four games into the season and we sit in 5th place. With exception of a 2nd half goal scoring spree from Concord, we have held opponents to 3 goals in 3 games. Our offensive struggles have returned to plague us after a promising Fall 2013 season, where we averaged 2.3gpg. We'll chalk that up to some new players getting settled and some veterans having to play out of their regular position due to low attendance (<--excuse #3).

When the first BFC roster was set in 2012, it looked like a solid D3 squad. We have now arrived and are seeing that, despite our record, we can compete in this division. We are playing teams that have seen some D2 action and making the adjustments. We have seen limited ball possession which has forced the adjustments to be more defensive than offensive. It's hard to work things out up top when the ball isn't there. So our offense gets to work on their defense, which isn't a bad thing.

The goal for this season is continue to make the adjustments needed to play at this level and, of course, avoid relegation. With New England Allstars at 0-3 they are the likely candidate to drop. One more win for BFC should lock it up, as NEA is unlikely to get more than 1 miracle this season.

The evidence, so far, suggests that BFC is poised to take points out of the rematches against the 3 teams that came out on top in the first leg. We nearly held off Fernandes FC with 10 men. Nearly went up a goal vs Concord who should have gone to 10 men at 0-0 (lack of subs led to the 4 goal drubbing). We had chances to take the lead vs FFC, but instead we learned how deadly a single lapse in focus can be. BFC is getting up to speed and the results will come. Stay focused, stay positive, stay hungry (<--registered trademark).

"They have exorcised the demons, this house is clear..."

Sunday November 4, 2012
Chestnut Hill, MA - Brookline FC accomplished this weekend what it had failed to do in three previous matches (yes 3), they were able to bury their demons and defeat arch rival PAAC 2-1 at Skyline Park.  The boys in yellow put on another dominant performance, with BFC holding the advantage in both time of possession as well as shots/chances on net.  In truth Brookline could and should have had a good half dozen goals in yesterday's contest.  By all accounts they had a semi-breakaway cleared off the line, a point blank shot saved by the keeper, a volley inside the 8 off a corner kick soared over the crossbar and a tap in on a rebound put high and wide - that's 4 right? 

As expected it was a very physical contest with lots of desparaging remarks made by both teams before, during and after the play.  I would be foolish (and looking at the match through rose tinted glasses) to say that BFC was not responsible for some of the shenanigans yesterday.  Anyone that says that one team was more at fault during yesterday's match is kidding themselves, both teams were playing as physical as possible while at the same time trying to send a subtle message that there is no love for their opponent.  This match up has the potential to be a great rivalry where each team plays hard, challenges ever ball and leaves it all on the field.  However the actions/words of a few from both teams cause these matches to devolve in no time while pointing fingers and calling one another cheapshots, cheats, whiners, etc etc etc. Yesterday was no different and it should come as no surprise that 5 cards were issued by the ref yesterday; in truth another 2-3 could/should have been handed out, especially early in the match, to set the tone but alas I'm only a writer, not the ref what do I know...well a lot more about the game of soccer and the rules that go along with it that for sure, but I'll let it go.

BFC got on the board early and continued the pressure on PAAC's backline until the final whistle, as stated previously BFC was unlucky not to have scored more.  The last 4 minutes were tense as PAAC pulled back a goal on what some considered to be a controvertial PK call.  In the end Brookline was able to hold on for the 3 points and the 2nd playoff spot for the D6C Flight2.  BFC ends the regular season with a record 5-2-3 for 18 pts, and a +26 goal differential - hats off to the defense for accomplishing the pre-season goal of averaging a 1.0 goal against average.

Brookline FC now travel to 1st place in Flight1 Irish Village, next Sunday 11am at Alpine Field in Wayland.  BFC and Village battled to a 1-1 stalemate during Week 3 this fall.  Both teams will be looking for a big win to propel them into the D6 Finals in Lexington in two weeks time vs. the winner of Alliance FC (1st Flight2 vs. Harvard (2nd Flight1).

Goals: Caley, Kent
Assists: Charles (2)

It all comes down to this...

Sunday October 28, 2012
Merrimack, NH - BFC traveled to The Anheuser Busch Fields in Merrimack, NH this past weekend and put on a dominant performance, blanking the hosts 8-nil. 

Goals: Rob M. (2), Rob S. (2), Matt Cohen, Sam, Charles, Caley
Assists:  Sam (2), Brandon, Matt Cohen, Charles, Alan, Rob S.

The win coupled with PAAC's 3-1 victory over Irish Village sets up a crucial battle this weekend at Skyline Park. Whomever comes out on top of this contest secures the 2nd playoff spot in the D6 post season.  BFC must secure all 3 points to go through, while PAAC can wrap up the last playoff spot with only a draw.  BFC currently sit in second place due to their commanding goal differential but the league rules stipulate that in the event of tie, PAAC holds the head to head advantage with their 3-2 triumph over BFC in New Bedford 5 weeks ago. 

Kick-off is 10am at Skyline Park, Chestnut Hill.

Everybody was kung-fu fighting....

Sunday October 14, 2012
Braintree, MA - Brookline FC showed up for the 10am start with 9 hearty souls.  From the kick-off I've been told they took the game to Brookline M.T.  Throughout the course of the match the "other" Brookline was not happy with the officiating (and some of the boys in yellow).  After reaching a point of no return on a hard tackle (and getting called for a tackle from behind) on BFC's Matt Cohen, said offender then tried to roundhouse kick the man in black and slap Brookline's very own Matt Cohen.

Brookline M.T. were seeing a lot of red from the ref after this incident which also led him to call the game about 15 minutes short of the full 90.

Goals:  Darragh, Charles
Assists: Charles Andres

Brookline FC travel to NH to take on Old School Soccer Club. BFC is still firmly in control of their postseason, wins in the last two games secure 2nd place and a spot in the semi-finals.

Steve's "To do" list:

Fit for Second

Sunday October 14, 2012
Waltham, MA - It was a cold dreary fall morning at the Gann Academy fields.  As was expected it was a heated and well played match between the top two teams in the conference.  The tensions were high throughout the match, the man in the middle did a good job of keeping everyones' emotions in check and flashed 4 yellow cards in total.  Mid-way through the first frame saw a gruesome play occur at Alliance's 40yd line, BFC's Steve Kaye closed in on ASC's #8 to deny him turning up field for a fast break - unfortunately both players collided heads and immediately went down.  #8 fell to the ground and stayed down for a few minutes while he tried to regain his surroundings.  Meanwhile our very own Steve Kaye had severely split open a 3-4" gash on his right eybrow/forehead, with a fair amount of blood flowing from the region.  Play was suspened approximately 10 minutes as both players were helped from the field, an ambulance was called for Steve and he was taken to the local ER to have a doctor administer 23 stitches (Ed Note: The doctor called it "Epic").  Good news for Steve is that there were no fractures, signs of concussion and most importantly he was out of the hospital and back home in time for his daughter's first birthday party.  All of us at BFC Blogspot wish Steve a speedy recovery and hope that #8 on Alliance is also doing well after that nasty collision.

The game eventually continued, all in all Alliance held a slight advantage with possession.  Brookline's backline did well repel the attacks and start quick counters, but as it has been all season the boys in Yellow were unable to get much going once down in the final 3rd of the pitch.  With less than 10 minutes in the game Alliance had a quick counter of their own - their left defender served a great long ball to their streaking striker who was able to get behind the D and slot the only goal of the game.  A frantic final few minutes saw BFC put additional pressure on the Alliance D but BFC was unable to find the equalizer.  Alliance played a solid game and deserved the 3 points.  The outcome all but clinches the division for Alliance SC, with them sitting atop the standings with least a 7 point lead with 3 games left in the season.  Meanwhile the second loss of the season for BFC leaves them either tied for 2nd place or 3 points behind PAAC depending on the final results from yesterday's PAAC v Norfolk game.  Brookline will need to regroup and take maximum points in the last three games of the season to ensure a 2nd consecutive campaign with a post season appearance.  They no longer control their promotion destiny (too many factors to try to analyze and layout) but BFC can still control their playoff destiny.  The last game of the season has even more implications than just the normal grudge match that is played out between PAAC and Brookline FC - if the season plays out the way it's expected the winner of that match will secure the 2nd and final playoff spot.

Next week is the Brookline Derby to be played in Braintree (don't ask me how/why I don't have an answer).   

Two for the price of one

Sunday September 30, 2012New Bedford, MA - 12 brave souls from Brookline FC traveled to New Bedford to take on PAAC (formerly Dartmouth FC). Unfortunately for the boys in yellow two quick goals in the second half saw PAAC take a 3-1 lead in the match.  BFC applied pressure on their hosts, eventually pulling one goal back but left scratching their head on how they could miss pulling level or ahead on a baker's half dozen of chances in the final 10 minutes.  As per usual this contest turned very scrappy and heated with lots of hard tackles and less than pleasant words being exchanged between the two clubs.  Needless to say the last fixture of the season up in Chestnut Hill is circled on both teams' calendars.

Goals:  Eric, Jon Tobin
Assists: Charles, Andres

Sunday October 30, 2012Norfolk, MA - Brookline FC opened the game with a solid 8 players taking the Dewy cold pitch in Norfolk this past SundAy.  Despite the numeRical disadvantage BFC was able to maintain good ball possession and press forwaRd on the offensive.  About 5-10 minutes into the first stAnza 2.5 more BFC-ers showed up - the .5 beinG a not very sober / very Hungover player whose identity will stay hidden within this text.

BFC only led 1-nil at the half curteousy of an Alan Silver strike.  Second half Brookline broke the back and the spirit of Norfolk, netting 3 second half goals, not to mention a cool dozen clear opportunities that could/should have put this game well out of reach and secured another double digit win vs. Norfolk.  Man of the match was clearly Steve Kaye who was all over the pitch both offensively (3 assists) and defensively.

Next weekend Brookline travels to Alliance in a battle for first place and automatic promotion spot.  Since their last meeting 5 weeks ago BFC has gone a paltry 1-1-2, while Alliance has kept their foot firmly on the gas (and not to mention the neck of BFC and the rest of the conference) and holds a 7 point advantage over Brookline and a +31 goal differential to Brookline's +17.  Can BFC find their rhythm and take all three points on the road and get back into the title hunt?

Goals:  Kent (2), Alan, Tom
Assists: Steve (3), Alan