Davison Online

I met Sal Reyes when I was 12 or 13, and he became instantly the best soccer player I knew. My first glimpse of him was at tryouts for a Salem-area U-15 select team. He was doing rainbows one after another at a full run. I remember thinking that if the rest of the squad were this good, I didn’t have a chance. Of rainbows I could do exactly one in a row, most of the time, and only if the ball were stationary. I was a bit young to be on the team—Sal and most of the other players were a couple years older than me—and seeing that level of touch and skill was instantly intimidating: I needed to get a whole lot better.

Happily for me and my peace of mind, Sal was the star of that team. Nobody had his talent. His English was iffy, but who cared? On the field, he was tricky, shifty, smart, and darn near unstoppable. I remember in one game watching him dribble virtually the entire opposing team, walk the ball into the goal, and get called for being offsides—which incensed us to no end, since how can you be offside when the ball is on your feet the whole time? To this day, I have no idea how he dribbled like he did. He was a wonderful soccer inspiration for me during my teenage years.

I played with him intermittently after high school. We took an indoor team down to a tournament in Eugene, and he was as amazing as ever. Played with him for a few seasons of outdoor Over-30 soccer until the cancer left him too weak to play. I remember in particular his last outing at Bush Park, where a group of us Salem Kickers gather regularly to scrimmage. He was so grateful and so delighted to be out there playing, and he was, of course, as dangerous as ever with the ball.

As recently as March, he had emailed with high hopes of joining us in this coming outdoor season. Obviously, it was not to be. Tomorrow, as the saying goes, is promised to no one. But 44 seems too young an age to die. I am thankful that the length of his illness gave him time for goodbyes and that I had the opportunity to express directly my admiration for him, both via email and in person at his 25th anniversary celebration in January. I know he was at peace, because he said so and because that is what the tone of life reflected. He had come to terms with his own mortality, even if perhaps I’ve not, and to the end of my acquaintance with him, he exuded a classiness and a style that leaves me hoping, once again, that I can someday emulate him.

Jonah finished 20 of 270 for 2nd grade boys in the Awesome 3000 yesterday with a time of 7:53 on the 1.5k course. That’s an improvement of 16 seconds over last year. I was very proud of his effort.

Similarly, I was very proud of Elisha’s effort. After a morning basketball game and getting injured at the beginning of the race, she stuck with it and completed the course which is a testament to her perseverance. Indeed, even that I think undersells how well she did. Rested and uninjured she can easily beat her time of 12:14, but it was good enough for 90th place of 178 for Kindergarten girls.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure the kids want to return to the event next year. With both Jonah and Elisha getting knocked over at the start (poor Elisha really getting creamed), neither seemed very happy with the overall experience. In another year, we may get a chance to test the adage that “pain is temporary, pride is forever” when we ask them if they want to run the race again.

I hope they do.

File under Super Bowl records set:
Fewest combined rushing attempts: 36, Green Bay (13); Pittsburgh (23)

As I noted in my pre-game analysis, Green Bay needed to forgo the run, which they did, and we needed a steady dose of Mendenhall, which we did not. It did not help to go down early, but our touchdown drive in the second half, where we did not pass the ball but simply ran it down Green Bay’s throat should have told us everything we needed to know: We could and should have kept with that strategy from the outset of the game. We really had no need to pass until the Pack proved they could stop the run, something they did only once when Mendenhall fumbled. This is another way of saying: A Jerome Bettis, Bill Cowher-era Steelers team would have won this game.

On the Green Bay side, they deserve credit for passing the ball. Our secondary, with the exception of Troy Polomolu (who played a disappointing game like most of the Steelers), is sub-par. Ike Taylor is a decent corner and Ryan Clark hits hard, but that’s not good enough. We really need two shut-down corners so that our linebackers can blitz with impunity. The Packs receivers had way too much separation on most pass plays and QB Aaron Rodgers is too accurate to hope for a gift. I don’t think we were close to an interception all night.

So, a disappointing outcome. Assuming we can re-sign LB Lamaar Woodley, we’re actually set up well to make another run at things next year. That’s not usually the way it happens, but at least the talent is there.

Long-time readers know that I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Pittsburgh Steelers fan. If you like winners—and what little kid doesn’t?—there really was nobody like the late ’70s Steelers, who won four Super Bowls in the span of just a few years. I’ve followed the team since, celebrating their victories and agonizing over their defeats.

Despite two recent Super Bowl victories—both of which I thought we had a good chance of winning beforehand—I dread this one. Simply put, I don’t think we match up well with the Green Bay Packers. I don’t think all is lost—I can think of a way that we can win, but it requires the Pack to do some stupid things, and that’s not a recipe for success in sports.

For all the talk of how great these defenses are, they’re both flawed in significant ways. The Pack has had issues stopping the run. In fact, here’s the one way I think Pittsburgh wins: If our make-shift, second-rate offense line and running back Rashard Mendenhall can get four yards a carry early and consistently, the Pack have a real problem. In essence, what I’m talking about is old school Steeler football where we grind out the yards on the ground and control the game clock. The Pack was 18th against the run during the season; they can be hurt this way, and if they don’t get the stops they need (the Jets didn’t), they’ll find themselves in a heckuva fight.

Conversely, the Pack should abandon the run altogether. The Steeler defense this year was the best in the history of the NFL against the run. There’s no point, except for an occasional delayed draw to help set up a play action pass later. This isn’t to say that Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t pull the ball down and run it because he should if it’s warranted, and it can even be a called play now and then. But the hand off to the running back, whether it’s up the middle or pulling a guard, forget it. Steelers will stuff it.

Unfortunately—and this is what has me fearful—making Green Bay one dimensional (pass only) won’t win us the game. Rodgers is adept at reading coverage after the snap and delivering. Polomalu might be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year (although I would have voted for LB James Harrison), but he’s only one man of four (or five or six if we’re in nickel or dime). I don’t think we’ll be able to get sufficient pressure with a four- or five-man rush, and that set up a huge problem. How do we stop a good maybe great QB’s passing game? Historically, the answer is “we don’t.”

The last time these teams played the Steelers won 37-36 on a bomb to the endzone in what was literally the last play of the game. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think it will be that close this time, and I don’t think the Steelers will prevail.

I’m expecting a Spanish victory, forcing me to eat crow over my longtime claims that Spain always disappoints at the World Cup. In fairness, I’ve always been right until this year, but I’d have to say that this Spanish squad has played very well. Since I think their possession game will stymie Netherlands, I’m picking them to win.

It’s not that Netherlands will be without chances given the firepower they’ve got on board, but I don’t think they’re as good defensively, and if David Villa gets hot, they’ll be in real trouble.

Netherlands is out there in orange looking like a crew of HazMat workers. Spain with the early possession. Spanish header nicely saved.

Bad defensive mistake—always control the ball on a turn, don’t let it just go—gives Netherlands a shot. Great, quick counter.

Villa has been called offside  a couple of times, but it’s close. Netherlands is really playing with fire there.

Yellow to Van Persie for another stupid challenge. He seems frustrated early about Netherlands lack of possession. Spain has really controlled the opening 15 minutes.

Yellow now to Puyol for a challenge that gets all kinds of player but no kinds of ball. Free kick to Netherlands. Saved. Not a bad shot with the Jabulani ball.

Yellow to Van Bommel. Why are they sliding through players like this? Honestly, stay on your feet.

Yellow to Sergio Ramos for the same thing. Good grief, we’re going to get people tossed for sure at this rate.

Yellow to De Jong for a karate kick into a Spaniard’s chest. That could have been a straight red. Man, there is all kinds of stupid going on out there.

A bit of fair play from the Netherlands. Spain’s keeper tosses the ball out near midfield after one of his players goes down. Netherlands inbounds and kicks it back to him. It hops high and with speed over the keeper’s head and, fortunately, doesn’t go into the net. He did manage a hand on it, though, so corner kick to Netherlands. They kick it to him in another display of sportsmanship.

0-0 at half.

Bronckhorst picks up a yellow on a Spanish flop. Lame.

Yellow to Heitinga for fouling Villa who flops around like a fish out of water. Foul, yes, but lame acting job to sell it.

Somebody is going to get tossed for sure.

Spanish keeper comes up huge in a 1 on 1 and saves the Spanish hopes. Robben had a great chance there.

Yellow to Capdevila for, uh, nothing, if the replay is to be believed.

Yellow to Robben for yelling at the ref after missing his second great breakaway chance of the day.

0-0 at the end of regulation. 30 minutes of overtime to follow.

Three Spanish flops in the box. No call. Good job, ref.

0-0 at the end of the 1st OT. Villa subbed out for Torres.

Heitinga gets tossed with a second yellow 4 minutes into the 2nd OT. Weak call. Looked very floppish. Dangerous spot for a kick though! For the next 10 minutes, Netherlands is down a guy. Will this be what Spain needs to make a breakthrough? Van Der Wiel gets a yellow on a trip. Didn’t touch him.

INIESTA! GOAL in the 11th minute of the 2nd OT period! Yellow to Mathijsen for yelling at the ref. Great half volley. Nothing the keeper is going to do about that.

Netherland tries gamely but no can do, and it’s Spain 1-0. Lots of arguing after by the Netherlands guys with the ref. Pretty classless, really.

Tags: World Cup soccer

[I'm blogging this after the match.]

Germany were hit by a flu bug prior to the match and won’t play Lahm or Podolski. Klose is out with a bad back. So this is hardly the Germany who got here, despite the return of Muller from card suspension.

Suarez returns from red card suspension for Uruguay and looks a rusty. Forlan, on the other hand, is magnificent. Loved his volley goal.

Anyway, an entertaining game won by Germany 3-2. Congratulations to both teams on a superb World Cup.

Tags: World Cup soccer

On the heels of the Germany’s 4-0 thrashing of Argentina, I think everyone expects a German victory against Spain. While I’m not one to write off David Villa, Spain’s star foward with whom everyone’s been impressed, I’ve got to agree that Germany certainly should win. I’m guessing 2-1.

Game has started tight and relatively boring, with Spain getting two decent chances, including one header that really should have been finished. Let’s hope somebody scores to make it interesting.

Nope. A few OK chances here or there—most of them offsides—but a relatively dull contest with the majority of the play in the middle third. We desperately need a goal here. 0-0 at half.

Spain with the run of play; Germany with a few good attacking chances but clearly back on their heels in the opening 20 minutes.

GOAL! Spain on a header from a corner! No chance for the keeper who looks rightly aggrieved. Really poor marking from Germany. 1-0 Spain.

35th minute. In with Gomez for Germany and on the Spanish side out with David Villa and in with Torres. Villa has played lights out and leads the Cup in scoring, Torres has been injured and has played awful by all accounts. I’m not sure this sub is a good idea.

Spain blows a major 2 v 1 counter. That should have been a goal, but it’s a clear sign the Germany has started to press forward out of necessity.

And it’s Spain! 1-0. I will have to revise my statement about Spain always disappointing. They played a great game today and deserved the win. Germany, honestly, looked flat. My favorite thing about Spain: No flopping. That’s a welcome change.

Tags: World Cup soccer

[Blogging this post-game.]

Exciting stuff from both sides. Loved Uruguay’s heart. Wish we could have seen them with Suarez up top with Forlan, but you can’t argue that his game-saving handball in the Quarter Final with Ghana didn’t deserve a straight red. Netherlands got their victory and it was deserved, but Uruguay gets my vote for most impressive overachievers. I see them as what I’d like the US team to be.

Tags: World Cup soccer

Now I like Germany in this one since I don’t think the Argentine defense is up to the task, but there’s no question it’s anybody’s game.

GOAL! Only three minutes in! Wow! The Argentine defense picked apart easily. That was horrible defending on the set piece. 1-0 Germany.

Tons of space in the midfield for Germany to attack. Yikes. If it stays this way, Argentina is toast. I’ll call that now.

First yellow to Otamendi of Argentina. It was a dive by the German.

Mueller picks up a yellow for a handball; he’ll miss the semi if Germany advances.

1-0 Germany at half.

Klose! In the 67th minute from Podolski. Great teamwork. 2-0 Germany.

Great run by Schwansteiger! Goal! Argentina are done for. 3-0 Germany.

Klose! A clinical counterattack from Germany. 4-0 Germany. About a minute left in regulation. Done.

Argentina simply outclassed, both in talent and tactics. Germany the odds on favorite to win it all.

Tags: World Cup soccer

I didn’t think much of the admittedly athletic Ghana team against the US; I expect a Uruguayan victory. No African team has ever made the semifinals, but perhaps this is a day of upsets. Either way, I’ve got to say that the Netherlands is clearly a favorite to make it to the finals, making tomorrow’s Germany v. Argentina game all the more important in the other bracket.

Gyan throws a nutty after the ref calls him on it. Replay clearly shows a handball.

Corner header on frame saved nicely. Replay looks like it was off the Ghana defender. Yikes.

Yellow to Fucile which knocks him out of the next one if Uruguay advance.

Suarez with a great shot off a throw-in in the 25th. Good save!

Ghana with a major chance off a corner in the 29th. Just misses. Oh baby, that would have been totally against the run of play, too. Uruguay is dominant in terms of possession and corners.

Ghana misses just barely wide on a counter in the 30th.

34th minute now and Ghana has had the run of play for the last 5 minutes.

Uruguay has used a sub to take off their captain. Not sure why so early. Injury, maybe? (Yep, later shot shows the player on the bench with an icepack on his knee. That’s got to be a big blow.)

Ghana misses another good chance on a header in the 38th. Dangerous chances.

Uruguayan player goes up for a header, comes down weird, and -boop- out like a light. Hope he’s OK. Alright he’s up and off. Uruguay will play with 10 for the remaining 5 minutes or so until half.

Ghana misses a bicycle kick in the box. Too bad, would have been awesome.

GHANA! Unbelievable left foot from distance! With only seconds until half. Replay shows the keeper screened and leaning the wrong way. Great shot gives Ghana 1-0 at half, and deservedly too: They’ve had run of play since the 29th minute. Wow.

Big action in the opening two minutes with the ref missing a call right outside the Ghana penalty area.

Yellow to Arevalo of Uruguay.

Yellow to Pantsil of Ghana, who got nothing but player.

Forlan! Puts in the free kick for Uruguay. Beautiful curved shot! 1-1! Replay shows the ball moving all over the place. Jabulani goal!

Yellow to Perez after 5 minutes of great action. It’s been a very good second half in the opening 15 minutes.

Suarez misses on a great cross from Forlan in the 18th minute of the 2nd. Geez.

The linesman on the Uruguay offensive side is having a hellish half, missing one offside call after another.

Suarez’ shot saved in the 25th. Should have passed it in rather than cranking up the power. Good save, nonetheless.

Yellow to Sarpei of Ghana for trying to pull Suarez arm out of its socket.

Great action in the 2nd half. Very entertaining.

To overtime!

Some chances. Big opportunity at the end. Handball! Yes, that’s a straight red, but what do you do? If it goes in the game is over. You have to hand it off the line and hope for the best. Actually, I thought the ref carded the wrong guy. That’s amusing in the midst of Uruguayan heartbreak.

He missed it! Oh my word. That was the game. To penalties, and I’ll bet, despite all the evidence in the world, the keepers continue to hopelessly dive to the corners instead of on just a few shots, standing in the middle.

Uruguay wins it 4-2 in penalties. Amazing. Highly entertaining game and Uruguay goes on by the barest of margins.

Tags: World Cup soccer