Another Sunday, another soccer match, another injury.

I've become so angry with myself, so down on myself -- I cannot seem to play a game without some sort of injury. I tell myself I'm just a big baby, but I know that's not true. These are actual injuries, and they frustrate me even more because I've had so many of them. Yes, they're probably occurring because I'm overweight and not in great shape. Still, I'm in moderate shape (aren't I?), and I'm stretching before each match and I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary.

But here I am again: home Sunday afternoon, in pain, sulking.

Sulking.

It was a warm day in late September for FC Saints' match against Reed College today. Though we lost 2-0 last week, we felt we played well and that we could build on that with an impressive performance today. Instead, we played our worst match of the season.

Once again we had a good start, pressing the attack during the first few minutes. We put the ball in Reed's net in the third minute, but the goal was called back due to a hand ball. In the eleventh minute, we were called for another hand ball, this one at the head of our penalty area. We set the wall, but Reed's striker passed the ball wide to another player who played a beautiful shot past both the defender on him and me in the mouth of the goal. It happens.

Then in the fourteenth minute Reed pressed the attack again. One of our players sent the ball toward the end line. I thought I could win it, thus saving a corner kick, so I sprinted to it and booted it up the side. In the process, I felt something *pop* in my hamstring. My first thought? "Crap. What is it now?" My second thought? "Ouch!" Despite the fact that I was obviously in pain and I was calling for the ball to be played out, Reed seized the opportunity and scored on the empty net.

This bugged me. Not because I didn't save the goal -- I wasn't going to save anything in that much pain (as soon as the ball was in the net, I tore off my jersey and gloves and subbed myself out) -- but because the unwritten rules of sportsmanlike play in soccer say: if there is an injured player on the opposing team (especially if it's the keeper), you play the ball out. The team with the injured player then returns possession to you once the appropriate substitution has been made. This happens all of the time at all levels of play. In our first match, The Experience played the ball out so that we could get our player off the field. Reed College didn't do that. They just said, "Hey! Empty net! Let's score!"

Jerks.

I thought Cheikh would take over in goal, but to my surprise Mac volunteered, for which I am thankful, especially considering the pressure he received during the match. Mac held up to it well, doing his best to stop the Reed College attack. He even made a fantastic save on a penalty kick near the end of the first half. If my injury woes continue, Mac may find himself playing goalkeeper permanently!

Reed was able to take advantage of our novice keeper, scoring in the three times in four minutes (the 20th, the 22nd, and the 24th). In the 40th minute, we had a good scoring chance, but Cheikh's header (which was on target), was pushed over the goal by Kwame's foot. In the 45th minute, Mac made his penalty kick save.

We went into the half down 5-0. Though I was in pain, I thought I could play the second half. Joel talked me out of it. Instead, I spent the half stretched behind the goal, my leg elevated, coaching Mac and shouting at the defense.

In the 48th minute, Kwame had great scoring opportunity, but sent the ball high over the goal. The same happened in the 52nd minute. In the 55th minute, we finally scored. Dom took a corner from Rich and buried it in the back of the net.

We settled the game in the second half, though Reed still pressed the attack. In the 69th minute, they were able to convert a goal off of a corner kick. In the 87th minute, a Reed striker was able to juke our defense, including Mac, but his shot was way wide. No matter: two minutes later they put their seventh goal into the back of the net.

Jeff had some good scoring opportunities in the second half; two of his shots missed by inches. Still, there wasn't much happiness to be taken from this game. But maybe I just say that because I hurt myself again.

I was unimpressed with Reed's behavior. They weren't sportsmanlike. Ahead 5-0, they still complained to the referee about close plays. They swore like pirates.

In the end, I got my own little private revenge, no matter how petty it might be...

I've created an FC Saints web page to summarize our team's exploits.

On this day at foldedspace.org

2005 — Chapulines   José recently received a shipment from his mother in Oaxaca. She sent him traditional Mexican food that he can't find in Oregon, not even in Woodburn. Yesterday he brought grasshoppers.

2004 — Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow   Last night, Dave and I saw Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

2003 — A Sense of Community   In which I obtain solace from book group and from old friends.