Winds of Change

Just play this video with sound while you read for dramatic effect:

The American Civil Rights Movement:  Freeing an entire race of people from the grips of institutionalized racism (well apparently Bruins fans on twitter didn’t get the memo). The tearing down of the Berlin Wall: Ending communist rule in East Germany and uniting a great nation (well Germany ain’t all that but they play a solid, albeit boring, brand of soccer). The End of Apartheid in South Africa: Creating an inclusive society where all races live harmoniously (actually I was there a few years back and didn’t see no white folks in any of those run-down shanty towns I passed on the way to my 5-star hotel). The recent Arab Spring Revolutions in the Middle East: The masses rose up and forced out Totalilitarian Regimes, thus creating stable democracies by and for the people (so you guys wanna back-pack through Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen this summer? No? Why not?). 

On a windy Saturday in God’s Country, just west of Middleton, Massachusetts, The Villains added their own chapter to the world’s great moments of change and liberation, in the form of new, 4-5-1 formation that left over-matched Lynnfield on the wrong side of history (OK so maybe Lynnfield’s starting keeper was out and their best defender had to play keeper, and play it poorly at that, but as demonstrated above not all historical moments of great change are as perfect and revolutionary as they are made out to be).

History books will reveal a few great tactical moments where the 4-5-1 Revolution was realized. The first was when the Villains built possession by crossing the ball laterally across the field to Salach, who was playing outside defense so he could make some offensive runs up-field, and he did just that. Salach worked the ball through Rabbit then Gatchell (who were also playing new positions), and kept marching on, not unlike Dr. King leading marches in the 60’s, eventually forcing a corner kick. Ryan did the right thing on the corner kick. Kicking it low to the near post, the ball squirmed into the net, and the revolution had begun. 

The Berlin Wall didn’t get knocked down on the first try. Similarly, the Villains second goal was marked w/ perseverance. Azzy missed a penalty kick. Eric had a nice header off a corner kick that hit the post. However, Azzy redeemed himself while rewarding Eric’s determination, finishing off a rebound to make it 2-0. Mikel then rose up among a scrum of common folk to score a back-breaking goal to push the Villain lead to 3-0 at the half.
                                                                                                                                                                            

Revolutionary movements always have steady, behind-the-scenes, workers who make things happen. Fares has been that type of Villain for many seasons. He was rewarded for his steady work by tucking in a well-placed strike in the corner of the net off a nice pass from Rabbit.  The Villains then let down their guard a bit and allowed Lynnfield a glimmer of hope, by allowing two goals, cutting the lead to 4-2. Then, however, James was released from the confines of the Villain defense like Mandela being freed from the shackles of Robben Island, scoring a goal off a nice set-up from Josh, to seal the victory.

Lastly, great changes often come w/ moments of uncertainty, not unlike when Mike Koehler got knocked over either by the ball or by the winds of change themselves, or when John called off Brendan on a ball in the air, then yelled at Brendan for not heading the ball. In the end though, the defense was strong, anchored by many aggressive and decisive saves by John in goal.

Revolutions also run out of steam. As I have run out of steam by driving this metaphor into the dirt. This week we visit Saugus I believe. Viva la Revolution!! Listen to the Winds of Change.