In all honesty it wasn't a fair fight

After all, the Pirahna's were a little toothless with only 8 players available for our outdoor game last Sunday. The result was rather elementary in determining the win, as 12 goals went in for the Train Wrecks, and zero went in for the fish.

To be honest, I lost track of who scored what. I know that Diego picked up at least 3 in the first 10 minutes of the game. Amy volunteered to sub him out, as there was grave concern for him injuring his golden touch. I believe Amy had added a couple on her own, and Steve definitely sent a screamer in to the back of the goal. Who else? I think Brad added a tally or two...perhaps Celina, Wendy, and Madeline chipped in as well.

Did someone keep count? Let me know and I'll update the post.

Oddly enough though, the official score will read 8*-0, with the asterisk representing a goal-cap limit set by the league.

The Train Wrecks currently sit in second place tied with the Unicorns (who have two games in hand) and 5 points ahead of Twin Castle United (who have one game in hand). And, in two weeks, we have a showdown with the league leaders, San P's.

There's sun in Hawaii?

Sorry for the lack of posts, but the days in Hawaii are long on work, and little on free time. I heard the Train Wrecks disposed of the Galacticos (Real Madrid?) 7-1. This is becoming familiar territory: the winning that is.

Diego again got on the board with another hat trick (anybody wanna change the name of the team to the Hat Tricks?). Gustavo was on the double and Brad and Oreste pitched in a goal a piece. Frankenblair ruled the nets again, only allowing a single goal. And Janine, once again, put the icing on the game by bringing what I hear was a fabulously delicious cake.

This weekends events:

Train Wrecks games this week
Outdoor: Sunday @ 7 p.m. at Gabe East @ Pirahnas
Indoor: Off-season

Practice this week
Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard fields (but could move to Atlantic if they are available)

You in? Use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in.

Keep the ball rolling this weekend

Train Wrecks games this week
Outdoor: Sunday @ 4:20 p.m. at Booker T. Washington @ Galacticos
Indoor: Off-season

Practice this week
Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard fields

Game on. Use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in.

Twin Castle Untied

Another Sunday. Another victory for Train Wrecks FC.

This past weekend, the resilient Train Wrecks pulled out a win in a tough match against Twin Castle United. With the 1-0 final score, our outdoor team leap-frogged Twin Castle U. into third place, 4 points off the pace of leaders San P's.

Diego scored the lone goal of the match on a nice cross from Wendy that followed some nice team passing. Both teams worked the ball well on the pitch, playing controlling football, and at any point during the match momentum could have switched.

However, even with few subs and a patch-work goalie situation in place of injured Blair, the Train Wrecks kept it real, and kept the visitors off the scoreboard.

p.s. Blair, take care of that ankle, and best wishes. We hope to see you on the field as soon as possible.

In through the outdoor; a weekend for everyone

Train Wrecks games this week
Outdoor: Sunday @ 3 p.m. at Gabe West vs. Twin Castle United
Indoor: Off-season training at the Beer Curling session

Practice this week
Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard fields

Beer Curling session
Friday @ Drakes @ 4 to 7 p.m. (or later)

Pick-up game
Sunday @ Mosswood Park in Oakland from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Are you ready? Use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in.

Just the facts, ma'am. Just the facts.

So having to report on events that I personally did not attend requires me to put a little faith in other sources. That's not just a statement of fact, but perhaps a warning (and thanks to those of you for providing me with input on this past weekend's Train Wreck happenings).

First, the latest indoor season ended on slightly dour note. The Train Wrecks lost 6-8. And after further reflection upon the season, the team will be on hiatus for the next league campaign.

In outdoor action, the Train Wrecks rolled to 6-0 victory, with Brad's 3 goals pacing the team. That makes three games in a row where a Train Wreck has had a hat trick. Jaki, Diego, and Thomas each deposited the ball into the back of the net a single time to round out the 6 goals.

And depending on the reliability of my sources the following also happened:

• Birthday boy Blair turned 49.
• Andrew came to the rescue, saving a goal, by clearing a ball of the line with his head, and followed it up by saying " and Bob's your uncle."
• Janine baked a cake, but isn't sure who ate the piece with the laxative pill.
• Diego was drunk.
• Steve brought snacks and drinks, and charged only a nominal fee.
• Carlos Marin came dressed as Carlos Marin.

Seriously. This all supposedly happened. Here's the proof. (click for Amy's pictures)

Scottish kung-fu

Not sure if everyone is up to speed on Champions League play. But the latest drama is one for the box office, rather than the field.

In the match between Celtic and AC Milan, Celtic scored a late 90th-minute winner. During the ensuing celebration a Celtic fan ran on to the pitch and past the AC Milan keeper, Dida. As he did, the fan either "tapped" the keeper, or "viciously attacked" him. Here's a quote from the Celtic chief, 'All I saw were the TV pictures. He took a couple of steps after the fan and then obviously made this decision that he should go to ground. Unless I missed something he was carried off on a stretcher for what seemed to be the lightest tap you can imagine.'

What's even better is that in this electronic day and age, it only took 24 hours for someone to post a video of the incident, complete with a Phil Collins soundtrack.

1, 2, 3, ah. ah. aah. Let's get in on the Count.

Train Wrecks games this week
Indoor: Friday @ 7 p.m. at the Bladium vs. PK Ibuprofin (last game of the season)
Outdoor: Sunday @ 1 p.m. at Gabe West vs. Gold Diggers

Practice this week
Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard fields

Time to count 'em up! Use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in.

A site unseen; now seen

The league Web site is now active. It's permanently linked under the Team Links section on the blog.

And a note from our sponsor...

Laura is sharing the following from our league's front office:

Gabe Fields will not be ready for winter play as planned. Winter play was supposed to start Dec 3. I was able to get Monday nights and planned to have 7x7 or 6x6 games but it's not going to happen. No reason was given. The fields should be ready for spring. I will bid mostly Sunday slots for our games but will take whatever is available. That means if the Sunday slot that I bid for is not available and a week night slot is open, I will take it. If a Sunday afternoon slot is not available and a morning slot is open, I will also take that.

You and your team should be flexible and don't complain and whine if we get all morning slots or week nights at the Gabe fields. Schools from El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley and Richmond and over 30 sports leagues, clubs and groups will be bidding for Gabe fields.

I'm not sure exactly what this all means in terms of Winter vs. Spring. If you have a question, let's leave it in the comment section. We can then take a look at outstanding issues and present back to the league for further clarification.

The Urban Freestyler

Not sure how many of you have seen Urban Freestyle sports. I saw a show on GolTV highlighting some footballers doing their tricks in the streets of London. Sort of a contrast between joga bonita and the gritty environment of city streets. Enjoy.

Let's go streaking!

No, we're not talking about what may have happened in Vegas for a few of our Wrecks (we'll try to keep that little run-in with the law on the DL, okay Brad?). We're talking winning streak.

Behind a hat trick from Jaki, and complementary goals from Brad and Robert H. respectively, the Train Wrecks sent the Marauders to a 5-1 defeat in the outdoor league. That's two wins in a row; a bonafide win streak.

In other action, the indoor team managed a point in their Friday night tussle, equalizing the opponents 8 goal output.

And a quick shout-out to Steve, who, under the directive loitering of Diego, helped change Antonia's flat tire. Bravo, Steve. You're a good man.

Check out Amy's pics of the outdoor and tire-changing action.