My brother's best friend's niece's boyfriend heard it from his cousin's dog trainer

For those of you who like the rumor mill, here are couple of soccer gossip resources: FanNation, BBC football, and goal.com transfer zone.

Speaking of rumors.....how about this: Thierry Henry to play for the new MLS club, Seattle FC?

A mixed bag of lemons and lemonade

A couple of results from this weekend. The indoor Rec. Division team started the spring season with a 5-3 win. However in the outdoor game this past Sunday, the Train Wrecks went down to the Berkeley Jets, 3 - 1.

In the outdoor game, Diego managed the lone goal for the 'Wrecks. And while the game ended in a loss, with a less than inspired first half, there was something to build on going forward with a much improved second half.

Beer Fest
A note from Laura: In the tradition of the after-outdoor-game social, we're looking for volunteers for supplying drinks. A couple of people have stepped up to the plate for this year's games, and Thomas will be hosting the next iteration. However, more volunteers are needed. Contact Amy and Laura to get on the schedule.

The blog gets a new kit

Inspired by the new kits coming out for the national teams, I've decided to try a new look for the blog. I like this kit a bit better than the previous since it chunks the information in a bit more digestible chunks. Thoughts?

Jersey boys

Fell upon a pretty decent online store for club jerseys. I think they're a UK-based store, but they also have a US store (makes for better shipping costs). Speaking of jerseys, did anyone catch the Poland v US men's friendly this past Wednesday.?The team debuted the new away kits. What did'ya think about 'em?

An in-'n'-out weekend

Indoor Rec. Division Game (season opener)
Where: The Bladium @ The Sand Blasters
When: Friday, March 28, 2008
Time: 8 p.m.

Practice
Where: Atlantic fields if available (they have been the past two-weeks, and are quite nice to play on). Alameda Point as a back-up.
When: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Time: 3 p.m.

Outdoor Game
Where: Booker T. Anderson (Richmond) @ Berkeley Jets (9th in the table, 1-2-0)
When: Sunday, March 30, 2008
Time: 1 p.m.

Participation for events can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Things just got more difficult

Ok, so here's the second in a series of changing direction tips. The degree of difficulty (i.e. having to avoid another moving body) seems to have been ratched up.

note: I'm storing the links to these videos over on the right of the page.

Galacti-tie

A nice warm Easter Sunday greeted the Train Wrecks at BTA fields in Richmond. And while all was sunny in the sky, something was askew in the match against the Galacticos. Or should I say somethings.

Like the goal posts. Like the slightly chunky field (golf-ball peppered too). Like the chippy play. Like playing down a player the whole game.

In the end, all things were equal for the both teams as a 1-1 tie will go in to the record books. Pedro provided the Wrecks our lifeline by escorting the round ball into the square goal. You could say
spider-Blair was a sort of a lifeline as well, with some very nice saves. And what can I say about the women -- 4 of them played for the price of 5.

The good thing...we're still atop the standings. Check them out on the league site.

Our first trip outside the friendly confines of Gabe fields

A couple of missing Wrecks for this weekend events. Heal up Kristen - our newest Wreck in a long line of traditionally injured players. Janine, Diego, and Ali...enjoy your travels.

Practice
Where: Atlantic fields if available. Alameda Point as a back-up.
(I wasn't able to attend last week's practice...anybody want to confirm that Atlantic worked?)
When: Saturday, March 22, 2008
Time: 3 p.m.

Game
Where: Booker T. Anderson (Richmond) vs. Galacticos
When: Sunday, March 23, 2008
Time: 3 p.m.

Participation for events can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Learning a thing or three from the young ones

I found some good tip videos. I'll post them from time to time. There's a whole series on changing direction. This is the first installment.

Spring indoor recreational season schedule

The bladium has the schedule up. Amy's asked Luis to change one of the dates because it conflicts with an outdoor game.

A win, but where's the conga wreck?

Perhaps Alex's words of wisdom were, well, wise (for those of you you who missed his goal celebration comments, he recommended that because of our propensity for injured players we should perhaps heed that as a harbinger for determining athletic celebrations).

So the T-Wrecks (T-Rex? A monster of a team, filled with dinosaur player?) provided another four goal performance with twine tickling from Oreste, Monica, Pedro, and Robert. And while three goals ended up in our own net, the one-goal victory wasn't as uncomfortable as it sounds.

What was uncomfortable was Amy's...um, not sure what to call it, body check? She just kinda stood there....but the 6' 2" San P soldier sure did crumble when he ran into her. It's like he ran in to a brick wall. Or a Wall-in-ator! (Get it? Amy Wallin. Wallin-ator. Like the Terminator. Anyone? Get it? Anyone?)

A welcome back to our resident artist, Celina. She was carvin' up some turf with some crafty and spritely movement. And special mention to Diego, who achieved lift off on several occasions (there's something to be said for sending a ball over the bar. The bar of the 30 ft. backstop that is). But the most honorable mention goes to Steve, who rocked it ol' school, with his slip-slide, back spring, break dance defense.

Two and oh!

Leave your highlights in the comments.

Stock up on your lucky charms this weekend

Birthdays
Janine (March 14). Happy Birthday!

Practice
Where: Atlantic fields if available. Alameda Point as a back-up.
(note: we'll try to switch to Atlantic fields as they look to have reopened)
When: Saturday, March 15, 2008
Time: 3 p.m.

Game
Where: Gabe East vs. San P's
When: Sunday, March 16, 2008
Time: 3 p.m.

Participation for events can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

The airplane, the thumb-sucker, and the badge kisser.

So aside from the double-fist pump Brad provided after his goal, our celebrations are pretty timid. Maybe we're too modest. Maybe the league is too modest. But, if you had a celebration, either as your own or as choreographed with teammates, what would that look like?

Feel free to leave your ideas in the comments section.

Right back where we started.

Here we go 'round again. The Kinks said "do it again" and the Train Wrecks seemed to have picked that tune up as they started another outdoor season. 4 goals for, and one against, in a victory over the former division one team, BootyBooty.

Brad, Diego, Robert, and Amy all tickled the net. The team also got hustle performances from new players, Pedro and Kristen. Blair, a stalwart as usual -- and how I wish Oreste's bicycle kick would've been the fifth goal. It would've been the goal of the century for sure.

And lest we forget, we pay honor to two more words....the assists.

Good performance all around. Welcome back Train Wrecks!

Reminder: Celina has sculpture show. See the previous post for more information.

Springing into outdoor season

Lots on tap:

Practice
Where: Alameda Point if available. Coast Guard fields as a back-up.
When: Saturday, March 8, 2008
Time: 3 p.m.

Game
Where: Gabe East vs. Booty Booty
When: Sunday, March 8, 2008
Time: 3 p.m. (don't forget to set your clocks one hour ahead)

Participation for events can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

I was never good with colored pencils either

Celina's got mad skills when it comes to putting foot to ball. But she's got them as well when putting mind to form -- just as long as you're not asking her to form something out of colored pencils. Show a little love for Celina as she'll showing off her dedication to sculpture.

For more information about undergraduate exhibits go here. For more information about the Oakland campus see here.