Winning one for the Gippers

Indoor Rec. Division Game (updated)
Where: The Bladium vs. Bedlam
When: Friday, May 30 Time: 6 p.m.

A new season starts this Friday at 6 pm. Monica will guest star in place of Laura.

Practice
Where: Atlantic fields (if available, otherwise go to Alameda Point)
When: Saturday, May 31 Time: 3 p.m.

note: Thomas is not available to run practice.

Playoff Outdoor Game
Where: Gabe East @ Booty Booty
When: Sunday, June 1 Time: 3 p.m.
After-game lot social: Carlos Marin has volunteered to be on beer patrol. Marc will bring the chips.

This represents one of two semi-final games this weekend, with the winners facing off next week in the final. The Train Wrecks and Booty Booty tied on points during the regular season, but the 'Wreck took the number 2 seed based on goal differential and head-t0-head results.

The 'Wrecks are already missing some key players for the playoffs, so hopefully other will be able to play. Gone for sure are Thomas, Laura, Celina, Brad, and Gustavo.

Participation for official games and Saturday practice can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Lock, stock, and two smoking minutes of a Guy Ritchie footballer ad

Guy Ritchie, film director and Madonna sidekick, put together a pretty entertaining Nike ad that puts you in the shoes of an upcoming Arsenal star and Dutch International. Are you Robin Van Persie?

The end and the beginning: Indoor

The indoor Train Wrecks finished off the spring season with a loss, going down 4-1. Pedro scored the lone goal with a nice run through the defense, and a fine finish off the outside of the foot.

A three-game losing streak isn't the way the 'Wrecks want to remember season, so perhaps we can focus on some of the positives to the season. A few wins, Oreste finishing 4th in the league in scoring, and nice contributions from our women 'Wrecks. Check out the stat retrospective.

Spring/Summer indoor starts this coming Friday the 30th. Brad is taking the season off to get his knee healthy. However, welcome back Robert Keller (cue up the tune to "Welcome Back Kotter").

The league schedule for the upcoming season is not up yet, but the Bladium Train Wreck team page exists. The link will be posted under the team links section on the right of the blog. It's a useful link in case I haven't posted the weekly reminder for game times.

Practice 5.24.08 cancelled

Due to holiday weekend activities, there are not enough participants to justify practice this Saturday. Practice will resume, participant willing, next Saturday, just in time for our playoff game Sunday. Enjoy your weekend!

Little Mia

Our very own Robert Keller, a newly crowned father, is sharing some very beautiful photos of his daughter, Mia Celine.

Check out the rest of the shots and slideshow here. Scroll down below the photographer's navigation header to get to some of the pictures.

The slide show shows more pictures and you can browse the slide show gallery as well.

End-o-Season doin's

End-o-Season party
Currently the planning committee is looking to have the end of the season party at the Bladium this June 21st. It's important to capture people's attendance because rental of the facility and food will be based on how many people can attend.

A poll has been set up to the right to help capture attendance. Train Wreck friends and family are all welcome.

The planning committee is looking at having the part at the Bladium sports bar from 9 'til midnight, with food catered, and access to the foosball table and free reign of the big screen. More details to come

Indoor Rec. Division Game
Where: The Bladium vs. Darkhorses
When: Friday, May 23 Time: 7 p.m.

The Train Wrecks are still fifth in the table on 9 points (4-3-1) entering into this last game of the season. With a win, the 'Wrecks would tie the Darkhorses on points for fourth place.

Reminder: Players continuing on to next season should pay the team fee by this Friday. The team fee stands at $79.50.

Practice
Cancelled

Outdoor Playoff (coming soon)
Where: Gabe East
When: June 1 Time: 3 p.m.

note: this game is not being played this weekend, but the following weekend. The playoffs involve the top four teams in the table with the semi-finals pitting the first place team against the fourth, and the second versus the third. The winner of those two matches will play the following week in the final.

Participation for official games this weekend and Saturday practice can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

MVP? MV-Steve

The outdoor 'Wrecks played their final regular season game this past Sunday against the Scrubs, a team that had only lost once to date. With the Train Wreck's talent pool reduced to five men, without key contributors Oreste, Brad, Blair, Diego, Robert, Andrew, and Gustavo, the team relied heavily on passing excellence, a strong unit of women, gambling tactically, and Steve (goalie mercenary extraordinaire).

For this game, no poll needed -- Steve was man-o-the-match.

In the end, the game would result in a 1-1 draw. Thomas guided in the equalizer after the Scrubs opened the scoring with somewhat of a fluke goal. However, there was a victorious feeling to the match, especially given the advantages the Scrubs were afforded.

The effort was a satisfying way to the end our 11-game season, say good bye to Celina (who has mostly likely played her last Train Wrecks game), and wish Thomas a Happy Birthday.


Up next? Playoffs. June 1 is the date reserved for playoff games, and more information will be forthcoming. Train Wrecks held the 2nd place spot going into yesterday's tie.

The worst that the Train Wrecks can finish on points is 2nd. Pending the results of the Booty Booty - Meerkat FC game, goal differential may determine a tie-breaker with Booty Booty. Going into yesterday's round, Booty Booty was 2 points behind the Train Wrecks and 2 back in goal differential and the Train Wrecks owned the head-to-head result.

Burned out and faded away

The indoor team played not-so-hot in the oh-so-hot Bladium this last Friday. The score ended up being umpteen to two, or thereabouts, as the 'Wrecks were out-everythinged (scored, played, skilled, inspired, hustled).

To add insult to injury...or wait...that's the other way around, Brad picked up a knock and looks to be out of action for a while. Get well Brad.

The Train Wrecks remain in the middle of the table with one game left, to played this Friday at 7 pm. Scores, stats, and standing provided by the Bladium.

For those of you playing the next season, make sure to get your fees in per Laura's email.

Feliz campers

Pictures courtesy of Don Kezar

Choose your side

Indoor Rec. Division Game
Where: The Bladium vs. Bocas Locas
When: Friday, May 16 Time: 7 p.m.

The Train Wrecks are fifth in the table on 9 points (4-2-1) with two games left. Bocas Locas are two places and three points back.

Practice
Where: Atlantic fields (if available, otherwise go to Alameda Point)
When: Saturday, May 16 Time: 3 p.m.

note: last week, practice did in fact move to Alameda Point, to the field farthest from the road.

Outdoor Game
Where: Gabe East @ Scrubs (4th in the table, 4-1-5)
When: Sunday, May 16 Time: 5 p.m. After-game host: needed, or potluck

This game represents the finally of the regular season. The Train Wrecks still hold second place in the table with 20 points, three points behind Inter. Scrubs, only two places and three points back, look to be a tough opponent. They have 5 draws on their resume and only one loss.

Drake's social
Where: Drake's
When: Friday, May 23
Time: 5 p.m. (after work -- note: there will also be a Train Wrecks indoor game this day at 7 pm)

Participation for official games and Saturday practice can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Grilled Maurader

Another successful campaign on the outdoor pitch this Sunday for the Train Wrecks. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was in honor of the Moms. Maybe it was because we were hungry for a win.

In the end the 2-0 scoreline didn't do the Train Wrecks justice. Though, a generous and supportive crowd and stroke of sunshine did honor the occasion.

While one might not attribute perfection to every Train Wreck effort, the two well-worked goals never seemed like they would get a response from the Mauraders. Perhaps it can be best chalked up to team fortitude. Or maybe spiced meat motivation.

It seems the team scored again even after the final whistle had blown. I missed the after-party, but kudos to Oreste for stepping up and bringing the meat and the 'Q to grill it on, to Pedro for the beers, to Ali for bringing her birthday so that Janine could bring her a cake, and Laura for the fine home inspired condiments.

Photos: (top) Celina nearly gets to a ball crossing the Mauraders net; (bottom) Thomas uses his head when applying defense.

Train Wrecks get a headache from Naproxem

A few video-lights from the Train Wrecks loss to PK Naproxem.

Momma (and Dadda) Mia

Train Wreck (currently on family leave) Robert Keller and his wife Elizabeth welcomed their daughter Mia to the world on April 28th. The couple and their new family addition are doing well and Robert is looking to return to the outdoor team this fall.

Coming down the stretch

Being runner-up wasn't such an envious position in last week's Kentucky Derby. Hopefully the Train Wreck teams will improve upon their second place positions this week.

Outdoor pick-up game (this is not hosted by the Train Wrecks)
Where: MLK & Derby (Berkeley)
When: Wednesday, May 7 Time: 6 p.m.

Indoor Rec. Division Game
Where: The Bladium @ PK Naproxem
When: Friday, May 9 Time: 6 p.m.

The Train Wrecks are second in the table on 9 points (4-1-1) with three games left. PK Naproxem is two places and two points back.

Practice
Where: Atlantic fields (if available, otherwise go to Alameda Point)
When: Saturday, May 10 Time: 3 p.m.

note: last week, practice did in fact move to Alameda Point, to the field farthest from the road.

Outdoor Game
Where: Gabe East vs Mauraders (8th in the table, 4-4-1)
When: Sunday, May 11 Time: 1 p.m. After-game host: needed

The Train Wrecks hold second place in the table with 17 points, three points behind Inter. However there are four other teams within two points of second place with two games left in the season.

Participation for official games and Saturday practice can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Dog days of spring

It was another game with a tale of two halves. The first was a "bad dog" half that was simply summed up with nothing to show for against a second-to-bottom of the table team. And believe me, the "bad dogs" gotta talkin' to during the break.

But from the break the Train Wrecks came away with a revised focus and a bone to go after: score 4 goals, keep a clean sheet.

The Train Wrecks obliged. Channeling Patti LaBelle, the team got a new attitude, delivered some crisp passing, and showed signs of creativity and movement all over the pitch.

Though we won't say that the first goal was the prettiest, we could say we all had plenty of time to enjoy the strike as it skipped, bumbled, and stumbled through the defense, goal keepers arms and over the line.

Diego's leaping header made it 2-0, and probably put the 'Wrecks on a confident path to reaching the target put to them.

Amy was next up, adding to the count with a lobbing shot that looked like it was drawn up as a sketch of a missile strike by the department of defense. 3-0 and only one more goal to go.

Monica provided the cherry, with an excellent strike to the far post from the right channel. The Train Wrecks had fulfilled the Thomas prophecy as the team put this puppy to bed, 4-0.

Getting back to normal with our 100th post

So a busy travel/work week has kept me a way from updating the blog. And while the indoor team went undefeated in that absence, the outdoor team dipped into defeated territory -- a 4-1 loss to Inter. Last weeks scheduling may have been to blame (really? Friday nights?), but the good news is we're returning to more familiar ground. Here are the week's events:

Indoor Rec. Division Game
Game was played Tuesday, a 6-6 tie. Next game is Friday, May 10.

Practice
Where: Atlantic fields (if available, otherwise go to Alameda Point)
When: Saturday, May 3 Time: 3 p.m.

Outdoor Game
Where: Gabe West @ Berkeley Hawks (10th in the table, 3-4-1 )
When: Sunday, May 4 Time: 3 p.m. After-game host: Madelyn & Antonia

Participation for official games and Saturday practice can be captured in the poll to the right. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments section.