Rose City 2 - 3 Burud Town
The Flyers are no longer perfect versus Burud Town. A close match in which some new members of the team got on the board didn't end the way Rose City wanted. Still struggling with injuries to several key pieces, the Flyers are still averaging two points a game. While not great, that's going to keep the team in the running until the rest of the team gets back to fitness. Once the full force is available you can expect a fight to the end versus anyone and everyone in the league.
Week Six features a match against Alliance who are also on six points. Their PPG is slightly lower, but it remains an interesting match. The winner is likely to move up in the standings while the loser continues to fight for a grip.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Week Five Linup
It's refreshing to have your team up and running at full capacity. That's exactly what it feels like this week for the Flyers with Portland playing again, even though the team's major injuries haven't sorted themselves out yet.
"We're getting stronger by the week," the Coach said when asked. "Once the injured guys get up to speed, expect us to be really dangerous." Expect this team to contend strongly for the Majors Cup. Still missing Marvin Chavez, Martin Rivero, and Alan Gordon on injury, the Flyers are none the less riding a two game winning streak after starting the season poorly. This week they face an undefeated Burud Town who put a hurting on the strong looking OC Zodiac. No doubt about it, everyone will have to contribute if the Flyers are to remain perfect against the Stags. It's no time for the Bernier magic to stop, and newly acquired keeper Luis Robles will have the chance to add to the board.
Starters
Patrice Bernier (MTL)
Aurelien Collin (SKC)
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
David Estrada (SEA)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Luis Robles (NY)
Mauro Rosales (SEA)
Rodney Wallace (POR)
Subs
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Martin Rivero (COL)
Reserves
Zach McMath
"We're getting stronger by the week," the Coach said when asked. "Once the injured guys get up to speed, expect us to be really dangerous." Expect this team to contend strongly for the Majors Cup. Still missing Marvin Chavez, Martin Rivero, and Alan Gordon on injury, the Flyers are none the less riding a two game winning streak after starting the season poorly. This week they face an undefeated Burud Town who put a hurting on the strong looking OC Zodiac. No doubt about it, everyone will have to contribute if the Flyers are to remain perfect against the Stags. It's no time for the Bernier magic to stop, and newly acquired keeper Luis Robles will have the chance to add to the board.
Starters
Patrice Bernier (MTL)
Aurelien Collin (SKC)
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
David Estrada (SEA)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Luis Robles (NY)
Mauro Rosales (SEA)
Rodney Wallace (POR)
Subs
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Martin Rivero (COL)
Reserves
Zach McMath
Sunday, March 24, 2013
New Superstar? Week 4 Review
Rose City 2 - 1 Union Southern California
The Flyers squeeked it out again this week with a 2-1 decision versus the Union. They move to 3-0 all time versus the Commissioner's Club. But don't think this celebration comes without some introspection. There were quite a few lucky breaks for the Boys in Red, formost among them Jose Correa's deflected shot tallied as an Own Goal for Jalil Anibaba of Chicago. Jeff Laurentowicz did everything in his power to ruin the scoreline as well.
The question instead, since the scoreline remained in the Flyers favor is this? Just how much value did the team pickup with Patrice Bernier? Will he continue to prove to be the goal hound the team needs while the injured players get up to speed? Will the magic stop if (when?) the Montreal Impact lose some of their early season sparkle? In the club's opinion having the combination of Bernier and Di Vaio makes all the difference.
"Being able to potentially pick up two points off one well executed play like we did this weekend is big game," the Flyers coach offered when asked. "It's not as easy as it looks to put a true goal scoring run together so being able to double up like that is invaluable."
Week Five sees the Flyers, now coming off a two game winning streak face a hot Burud Town. The team is undefeated at 3-0-1 so far this season and looked impressive in taking down the previously unstoppable OC Zodiac 6-3 in Week Four.
The Flyers squeeked it out again this week with a 2-1 decision versus the Union. They move to 3-0 all time versus the Commissioner's Club. But don't think this celebration comes without some introspection. There were quite a few lucky breaks for the Boys in Red, formost among them Jose Correa's deflected shot tallied as an Own Goal for Jalil Anibaba of Chicago. Jeff Laurentowicz did everything in his power to ruin the scoreline as well.
The question instead, since the scoreline remained in the Flyers favor is this? Just how much value did the team pickup with Patrice Bernier? Will he continue to prove to be the goal hound the team needs while the injured players get up to speed? Will the magic stop if (when?) the Montreal Impact lose some of their early season sparkle? In the club's opinion having the combination of Bernier and Di Vaio makes all the difference.
 |
| Di Vaio and Bernier celebrate after combining for the game winning strike. |
Week Five sees the Flyers, now coming off a two game winning streak face a hot Burud Town. The team is undefeated at 3-0-1 so far this season and looked impressive in taking down the previously unstoppable OC Zodiac 6-3 in Week Four.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Haves and Have-nots
This post will be a bit more topical. I don't know how many other league owners truly read all the other team blogs, but I at least pop in from time to time to see what's up with the other teams. Hopefully this will get seen.
I'll be up front. I think most of the changes to the league since the previous year have been good. I spent a lot of last year wondering about how to create value for defensive players within the BSL and our illustrious commissioner answered the call of duty before I even asked. I think those rules are going well. I have little to complain about except for the current condition of my team, for which I really only have myself to blame. There's one niggling issue that's bugging my about the current league setup though. I'm not sure I have a perfect fix available, or even an imperfect one, but I'd like to begin a discussion.
The new roster setup (15 players, 11 starters, 3 subs, 1 reserve) is pretty excellent all around and the expanded roster makes sense to include defenders (who are still under-represented in the BSL) however, the way the reserve rule has been implemented has resulted in what looks, to me, to be an issue. There are currently 12 BSL teams and 19 MLS teams. If you consider that not every MLS team has a top-notch starting keeper we're suddenly looking at a pretty tight supply of decent keepers who will get steady minutes. This problem is amplified by the way some teams have setup their rosters. Several teams are using the "reserve" slot to essentially horde a solid MLS level keeper. They never see play unless the first choice has a bye week. Essentially this reserve keeper serves two purposes. 1) Make sure you still have a top level keeper in case your first choice guy gets hurt. Go ask Colorado's Matt Pickens what that's all about. It happens and it make sense to prepare. And 2) make sure that a good percentage of other BSL teams you play against don't have the same solid keeper you do. This strikes me as an issue that needs solving.
Let me be clear. Nowhere in the current rules does it say this is forbidden. I'm not calling anyone a cheater. I'm simply suggesting that this feels a bit more like gaming the system than I'm comfortable with (perhaps similar to the totally legal but discouraged use of last minute bids on bidding wars). I have no clear suggestion on how to solve this problem and asking teams who are participating in this practice to voluntarily drop their second keeper gets tricky too. I just think we should have a civil discussion. Am I the only one seeing this or am I making some sense? Anyone have any ideas? Or am I just being whiny? Let me know in the comments.
I'll be up front. I think most of the changes to the league since the previous year have been good. I spent a lot of last year wondering about how to create value for defensive players within the BSL and our illustrious commissioner answered the call of duty before I even asked. I think those rules are going well. I have little to complain about except for the current condition of my team, for which I really only have myself to blame. There's one niggling issue that's bugging my about the current league setup though. I'm not sure I have a perfect fix available, or even an imperfect one, but I'd like to begin a discussion.
The new roster setup (15 players, 11 starters, 3 subs, 1 reserve) is pretty excellent all around and the expanded roster makes sense to include defenders (who are still under-represented in the BSL) however, the way the reserve rule has been implemented has resulted in what looks, to me, to be an issue. There are currently 12 BSL teams and 19 MLS teams. If you consider that not every MLS team has a top-notch starting keeper we're suddenly looking at a pretty tight supply of decent keepers who will get steady minutes. This problem is amplified by the way some teams have setup their rosters. Several teams are using the "reserve" slot to essentially horde a solid MLS level keeper. They never see play unless the first choice has a bye week. Essentially this reserve keeper serves two purposes. 1) Make sure you still have a top level keeper in case your first choice guy gets hurt. Go ask Colorado's Matt Pickens what that's all about. It happens and it make sense to prepare. And 2) make sure that a good percentage of other BSL teams you play against don't have the same solid keeper you do. This strikes me as an issue that needs solving.
Let me be clear. Nowhere in the current rules does it say this is forbidden. I'm not calling anyone a cheater. I'm simply suggesting that this feels a bit more like gaming the system than I'm comfortable with (perhaps similar to the totally legal but discouraged use of last minute bids on bidding wars). I have no clear suggestion on how to solve this problem and asking teams who are participating in this practice to voluntarily drop their second keeper gets tricky too. I just think we should have a civil discussion. Am I the only one seeing this or am I making some sense? Anyone have any ideas? Or am I just being whiny? Let me know in the comments.
Week Four: Rough One
There's no doubt about it. The early schedule hasn't been kind to Rose City with regards to their injured players or which MLS teams get early season breaks. This week, it seems that half the team won't take the field anywhere. Portland and Philly have bye weeks leaving the team without Harrington, Piquionne, the newly acquired Wallace, or keeper McMath in addition to the already injured guys. At least it looks like no one else has received a National Team call-up.
"We've just got to go out and set up the guys who will be on the field to make the plays," the Flyers Coach offered when asked about the situation. "It seemed to work out for us okay last week. Bernier came in, played off Di Vaio and helped us put some points on the board. Rosales ought to see more minutes this week too. We've got some heavy hitters available."
In addition, the Flyers are announcing now, pending league approval, the waiver of Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL) for David Estrada (SEA).
Starters
Patrice Bernier (MTL)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Aurelien Collin (SKC)
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
David Estrada (SEA)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
YP Lee (VAN)
Zach McMath (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Mauro Rosales (SEA)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Subs
Michael Harrington (POR)
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Rodney Wallace (POR)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
"We've just got to go out and set up the guys who will be on the field to make the plays," the Flyers Coach offered when asked about the situation. "It seemed to work out for us okay last week. Bernier came in, played off Di Vaio and helped us put some points on the board. Rosales ought to see more minutes this week too. We've got some heavy hitters available."
In addition, the Flyers are announcing now, pending league approval, the waiver of Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL) for David Estrada (SEA).
Starters
Patrice Bernier (MTL)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Aurelien Collin (SKC)
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
David Estrada (SEA)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
YP Lee (VAN)
Zach McMath (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Mauro Rosales (SEA)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Subs
Michael Harrington (POR)
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Rodney Wallace (POR)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Bernier comes through for Rose City
Rose City 4 - 3 Second City
The Flyers' new signing, Patrice Bernier came through for the club just in time in week three. The Boys in Red are now 3-0-0 all time versus Second City and lead scoring 11-6. There was quite the scrum mid-week as Bernier became available in a bidding war originally triggered by the league arrival of Seattle's new DP Obafemi Martins. While the bidding for Martins was too rich the Flyers, Bernier seemed just right.
"He's a great, strong player with a good group behind him," the Flyers' coach said after the game. "There was some concern that he'd take a while to find his place in the squad, but he just showed up, put on his kit, and got to work. We're very glad to have him."
For Bernier's part, he had this to say, "The bidding during the middle of the week isn't something I like to think about. I just want a club that's going to back me all the way so that I can get to work and that's who the Flyers are. I was worried that such a rainy climate would throw me off my game, but it doesn't seem to be an issue." The new player was all smiles after the game.
You really can't discount what Bernier has already done for the club. The defending champions started the season with two losses. Without Bernier's help, week three would have been a tie with Second City (released Jack McInerney scored one goal while on wavers).
At this point, the club is also getting a better feel for the whole roster. Several draftees who were expected to get regular club minutes actually aren't. Hector Jimenez of LA has been replaced on the roster for next week with Portland super-sub Rodney Wallace. The club would also like to announce at this time that, pending league approval they'll be releasing Rafael de Sousa of DC to pick up Kansas City's Aurelien Collin. Finally, with Bernier's arrival and DP Marco Di Vaio, the club is feeling especially Montreal influenced. Any reasonable offer for the services of Sanna Nyassi or any of the club's injured players (Alan Gordon, Martin Rivero, Marvin Chavez) will be considered.
The Flyers' new signing, Patrice Bernier came through for the club just in time in week three. The Boys in Red are now 3-0-0 all time versus Second City and lead scoring 11-6. There was quite the scrum mid-week as Bernier became available in a bidding war originally triggered by the league arrival of Seattle's new DP Obafemi Martins. While the bidding for Martins was too rich the Flyers, Bernier seemed just right.
 |
| This week's hero. |
For Bernier's part, he had this to say, "The bidding during the middle of the week isn't something I like to think about. I just want a club that's going to back me all the way so that I can get to work and that's who the Flyers are. I was worried that such a rainy climate would throw me off my game, but it doesn't seem to be an issue." The new player was all smiles after the game.
You really can't discount what Bernier has already done for the club. The defending champions started the season with two losses. Without Bernier's help, week three would have been a tie with Second City (released Jack McInerney scored one goal while on wavers).
At this point, the club is also getting a better feel for the whole roster. Several draftees who were expected to get regular club minutes actually aren't. Hector Jimenez of LA has been replaced on the roster for next week with Portland super-sub Rodney Wallace. The club would also like to announce at this time that, pending league approval they'll be releasing Rafael de Sousa of DC to pick up Kansas City's Aurelien Collin. Finally, with Bernier's arrival and DP Marco Di Vaio, the club is feeling especially Montreal influenced. Any reasonable offer for the services of Sanna Nyassi or any of the club's injured players (Alan Gordon, Martin Rivero, Marvin Chavez) will be considered.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Week Three Lineup and Chat
UPDATE: Rose City put in the winning bid on Patrice Bernier of Montreal who will be suiting up for the Boys in Red this week! Having fresh, healthy bodies is important and Bernier put up 17 points last BSL season. Unfortunately, this means Jack McInerney will be leaving the Rose City almost as soon as he arrived. We thank McInerney for his effort and wish him all the best.
Rose City fell again last week to a team they would normally have been able to punish. The 2-1 scoreline versus the Spartans was painful. Anytime you get a line like that, getting a point is possible, but as it is, too many guys are injured right now. Mauro Rosales didn't play last week because Seattle had CCL commitments and that hurt too. I found myself almost wishing that Donovan Ricketts hadn't had such a spectacular save versus Di Vaio in the Portland/Montreal game. In any case, we're continuing to move forward. Guys are getting closer to game fitness, and in the mean time, the team is doing things to address the thin roster. In addition, Rosales plays this week in a fiery game versus Portland. On the Portland side of the equation, Frederic Piquionne has arrived and may get some late game minutes.
The Boys in Red host Second City this week who are sitting on 6 points. It'll be a tough match but not one that's out of reach. They scored just two last week after a Mike Magee hattrick vaulted them to a
5-1 win over the Union in week one. Every Rose City fan knows just how clutch Magee can be, but don't expect that sort of performance from him again this season.
The posted roster is not final until game time. Several discussions are happening, including the bidding war for Patrice Bernier. Keep your eyes open and watch this space.
Starters
Patrice Bernier (MTL)
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Hector Jimenez (LA)
YP Lee (VAN)
Zach McMath (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Mauro Rosales *(SEA)
Raphael De Sousa (DC)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Subs
Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
Rose City fell again last week to a team they would normally have been able to punish. The 2-1 scoreline versus the Spartans was painful. Anytime you get a line like that, getting a point is possible, but as it is, too many guys are injured right now. Mauro Rosales didn't play last week because Seattle had CCL commitments and that hurt too. I found myself almost wishing that Donovan Ricketts hadn't had such a spectacular save versus Di Vaio in the Portland/Montreal game. In any case, we're continuing to move forward. Guys are getting closer to game fitness, and in the mean time, the team is doing things to address the thin roster. In addition, Rosales plays this week in a fiery game versus Portland. On the Portland side of the equation, Frederic Piquionne has arrived and may get some late game minutes.
The Boys in Red host Second City this week who are sitting on 6 points. It'll be a tough match but not one that's out of reach. They scored just two last week after a Mike Magee hattrick vaulted them to a
5-1 win over the Union in week one. Every Rose City fan knows just how clutch Magee can be, but don't expect that sort of performance from him again this season.
The posted roster is not final until game time. Several discussions are happening, including the bidding war for Patrice Bernier. Keep your eyes open and watch this space.
Starters
Patrice Bernier (MTL)
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Hector Jimenez (LA)
YP Lee (VAN)
Zach McMath (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Mauro Rosales *(SEA)
Raphael De Sousa (DC)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Subs
Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
Friday, March 8, 2013
Week 2 Lineup
Last week was a tough way to start off the season. Scoring only one goal is definitely a shadow of last season and it looks to get no better this week. The front office employed a strategy during the draft that, while expected to pay off in the long run means that several high profile players are unavailable in the immediate term. Martin Rivero, Alan Gordon, and DP Marvin Chavez are all unavailable due to injury. Frederic Piquionne, expected to do major damage for Portland before the end of the season is still sorting out visa issues, and Mauro Rosales and the Sounders have no action in MLS this week due to CCL commitments. This is where the rubber hits the road. Guys like McInerney, Lee, and Tierney are going to have to step it up and help Marco Di Vaio carry this team until the rest of the heavy lifters return to the lineup.
Starters
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Hector Jimenez (LA)
YP Lee (VAN)
Jack McInerney (PHI)
Zach McMath^ (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Mauro Rosales* (SEA)
Raphael De Sousa (DC)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL)
Subs
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
Starters
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Hector Jimenez (LA)
YP Lee (VAN)
Jack McInerney (PHI)
Zach McMath^ (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Mauro Rosales* (SEA)
Raphael De Sousa (DC)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL)
Subs
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
Friday, March 1, 2013
Week One Lineup
It's official! We're hours from game time for the BSL's fifth season. The title defense is on for the Flyers and first up is the Game of the Week versus Alamo City who feels like an old foe at this point. The series between the two clubs is tied and has been high scoring thus far. In the two games last season, the teams combined for eleven points. The Boys in Red will be headed up by the familiar sight of Mauro Rosales at captain while some of the squad get settled in and get fit. Some strategic decisions were made during the draft to acquire players who may be unavailable for an early game or two.
Starters
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Hector Jimenez (LA)
YP Lee (VAN)
Jack McInerney (PHI)
Zach McMath^ (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Mauro Rosales* (SEA)
Raphael De Sousa (DC)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL)
Subs
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
As you can see, the club had some good pickups in the 2013 draft. There are undoubtedly guys still in camp who won't make it very far into the season, but there could be diamonds in the rough too. Can Frederic Piquionne see significant minutes with the Timbers after getting picked up today? So far the gamble of signing the then trialist with the 107th pick looks good. But he'll need to score goals. How will the new Defender rules work out? Rose City spent a good amount of time evaluating guys who play in the back but will that work be enough? If it is, it will likely be thanks to the work of guys like Chris Tierney and YP Lee. Finally, how long will it take to get injured DP Marvin Chavez back up and running? How long will Martin Rivero take for that matter. These are both players capable of scoring on any given week.
For now more questions are available than answers. Stick around to find out.
Starters
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Hector Jimenez (LA)
YP Lee (VAN)
Jack McInerney (PHI)
Zach McMath^ (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Mauro Rosales* (SEA)
Raphael De Sousa (DC)
Chris Tierney (NE)
Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL)
Subs
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Alan Gordon (SJ)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)
As you can see, the club had some good pickups in the 2013 draft. There are undoubtedly guys still in camp who won't make it very far into the season, but there could be diamonds in the rough too. Can Frederic Piquionne see significant minutes with the Timbers after getting picked up today? So far the gamble of signing the then trialist with the 107th pick looks good. But he'll need to score goals. How will the new Defender rules work out? Rose City spent a good amount of time evaluating guys who play in the back but will that work be enough? If it is, it will likely be thanks to the work of guys like Chris Tierney and YP Lee. Finally, how long will it take to get injured DP Marvin Chavez back up and running? How long will Martin Rivero take for that matter. These are both players capable of scoring on any given week.
For now more questions are available than answers. Stick around to find out.
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