The April edition of the Green White Newsletter is hear just in time for the Easter weekend.  This month, we say goodbye with a tribute to Mrs. Gyurko; catch up on the final indoor games of the men’s teams, and look forward to the spring with the complete schedules for all Green White teams.  Don’t forget the indoor end of season award winners and answer to the trivia question on page 13.

• April 2010I hope you enjoy it.

Fritz

This month’s edition of the Green White Newsletter contains a tribute to Stefan Zimmer, one of the all time greats of Green White lore.  We’ve also recounted the exploits of the alte herren at the 2010 Las Vegas King Cup; scoured the police blotters to note the activities of recidivist Jon Duddles; contacted PETA to report abuses by the youth teams, and are pleased to see that Colum Donahue has finally found happiness.  I hope you enjoy.

• February 2010

On October 17, 2009, the Green White O40 Team met old nemesis Fiche Rams at Metro-Majewski Park.  From the outset, all cylinders were clicking for the home team, but for the cork in between the pipes.  Indeed, Green White peppered the opposition’s net, but couldn’t seem to solve the keeper.  The stalemate was eventually broken when Greg Healy eyed Todd Schneider sneaking behind the defense and so released him from his position in midfield.  The keeper was late to come off his line, which sealed his fate as Schneider collected his fifth goal on the campaign.  But with the exception of an Art Caliskan tantrum and the return of Angry Todd at the stroke of half time (which apparently was ugly enough that even Steve Pastorelli and Rolf Albrecht thought best to seek cover inside the clubhouse), that was all the fireworks for the first half.  But following apologies from and on behalf of Angry Todd, the goals finally started to pour in the second half.  It started when Pat Nash worked the ball free for Schneider to pick out David Nichols in midfield, who then sent in Mark Stein for his first tally of the afternoon.  Then a fully recovered Mark Wisnevitz (read “innocent Angry Todd victim”) turned provider for Stein to collect his brace.  With the game well in hand, the referee, a clear Scandia-phobe, whistled resident Sven, Cliff Sellie for a handball as he was drilled in the box with his arms at his side.  The resultant penalty kick spoiled the clean sheet for Armando Carlo.  But it was no matter as Green White continued to light the lamp at the other end.  The three goal cushion was regained when Andy Finn chased down a ball in the corner; turned and found Pat Nash breaking into the box.  Nash then turned provider for the last goal of the game, floating in a cross to David Nichols as he settled in between two defenders and flicked a header into the corner.  But the talking point of the afternoon was the Match.com rendezvous arranged by Dan Rogan.  Unfortunately, it turned a little uncomfortable for everyone else when Rogan’s slide tackle on his new mate turned  into an extended bear hug with Rogan face down on the touch line.  At last report, Rogan had cleared out the Walgreens and all 17 EPT tests were negative.  

Squad:  Armando Carlo (k), Roni Arusi, David Breines,  Art Caliskan, John Dunkas, Andy Finn, Mike Grosse, Greg Healy, George Lymperis, Rich Moroney, Pat Nash, David Nichols, Dan Rogan, Russell Rosenberg, Todd Schneider, Cliff Sellie, Mark Stein, Jason Thodos, Mark Wisnevitz.  Goals:  PNash (asst. AFinn), DNichols (asst. PNash), TSchneider (asst. GHealy); MStein 2 (assts. 1st – DNichols, TSchneider; 2nd – MWisnevitz).

On October 10, 2009, the GWO40 team went the distance to Lemont, Illinois in search of the tonic to cure their woes, and they hoped to find it against bottom feeding Youths FC.  Unfortunately, what was anticipated to be an easy three points was in doubt from the start as the directions were unjustifiably called into question and Green White had only 10 players at kickoff, including an AWOL keeper.  The deficit, however, proved immaterial as GW could have kept pace with a compliment of circus monkeys.  Still, the game remained a stalemate through the first half and required a parry from the big Swede, Cliff Sellie, to keep it that way.  In the second half, Green White took the wind at their backs and poured in the goals.  Yet the opening goal came in curious fashion.  Paul Weaver sent in a cross from the right that saw Roni Arusi leveled at the penalty spot.  The referee let that assault go, but then whistled a foul as Dan Rogan and the keeper chased down the ball in the far reaches of the box.  Mike Grosse stroked in the PK to open the flood gates.  Shortly thereafter, Grant Smale crossed in from the right.  Arusi wound up for the volley, but the defender reached up with his hand to thwart what Arusi claimed would have been a spectacular volley.  After much debate over whether the keeper could be switched for the PK, Arusi finally put it in for the Green White second.  Following some Harlem Globetrotting by Grant Smale in the net, Dan Rogan whiffed on a chip sent in by Jason Thodos, but saved the blushes with a second effort.  The scoring  was closed out when Thodos fed Todd Schneider for a fourth goal.  In the end, the game got chippy, as Paul Weaver’s shin can attest, but his pains were soothed by the cevapcici in the clubhouse following the game.  

Squad:  Cliff Sellie (k), Grant Smale (k), Roni Arusi, John Dunkas, Eric Gottung, Mike Grosse, George Lymperis, Dan Rogan, Todd Schneider, Jason Thodos, Paul Weaver, Chris Wellman.  Goals:  MGrosse (asst. DRogan); RArusi (unassisted); DRogan (asst. JThodos); TSchneider (asst. JThodos). 

On September 19, 2009, the Green White alte herren team looked to regain their form with a home match against Cracovia.  The first half; however, started slow for the home side as they struggled to find a rhythm.  The only good look at goal from the green team in the first half came from Art Caliskan when he hit the cross bar from in close.  The defense also had trouble sorting things out as Cracovia took the lead on a break away.  But in the second half, Green White strengthened their resolve to get back in the game.  Things looked brighter when Grant Smale played Todd Schneider wide right, allowing Schneider time to take a run at the defense.  Electing to drive the end line, Schneider rounded the flat-footed defender into the box before a clumsy challenge sent him to ground.  Smale was picked to take the PK, but his pushed effort was slapped wide of the mark to the jubilation of the Polish visitors.  But Green White was not to be denied on this day.  John Dunkas sent the ensuing corner kick to the back post where David Nichols out muscled the defense.  But Nichols got his direction wrong, heading it back to the six yard line instead of on frame.  Fortunately, the ball fell directly to Schneider who nodded it back for Nichols to flick in for the equalizer.  Back on level terms, Green White nearly completed the smash and grab with just second remaining when Roni Arusi poked the ball out of a crowd to Nichols on the left.  From a severe angle, Nichols just missed the upper 90 on the opposite side for what would have been the game winner.  In the end analysis, Green White certainly lifted their game in the second half, but were disappointed with a tie.  Along the way, the team withered in numbers losing Dan Rogan to a groin strain; Andy Finn to a shoulder injury; Bob Hynes to old age and John Dunkas to a welt on his shin the size of Mount Olympus.  But the hurt train was not all one way; as Nick Paul made it be known to all that Green White sticks tackles too.

Squad:  CJ (k), Doug Adams, Roni Arusi, Art Caliskan, John Dunkas, Andy Finn, Eric Gottung, Bob Hynes, David Nichols, Nick Paul, Dan Rogan, Todd Schneider, Cliff Sellie, Grant Smale, Jason Thodos, Paul Weaver, Chris Wellman.  Goals:  DNichols (asst. TSchneider). 

On September 12, 2009, the GWO40 team took their undefeated record on the road to Downers Grove, Illinois for a match against league leaders, Highlanders. Unfortunately, the visiting GW side were stretched thin for the match by injuries, kids’ games, the U2 concert and what was believed to be a Pat Nash date at the Disney on Ice show.  With so many players missing, GW strategized to shorten the field by allowing the explosive Highlander offense to cross midfield before challenging for the ball.  The strategy worked for a half as the two teams played to a scoreless draw through 40 minutes.  But following the break, a lack of discipline proved to be the undoing for the green team.  First, Todd Schneider needlessly gave away possession in the midfield when better options were available than the failed meg.  The resultant give-a-way allowed the Highlanders to walk in for an open look from the 18.  Keeper Armando Carlo had the powerful shot covered, but he spilled the collection, and in the ensuing scramble, Highlanders poked in the rebound. For much of the remainder of the match, the GW defense held tough behind the likes of Eric Gottung, Art Caliskan, Grant Smale and Russell Rosenberg. At the other end; however, GW could generate little offense and had to rely on set plays for their best opportunities.  In the first half, Pat Nash nearly tapped in a Todd Schneider corner.  In the second half, Grant Smale flashed wide with a header after calling off Dave Nichols on a free kick served in by Art Caliskan.  But in the end, the home team added a second on the counter with 10 minutes remaining to close out the game.  While Highlanders were the better team on the day, the referee’s shameless bias did not go unnoticed; most blatantly displayed when he blew the whistle for the half while Green White was on the beak.  Twenty seconds later, as the teams walked toward the benches, the alarm on his watch sounded, signaling the true end of time.  When challenged, his explanation was that GW didn’t have possession anyway, which was both factually incorrect and missed the point entirely.  Complaints have been lodge with the league office.

On August 29, 2009, the GWO40 Team met Olympic Spirit at Metro-Majewski Park for what would be a high scoring affair.  20 minutes into the match, Green White looked to take the lead on a penalty kick that resulted when Mark Stein was up-ended on a cut-back in the box.  Todd Schneider stepped up to bank the PK against the octogenarian between the pipes, but he pushed his shot just a little light in the thick grass.  The lack of power allowed the keeper to smother the attempt, even after tripping over his walker.  Thankfully, Schneider’s blushes were saved by the referee who whistled the visitors for encroaching into the box before the kick and Schneider made sure not to miss the retake.  Later in the half, Schneider sent through Stein from midfield allowing Stein to pick out Russell Rosenberg in front for his first goal in a decade.  Seemingly in control, GW took a 2-0 lead into the second half.  But a couple of uncharacteristic fumbles from Gabby Sepiashvili, sandwiched around a David Nichols strike, were an even greater folly than the feeble PK attempt.  No one could recall the last time they saw Sepiashvili let two slip through his hands.  With the game drawn close at 3-2, GW looked a bit shaky to say the least.  But then Stein and Sepiashvili served up several more assists with long punts and pinpoint crosses to put the game out of reach.  Green White closed out the game with four unanswered goals; including one from Doug Adams; an “excuse me” cross from Nichols that slipped behind the keeper to secure his brace; and after he tired of playing the provider, Stein turned one in on his own.  The final goal of the match came from Nick Paul, who was determined to score against his Greek brethren, and had Rich Moroney to thank for providing him with the opportunity.  The remaining comedy involved Grant Smale pointing to his hind quarters after a spirited Greek’s display of frustration at being hounded for the ball.  With the 7-2 victory, the alte herren maintained their perfect record on the new season, but tougher tests await them in September.

On August 19, 2009, the GWO40 Team continued its successful form by capturing the 2009 Illinois State O38 Cup title with a 2-1 victory over St. Charles Celtics.  The championship team was comprised of Todd Schneider, John Dunkas, Andy Finn, Greg Healy, Pat Nash, Jason Thodos, Nick Paul, Dan Donnellan, Chris Wellman, Russell Rosenberg, Gabriel Sepiashvili, Paul Weaver, Mel Qoku and Grant Smale.  GW went down to a goal midway through the first half, but stormed back within minutes to equalize when Grant Smale played in Andy Finn wide on the right.  From his position on the bi-line, Finn picked out an on-rushing Pat Nash who nodded home from the back stick to level the match.  For the remainder of the half, GW weathered the physical play that claimed Jason Thodos with a separated shoulder and also knocked Greg Healy out of the match for several minutes.  In the second half, GW found the game winner with a strong tackle from Andy Finn in the midfield that sprang Todd Schneider into the Celtic half.  Schneider rounded the lone defender and as he closed in on the keeper, dished to a wide-open Grant Smale for the tap-in.  The GW defense turned in another stellar performance, including a couple of clearances off the line, to preserve the victory and claim the championship.  Congratulations to all.

On the weekend of August 8-9, 2009, members of the Green White Over 40 Team traveled north to Baraboo, Wisconsin for a weekend of camping and soccer at the 22nd Annual Wings Tournament.  The Green White group of Todd Schneider, George Lymperis, John Dunkas, Mel Qoku, Gabby Sepiashvili, David Breines, Chris Wixson, Greg Boltz, Paul Weaver, Jason Thodos, Doug Adams, Art Caliskan, Grant Smale, Cliff Sellie, Roni Arusi and Kurt Schultz entered the Over 40 Division of the tournament and returned with hardware in hand, besting Chicago Wings by a score of 1-0 in the tournament final.  Congratulations to the club’s alte herren crew.