February 14, 2010 – GW 4 – Connection 3

On February 14, 2010, the Green White First Team shared an intimate St. Valentine’s Day with Connection at the Odeum in Villa Park, Illinois.  But Green White was not in a giving mood and so dispensed with the flowers and candy to start on the front foot.  The opening goal came just five minutes into the match when Tom Czop dug the ball out of the left corner and played it up and off the keeper; seeing it fall to the feet of Jimmy Romano posted on the doorstep for the tap-in.  Eight minutes later, little Cupid himself, Brendan Connor, hounded the keeper with a singing telegram; forcing a poor clearance straight to Eric Spiess, who picked out the vacated and lonely net for a 2-0 lead.   Although Chuck Woolery was nowhere to be seen, Green White came back in less than “two and two” to make another “love connection.”  This time, Anthony Derose stole possession in midfield and immediately fed the grapes to Tom Czop alone in front, where the lead was extended to 3-0.  But Green White is, if nothing else, a caring and generous lover and gave one back on a defensive lapse just before the half.  Following the intermission, it was clear that Green White had lost their mojo, and things got nervy when Connection scored again to pull within one.  But with just under four minutes remaining, Jason Okroy righted the ship with a low, hard shot right down the middle.  The ball had too much power for the keeper to handle and when he spilled the strike, both Okroy and Arso Mitreski were on hand to collect the rebound.  Being the gentleman that he is, Okroy allowed Mitreski the honors and the Macedonian did not need to be asked twice as he danced around the keeper to re-establish a two goal advantage.  But with just 50 seconds remaining, the petulant Romano received a blue card for looking too much like a Teddy Bear with a candy-gram.  Connection scored almost immediately off the restart to make it close, but Green White closed out the remaining seconds to up their record to 2-2-2 on the season.  Following the game, the team celebrated by presenting coach Truty a gift certificate to Sybaris, but could find no takers to accompany him on the romantic adventure.

Squad:  Danny Caruso (k), Monroe Bell, Jr., Brendan Connor, Sean Connor, Tom Czop, Anthony Derose, Colum Donahue, Nick Dudziak, Brandon Hardy, Jamie Limna, Arso Mitreski, Jason Okroy, Ozzy Rodriquez; Jimmy Romano, Art Rosiles, Eric Spiess.  Goals:  TCzop (Assist: ADerose), AMitreski (Assist: JOkroy); JRomano (Assist:  TCzop); ESpiess.

In other Metropolitan League action on February 14, 2010: International 0 – Serbs 3; Maroons 0 – Eagles 5; Sockers 2 – Schwaben 3; Zrinski 3 – Vikings 1.