On April 25, 2010, the Green White Reserve Team welcomed AAC Eagles to the friendly confines of Majewski Park and, true to form, started off the game by giving up an early goal.  But the game was soon level when AJ Nawrocki slotted Mitch Lechowski for an uncontested tap-in.  The game remained tied into the second half, until Steve Collins played through Tom Czop with the Eagles’ defense trying to snare the veteran striker in a high off-sides trap.   With the defense behind him, Czoppy out sprinted the crowd to slot the keeper near post for the lead.  Unfortunately, GWR allowed Eagles back into the game with a Nawrocki own goal that was nearly identical to the one Asher Mendelsohn served up against the Vikings one week earlier in the First Team match.  Eagles then took the lead on a through ball that left second half keeper Jose Cornejo stranded as the ball floated into the top of the net.  But GWR stormed back to square the match when Rob Czop took a heavy touch inside the box, but recovered in time to block the path of the defender who bowled him over for a penalty kick.  Brandon Williams stepped up to take the PK to make it 3-3.  GWR won the game in the final moments of the match on a movement that saw the ball moved crisply across the pitch.  Chris Doran outlet to Nate  Walker who pushed forward to Lechowski.  The ball was then worked to Nawrocki for a long diagonal pass that found Williams, who took it off his chest and crossed the ball into the mix for Rob Czop in full gallop.  Czop struck the ball on the volley into the keeper and Ben Reeves slid in to collect the spoils and the team’s first victory on the spring.  At about the same time, Tom Czop was discussing world peace with a U14 player who apparently didn’t like his politics, and let it be known by slapping Czop in the face, which was not a smart idea.  Said the stunned Big Angry Bear in his best Dolf Lundgren accent, “I must break you.” Thankfully, the referee called time and the sides were separated before there was any serious blood shed. 

Squad:  Mike Magner (k), Jose Cornejo (k), Kyle Annerino, Bob Bless, John Collins, Steve Collins, Tom Czop, Rob Czop, Chris Doran, Mitch Lechowski, AJ Nawrocki, Ben Reeves, Chris Salatino, Nate Walker, Brandon Williams.  Goals:  MLechowski (Assist:  AJNawrocki), TCzop (Assist: SCollins) BWilliams (PK) (Assist: RCzop), BReeves (Assist:  RCzop).

In other Metropolitan League Reserve Team action on April 25, 2010:  Maroons 2 – Schwaben 3; Liths  – Zrinski (not reported); Sockers – Vikings (postponed); United Serbs  – Belgrade (not reported). 

On April 24, 2010, the GW O30 Team played their opening match of the spring against Schwaben AC.  After another inspiring* pre-game pep talk by Greg Boltz, GW played strong from the start keeping the ball in the Schwaben end and building a positive handle on the game.  Pat Palbicke kept high pressure on Reggie Hayes who was the early target for opposition’s offense while Chris Wixson kept the back organized.  Josh Pincus back after missing most of the fall contributed greatly in the spring opener.  On a counter attack midway through the half Pincus carried the ball upfield and found a streaking (still in uniform) Rob Czop who coolly stuck the ball in the back of the net.  Unfortunately, the opener was taken away by a bad offsides call.  GW continued to pressure the Schwaben back line and forced their keeper to make several tough saves.  Pincus had a nice low shot parried away and the follow up shot by Axel Vega struck the post.  Dan Briggs and Derrick Wilkinson had some good looks to score as well but were not able to break the deadlock.   Eager to capitalize on the referee’s error Schwaben went up 1-0 shortly before halftime when their left back Karl Braun found a seam in the GW back line, brought a ball down at the top of the box and slotted the ball past Joel Meadow.  Meadow, who played very well on short notice, was enlisted due to an injury to Gabby Sepiashvili which will likely keep him out for the spring.  Down by one at the half GW knew they were in a good spot to bring home a win in the opener.  The good guys would break through in the second half when John Sedej drove a long free kick to Pincus at the top of the Schwaben penalty area.  Pincus deftly flicked the ball over a defensive challenge to the far corner of the net.  Once again Rob Czop was crashing the goal and the only path the Schwaben goalie had to the ball was through Czop.  As Czop was nearly cut in half by the diving netminder, the ball bounced into the goal to even the score.  At this stage of the game Schwaben was frustrated as arguing could be heard amongst the team in blue.  With a shift in formation which had Keith Anderson playing higher up the field as a third center midfielder, along with Briggs and Czop, the GW squad was able to disrupt the key play-makers for Schwaben.   GW would find the go ahead goal through some nice passing with Anderson getting a ball on the wing and playing square to newcomer Chris Mortonson who found Pincus in the penalty area once again.  Pincus was able to thread the needle and find the side netting off the fingertips of the opposing goalie.  The confidence and grit of the home team was clearly evident.   Stunned at the prospect of losing two in a row to GW Schwaben would push forward with numbers but ultimately come away with nothing more.  (*unusual)  Reported by Greg Boltz.

Squad:  Joel Meadow (k), Chris Wixson, John Sedej, Pat Palbicke, Keith Anderson, Axel Vega, Rob Czop, Dan Briggs, Greg Boltz, Josh Pincus, Derrick Wilkinson, Les Rebeck, Kevin Katz, Chris Mortonson, Eugene Kim.  Goals:  JPincus (Assist:  JSedej), JPincus (Assist: CMortonson, KAnderson).

In other Metropolitan Over 30 League action on April 24, 2010:  Lightning 0 – Concordia 7; Vikings 2 – Eagles 3; Lions 2 – Liths 1.

On April 24, 2010, the Green White Over 40 Team opened the spring season with a home match against Royal Wawel.  Ten minutes into the match, Green White opened the scoring at the ten minute mark off a poor clearance.  The ball fell nicely to Todd Schneider at the top of the box, but the scribe failed to pull the trigger, opting instead to play Dave Brienes wide right.  Brienes pushed around the approaching defender to reach the endline and cross into the box to see his service sail on the keeper, kiss the cross bar and fall into the far side netting.  Fifteen minutes later GW doubled the advantage when Mark Stein danced between defenders to create space and cross into the box where Rich Moroney stormed through to roof the net with a sliding full volley.  And five minutes before the intermission, GW made it a 3-0 lead when Greg Healy made a solo run to slot the keeper to the left.   But as effective as the Green White defense had been in the first half, the second half was a different story.  Royal Wawel pulled one back on a PK and then lofted a second that hit the cross bar on its way over the line.  In the end, the green team was able steady the ship but not without a Nick Paul melt down as the center back returned to form after a seven month injury hiatus.  After the match, Paul was ordered by the league into an anger management support group. 

Squad:  Armando Carlo (k),  Dave Brienes, John Dunkas, Mike Grosse, Greg Healy, Rich Moroney, Jusef Muratovic, Pat Nash,  David Nichols, Nick Paul, Mike Resnick, Todd Schneider, Mark Stein, Jason Thodos, Paul Weaver.  Goals:  DBrienes (Assist:  TSchneider), RMoroney (Assist:  MStein), GHealy (unassisted).

In other Metropolitan Over 40 League action on April 24, 2010:  Cracovia 3 – Olympics 3; Youths 3 – Highlander 5; Concordia 5 – United Serbs 2; Wings 4 – Schwaben 4; Rams 2 – Eagles 2; Hrvat 1 – Connection 4.

The Green White First Team opened the second half of the 2009-2010 Metropolitan League outdoor season on April 18, 2010 with a home fixture against Vikings AA.  Dispatching any notion of rust from the long layoff, GW got off to a fast start with the opening goal coming just 12 minutes into the match.  Brendan Connor spread the ball wide to brother Sean Connor on the left who played forward to the feet of Rolando “don’t call me Tom” Cruz (also dubbed “Goalando” by Matt Connor).  As Goalando baited the defense with a threatened sprint down the line, Sean Connor dutifully followed his pass and Cruz rewarded the run by laying the ball into Connor’s path as he chugged by.  With all the deliberate speed of a passing glacier, Connor carried to the endline and as the defense collapsed around him, craftily slotted the ball across the face of goal where Nick Dudziak and a host of yellow jerseys crashed into the area to bundle the ball across the line for an own goal and the opening tally of the match.  Later in the half, Jamie Limna locked boots in midfield to spring the ball behind the Viking defense.  While the Vikings stood and watch, Matt Stukenberg chased it down to go in on goal alone.  Unfortunately, as Stuckenberg turned to feed an on-rushing Goalando for the tap in, the ball hit a divot causing a mis-hit up and off the crossbar.  Despite the mishap, Green White doubled the lead at the 32 minute mark when Vikings failed to clear a corner kick.  The ball went only so far as the top of the box where Goalando laid in wait; settled and curled a shot inside the far post.  By this time everything was going the green white way and Nick Dudziak was unlucky when his break away effort was denied by the right stanchion just before the end of the first half.  Of course, the first half was not without its odd moments as Stukenberg found himself engaged in a slow dance with Vikings’ Randy Merkle, who inexplicably threw himself to the ground off of Stukenberg’s body, not once . . . not twice . . . but three times in quick succession, surely in an effort to draw a foul.  As the second half got underway, Vikings found hope when Asher Mendelsohn saw a cross from the right take an errant spin off his shin and into the Green White net.  Later, Jared Heyman, by all accounts a caring and compassionate sole, sought to unburden Mendelsohn from the anguish of his earlier gaff by chopping down a Viking forward in the box, thereby placing a quantum of blame on his own shoulders.  But the referee swallowed his whistle, and the assault went for naught, meaning Mendelsohn retained the good natured honor of goat of the game.  But in the waning seconds of the match, all was moot when Brendan Connor released Brady Hyde from the midfield where he took two touches and pushed around the keeper to seal the win and save the blushes of the little man who wears his shorts backwards.  Asked about the incident after the game, Mendelsohn retorted, “Leave me alone.  I just wish Colum was here.”

Squad:  Danny Caruso (k), Jose Cornejo (k), Brendan Connor, Matt Connor, Sean Connor, Rolando Cruz, Anthony Derose, Nick Dudziak, Brady Hyde, Jared Heyman, Jamie Limna, Asher Mendelsohn, Eric Spiess, Matt Stukenberg, Niko Voules.  Goals:  RCruz (unassisted), BHyde (Assist: BConnor), OG.  

In other Metropolitan League Major Division action on April 18, 2010:  Liths 0 – Belgrade 1; United Serbs – Schwaben (postponed); Sockers – Maroons (postponed); Zrinski – Eagles (postponed).

Registration for the 2010 Stefan Zimmer Green White Tournament is now open.  Registration will be open until June 18, 2010.

The entry fee is $400 and includes a minimum of 5 Games.

Go to the Tournament Page for more info.

A couple of old Green White Newsletters have been unearthed and added to the Newsletter archives.  They can also be seen by clicking the links below.

• January 1977
• January/February 1981
• October 1990

Of particular interest is the list of team awards from 1976 as reported in the January 1977 Newsletter.  How many names do you recognize?  The list of honorees were:

Team                           Most Valuable             Best Sportsman

Midgets                       Robert Craig               Willie Filian

Intermediates              Richard Schneider      Michael Schmalz

Juveniles                      John Dunkas               Robert Bischoff

Juniors                         Robert Meschbach      Frank Schmalz

First                             Hans Marx                  Gerhard Kidric

Reserve                       Gerhard Kidric            Joe Laxgang

Old Timers                  Adolf Kelm                 Stefan Zimmer

Ladies                         Gail Chervin                Maria Zimmer

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

On March 20, 2010 the clubhouse got a floor to ceiling scrubbing in preparation for the spring season. Thanks to the cleaning crew of Todd Schneider, Jon Duddles, Pat Nash, Rich Moroney, Chris Salatino, Steve Schmidt, John Dunkas, AJ Nawrocki, David Breines, Greg Boltz, Mike Gressle, Paul Weaver, Eric Spiess, Hans Metzinger, Mike Grosse, John Parsinen, Russell Rosenberg and Steve Pastorelli. Tom Czop was a late scratch, but happily reported a sweet deal on a set of mauve bath towels at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

See the pictures in the Photo Gallery.

The 2010 Metropolitan League indoor season came to a close on March 7, 2010, with Green White looking to leap-frog several spots in the standings at the expense of bottom-feeding Maroons.  And toward that end, the lads in green jumped out to an early lead in literally the first minute as Tom Czop, filled with the ire of a man scorned by an innocent (yet factual) game summary, provided for Sean Connor to open the scoring.  But at the 8:00 minute mark, Maroons hit back to even the score.  From there, the game continued at a leisurely pace into the break.  But the team looked to up the ante in the second half, and thanking Vikings Coach Richie Tilford with a traditional English finger salute for his helpful, albeit unsolicited, mid-term analysis, Coach Jake Truty urged the boys to pick up the tempo in the second half.  With the added intensity, Green White seized the lead with 12 minutes remaining when Monroe “El Suave” Bell, Jr. lofted the ball into the box from midfield.  The Maroons keeper had the idea to punch away the threat, but his path was obstructed by his own defender and the failed clearance fell to the saintly Sean Connor, who contorted across his body to volley into the empty net for his second goal of the day.  Six minutes later, the pony-tailed one was at it again, marauding up the right side to put the ball into the danger zone.  The ball came off the boards to Connor, who nearly duplicated his earlier effort, but when he missed the mark, Nick Dudziak was there to hit home.  Still, in the remaining time, it took some quick hands from Jose Cornejo in net to preserve the second half clean sheet and the victory.  In the end, with the help of some sagely time-wasting from the veteran ball-boy crew of Ryan Bull, Alex Melcher and trainee, Kurt Melcher, Green White salted away the remaining minutes to finish the season with a perfect push, placing in 5th (out of 10) on 12 points from a record of 3-3-3; 25 goals for and 25 against. 

Squad:  Jose Cornejo (k), Monroe Bell, Jr., Sean Connor, Tom Czop, Anthony Derose, Colum Donahue, Nick Dudziak, Brandon Hardy, Jamie Limna,  Ozzy Rodriguez, Art Rosiles.  Goals:  SConnor (2)(Assist: TCzop, MBell), NDudziak (Assist: SConnor, MBell).

In other Metropolitan League Major Division action on March 7, 2010:  Schwaben 2 – Vikings 2; Zrinski 4 – Connection 1; Sockers 4 – International 0; United Serbs 1 – Eagles 0.