Megalopoli Win!

AP (Franklin, Ohio) - Last night, a gritty Megalopoli team full of wily veterans pulled off what many experts thought to be impossible. With many players on the team not having played a game in over a year, they took down Chromparts in the opening match of the season at Kingdom Sports Rec Center. Though you could tell this team had been their before with their composure throughout the match, many would admit before the game that they were as nervous as the first time they took the pitch. Just before the opening whistle, defensive star Zach Hensler could be overheard saying, "I really just want to not miss the ball when I try to kick it."

 

Despite letting in an early goal, falling behind 1-0, the Megalopoli settled in and started to play their game, which consists mainly of building a wall around the goal and continually blocking shots or poking the ball away from defenders before kicking it up to the attacking forward for a counter. Though forward Ben Sicnolf had a difficult time with his finishing touch in the opening few minutes, looking a bit like a re-TARD, observers could tell it was just a matter of time before the team broke through. And break through they did behind the 9 foot long right leg of newcomer Jimmy Graham. After stealing a ball at midfield, Graham used 14 foot strides to move into the attacking area before unleashing a rocket shot putting the Megalopoli on the board, evening the score. Despite the injury to perennial all star, Chris Rank, they never looked back.

 

Additional goals were scored by Jeff Price (1), Mark MacDonald (1), Phildo Johnson (1), and Ben Sicnolf (3), though one of Sicnolf's did go off the post into the back of the goalie before ricocheting in. But it was just that kind of night for the Megalopoli.

 

In all, the Megalopoli scored 7 goals, against giving up 3. It was a magical start for the team, and one can't help but wonder if this group of huge, old men can't keep the magic up all year long.

 

Individual Performance Breakdown

 

Jim Graham

Positives - had the play of the day with his rocket toe ball off the wall setting himself up for a headball. Despite not scoring a goal, teammate Jeff Price could be overheard saying, "Jesus - he MEANT to do that!"; also, made another man say, "Quit it!" when Jimmy was playing his patented physical brand of soccer.

Negatives - needs to be on the field more; if at any point Jim realizes that he is currently on the bench, he should immediately sub in.

 

Zach Hensler

Positives - did indeed connect with the ball all nearly all of his attempts; is really good at stealing the ball and then kicking it in the direction of the forward, which is the most important thing you can do in indoor soccer. Only let in one goal when in the net.

Negatives - endurance. Hensler showed flashes of speed, but you could tell his inability to run most of the game frustrated him.

 

Mark McDonald

Positives - in the best shape on the team; one of the few guys able to get up and back. Also, had a nice goal when it seemed that Chromparts may make a run at the Megalopoli.

Negatives - did not pull out the Maradona/McDonald move a single time in last night's game. The Megalopoli most likely will not win another game if this happens again.

 

Jeff Price

Positives - the best goalie on the team. Made two impossible saves. Still has that rocket left foot if he has time. He's Kingdom Rec Sports version of Fulton Reed of District 5.

Negatives - fell over on his own when making a move.

 

Ben Sicnolf

Positives - scored goals.

Negatives - had a hard time dribbling, and couldn't really run the way he is used to, which was frustrating to him.

 

Chris Rank

Positives - when Rank has the ball at his feet, he is still the best player on the team. He's the only one that can actually look up and pass it to someone and it actually goes right where it should.

Negatives - mostly his knee ligaments. Has shitty knee ligaments.

 

Dan Kimble

Positives - absolutely the most important defensive player on the team. Seems to cover two men at a time.

Negatives - his toe poke anticipation wasn't quite where he wanted it to be last night.

 

John Pallant

Positives - John played very well last night in defense. ATTACKS the guy with the ball. Two quotes overheard. One, with 5 minutes remaining and the Megalopoli in the lead, Pallant checked into goal: Jeff Price could be overheard saying, "Board Safe," supposedly meaning that the scoreboard was now safe. And it was. Secondly, on the walk into the parking lot, Pallant said: "Here's the thing guys, I'm only going to get better, too."

Negatives - I'm honestly not sure if there was a negative in John's game last night - I don't mean this as like a crack, but I think he was much better than many of us expected he might be. He pretty much looked the same as everyone else out there.

 

Phil Johnson

Positives - Intense, serious about the game.

Negatives - Maybe a little too intense and serious about the game.

 

JD

Positives - very good on the ball. Could actually hold it until we got other attackers in the offensive end.

Negatives - needs to shoot the ball. I don't know if he realizes, but the name of the game is kick the ball as hard as you can and hope it goes into the goal. Trust me, as someone that takes a lot of shots, no one is going to get mad if at least some go in the goal.

 

Game Ball: Jeff Price. The premier two-way player on the team, Jeff played a great game in goal, and also scored a goal. Not many people this year are going to have a game like that. Well done, Jeff!