Matchday 4 Report - Green vs Celtic Portland FC

DATE OF MATCH: October 3, 2015

OPPONENT: Celtic Portland FC

LOCATION: Delta Park Field Strasser

FINAL SCORE: Celtic Portland FC 8, OGFC Green 0

LINE UP:

Green Players: Stephen Chen, Tim Dibble, Tom Dixon, Gavin Granmo, Ryan Harris, Sean Hutchinson, Jon Johnson, Kip Kesgard, Steve Kuenzi, Lance Lile, Rob Lusardi, Dale Montgomery, Rupert Prince, Rich Sheals

OGFC Reserves: Rodrigo Munoz, Mo Phillips, Jason Hall

OGFC Gold: Todd Diskin, Steven Shea

Green Managers: Dale Montgomery

Injured Green players unable to play but present: None

GAME SUMMARY:

The oddities of the 2015 Fall Season for Old Growth Green continued with their fourth match of the 2015 season. Once again, a player forgot their player card – but at least this was realized before the match had started. The lineup of regular Green players was also thin as several players – and managers – were unavailable leaving just Dale Montgomery to be the man in charge of the blue print. However, several regulars from Gold and reserve players stepped in to aid the cause – and it was certainly an emotional meeting for many longtime OGFC members. The opponent was Celtic Portland FC, and for those that recall, it was a fateful November 2012 afternoon match at LaSalle High that changed a lot for everybody there. One of the Celtic players suffered a cardiac arrest at halftime, and

his survival was due to the hard work of members from both teams to perform CPR and use an AED to keep him alive until paramedics arrived on the scene. That event spurred on much press attention, accolades for the individuals that saved a life, and put in motion the Timbers Army CPR program that now provides monthly training and re-certification for those wanting to learn CPR. As OGFC prepared for the match, a familiar face –Gheorghe Lupu – joined his Celtic teammates on the sidelines, but it was Lupu that was saved that afternoon, and there were hugs and smiles about from both sides. As a witness to the events that afternoon, I can say that the teamwork and calm under pressure was astounding to watch, and I have a deep respect for everyone that rallied together to save another human being.

Once the pleasantries had been exchanged, the attention turned to the matter at hand and both sides were winless going into the match so something would likely have to give. That ended up being number 67 wearing Celtic pink, as Rudy turned the match into a one person wrecking crew as he moved about the pitch to occupy and distract the OGFC defense, especially one working with unfamiliar center backs at times. The wing defense was called into assist the backline, but there were points when OGFC was able to pressure forward and cause the Celtic defense some nervous moments, especially with Todd Diskin lurking up top. After conceding a couple of unfortunate goals early due to errant positioning, the Green side settled down as Mo Phillips and Rupert Prince were able to exert some influence in the middle, and Green could also bring on Stephen Shea to give some pace as well.

It seemed like the movement was much improved, but unfortunately, there were points where the final pass was just a little short, too wide, or too far forward, an ailment that the Green side knows all too well in watching the Timbers up close. However, the defense and goalkeeper Gavin Granmo were holding their own to keep the lead to 4 to 0 at the break.

The second half was more of the same, but there were a few highlights – Shea making a wonderful box to box run to aid his defense to test out a balky knee, Phillps and Johnson testing the keeper with great free kicks, and Dixon having a crack at goal but pulling the effort just wide – but otherwise, it was OGFC running and Celtic countering when they could. The counter did add more goals off mis-directions and a few errors where players didn’t pick up their marks, but overall, the defense really held their own.

While the final score ended up being 8 to 0, it was another solid effort for the Green with the regulars melding together with the reserves and Gold members to help. Sometimes, it can be difficult to inter mingle players from different sides into a cohesive attack, but it appeared the Green was really starting to find their stride at times but they were unfortunate to add a goal to the scoreline. Green now heads out to West Linn for a battle with FC Widmer West Linn on October 11 in the early morning before coming back to Delta Park for a date with Southeast Cosmos on October 17 at 4 PM.