We’ve still got it!!

We’ve still got it!!

When I say “F”, you say “3”…….”F”, “3”, “F”, “3”.

What a day this turned out to be.  After crying myself to sleep in the days running up to the game in fear of getting a severe a$$-spanking, it turns out I should never have doubted my fellow PAX.

When ESPN makes a show of the greatest sporting achievements in history, this will be right up there with the Miracle on Ice and how the NFL has somehow convinced the entire US population that it’s fun to watch.  The soccer boys of F3 friggin’ tied the Charlotte Eagles!

Keep in mind, this is a team which currently sits comfortably atop of the South Atlantic Division of the PDL and went undefeated last year (one of the best leagues in the country!), and is composed of a number of players who literally won National Championships with their college last year, and the majority will have plans to turn full-time pro after college.   There is NO WAY that a bunch of 30 & 40-somethings who work in banking/insurance/construction should touch these guys……but I guess that’s the power of comeraderie!

So, let’s get the excuses out the way….maybe their best players may have been in Georgia for an important game…..and they maybe didn’t play as hard as they could or should…..and they maybe thought the grass was too long….and they maybe thought the field was too small….and maybe we borrowed their reserve Goalkeeper….and maybe it was 100 degrees (Teddy’s warm up routine of literally just sitting the same spot for 25mins because it was too hot summed that one up).   Blah blah blah, not one single iota of that matters.  When you cross that white line, it’s game time, baby!

I’m not gonna lie, when Senor Chips rolled up without his boots, and had to wear his winkle-pickers for the start of the game, I was a little worried about what was about to happen, but the game started and try as they might the boys in (royal) blue could not break us down.  Our tactics were simple.  10 of us work our clammy balls off chasing them around, then when we get it, hoof it up to Dollywood and let him do his thang against their 4-man defense.  And what do you know, it worked….Coaching mastermind if you ask me!

Little did I know F3 had some true ballerz out there.  The usual Busch, Grapejuice, and Mickey (even with his craft beer hangover) I knew were solid picks, along with recent FNG Brexit being a wrecking ball at the back, but the likes of Narc, Spang and Rest-stop who I’d not met yet were SUPERB.  I think the Eagles were shocked too.  And Sweeney Todd does enough selfless defensive running to count for 2 people, which is always a bonus.

So, to cut a long story short, we go 1-0 up (Dollywood) before having another disallowed moments later (Dollywood again, surprise surprise) – with the turncoat Bunny calling it offside….  We’re holding on, holding on, holding on, and then those slippery little buggers manage to score a beauty just before the end to make it 1-1.  Full-time.

And this is where the reality of our achievement sunk in.

You see, the plan was that at the end of the game, we were going to combine teams and have a jolly old kickaround to celebrate the end of a fun day…you know shake hands, share smiles, try a fancy trick or two for giggles, entertain the crowd.  Not a chance!!  I wandered over to their bench to thank them and to hand out pinnies for the combo, and they made it pretty clear that they were not willing to end without a W under their belt  – we had seriously ruffled some Eagle feathers (every pun intended). So on we went to Golden Goal – Sh1t had gotten real.  The legendary Slimfast was throwing in tackles, Tubeless showing his touches of class, Kaiser and Probation (with one leg but sweet cleats!) were showing their experience to get us out of trouble on occasion, and Fletch was on a one-man mission to break the net.  There’s only so long before youth and ability shines though, and on a breakaway late in the afternoon, their striker Tresor Mbuyu (2015 NCCAA DII National Championship Winner and Player of the Tournament by the way!!) tucked away a cool finish to save some blushes.  Probably a fair result, with everyone leaving happy.

SO PROUD.

As we spoke about at the end though, the game was not just about playing some soccer, it was ultimately about F3 doing what it does, by showing leadership, setting examples, and offering ways to service others – one way we can do that is to help and promote the fantastic Eagles organization – so now we have a couple of action items to attend to:

1. A number of you mentioned you would like to learn more about hosting one of the PDL players next year – Josh Wood (AKA Dollywood, AKA our ringer striker) is going to take point on those questions – you can reach him at jwood@charlotteeagles.com or phone 423-578-0116….for a real-life answer, I’m sure Fletch (Benjamin.smoot@yahoo.com) won’t mind letting you know his thoughts on it, as he kindly offered up his home this summer and it has proved to be an awesome experience for his whole family.
2. My self-appointed task is to get you boys and our fellow PAX to the Eagles Banquet Fundraiser:

November 1, from 6-8pm at Calvary Church.

A table sponsor is $450 – that allows 8 people to come – usually one guy buys the table bring his wife and 6 friends, or individually it’s $55 a plate.  I want as many of us F3’ers there as possible, and spread the word in the gloom also please.

Let me know (HC only) if you would like a seat or perhaps group together for a full table – this is a great event for an even greater cause – I’ve seen first-hand the positive work these coaches do for the local youngsters – they are true gems of our community, but they need support!!

MASSIVE T-Claps to Dollywood, TML, Jake Berry, the YMCA and the entire Charlotte Eagles staff for all doing their bit towards making this happen.

Bodybag (607-483-0251)

P.S. Two words…URBAN EAGLES.  Look it up.

P.P.S. November 1st, save the date.