November 4, 2001
Memphis Shock vs Cambodian Futbal Club
This is the first time we have graced the field with the Cambodians. Our other game was postponed due to a shortage of referees. We came into this game riding a mini-streak, 2-0-1 in our last 3 games. We were hoping to play a good game and beat CFC. Game day conditions were a pretty warm mid 70's and good pitch conditions.
We started the game with 11 players showing up, and ended with 13 of the 20 players on our roster at the game. If you wonder why we have so many, that's why. Having only 2 regular defenders at the game we had to play a defense by committee. We had to break from our normal formation until we got another defender and then we went back to what we had been playing all year long.
Nearly all of the play in the first half was in midfield. At times both teams would try to make fast break attempts but the defense would put a halt to those attempts. CFC broke thru first about midway thru the first half. Off of a corner kick one of the shortest guys on the field for CFC came thru the box unmarked and headed the corner past Baxter. CFC up 1-0. A few minutes later a centered ball by CFC was sent a little too far for his forward. Baxter couldn't quite control the bumbling ball. With a CFC player pressuring him, Baxter fumbled the ball and stretched back to grab it. The same time he grabbed the ball the forward fell over Baxter's body. The ref awarded a pk. (Remember what I said last game when Matt got run into in the box?) Anyway, Baxter did not get a card. So the player stepped up to take the pk and Baxter was all over the kick like white on rice. Fist save on the pk.
A little bit after this the fun began. While a CFC player was sending the ball to his forward, Todd came sliding in to clear it, not touching the forward. While on the ground, the CFC guy cowardly kicked Todd. Todd got back up and pushed the guy. The ref awarded the CFC player a very deserved red card. Then, just moments after that, Jon was passed a ball that left him wide open with no one in between him and the goal. A CFC player made a nice open field tackle, and I mean football tackle. He wrapped his arms around Jon and brought him down. The ref comes running in and shows a red card. At this same time Ryan throws the ball in from the middle of the field. It bounced once, hit a CFC player in the leg, and the ref turns and gives Ryan a red card. Although there is no excuse for throwing the ball in like that, the red card I think was a little harsh. Not only was Ryan given a card but Jon received a yellow. I'm not exactly sure why, but chances are language knowing Jon. And I mean that in a good way.
With this turn of events, it was a game of 10 on 9. How things can change. We could have been up 2 players but now just 1. At halftime tempers were running high and we were looking out for our ankles. After much talking on the sidelines we eventually cooled off.
Just like the first half, nearly all of the play was in the midfield. Other than a few chances where shots we wide, neither team had any real good chances on goal. During this half Chris did get a yellow card for taking someone down. I didn't see the play so I can't tell you how he did it. But I'm sure he will post it on the message board so be sure to check there!! In the last 15 minutes of the game we had them reeling, only to come up empty in the goal column. The end of the game saw the score 1-0 in favor of the Cambodians.
This game was a test of midfields. Over 90% of the game was within 20 yards on each side of the midfield stripe. Playing 10 on 9 did leave a little extra room in the middle of the field. Although there are no stats to report, there were no more than 10 shots on goal total. After the goal and pk, no real threats on goal for either team for the rest of the game.
Once again we should've won this game. Maybe we can bounce back with a win against the Colts. And maybe next time we play them we will play the full game with 11 players.
Dennis Thompson
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