The other name for this essay is “How to Blow a Clean Sheet In Spectacular Fashion”….

But more on that later….

So it feels like summer officially began yesterday….and with it returned the normal Zenit score line vs inferior competition. We started out kind of lazy. Our stalwart defense anchored by Samir and shored up by Zach and Ryan (with great supplemental help from Sou and Phil later on) was tasked with having to build the attack. Although he again gave a great dribbling exhibition, Olman showed why he was Zenit’s defensive anchor over the past few seasons. The midfield certainly controlled the game but didn’t really hit the boosters until about 20 mins in. The strikers checked in and out and waited patiently for their opportunity.

After several near misses, Yossi finally snuck one in. Saul followed up with another sure fire hit (as nervous as it made Scott). Up 2-0 half way and it seemed like it would be enough as it could’ve been much more.  2 goals later – including Yossi’s PK (was it hard to select yourself for that shot Yossi?) we were comfortably up 4-0.

So, less than 24 hours being in goal for a hotly contested Red Star match I found myself comfortably admiring the weather. It was Sunday and I was wondering if I was flying out that day, was thinking about my NY girl and wondering how to break it off with the LA girl, getting hungry and wondering where I would go for lunch later. Were the Lakers playing later? Then I saw a ball floating in my direction. I thought, “Hey…I should go get that huh?” So I moved towards it. “Should I let it bounce? Nah, I should catch it on the fly. Ok…I’ll it bounce.” Well the ball bounced, hit off me, went over me and one of their very excited guys scored. Sonofabitch! Way to blow a clean sheet moron. All I can say is if we blow this thing by one Goal Against I humbly apologize.

Well…Now I was focused. We scored two more to put it away. They somehow broke through the defense and now that I was alert, gave my salute to the NHL playoffs kick save and proved my worth somewhat. Those of you that know me feel safe I’m sure that no ball will eat me alive like their goal did in a close game.

Alex was dominant in the middle for 90 minutes. Our strikers were havoc up top. Fernando showed why he is so dangerous on the wing. Souh and Olman were tough all game. If you are not mentioned somewhere in here it may be only because I do not know your name yet. We are really coming into our own guys and your goalie will remain awake for 90 mins going forward.