Playing in a staunchly defensive style with admirable tenacity, Lebowski FC was the protagonist of one of the biggest surprises of the 2009 Conejo Valley Fall Soccer League so far. The green-and-yellow team threw a major upset by beating league leaders F.S. United by two goals to one, with brilliant midfielder Garo Sarkissian scoring twice. With this result Lebowski now has six points in its pocket, with two wins in the first three rounds of the season.
In a tone of lament, an FS United supporter said to the Lebowski players at the end of the game "You guys have been watching too much Italian soccer". That was, in fact, the best possible summary of yesterday's match. Facing a much younger and technically superior team, Lebowski played very defensively, with four players at the back and full dedication to blocking and destruction instead of creation. This concoction strictly followed the tenets of the traditional Italian school - to play not to lose, instead of playing to win. The Achievers' tightly abided to a rigid
catenaccio that proved efficient even against the precise passes and fancy dribbles practiced by their opponents.
Already debilitated by the absences of John, Todd (both injured), Ogo, Ricardo, Javier (the three out due to business commitments) and Dan (AWOL), the night begun with additional concerns to Lebowski. First, Boris was vetoed by the Medical Department after feeling pain in his groin during a try-out a few hours early. Then came the news that Sal had twisted his right knee the day before, and would need to start the game from the sideline. In fact, it was even better to have him out anyway, as he was stinking Icy Hot so much that it seemed that a whole retirement home had camped by the side of the field.
Justin, Garo and Adam warm up for the match
Lebowski FC started the game as per the planned 4-2-1 scheme, with Shane "The Mower" Williams as a sweeper plus Cesar, Bart and Brian in the defense, followed by midfielders Adam and Garo, and then Justin as the single man in front (literally). While United begun the match with flair and a certain dose of overconfidence, the green-and-yellow players stood their ground and, simply put, refused to attack. Instead, our warriors resorted to a no holds barred style, systematically destroying all attempts made by F.S. United.
The trap worked. Frustrated, the white-and-black squad begun to inch forward more and more. This left their defense unprotected - and, in a quick counter-strike, Garo opened the score for Lebowski FC with a beautiful shot from far away. This surprising goal was another testimony to the team's commitment to the pre-game instructions, which included attempting far shots at any opportunity - something that Lebowski FC did not practice well in the defeat to FS Blue Lighting the previous week.
With such an advantage, Lebowski pulled back
even more. F.S. United continued to exhibit nunchuck and bowhunting skills - but to no avail, as the Lebowski defense, counting with as many as six players at times, was dedicated not to concede a goal. And the four Lebowski defenders - now with Sal replacing Shane - were effectively forbidden of crossing the game midline.
And, yet again, a quick counter-strike by Lebowski proved mortal. Adam passed to Justin, who escaped quickly by the right and was fouled close to the arch line. A barrier of four United players was assembled to block the goal. When the infraction kick was whistled by the referee, Brian rolled the ball to Garo, who skillfully executed a master chip shot over the barrier, bringing the game to 2 x 0. Then minutes later the first half came to a close, with FS United players and supporters stunned by a disadvantageous score against a team they had been certain to win.
The final 25 minutes of the game followed the same rhythm: FS United was all technique and speed, while Lebowski FC played as rabidly as if someone had pissed on their rug. However, two factors now handicapped the Achievers: they played the second half against the lights, thus having a much compromised visibility of the game. Additionally, and more concerning, they only had one replacement at hand. With tiredness settling in after much running as single attacker, Justin moved to the defense. With this, Brian took Justin's place, and Adam and Shane rotated in the defense.
Continuously refreshed by a stream of young players, United kept pounding at the Lebowski gate until it finally cracked. Following a corner kick, Cesar deflected the ball away - but, unfortunately, from inside the arch zone, committing a free-kick penalty. Player #6 of FS United, whatever his name may be, softly kicked the ball to the net: 1 x 2. Enthused, F.S. United players upped the pace, but the Lebowski dudes remained firm, fighting as pitbulls, or bull terriers, or filas, or whatever breed Michael Vick has ever bet on. The warring drive and team spirit shown by the Achievers was formidable.
To the millions of members of the green-and-yellow nation the last fifteen minutes of the game were an agonizing countdown. But while Lebowski supporters bit their nails at the grandstands (well, actually there was only one, but let's go on with the poetic license here), their players remained calm and collected, focused on a single mission: defending at any cost. As time passed, the F.S. United men were the ones to lose their ways, with constant complaints to the referee and even discussions amongst themselves. And even though F.S. United dominated the possession of the ball, that was converted into only one critical goal opportunity - a violent shot following a foul kick, which zapped dangerously closed to the top bar. On the other hand, Lebowski counter-strikes almost paid back handsomely with Brian (from the left) and Adam (from the right).
Five minutes to go, four, three, two, one... it's over! The whole Lebowski team celebrated a hard-fought and much unexpected win; shout-outs, jumps and high-fives were heard and seen everywhere. After all, they had just beaten an opponent of much higher technical abilities, in a surprising result that certainly paid well to those that bet on such lovely underdogs. It was a victory resulting from absolute dedication to a tactic that made best use of the Achievers' most precious resource - team spirit. As the saying goes, yesterday was a night in which old age and treachery beat youthfulness and skill. And it will be a night to remember.
Bart - and The Dude - abide!
