Five minutes can be a lifetime

Despite a marked improvement, Angel City dropped its second loss of the season to last year's division winners Burbank Red Machine 2-0.

The return of Kirby Adams to the sweeper position and Peter Marlenga minding the posts saw the squad on much more even terms in Div A. Hard tackles and strong defence off the back line and in the midfield kept the game at 0-0 until the closing stages of the first half, when the Red machine capitalized on a chip across the box. Marlenga had turned away numerous chances prior to the goal, including saving a PK. Less than five minutes later Burbank struck again with a shot from a defender outside the box, after Angel City failed to close him down.

The second half saw chances for both sides but no additional goals. Angel City did finally saw some of it old form back. But the squad will need to up its goal production during next week's match against Glendale United to pull out a win. The game kicks off at 7:10 PM at John Ferraro #5.

First two weeks a wash

This week's match against Slamdance FC has been postponed due to heavy rain.

The ACFC squad starting LA Municipal League play last week with a disappointing 6-1 loss to SC United, last season's League Cup winners. Mike Barthel scored the blues lone tally off an assist from Ben O'Meara after the team fought back to even terms in the second half. ACFC was down 5-0 at the half, but returned to form after the break to keep the second half 1-1.

ACFC plays Division champs Red Machine next week at Griffith Park with an 8:55 PM kick-off.

ACFC 11s kick off winter season Wednesday

The ACFC over-30 11s squad kicks off the 2010 winter/spring LA Municipal Soccer League season Wednesday night at John Ferraro with a first-time match-up against SC United ... it's a late kickoff at 8:55 PM.

United finished third in Division A during summer/fall action last season behind Glendale United and Burbank Red Machine, teams ACFC will face later this season as well. United posted a GD of +20 last season with 36 goals for and 16 against, and an overall record of 8 wins and 4 losses.

ACFRC narrowly missed playoffs last season finishing one point below third spot in Division B with an 8-5 record and a GD of +15.

ACFC moved into the "A" Division (now the Wednesday night 30s) after FC Perya was dropped from the league last season for too many defaults.

ACSL Food Drive

Welcome back and Happy New Year.

I just wanted to update you on the results of our holiday food drive. Ivan O'Neil organized the event and Pete Marlenga delivered the food. And many club members and league players donated food.

Thanks to everyone who helped out.

Cheers

Ben

PS: Here's Ivan's email about the event...

ACSL Community,

We would like to thank you for your generous contributions to the Westside Food Bank this past weekend. The Westside Food Bank staff were pleased and surprised to see our boxes show up on Monday.

Together, we donated 200 lbs of food. That's about enough to feed a family of four for two weeks.

If anyone was unable to donate last weekend but wanted to help, the Westside Food Bank accepts monetary donations on their website.

Thank you for helping others in this time of hardship.


On behalf of ACSL, I wish everyone safe and happy holidays,

Ivan O'Neil

11s Just Around The Bend ...

... or as Tricky says ... Hell is around the Corner.

Yes ... Jan. 13 will see the boys in blue move up to the most competitive LA Municipal Soccer League division, with games now played Wednesday nights.

The current roster sees many returning players and a few new talents joining the midfield and forward line, which has a couple of notable absences this season. David "Puma" Alarcon is still recovering from a knee injury sustained during tourney play last year, and Sevan "L'il Batlar" Hanimyan returned to Australia following the end of last season.

Peter Marlenga and Dave Styles return to mind the nets, fronted by a familiar defensive lineup of Kirby Adams, Leo Wallach, Peter Wasek, Rahoul Ghose and Blake Nickle.

Midfielders David Woirhaye, Brandon Cole, Ben Kull and Russ Muratov are joined by Brad Colwell and new German signing Mike Barthel. And top scorer Ben O'Meara is joined by Marius Sandvik and new acquisition JC Salinaszelaya on the forward line.

The playing squad is bolstered by an equally strong reserves side, including Matt Onheiber, Mike Sharp, Dan Stafford and Luis Deveze.

The over-30s kick off tomorrow night with a friendly against Del Rey City at Griffith Park with an 8 PM kickoff. The winter season starts a week Wednesday with ACFC playing SC United at John Ferraro #5 in the late match (8:55 PM). The entire season's schedule is available on the ACFC fixtures page.

The squad will be playing for a berth in the inter-divisional playoffs. Team and individual awards will be given to the 1st and 2nd place finishers of the 30+ Wednesday league. But the top four finishers in the 30+ Tuesday, 30+ Wednesday and 30+ Thursday leagues will also advance to the 30+ Division Championship playoffs. The 1st and 2nd place finishers in the 30+ Division Championship playoff game will receive a team award.