The penultimate scrimmage/friendly/match/game/thing of the pre-season was played at Community America Ballpark tonight. It was cold. I was down on the sideline with a camera – my first time shooting a live game under floods in dark in a hugely long time and the first 100 or so pictures where complete poo and have been deleted. ISO ratcheted up a bit and things did improve. I’ll improve with practice (and lighter evenings). The final score was 7-0 but really this means nothing in light of the fact there was three halves and almost everybody player on our books got to play.

The game really was very chippy at times. This mostly seemed to involve Arnaud being brought down and then acting like a bit of a big girls blouse. After getting fouled, he seemed to feel the need to retaliate and was seen throwing a headbutt and an outrageous flying elbow in the span of a minute. It was amazing he stayed on the field really, and probably would not have had this been a proper MLS game.

Auvrey didn’t just side step the goalkeeper but seemed to bewilder the three defenders closest to him as he turned 1 against 4 into an empty net to shoot at. He gently passed the ball into the net for the Wizards second goal. Quality finish.

Korede Aiyegbusi had a good game. What he lacks in stature he makes up for in heart, work and no short amount of skill and pace. Those that miss Watson should like this lad.

Ryan Smith

Arnaud on the floor again ….

…. this time he let his feet do the talking from the subsequent free kick.

Teal Bunbury looks strong, fast and willing to shoot …… I can’t wait to see how good this kid can be.

Goal

A series of four pictures showing the looping header Jonathan Leathers scored with to make the score 4-0.

How to achieve separation ….

Ryan Smith is going to be a huge fan favorite. Full of tricks, direct running, and the ability to simply blow by people, to score goals, to make goals … can you tell I am a fan? The following sequence shows him explode by a UMKC player in almost no room. Note the lines, this begins within 18 yards of the goal line.

Dribbling right toward the defender ….

… Smith faints inside as the defender makes the mistake of watching the ball …

… and then back to the outside getting the defender flat footed ….

… this isn’t a faint, Smith darts inside …

… and instantly has room he accelerates into.

Mission accomplished … all Smith is left to do is to serve a quality ball into the box.

Kei Kamara

Teal Bunbury