The WEEKEND

Brilliant readers, I'll have you know that good fortune smiled in my direction yet again.

Last weekend, it materialized as Anchorwomen soccer and the NESHOF induction ceremony. This weekend, it appeared as a platter full of nearly non-stop football, stretching from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. I attended a total of four matches in a 30-hour span.* And to think, I didn't have to break the bank to do so!**

(*Out of a possible ten - TEN - matches on the slate. The R.I. High School Soccer Championships totaled seven, Brown's men and women were in action, and the RIC-PSU LEC Championship match. Thanksgiving came 19 days early for a soccer football glutton like myself.)

(**Total cost: Ten dollars for the four matches I attended. Really. That's less than the price of a movie.)

The first match pitted the Anchormen and Plymouth State Panthers for the Little East Conference title. My buddy Mario, whom I somehow convinced to attend*, and I witnessed my school's first-ever LEC title before a full house. It was a truly special moment for me, as a current student, to witness such an historic victory. The title also clinches their very first NCAA Tournament berth. To say that I'm proud of the Anchormen side is a severe understatement.

(*I'm still amazed how I was able to pull this off. He has no connection to either school, nor does he have a particular interest in soccer. Yet, he rooted heartily, along with me, for the Anchormen for the full ninety. It was a grand time. Definitely an early nominee for Most Improbable Negotiation of the Month.)

About two hours later, I watched Brown University play Yale at Stevenson Field. My last visit came during the first round of last year's NCAA's, where Old Dominion shocked the Bears in 2-1 2OT thriller. Upon my return, I noticed that wonderful thing about the field is that, in November, the suburban East Side lights peer through the sparse vegetation. It reminds you that the pitch sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood, much like it is in so many small villages and towns abroad (i.e. the way it should be). What's more is that the park sits on the crown of the East Side. A seat on the upper rungs of the bleachers offers a spectacular view of Providence's cozy residential districts.

As far as the conditions - it began pouring at the half, and alas, I was not prepared. Without a hooded garment or waterproof attire, the rain refused to sympathize with my plight. The Bears were down 0-1 as I raced toward the shelter of my car. They went on to lose 0-2.

Sunday. After a hearty breakfast, some Patriots-Bills viewing, and some 20-page paper reducing, I stopped by Pierce Field and caught the final ten minutes of the Rhode Island State High School Girls Soccer D-IV championship. Even though it was 2-1 Woonsocket over Tolman, there was still one more scene to behold. Novans midfielder Kristin Cahill took a late penalty, and earned the hat trick (and tourney Most Outstanding Player) on an unseasonably warm afternoon. Perhaps the quote of the match was from a parent sitting a row ahead of me: "Who needs the Patriots when you've got the Novans?"

Finally, I returned to RIC Soccer Field for the Boys D-III Championships between Tiverton and North Smithfield. Although the Northmen were bigger and stronger, the Tigers dominated possession throughout the first half. Geoff Sampaio scored in the 20th minute, helping his team win its first title since 1988. I would have love to have stayed to see the celebration, but bedecked in a short-sleeved Beckham jersey quickly chilling evening,* my un-numbed senses thought it best to call it a game at the half.

(*Sensing a theme? I actually realized that I had a sweater in the trunk...after I returned home.)

Who knew that a random November weekend could provide so much enterainment?

I was spoiled, though. Another weekend such as this will not transpire for quite some time. Alas, I have been sentenced me to leaf raking, early Christmas shopping, and staring at blank blogger screens for the remainder of my autumn weekends.

Lastly, I put on for my city, I mean, state. Here the full scores for this year's R.I. High School Soccer Championships.

Girls D-I
LaSalle 2, South Kingston 1

Girls D-II
Bay View 1, Cranston West 0

Girls D-III
St. Raphael's 2, Tiverton 0

Girls D-IV
Woonsocket 3, Tolman 0

Boys D-I
Barrington 1, La Salle 0

Boys D-II
Lincoln 2, Shea 1

Boys D-III
Tiverton 2, North Smithfield 1

Congratulations to all!

Meet the Rookies: Matthew Britner

Matthew Britner knew Steve Nicol was watching.

During the course of Britner’s collegiate career at Brown University, a short trip south of Foxboro, MA, the tall defender felt that he was gaining plenty of attention during his time in Providence. Just to be sure, Britner capped off his senior season by earning 2007 Ivy League Player of the Year honors.

Along with Brown coach Mike Noonan’s familiarity with Nicol (the two are often seen chatting with each other at Revolution reserve matches), it wasn’t a stretch to assume that Noonan may – just may- have had something to do with Britner’s selection by New England in the third round of this year’s SuperDraft.

“It’s entirely possible,” said Britner after a recent Revolution training. “Coach (Noonan) will do anything to push his program. I also think that because Steve scouts some of the (Brown) games (in Providence).”

So when Britner’s name was announced as the 41st overall pick, he was thrilled to find out which team was choosing him.

“I was just happy to be drafted in the first place. But when I heard it was the Revolution, and Steve Nicol called me, I was extremely excited,” said Britner.

Excited indeed. Not only because of the short distance he had to travel from Brown to meet up with his new club, but because of the familiarity he had with the area, as well as the team.

“I think of all of the destinations in MLS, this is where I wanted to be for a bunch of reasons,” said Britner. “One (reason) being because I’m already familiar with the area. Another (reason) because I know a few guys on the team already.”

Although he has already caught the attention of Nicol and the rest of the coaching staff to warrant a draft slot, Britner is currently in training without a contract. In other words, he’s with the club on trial. But he doesn’t look at his situation as a disadvantage.

“Just coming in here as a rookie, I’m here to prove myself,” said Britner. “This may be the first extended period in which the coaches can evaluate my play. I’m just coming here and working as hard as I can to show that I can play at this level.”

With more than a month and a half of training, preseason matches, and more training before the start of the regular season, Britner will certainly have the time to prove his worth.

Another thing working in his favor: his height. The 6-1 defender is one of the tallest players in camp right now. With the strong possibility of Nicol employing the 4-4-2 this season, Britner may find earn a spot on the club before long.

He knows earning that spot won’t be easy. But he also understands the challenges ahead of him.

“Obviously, everyone wants to play. I’m realistic about it. Everyone has to prove themselves day in and day out. Obviously, everyone wants to be in the starting XI. But if I can just continue to develop as a player and improve, and make strides – whatever that may be.”

That’s all he can really do right now. Without a body of work in MLS to fall back on, nevermind a contract, Britner knows that the primary focus right now is to continue proving himself in training. And from there?

“Hopefully, I’ll win a contract from the team.”

Thursday morning...rant?

A couple of dangling thoughts this morning...

-After the MLS Cup back on the 18th, I thought I had seen my last live match until 2008. I was wrong.

Last night, I took a quick drive over the Washington Bridge and took in the Brown-Old Dominion second round NCAA Tournament match over on the East Side. I had never been to Brown to see soccer, but my first time there was a pretty memorable, despite the freezing temperatures (and the lack of hot beverages as regulation waned).

My first impression of top-tier NCAA soccer: astounding. Whether I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, or if this was typical of all tournament caliber sides (I'm leaning toward this theory), but every player was so technically sound that I almost thought I was watching an MLS match. If there was a weak link or player on the pitch, he disguised himself well. I mean really, I would have bet dollars to doughnuts that either OD or Brown could have easily bothered more than a handful of MLS sides that I won't mention right now. The action was extremely brisk and high-paced, surely benefitting the players who ran around the pitch surrounded by the chilly Providence air.

I missed the initial goal, which was scored by OD within the first fifteen, according to a fellow spectator to my right, as I stood atop a metal bleacher for the entire match. Brown equalized in the second half after a flurry of corners that finally struck gold when Kevin Davies converted a David Walls outswinger into paydirt. After regulation and a first overtime failed to separate the clubs, the match went into its second OT. Ambane Emmanuel broke through the backline and floated an impeccably weighted shot over the Brown keeper for the golden goal in the 107th.

Overall, it was a great to experience what it now likely to be the last live action I'll see until February, when Revolution try outs take place. The college crowd at major soccer colleges like Brown is lively and spirited, especially among the student section, which chanted "Let's go Bruno" and jeered the opponent throughout. In a remarkable contrast of crowd emotion, the place went almost dead silent after OD's golden goal. No boos, no howls...just stunned silence. It was as if someone had literally clicked the "mute" button on the remote.

Too bad it took me until the dead of autumn to discover Brown soccer. A wonderful squad (although no match in my heart for my beloved RIC sides) that I'll most certainly have to watch again next season.

-After watching consecutive Champions League matches (Manchester United-Sporting & Chelsea-Rosenborg), I almost forgot how much I associate CL matches with Christmas. I don't know what it is- perhaps it's a combination of that neon-lit multi-paneled shell of a ball that menaces the Bravia commercials (which amazingly fails in any attempt to be cheesy) and the time of the year invokes wonderful memories of Yuletide cheer and European football.

Speaking of Champions League, did you see that incredible Cristiano Ronaldo goal in extra time? From a free kick about 25 yards out, the Portuguese unleashed a fantastic curling ball that arched into the top far post for Manchester's game-winning goal. His reaction was hilarious...he shrugged his shoulders and sported a pseudo-frown like "that was nothing." Priceless.