(photo by David Willoughby)

If you were to ask our coaches how trainings went this last week, they would say that they were the most competitive and energetic of the season. And it sure did pay off for us on Sunday-- as Hooligan Ron would say, “We sent those birds from Canada home with a big fat goose egg!”

Due to injury, I didn’t get to travel with the team when we played the Thunderbirds the first time. The consensus, however, was that they were a very solid team - solid in the back, technical, and very organized. Even though they handed us a 3-0 loss, everyone felt like the entire game was very even; they just capitalized on their chances and we didn’t. Considering Lance would not be available for this match, our captains made it clear that we had to keep Scott’s record perfect with zero losses. Taking this into account, I was very excited to get the ball rolling since playing the best team always hypes me up.

As we all arrived to the field, it was common knowledge that Italy and England were going to extra time. Luckily, one of our players brought a laptop so we could get our gear on while watching the match in the locker room. It was funny how we would go out on the pitch, run a bit, get some touches on the ball, and then quickly run back into the locker room to catch a glimpse of the game. Once we heard they were going into a penalty shoot-out, a group of us went back in to stretch and watch.

From Ashley Young’s blast to the crossbar, Andrea Pirlo’s classy chip, and Italy’s game-winning penalty over England, it was clear that Greg “The Ginga Ninja” Young was determined to not lose a single header. He shared with us that right before he got subbed out, the Thunderbirds’ center-back said to him, “You’re too big, I don’t know what to do with you.”

So, as Thomas looked for whom to throw the ball into, he didn’t have to think twice. Kellan read the play perfectly; as the ball was thrown to Greg and flicked on to space, Kellan reached up to the top drawer and gave us a goal of a different class.

As I lay in bed that night, I thought to myself, “If someone would have recorded that whole play, I’m almost positive we would have seen it on Sports Center’s Top 10.” With that goal, and the hard collective work of the entire team, we managed to add 3 more points and keep our winning streak going.  

The excitement as the final whistle blew and all the fans rushed the field was incredible--it gave me chills; it felt as though we were about to get trampled. Having that kind of support from our home fans is something we have always dreamed of. This weekend, we plan on repaying everyone that came out the day we lost to Victoria by going to their stadium and stealing 3 points!

With only two more home matches remaining, we hope you continue to invite friends, family, and anybody who has not witnessed this hot new team in Bellingham. Lastly, if anyone wants to get to know the players a little better, feel free to stop by Poppes 360 Neighborhood Pub — where we gather after every home match.

Remember, don’t be a nail… be a hammer.

Hammer Pride.

#19 Oscar Jimenez