Danbury United Over 30 Soccer Team – Game Reports

2004-11-14: State CUP FINAL Game vs Stratford, Played at PCC; Win 5-2

Manny’s Game Report:

SASL Report:

Shoreline Adult Soccer League, Inc. e-mail list; informational only.
 
Hello All,
 
As previously promised, here is the match report for the CSSA Over-30 
State Cup Final, submitted by CSSA President Mr. Dave Carmody:
 
 Sunday November 14, 2004
 
 DANBURY UNITED BESTS STRATFORD UNITED 5-2 TO WIN
 THE JOHANNES HESKES OVER-30 STATE CHALLENGE CUP.
 
 Danbury United Manager Manny Cipriano and his
 team put it all together this morning with an all
 out effort that included shoveling of snow from
 the pitch from 8:30 AM until the 10:10 start. The
 temperature was 34 at game time with a stiff wind
 down the field, but both teams were hot to play
 at the start, even if the weather was not, and
 kept up a furious pace of strike and counter
 strike throughout the period.
 
 Danbury struck first in the 13th minute by a
 lovely heading off a well placed free kick.
 Stratford then evened with a fast strike down and
 in from the right with a beautiful one touch
 finish that caught the Danbury defense going the
 wrong way in the 15th minute.
 
 Stratford struck again at 31 minutes with
 another fast strike, cross and finish to go up 2
 to 1. Stratford, with the wind in their favor
 appeared to have the momentum. However, Danbury
 found a hole in their defense in the 43rd minute
 and tallied again to make it even at the half.
 
 Even though the temperature had moderated a bit
 to about 44 for the second half, neither team
 could keep up the truely frantic pace they
 displayed during the first period. Danbury, now
 with the wind at their backs, worked through the
 Stratford defense at 55 and 65 minutes to take a
 4 to 2 lead. At 83 minutes Stratford's fate was
 sealed by a foul in the box and resulting P.K.
 score by Danbury.
 
 The final score was 5-2 for Danbury.
 
 Dave Carmody, CSSA

Manny’s Game Report:

We capped off an awesome season with a convincing 5 - 2 victory yesterday in the Cup Final. It felt great defeating Stratford for the third time this year after they tied last year in our last game costing us the league championship. We talked all year about pulling off the double and we demonstrated the heart and determination to make it a reality. But just as importantly I was able to witness a teams chemistry grow from week to week and develop a unique bond and respect between players and coaches that was immensely evident at the end of the season. Other teams have pulled off the double in the

league but I can honestly say that since I have been in the league this was the most competitive 1st division top to bottom I have ever seen. Beating even Waterford 3 times in one season with the team they had I believe everyone on the team would have had there doubts. I want to thank the players for making my job easy and showing such respect to Farinha and myself but also representing the Poruguese Cultural Center in a professional manner. And to my Assistant Coach no thats not right to my CO-Head Coach Farinha I can't thank you enough for your efforts all season. Your commitment was appreciated by the players as well as myself. I told you in the beginning of the season that if you helped me run this team we would win it and we did!!!! In fact I believe you are still undefeated as Head Coach. You should be proud.  Onto another important matter. The annual party at my house has been finalized. It will be

on Saturday Nov. 27th at 6:00 pm. I expect all players to be there and your wives and girlfriends are encouraged to come so they can be your designated drivers (Only kidding). If you can bring along a favorite dish that would be great also. See ya there. I will email out directions later.

One last thing I am missing a White Uniform if you have it please email me.

Manny 

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2004-11-07: League Game vs Waterford, Played at PCC; Win 5-4

With our win Sunday we completed the league games with one of the best records in the

history of the 1st Div. Only Waterford in 99 matched our point total of 47 in an 18 game Schedule. Second place Cheshire ended up 8 pts behind us. And our +43 goal differential was the highest of any over 30 team in all the divisions. Well done guys!!!!!!!! Our job is not complete though as we still have the Cup Final this Sunday at home at 10:00am. Please be there early and lets take care of business.

Also after the game on Sunday those that stayed to eat all agreed that the annual party at my house would be held on Saturday Dec. 4th at 7:00 pm. Wives and girlfriends are encouraged to attend so we can celebrate the successful season with them. Please leave the date open as I expect all players to attend. We are also looking into a friendly game versus

the Danbury United Open team as they have asked to scrimmage us in the past. It would be

a great test for our squad as they are much younger. The game would be on the 21st of Nov.

weather permitting. I will update you on this later but try and keep the date open.

Manny

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2004-10-31: League Game @ New Britain; Win 4-0

We are the Champions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally after being so close in the past including last year where we lost out on the league championship by tying our last game. With our

convincing 4 - 0 win yesterday we clinched 1st place. It didn't look great when I saw how

small and terrible the field was that we had to play on. But as been the case all year the

team adapted to the condition much better then our opponent and outworked them they entire game. And by no means was I expecting to shut out the other team on a field that was going to allow for many mistraps and bad bounces and it seemed with the wind you could score from anywhere. The secret to our success all season has been when we maintain deffensive pressure thru out the game we our tough to beat. Also our depth has

been key as every week I start a different team and we continue to play the same high level

of skilled soccer.

My mind is working a little slow this morning as I went back to the club after the game

and was there quite a while celebrating those that were there will understand.

The league is still showing the cup final at our home field on Sunday the 14th of Nov. and

I have already reserved the field. Please be available that day for the game. We also have

one more league game at home this Sunday against Waterford. After the game we have

already ordered food at the club. Please plan on staying and your wives kids or significant

other are welcome. Please email me in advance so we know how many to order food for.

Again congratulations on a well deserved Championship. Now lets go out and win the Cup

too.

Extremely Proud Coach

Manny

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2004-10-17 – League Game @ Cheshire (W 4-0)

With our convincing win against Cheshire we now are in sole possession of 1st

place with a 3 point advantage and a plus 10 goal differential. I had miscalculated

the goal diff. and Mingachos gave me the good news after the game. We responded

to the challenge yesterday with a total team effort for 90 minutes. Our game plan was

to mark their forwards tight deny them the ball in our defensive third and make them

go back to their half of the field to receive the ball. We executed the the plan so well

that the forwards were totally frustrated by half time and it was much of the same in

the second half. We allowed them to push the ball back and diagonally but we took

away their vertical balls. Our defense is playing its best ball all year and has resulted

in three straight shutouts. Offensively we were dangerous all game. With Roberto putting

on his ball wizardry and Dave, Nic, Johnny, and Joe Carlos making great runs into Cheshire's'

defensive 3rd we kept their defense on their heels the entire game. We got 2 goals from

Roberto 1 from Johnny and Nic scored a great goal late just after I had been yelling from

the sideline to hold the 3 nothing lead for the final 10 min. We beat a very skilled team

and am very proud of the soccer we displayed. We were never in trouble and managed

the game well from start to finish.

We have another challenge to get up for Tomorrow night in our Cup Final. We play the Stratford (White Eagles) at Falcon Field in New Britain at 7:30pm. Please get there at least by 7:00pm. I will be leaving from the Club by 5:45 to go to the game for those that want to meet there.Stratford has defeated Cheshire and Westport in the last couple of weeks and we beat them bad at home 9 to 1. The last thing Roberto from their team said to me that day was we hope to see you in the Cup and you will wish you had some of the goals back. I can guarantee you they will be highly motivated to play us. Show up with your game faces on cause I assure this will be a battle on that crappie field. Were a confident squad that believes

in each other if we continue to play the way we have in beating Waterford and Cheshire we will bring home the Cup.

Manny

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2004-10-05: State Cup Semi-Final Game vs Waterford, Played at Falcon Field, New Britain; Win 1-0

> Awesome win last night guys. We beat a tough, fast, and focused 
> Waterford squad that had 20+ players at the field an hour before game 
> time preparing to take the the game to us. We met their challenge from the 
> 1st minute of the game and continued to play hard intense soccer for 90 
> minutes. It was our best defensive effort of the year and it resulted in 
> a shutout. I've said this time and time again that soccer is a team sport 
> and to be successful you need to play as a team and that was showcased 
> last night in New Britain. Everyone contributed we kept each other up and 
> we play unselfishly. Every week we seem to have new heroes at the game. 
> Last night I have to single out one play in which Mendi beat two players 
> off the dribble out side the Waterford penalty box and was tripped as he 
> was pulling away in the box resulting in a penalty. Joe Mingachos made 
> sure the effort wasn't wasted by scoring on a perfectly placed penalty. I 
> also must mention that Gary in goal made a couple of outstanding saves to 
> preserve the win. One was 15 min into the game and a ball had made it 
> thru the box to a player wide open at just inside the 18 and he fired it 
> high to the near post with Gary covering the far post he made a quick 
> reflex diving save and allowed no rebound.  Guys you should all be proud 
> of your effort last night especially on defense. Our mission is not over 
> as we still have many difficult games ahead including the Cup final on 
> Oct 19th but if we take it one game at a time and play as a team with the 
> intensity and confidence we showed last night we will reach our goal of 
> league and cup champions.
 
>Manny

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2004-09-26 – League Game @ Ridgefield (W 3-2)

> After last weeks victory I was pumped and felt the game deserved a good 
> write-up. Yesterday’s victory earned us 3 points and that’s all I need to 
> say about it. Cheshire also won and are now up 5 goals in goal 
> differential. This week we finally home again. Please let me know if you 
> will be there each week so I know how many players to expect. The last 2 
> weeks we've been down in numbers and I know this week there area couple 
> of players out already. It shouldn't take much effort to send an email 
> back tome each week. Also I got an email from the league and they switched 
> our Cup game to Wednesday Oct 6that 7:30pm at Falcon Field in New 
> Britain. If you can't make that date I need to know now!!!!!!
 
>Manny

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2004-06-13 – State Cup Game @ Colchester (W 1-0)

Ugly game Sunday but I'll take the win. This Sunday we play Cheshire at 
>home with a 9:15am start time due to Father's Day. Cheshire is in 2nd 
>place in the league only 2 points behind us. Please everyone make the 
>every effort to be at the game this Sunday and be on time. We already have 
>a couple of players going to Portugal this weekend will miss the game. 
>There are only 2 games left in the 1st half of the season, Cheshire and 
>the following week Madison in the cup. Let’s finish up strong and remain 
>undefeated. 
 
Manny

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2004-06-06 – League Game vs Glastonbury, Played at PCC; (W 5-4)

Date: 7 Jun 2004
>
>Very dramatic win on Sunday and a much needed 3 points as the 2nd and 3rd 
>teams right behind us in the standings also won. Although we didn't play 
>all that well at times we poured it on when we had to. We scored 4 goals 
>in the final 15-18 minutes (Nic had a hat trick in that time) and overcame 
>a 3-1 deficit. The Celtics left Danbury a totally demoralized bunch. It 
>certainly was fun and everyone on the bench was screaming and rooting at 
>our boys at the end but I would prefer we continue our winning ways in a 
>method less stressful on the heart. This Sunday we play in Colchester at 
>the recreation fields #6. We will leave from the ExpectDiscounts parking 
>lot at 8:15am!!! Please let me know if you will be meeting me there or 
>going directly to the game. Directions are below or you can print them 
>from the saslsoccer.com web site. This weekend is the picnic weekend for 
>the Portuguese Club. Starting on Friday and going thru Sunday. There will 
>be good food, drinks, rides for kids, and other events. Please try and 
>stop in, I will be going to the club right after the cup game for lunch on 
>Sunday. Hope you can make it. The younger guys have a game at 3:00pm.This 
>past Sunday Brian from the Celtics mentioned they were thinking of taking 
>a team to Oneonta end of July. He wanted to know if any of our players 
>were interested in going. Let me know by Wednesday if you have any interest 
>in playing with them and I will contact him. I am a little disappointed 
>that not one player came through with any $ this past Sunday. I hope it was 
>an oversight and you can bring a check this 
>week.
 
Manny
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2004-05-23 – State Cup Game vs Greenwich, Played at PCC; (W 5-0)

Date: 1 Jun 2004
>
>Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend. Were back to playing this 
>Sunday with a home game against the Celtics. Let me know if you will be 
>there this sunday. I missed a great day of soccer last sunday. I am told 
>we had a great turn out for our cup game and came away with the win. After 
>the game a few players went to Farinhas' house to jump in the pool and 
>rest for the afternoon game. With some players from the over 40 team we 
>ended up having a good team with plenty of subs for the second game. I was 
>told that we would play a team mixed of former professional players but I 
>was a bit skeptical due to the lack of promoting of such players coming to 
>Danbury. As it turned out the team was better then advertised. They 
>brought a very talented team of ex pros that could still play quality 
>soccer.From talking to a few of our players it was clear to me that 
>although it was humbling at times it was a great experience playing with 
>such talented players. We may have lost but there was much to be taken 
>from this game. I would like to thank Farinha for managing the team in my 
>absence as everything ran smooth and he had everything under control. I 
>would also like to thank the players that showed up as Farinha informed me 
>that you guys made his job easier by helping out and working with him with 
>the subbing. It is not easy when you have many subs but in both games 
>Farinha said everyone was great and didn't complain about the playing 
>time. That means a lot to us! Last order of business. I asked at the 
>beginning of the year if players could help the team financially. To date 
>Farinha and myself are the only contributors to the team. We are down to 
>under $100 in our acct as I write this email. We have spent well over 
>$3,000 for the season already. If you own a Business please try and donate 
>something. If you don't own then ask the company you work at. Or you can 
>just write a check from your personal account. Which ever you can do but 
>please get us some money by Sunday if at all possible. You would be hard 
>pressed to find any teams in the SASL that the expenses are not paid by 
>the players on the team. Thanks 
 
Manny

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2004-05-16 – League Game vs Waterbury, Played at PCC; (W 4-1)

Date: 17 May 2004
>
>The win on Sunday keeps us in first. Westport tied this past weekend with 
>Waterford and second place Cheshire won. I was glad just to get out of 
>Waterbury with 3 points. Great turn out for an away game with 18 players, 
>OK without me 17 players. Subbing is the tough part with so many good 
>players and I appreciate the teams positive attitude. I can understand 
>individually some players would have liked to get more playing time but 
>from my perspective it is exactly the type of commitment required to end 
>up in 1st place in the league. Sunday is a cup game at home starting at 
>10:00am against Greenwich Rinos. Don't know much about them except they 
>are in 1st place in second division and should not be taken lightly. So 
>lets not be overconfident! Also we have a game at 4:00pm . I realize that 
>the morning cup game is the important game but this game has been 
>advertised on TV , Radio, and Posters. There are two teams coming from 
>Portugal (Benfica and Sporting). One will play against us and the other 
>will play the Gamas. I agreed to play in this game because of the 
>opportunity to play against ex-professional players, the exposure the team 
>will get from the crowd that will show up and to help them in raising 
>money for leukemia. Please do everything possible to be available for both 
>games on Sunday. Some players were not sure about the afternoon game so 
>please let me know in the next couple days if you will definitely be 
>there. We have also talked with some of the over 40 players to see if they 
>are interested in playing. I need to know that we will have a full squad 
>to entertain the crowd for Sunday. One last thing there will be a dinner 
>after our game at the club at 7:00pm. Tickets are either $40 or $45. If 
>you are interested in attending the dinner let me or Farinha know and we 
>will get you tickets. It would be nice if we had a table at the dinner as 
>the money is being raised for a good cause. Thanks 
 
Manny

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2004-05-09 – League Game vs Ridgefield, Played at PCC; (W 5-2)

Date: 11 May 2004
>
>Good win on Sunday. Keeps us in first. This Sunday we play at Wilby High 
>School in Waterbury. We will meet at 8:30 in the Xpect Discounts parking 
>lot. If you are going directly to the field please let me know so we don't 
>wait for you. You can get directions at saslsoccer.com website or you can 
>call me. Don't forget on the 23rd of May we have a cup game 10:00am at 
>home and then we have a game at 4:00 pm at the club against a team of ex 
>pros from Portugal.I need to know if you can commit to play in both games. 
>I do not want to be short players. Email me back if you will be there for 
>both, one or none asap. Practice Wednesday at 6:00 Thanks 
Manny

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2004-05-02 – League Game vs Westport, Played at PCC; (T 2-2)

>Date: 3 May 2004
>
>Guys, awesome game yesterday. I thought we played solid defense all game 
>and created many more quality opportunities to score than Westport. The 
>last 15 minutes alone should have netted us a couple more goals. But the 
>tie doesn't hurt us as we are in first place today and have been since the 
>first game. Lets keep playing hard and as a team and we should stay at the 
>top all year. A few things to remember:1.This Sundays game is home with 
>a 9:15 am kickoff for Mothers Day2.Practice is on Wednesdays at 6:00 - 
>8:00 at the Club. I know some players live far away or work late but I 
>would like those that can to please make practice.3.We have spent over 
>$3,000 on league Fees, Field use, Uniforms, and Balls for the team. Farinha 
>and myself ask that you help support the team with a donation from your 
>company, a company you work for or know of, or your personal account. We 
>still have $1,500 - $2,000 of expenses for the year and are almost out of 
>funds. Checks can be made out to "Portuguese Cultural Center" which is a 
>nonprofit organization 4.Players that are not members please consider 
>joining the club as I can waive your $150 initiation fee and would only 
>cost you $120 for the year. This is not mandatory but Joe and I receive a 
>lot of pressure from the club for the non members and are growing tired of 
>it. OK I got to get back to work now. Thanks 
Manny

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2004-04-25 – League Game @ Waterford; (W 2-1)

>Date: 29 Apr 2004
>
>Hi All , First I want to say how happy I was to find out we beat Waterford 
>on the road last week. Great work by all who attended and thanks Farinha 
>for organizing things in my absence. This Sunday we are home against 
>Westport and would like to see us at full strength for the game. Could 
>everyone please respond to this email so I know if you are coming and also 
>to see if I have your email address correct. Please be there early and be 
>ready for kickoff. We owe this team from Westport.
>Thanks 
Manny
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