LOSS: 2-4 vs Libertad – Badgers Fail to “Survive to Thrive” And Hit The Skids For Fourth Loss In A Row

Cameron Road United’s plan for a “close to the top of the table” finish to the season has taken a slow and painful trajectory as of late as they fell to the league leaders yesterday and succumbed to their fourth loss in a row. It was never going to be an easy game against Libertad, but it became more challenging trying to get eleven in-town and healthy Badgers to the field. Luckily when all the dust settled, 13 players and Jake’s tent were available to set it out in 227% humidity on this fine spring day (can we not just get like a 70 degree sunny day already?)

Peterson and Chappy met up at the 183 Chevron Star Mart for C4 infusions. Chappy was following RFK Jr’s advice that it also cures the common cold and coughing, which has stuck with him for the past two weeks and made him even more useless than usual. CP just wanted dat tingle.

With Danimal in Jamaica, Guillermo in Japan, and Jefe in Q2, the Badgers were lucky to have Big Dave, Billy, Chris G and Jeff Z back to man the back line. They were also lucky that Libertdad started the game with only 7 players. What was not lucky was that Libertad scored with their first entry into the CRU half as their star player juggled the ball a few times like a circus clown before launching it over the back line for an early one-on-one goal. Sigh.

No worries though, the Badgers made quick work of taking back the lead as Libertad grew to 8 players. First up, Peterson sent in Adam from the right side for a quick toe-poke goal. Next, Gianluca stole the ball and fired a missile to the back of the net to put the Badgers up 2-1.

Cameron Road nearly had a third when Big Dave lobbed a ball to Chappy in midfield to run on. Chappy slid a ball into Jake making a back post run, but he scuffed his shot and was also offside in a tribute to the fallen cutback machine.

With Jeff Z needing some rest on the sidelines, the Badgers shuffled the back line and Ciro moved into central defense to impose his towering presence on any attackers. The game was heating up a bit as new players seemed to arrive out of thin air for Libertad.

At the business end of the pitch, Gianluca fired across the face of goal from the right. Then fired across the face of goal from the left!

But it was Libertad who evened up the score, again coming from their prolific #12 who sent in a huge cross from right to left to get behind the back line again for the score. Somebody check that guy’s ID!

Oranges. Heat. Humidity. Tent. Quiet.

Libertad were at full strength for the second half, but it was Jake who came out guns blazing. The sidelines were loving seeing him surge down the left touchline, using his gazelle-like legs to intercept balls and get into he danger area. He was on a mission, and had another chance at a goal early on.

The Honey Badgers were playing well, using some nice short passes to go through Schwarzy trying to unlock the defense. Chris Peterson was playing forward all day, and his nice hold up play was also working.

Cameron Road had a nice midfield buildup when Ciro and Yuni exchanged some one-two’s that set Ciro off to the races down the left side the pitch headed towards the top of the box. Look at those tiny feet go! But before he could cross the ball back to any attacker, he was chopped down in severe fashion by a defender. It was gnarly, but to Ciro’s credit, he claimed a fair tackle. But his day was over as he joins Derek in the “tiny busted ankle club” for the foreseeable future. Perhaps a doctor can perform some kind of combination of the two tiny good ankles, making a player who can both cut back, and kick it straight at the keeper?

With Ciro out, and the defense needing some subs, Chappy dropped back to left back for a bit until Jeff Z got back into the game. Adam noticed a nice, successful back pass to Jay.

Still clinging to hope, Big Dave was a one man heading machine at the back. He must have had 20 headed clearances. Somewhere in Jamaica, Danimal raised a red stripe in appreciation for the efforts.

Peterson sent a free kick just over the bar later in the half as the Badgers were still probing for a winner. But damn if that powerful right foot of the LIbertad #12 sent in another bomb to the far back post to get behind the defense for their third goal.

But wait, Cameron Road attacks! Someone puts Jake in on goal. He has time. A lot of time. Too much time. Keeper saves. But close!

The Badgers continued to push up and try to get that tying goal, but it just wasn’t happening, and with the last kick of the game Libertad broke free and got a consolation 4th.

It was a harsh result given the fortunate start the Badgers had with a shorthanded opponent. Dropping four in a row is never fun, but there’s plenty still to play for with the Punters on the horizon.

Man-of-the-Match: Jake was on fire in the second half with boundless upright energy. He had a trio of close misses, and he saved the day and daycare with this tent.

Post-Match-Report: As usual, Cameron Road won the postgame, vanquishing their opponents in the first hour. Jaybone wondered “where is Albania?” Ciro’s ankle swoll up like a bunion.