FC Basel's Home Campaign off to a Rocky Start

Sommer makes a dramatic save against Luzern
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FC Basel were able to savor a point against FC Luzern thanks to a late goal from club captain and hero Marco Streller and lots of acrobatic saves from young goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Basel could have taken home all three points at several stages in the game, claiming to have a penalty appeal on more than one occasion and watching Alex Frei's perfectly placed shot bounce off the inside of the post in the first minute of stoppage time.

Thank You!

The Pumas post-season picnic is one of my favorite events of the year. Fans get to acknowledge the players that we followed obsessively for three months and we get to send them on their way with warm wishes for a successful future in football hoping to either see them at a higher level or back on the Puma's roster next season. Unfortunately this season I will not be able to express my gratitude in person so I will do it in writing.

'Ballers be Warned

Well I never imagined that my eventual claim to partial football blogging fame would come from this photo. All I have to say is "there's more where that came from." True story. 

See Kickette's take on the Kodak moment here: http://www.kickette.com/edin-hazard-ball-check/

What a Wonderful Season!

Happiness and love are really two of the only emotions that we are frequently unable to put into words. Often we can describe sadness, hate, anger and even loss with a series of carefully plucked adjectives, similes, metaphors and common cliches that have been waiting at the front of our brains for the opportune moment to make themselves useful and make themselves heard. With happiness and love, those fall through the grid and we are left wide-eyed, our hearts brimming with this warm, somewhat bubbly feeling that is among the elite of indescribable emotions because it is so deep and so profound that simple words don't do it justice. This season, the Kitsap Pumas consistently filled my heart with this emotion that has no identity yet is one of the most universal feelings a human can experience. Late goals, impressive victories, strong tackles, incredible signs of strength, leadership and individual skill all left me tingling with delight and a large smile plastered on my face. I can't describe it in anything less than a million words, I truly can't.

Pumas are Playoff Bound

The Kitsap Pumas are facing off against their hated rivals (and the rivals of all teams around Puget Sound...) the Portland Timbers today for a spot in the Western Conference USL/PDL Playoffs in Ventura, California next weekend! I don't want to get too far ahead of myself by booking a flight into LAX, and I'd hate to think that this is where the road ends this season, but let's take a moment to reflect on a really, really good season.