Bears Shutdown AFC Renegades To Guarantee Third Place Finish

The game started off a bit sluggish for both sides, but Club Bad News Bears would make the most of it during their 2-0 victory over AFC Renegades to complete the 2011 Summer season.

Both clubs had to endure the 98 degree temperature for more than 80 minutes at Bear Creek Park, with a breeze that was sporadically present at best.  Substitutions were plentiful on both benches.  The final game of the season was anything but ideal for either club.

Once the game started, Club Bad News Bears would draw Renegades' goalkeeper away and leave the net wide open, only to struggle scoring a goal inside the box.  The Bears' defense was solid, and a change to their goalkeeper, Karl Fulk, would prove to be a difference maker.  It would not be until the 24th minute that defender Chris Sanchez would score from 20 yards out after a poor clearing of the ball by AFC Renegades. 

"I let it take a nice bounce then took the shot."

The goal was his first of the season, and definitely gave the momentum that the Bears needed to finish out the half.

Just minutes later, during the 29th minute, AFC's tallest player, number 15 would receive a yellow card for his rough defense against Greg McFarlane, who at the time was sprinting down the line towards the goal, just yards from taking a decent shot.

As the half ended with a 1-0 score for the Bears, their still was work to be done.  Coach Oscar did not feel that the team was in the clear just yet.

"We need to get another goal.  This 1-0 score scares me."

Hanniel Malagon would respond to Oscar's worry with an unassisted goal in the 66th minute from just outside the box.  The goal put the Bears up 2-0, with AFC Renegades at times after looking like they would prefer the final whistle to be blown.

AFC's attack did not stop, but a solid defensive effort by the Bears would cease any shot attempts at the source and the Bears would come out victorious once the final whistle was blown.  A 2-0 victory over a very committed AFC Renegade club.  Coach Oscar was very celebratory.

"Great game and great season, guys!"

The team celebrated by dumping the remaining cold water onto their coach.

Club Bad News Bears (3-2-2) vs. AFC Renegades (2-4-0)

August 7, 2011 -- Bear Creek Park

Scoring Summary:

1st Half:  AFC Renegades - 0     Club Bad News Bears - 1
2nd Half:  AFC Renegades - 0     Club Bad News Bears - 1
Total:  AFC Renegades - 0         Club Bad News Bears - 2

Misconduct Summary: AFC Renegades #15 (Yellow Card) - 29'

Attendance:  10 (plus one potbelly pig)

Weather:  Partly cloudy and 98 degrees

All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial

MatchDay Preview: Bears Look Towards Win In Season Finale

Club Bad News Bears (3-2-2) vs. Invictus (2-4-0)

August 7, 2011     6:00pm CST

Bear Creek Park Field #6

Houston, Texas

Tonight's final game of the 2011 Summer season for the Bears will be undesirably hot.  Players will get tired and the humidity will act like a wall as the Bad News Bears try to go down the field to score.  The Bears have faced tougher situations, like tonight's opponents, AFC Renegades.  However, if the Bears have their way, AFC Renegades might find it easier to be at the wrong field tonight.  The Bears are hungry for a win, which will guarantee them at least third place this season.

Last time these clubs met, their storied rivalry took a downward spiral.  The temperatures were in the 90s, the shots were on target, but the Bears just couldn't find it in their arsenal to put any points on the scoreboard.  The Bears' defense was solid for the most part, allowing only one female goal inches from the the goalkeeper, Mike Prause.  Controversy aside, AFC Renegades celebrated the goal, and eventually the 2-0 win.

It would be the Bad News Bears' first loss this season, and their only shutout loss this season.  Questions were asked of each other, but there were no answers. 

"How did we not score a goal?"

"Why couldn't we get better passing down the middle?"

"How did we lose this game?"

Up until tonight's game, the Bears have found the answers to solve their first loss.  The passing has become more accurate, shots are taken more strategically, and the defense has morphed into a dominant wall.  Tonight's game should display this and more, which would lead to an ideal win for the Bears to finish the season.

Club Bad News Bears are coming off of an exciting 2-2 tie against Invictus, while AFC Renegades will use the momentum tonight that they gained last week from a 5-2 romp over Growling Trout.  Bear Creek Park has been the setting for half of the teams six meetings against each other, with the Bears edging out AFC Renegades 2-1-0, outscoring them 7-3, including a 3-0 victory on Field #6, the site of tonight's game.  Weather should be considerably hot, with temperatures forecasted at 98 degrees and only a 10% chance of rain.  Winds will be at 13mph coming from the south-southwest. 

Club Bad New Bears:

• Seventh meeting against AFC Renegades.  Last meeting resulted in a 2-0 loss at Bear Creek Park.
• The Bears will be without forward Albert Martinez and Kristy Ann Murphy tonight.
• Club Bad News Bears need to keep focusing on their passing game and communications on defense.
• 
  

  No surprises in strategy for tonight; keep it solid and simple, avoiding any confusion and mistakes on the field.

AFC Renegades:

• Seventh meeting against Club Bad News Bears.  Last meeting resulted in a 2-0 victory at Bear Creek Park.
• AFC Renegades are 1-2-0 at Bear Creek Park this season, being outscored 8-11. 
• Decent offense with speed; not afraid to take chances on the outside.
• 
  

  Do not underestimate their female players, as they will sneak up from behind to score.
  

Injury Report:

No injuries to report at this time.

Suspension:

No suspensions to report at this time.

Head-to-Head All-Time:

Club Bad News Bears lead the series against AFC Renegades with a record of 5-1-0, outscoring them 27-8.  Last meeting was a 2-0 victory for AFC Renegades.



VIDEO: Teamwork Leads to Goals

Every soccer club relies on great teamwork.  The effort can lead to some of the best goals anyone will ever witness, as the video below illustrates perfectly.  Enjoy!

Did You Know? 8/4 Edition

Club Bad News Bears are 5-2-0 this season when playing their final game of the season, outscoring their opponents 18-13, which includes three 1-0 shutout victories and a huge 10-3 victory, their second largest victory in club history to date.

Week 7 Recap; End of Season Scenario for Bears

It wasn't pretty, but Club Bad News Bears tied Invictus 2-2 on Sunday night from a Sophie Ammar penalty kick in the 79th minute.  The tie kept their unbeaten record intact against Invictus, now standing at 1-0-2. 

Sophie Ammar celebrates with Irma

Sanchez and Laura Richardson after

the game.

An Invictus goal in the first half unveiled a relaxed defense. A penalty kick goal in the second half displayed a tired Bears squad.  However, the Bears' "never say die" attitude lived on and a penalty just inside the box towards Hanniel Malagon set up the stage for a Sophie Ammar penalty kick.  Coach Oscar accepted the victory with enthusiasm, although his Bears struggled throughout the game against a very tough Invictus opponent.

"Great game!" Oscar told his players after the game.  "You played hard all the way through the end and never gave up."

The tie kept the Bears in third place, but would eliminate them from first place contention.

In other scores, FC Happy Meal qualifies for promotion after defeating Pluma Mountain Coffee soundly 5-0.  AFC Renegades would defeat Growling Trout 5-2.

With one game to go, the Bears still have a chance at promotion to Division 4.  They will need some help, and it comes in the form of a fledgling Growling Trout team.  As long as the Bears can hold off AFC Renegades with a win, Growling Trout needs to defeat or tie Pluma Mountain Coffee.  Failure to do so will keep the Bears in third place at best, despite any strong effort by the Bears.

This Day In Bad News Bears History: August 1/2

August 1, 2010
Bear Creek Park, Field #21
5:00pm

After winning four in a row, Club Bad News Bears would suffer a close 1-0 defeat by TFC Thunder.  This loss would be their second loss for the 2010 Summer season.

August 2, 2009
Bear Creek Park, Field #21
5:00pm

Trading wins for losses, and vice versa, during the 2009 Summer season, Club Bad News Bears would lose 2-0 to Lightning, despite a strong effort by the team.