Ghostman on Third: CLUBWAKA MLS Week 5 and 6 Recap

WEEK 5 & 6
Leaf Fall Down

OOOOOOOOO. It's that time of year in Virginia. Leaves falling, David S. Pumpkins showing up in elevators, PSLs flying out of Starbucks, hurricanes threatening adult recreational sports, and CLUBWAKA MLS playoffs peaking over the horizon. True bliss.

One day, in the not so distant future, American style playoffs in CLUBWAKA MLS may be a thing of the past as we expand wide enough to support promotion/relegation across two divisions, but for now -- we will get amped on the excitement of a no holds barred single elimination soccer tournament starting 10/28. But until then, we have some games to recap and a final week to preview. Let's get on it.

HOUSEKEEPING!

Shout-out to Anderzon Rojas, Kristina Snyder, and Scott Troutman who all volunteered to ref this Sunday when we were in a bit of a pickle. Luckily, the refs figured it out and we had some Real Deal Holyfield officials out there, but I can't tell how much the league appreciates the three of you being willing to step up.

Apologies for the port-o-potty not being out there again this week. We're getting it taken care of. Fort Monroe likes to keep us guessing!

via GIPHY

WEEK 5 & 6 RESULTS AND STANDINGS

PLAYOFF PREVIEW

So generally I just update the league on the results and standings, but since we're so close to the playoffs, let's take a look at what the playoffs would look like if they started today.

Played over two weekends, the championship bracket will crown the CLUBWAKA MLS Fall 2018 champions. As of now, all four of these games are must-see TV (or at least must see Ft. Monroe live viewing). So much talent and will truly be a series of chess matches to see who comes out on top. The last week will shake things up a bit and I'll be on the edge of my seat to see the final bracket.

While the consolation bracket will have some movement in seeds after the final week, I believe the bottom 6 are set and these squads will be competing for the newly minted CLUBWAKA MLS Consolation trophy (name yet to be determined). Pssst... consolation bracket teams... Here for the Beer has been on a bit of a hot streak the last two weeks, so watch out for them.

TEAM OF THE WEEK - WEEK 5

Andy Smith - Scored a couple (one of which was a screamer) to lead Foot Works over Kick in a Box.

Michelle Herbst - Bagged a brace, but the most impressive play of the day was a perfectly weighted through ball to Dara Emami breaking on goal. Cuttin it up.

Jason Fisher - A few weeks ago, Jason came up to me and asked whether I got a photo of his goal. I didn't. He said he wanted one b/c he never scores. Welp, he was wrong. Bagged a couple to lead Ibra to a tie with the number 2 team in the league.

Daryl Kuligowski - netted 6 in a game. Enough said.

Marla Shuchman - I'll use another captains words to describe Marla's play. 'Shout out to the girl playing midfield/up top for hot and messi, has good ball skills and took some nice shots'

Zack Martin - doesn't get enough credit for holding down the midfield and defense for Look Ma. Solid as a rock and a hell of a shot, Zack is a top tier player.

Jason Campbell - Not only does he paint our lines, but he's a hell of a keeper. Sliding around. Making diving saves. One of the reasons Moat is always near the top in goals against.

TEAM OF THE WEEK - WEEK 6

Davin Field - Scored a brace, but missed a hat trick with a great penalty save by Joe Ingraham.

Dara Emami - With Ronaldo down defenders, Dara stepped in at outside back and showed he's not just dangerous with the ball at his feet.

Julie Ratcliffe - Tough to choose which Ratcliffe deserved recognition in this one as both Julie and Lyle were all over the field for Hot and Messi. Each with a goal, she edged him out.

Calli Sherrill - Bagged a couple, but it's just another day in the office. I'll let one of the co-captains of Misfits tell you in his own words. "Calli Sherrill definitely was a beast today. Probably the best female player we've played against this season."

Omar Hefni - He almost made Week 5's team of the week with a monster showing in a game where Here for Beer played with 7 the whole game and managed to earn a tie. In the game against Hangover, Omar took over. Two goals is not too shabby, but you would have had to see the game to see how he was all over the place.

Erin Weniger - Erin would be the first to tell you she's not an experience soccer player, but like her captain said, she is constantly improving. Saw her make a couple of great defensive plays, clearing a ball out from the 6, reaching in to take a ball you wouldn't expect her to get. No doubt in the running for Most Improved Player.

Christopher Garcia - I believe he's our first two time Goalkeeper of the Week this season. I honestly think he could have won it three times. He seems to have multiple Sportscenter saves a week.

THE RACE FOR THE GOLDEN BOOT

Some familiar faces and a couple of new competitors at the top. Going to be a dead heat over the next two weeks. A reminder how the Golden Boot works... we'll take the tally of each team's 7 regular season games and their 8th game in the playoffs. That being said, Mike Machie of Ronaldo leads the pack with Tom Weniger of Oozlekicks and Anderzon Rojas of Foot Works right on his heels. Still plenty of players that could catch them in the next two games though. STAY TUNED...