World Footy News

Alex’s USAFL Weekly report this week is a long recap of all 14 games from the last 3 weeks and a preview of this weekend's colossal 18 games this weekend with the Western Regional, Texas Cup and EAFL Women's matches.

 

Saturday, 6 June: @ Tibbetts Brook Park in Brooklyn, NY:  New York vs. Dallas

The first game of the weekend was in Tibbetts Brook Park in Brooklyn as the Battle of the Magpies took place between Dallas and New York.  The game came down to the final minute of regulation as the New York team pulled a goal from 46 yards out to win the game.
Final score:  New York 11.11.77 Dallas 10.13.73

Saturday, 6 June:  @ Tulsa Athletics Stadium in Tulsa, OK:  Tulsa vs. Kansas City

The Tulsa Buffaloes began their 2-game stretch against two tough opponents.  First game, the Kansas City Power came to Athletics stadium.  The game was a tough one throughout before the Buffaloes pulled a dynamic fourth quarter to win going away.
Final score:  Tulsa 16.9.105 Kansas City 13.11.89

Saturday, 6 June:  @ Waveland Field in Chicago, IL:  Women’s Games:  Minnesota vs. Columbus

The only women’s match of the last two weeks saw Minnesota take on Columbus in the first known Women’s 10s battle in USAFL history.  Both games were tight throughout and in the end, it was a split.
Final scores
Game One:  Minnesota 3.5.23 Columbus 0.1.1
Game Two:  Minnesota 0.6.6 Columbus 2.0.12

Saturday, 13 June:  @ Raleigh Capitol Park in Raleigh, NC: North Carolina vs. Atlanta

The first game of last weekend was played at Raleigh Capitol Park in Raleigh, where the temperature at kickoff was 96f (+36c) as the Atlanta Kookaburras came to town against the North Carolina Tigers.  From the outset, the Tigers came out with a passion as the game was over in the first 20 minutes.  In the end, it was an upset no one expected.
Final score:  North Carolina 14.13.97 Atlanta 5.1.31

Saturday, 13 June @ Lake Nokomis Park in Minneapolis, MN: Minnesota vs. Des Moines

A much cooler Minneapolis as the Minnesota Freeze, coming off an upset loss to the Chicago Swans, took on their I-35 archrival Des Moines Roosters, trying to put the Freeze down for a second game in a row.  Unlike Raleigh, the game time temperature was a much more comfortable 66f (+19c). This game was close in the first half before the Freeze took it up a notch and won convincingly.
Final score:  Minnesota 11.15.81 Des Moines 6.6.42

Saturday, 13 June @ Dublin Soccer Fields in Dublin, OH: Columbus vs. Cincinnati

In Dublin, Ohio the Columbus Jackaroos, coming off an upset loss to the Nashville Kangaroos, went against the Cincinnati Dockers in a rematch of the Grand Final of the Harrell Cup just a month ago.  This game was a much tighter game as it came down to the last four minutes before two quick goals by Columbus saved them from the second upset of the weekend.
Final score:  Columbus 8.6.54 Cincinnati 6.8.44

Saturday, 13 June @ Rainbow Park in Crested Butte, CO: Week 10:  Part One: Tulsa vs. Denver

The Tulsa Buffaloes took on the perennial powerhouse Denver Bulldogs in the highest known elevation game of Australian Rules Football in history, at 8,885 feet (2708 meters) above sea level, which broke the old record of 6,817 feet (2078 meters) at the Air Force Academy Grounds in Colorado Springs during the 2008 USAFL Nationals.  The game was definitely one-sided as the Bulldogs overpowered the Buffaloes and won easily.
Denver 19.12.122 Tulsa 6.5.41

Saturday, 13 June @ Elmington Field in Nashville, TN:  Game of the Week, Week 10:  Part Two:  The SCHWASS CUP and Milestone Game 150: Nashville vs. Chicago

On the hallowed fields of Elmington Field as the two of the oldest teams in the USAFL, the Chicago Swans and the Nashville Kangaroos, renewed their rivalry for the Schwass Cup for the 2015 season after Chicago won the last 2 years, including a 46-point blowout at Waveland Field last August. 

As the game was set to begin, it was a picture perfect day with temperature at game time at 88f (+31c) with a light crosswind breeze as Chicago scored first, a goal, just under 100 seconds into the game.  The next 8 minutes was a stalemate before the first of three injury stoppages occurred, this at 11:15 that caused the first “blood rule” full stoppage as one of the Swans players was severely injured, which lasted 15 minutes.  After the game resumed, it took just 52 seconds (@ 12:07) before Chicago strikes again twice in 2:30 with goals on both to lead at 3.2.20 to 0.1.1.  Finally, the Kangaroos responded two minutes later with a goal and two behinds to close to the cap at halftime to just 11.  The Swans were outmarked in the first by a 11-5 margin, but lead the scoreboard 3.2.20 to 1.3.9.

Quarter Two began with the more of the same defensive battle as the opening 10 minutes was a marking contest as only 2 marks (Chicago @ 2:31 in the quarter and Nashville @ 5:10) before Nashville hits it between the big posts at exactly 10 minutes to close the gap to 5 points.  Two more goals for the Kangaroos in the following four minutes gave them the first lead by 7 points with just five minutes to go before the Swans responded just 90 seconds with a behind and goal to tied it up at 4.4.28 each before the 2nd injury stoppage with 4:35 left.  Two more behinds in the waning two minutes ended the scoring with the Kangaroos getting the last score as the siren sounded.  The Swans outmarked the Kangaroos in the second by a 21-11 margin to bring the margin to the Swans ahead at 26-22, but the score was tied at 4.5.29 each.

The Premiership Quarter began with a bang with three goals in rapid succession in just 2:25 with two goals by the Swans (@ 1:02 and 2:16) and one by the Kangaroos (on a fast break just 9 seconds after Chicago’s 2nd goal @ 2:25) to give Chicago a 5-point lead before the first double yellow card was given to both the Swans and the Kangaroos for rough play followed by another stoppage for injury just 2 minutes later @ 4:30.  After another behind by the Kangaroos @ 8:47, the Swans extended the lead to 11 from 55 yards out @ 10:15 in.  Three behinds from the Kangaroos countered the goal to close the game to 8 with 4 minutes to go before a goal from 58 yards out by Chicago and a behind to extend the lead to 15 with 1:45 left.  A final goal by the Kangaroos with just 26 seconds left ended the scoring as the Kangaroos brought the deficit back to 9.  The third quarter saw the pressure of marking coming back to the Kangaroos favor as they outmarked the Swans 8-4 to tie the marks at 30 each, but the Swans lead after 3 by a score of 8.6.54 to 6.9.45.

The final quarter saw the reversal of the third with the Kangaroos on the attack as they score back-to-back goals in the opening 3:18 to take the lead for the 2nd time in the goal, but this time the Swans couldn’t counter as they ran the final quarter with just 14 players and no bench after the 2 injuries that occurred earlier as they only scored a behind during the final 20 minutes (@ 14:39), but by then the Kangaroos put the game away as they score 2 more goals in the waning minutes as they outscore the Swans 4.4.28 to 0.1.1 to win the game.  The final quarter showed the tightness of the marks as the teams tied at 12 each to tie the total at 42 each.
Final score:  Nashville 10.13.73 Chicago 8.7.55

Saturday, 20 June at San Pedro, CA:  Game of the Week, Week 11:  Los Angeles Dragons vs. Orange County Bombers

The Battle of I-10 West saw the Los Angeles Dragons taking on their neighbors to the east, the current #1 USAFL Top 25, the Orange County Bombers.  From the beginning, this game was going to be a battle and it didn’t disappoint as the game wasn’t decided until the final 2 minutes with a goal by the Bombers to keep from being upset.  The Dragons will have their revenge in Sacramento this weekend at the Western Regionals.
Final score: Orange County 7.7.49 Los Angeles 7.6.48

Saturday, 20 June @ Des Moines:  Des Moines Roosters vs. Kansas City Power

The second game of the weekend took place @ Des Moines as the Roosters took on the Power in their first full match of the season for the Power.  From the outset, the Roosters were bringing the speed and determination as they overpowered the Power to get them to their second win of the season.
Final score:  Des Moines 13.13.91 Kansas City 9.8.62

Saturday, 20 June @ Tibbetts Park in the Bronx: New York Magpies vs. Boston Demons

The battle of I-95 North resumed in this latest installment of the storied footy history between Magpies and the Demons.  Once again, the defending Division 1 proved to the USAFL that they are bouncing back after the opening falter against Fort Lauderdale two months ago with a resounding victory over the Demons.
Final score:  New York 13.13.91 Boston 5.7.37

@ Indianapolis World Park in South Indianapolis, IN:  The Gaelic Festival Tournament @ Indianapolis.  Indianapolis vs. Cleveland and Cincinnati (Metro Matches)

The final two games of the weekend took place @ Indianapolis World Park in South Indianapolis, the first time a home game has been played in this new venue and the second time ever in USAFL history (last year’s Central Regional was played just 11 miles north on the other side of Indianapolis).  The field conditions were decent, despite the heavy rain that plagued Indianapolis and the Midwest.  The games were tight throughout, but in the end, Cleveland took their first ever USAFL victory and the Dockers rebounded from their loss against the Jackaroos the week before, leaving Indianapolis still seeking their first win of 2015.
Final scores:
Game 1:  Cincinnati 4.8.32 Indianapolis 3.2.20
Game 2:  Cleveland 8.3.51 Indianapolis 5.1.31

We are still waiting on score from:  Seattle vs. Vancouver in Issaquah, WA as of press time (23 June).

USAFL Weekly Report Standings

Men

 

USAFL Top 25	USAFLWR Standings	Team	W-L-T	PF	PA	Pct.	Points
10	1	Nashville Kangaroos	5-2-0	319	200	159.50	15
13	2	Columbus Jackaroos	4-1-0	254	110	230.91	12
2	3	New York Magpies	3-1-0	254	178	142.70	12
3	4	Austin Crows	3-0-0	178	60	296.67	8
19	5	Fort Lauderdale Fighting Squids	2-2-0	102	160	63.75	8
4	6	Denver Bulldogs	4-2-0	479	279	171.68	7
7	7	Minnesota Freeze	4-1-0	297	188	157.98	7
11	8	Houston Lonestars	2-2-0	217	154	140.91	6
20	9	Des Moines Roosters	2-3-0	270	233	115.88	5
	10	Atlanta Kookaburras	2-3-0	196	309	63.43	5
23	11	Tulsa Buffaloes	2-4-0	286	548	52.19	5
8	12	Golden Gate Roos	1-0-0	41	15	273.33	4
15	13	Philadelphia Hawks	1-0-0	72	48	150.00	4
9	14	Dallas Magpies	1-1-0	182	129	141.09	4
22	15	Cincinnati Dockers	2-2-0	146	132	110.61	4
	16	North Carolina Tigers	1-2-0	160	146	109.59	4
1	17	Orange County Bombers	1-0-0	49	48	102.08	4
12	18	Chicago Swans	1-1-0	105	112	93.75	4
25t	19	Seattle Grizzlies	1-1-0	108	130	83.08	4
	20	Cleveland Cannons	1-1-0	58	115	50.44	2
	21	Kansas City Power	1-4-0	274	379	72.30	1
6	22	Los Angeles Dragons	0-1-0	48	49	97.96	0
18	23	Baltimore/Washington Eagles	0-1-0	48	72	66.67	0
16	24	Boston Demons	0-2-0	106	192	55.21	0
	25	Baton Rouge Tigers	0-2-0	116	228	50.88	0
14	26	Sacramento Suns	0-1-0	15	41	36.58	0
	27	Indianapolis Giants	0-4-0	65	186	34.95	0

USAFLWR Stading	Team	W-L-T	PF	PA	Pct.	Points
1	New York Lady Magpies	2-0-0	55	22	250.00	4
2	Sacramento Lady Suns	1-0-0	22	16	137.50	4
3	Minnesota Lady Freeze	1-1-0	29	13	223.07	2
4	Columbus Jillaroos	1-1-0	13	29	44.83	2
5	San Francisco Iron Maiden	0-1-0	16	22	72.73	0

This Weekend’s Games

Western Regional/Texas Cup Round 1 Weekend.  Most of the games take place in the cities of Sacramento-Davis (12), Austin (3) and Boston (2), along with the only 4-quarter game in the whole weekend in Baton Rouge.  Matches scheduled are as follows.

@ Nugget Fields in Davis (Sacramento), CA:  Men and Women:  Western Regional
Teams in the Competition:
Men:  Golden Gate Roos, Hong Kong and Los Angeles Dragons, Orange County Bombers, Portland Steelheads, Sacramento Suns, San Diego Lions and Seattle Grizzlies
Women:  San Francisco Iron Maiden, Arizona Lady Hawks and the Sacramento Lady Suns

The Western Regionals take place with the majority of the teams in the mens (outside of Las Vegas and Arizona) and all of the Western teams in the women’s competitions playing @ Nugget Fields in Davis.  There is even a team coming from Hong Kong (no that wasn’t a misprint above) as they will play the teams and yes, the scores will count.  There are 12 games in the competition, 9 in the men and 3 women, not including the Grand Finals.

At USAFL Nationals Fields- Onion Creek Soccer Fields in Austin, TX:  Texas Cup Round 1
Teams Involved:  Austin Crows, Dallas Magpies and Houston Lonestars

Finally the first round of the Texas Cup finally will take place nearly a month after the original matches were postponed due to nearly 5 feet of water on the fields.  Expect another battle with all 3 teams in the top 15. 

At MIT Fields in Boston:  Women:  EAFL Women’s Round 1
Teams Involved:  Boston Lady Demons, New York Lady Magpies and the Baltimore/Washington Lady Eagles

The EAFL Women’s 1st round as the Boston Lady Demons take on New York and Baltimore/Washington.  Expect a good battle from the perennial powerhouses in the Women’s division. 

At  J.S. Clark Park near the Baton Rouge Zoo in Baton Rouge, LA:  Nashville Kangaroos vs. Baton Rouge Tigers

This will be the only full length 4 quarter game of the weekend as the Nashville Kangaroos resume their rivalry with the Baton Rouge Tigers after a 3-year hiatus.  This will be the first of the home-and-home series with Baton Rouge coming to Nashville on 8 August.  Expect a good game as Baton Rouge has improved from the last time they faced the Kangaroos, which was a 167-point blowout three years ago.

Our Next Show

Due to the family emergencies that took place on the last 2 weeks, we had to cancel last Sunday’s show, so we will be back on the air in 2 weeks on 5 July 2015 @ 4 pm CDT with a special 2.5 hour show to get everyone up-to-speed on what’s happened with the USAFL and we will have recaps from all 18 games this weekend and the new USAFLWR standings will be out then, since there’s no games on the Independence Day USA weekend.  We will be of course, on YouTube…just look under USAFL Weekly Show and send us a Question via World Footy News in the comments section, via Twitter @USAFLWR, via Facebook via USAFL Weekly Report and on chat during the show.

Ed. Congratulations to Alex on goal umpiring his 150th match in the Schwass Cup.
 

A further note from Alex This past week, I was in emergency family mode as my father was rushed to Stonecrest Medical Center here in Smyrna with major issues with his prostate.  To know my dad, he’s battled espohaegical cancer, a cancer that would back in the day, would mean living at maximum of 5 years after surgery.  The surgery happened in 1991, 24 years ago this September.  The VA hospital here in Murfreesboro has declared him the longest Veteran to ever survive that surgery in the history of tracking it.  So, to have a possibility of a second battle with cancer and at age 71 as of today (16 June), it was scary to have that prospect come up again.  He was in the hospital until Sunday (14 June), but the good news is that it wasn’t cancerous and it was extremely inflamed and swollen.  Being this month in the USA and around the World as Men’s Health Month, I can’t stress enough to have your checkups done yearly, as I do.