The Gracious Response Of The Losing Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, OREGON--Another chapter in the storied history of the Rivals Cup was written last night... in blood, sweat and tears.

UrbanHonking Athletic Club, eager to avenge its loss in the Cup's inaugural match just two weeks ago, put together a comprehensive victory over Albina Going Football Club in the rematch. The 5-4 final scoreline flattered AGFC, as two of those strikes came "at the death," courtesy of goalkeeper-turned-fielder Doug Hurley.

"We were flummoxed, Brian, frankly speaking," Albina Going manager Zach Dundas said as he removed a mysterious syringe from his arm after the match. "We couldn't keep our shape and our passing was panicked throughout the match. All that said, take nothing away from Athletic. They were well up for it, and deserved their win."

The match had the quality of knife-edge tension fans are already coming to expect from Rivals Cup ties. UrbanHonking showed its determination to close down the Albina attack early on, and emerged from a steely first half with a 2-1 lead. The decisive goal came when a befuddled-looking Dundas was dispossessed on the wing, leading to a rapier finish from UrHo. A frantic late effort from AGFC, which saw fielder Peter Noordijk step into goal with two minutes to pla--a canny, if desperate, tactical move--managed to notch two goals, but fell short.

The win puts Athletic three points clear of its two Cup opponents, though Dudes FC has yet to play a match. The three clubs will meet in a double-round-robin league format, with the most points at the end of Portland Futsal's winter season claiming the coveted Golden Angel of Victory.

Meanwhile, the loss dropped Albina Going to a 1-1 record in the Third Division's Conference Argentina.

"Long season ahead of us, obviously," Dundas said. "We were coming off two successive wins, and perhaps we got too comfortable. I'll have the lads go through their training naked in the snow tomorrow, and we'll put that right."

The Mighty Unicorns will be back in action next Thursday, 25 January, with an 8:20 match against Sofa Kings FC. Sofa Kings opened their season with a narrow win over UrbanHonking, so the match will provide a good barometer for Albina Going.