Redshirt-freshman Alex Gatewood will be writing a blog all season long, giving fans an in-depth look at the Portland Pilots men's soccer team. Make sure to bookmark portlandpilots.com/gatewoodblog and follow Alex and the Pilots as they venture through the 2011 season.

ENTRY #2
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Last weekend the team competed in the Portland Nike Invitational, our own tournament on campus. Florida Gulf Coast University, Loyola Chicago University, and the University of Washington were our guests for the contest at Merlo Field, and the competition level was high amongst every team. Friday night's game against Florida Gulf Coast University was energetic and exciting from the first minute to the last thanks in part to the Pilots student section who arrived in full force. Golden boy Keith Grubisich struck first and capitalized on his already phenomenal game with his first goal of the season. It was great to see Keith finally reach his potential after attempting to break the world couch potato record for the past 19 years. I anxiously await Keith's next goal scoring opportunity. Soccer is a cruel mistress, however, and the Eagles returned the favor with a late equalizer in normal time. After two overtime periods, and a valiant effort by everyone on our team ranging from freshmen to seniors, the game finished 1-1. Sunday's game against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers felt as if we were in a completely different climate. Senior Brenden McAleese went as far as to describe the conditions as "swampier than Dagoba out there." Nonetheless, heat and sticky conditions are no excuse for a disadvantage and we played on. Though most of the game seemed to flow in our run of play, the Ramblers effectively pressured our goal and tallied three goals at the end of the game. What does the future of the season appear to be? Only time will tell, but I will say this. I have a fever... and the only prescription is more victories. 

To all of the fans present during either game over the weekend, the entire team thanks you. Our appreciation for your dedication to the team cannot be expressed in words. The continuous beating of the drums and chants from the Villa and Christie men are things that particularly come to mind because they keep our tenacity up when it seems as if the game is dead. I'd have to say my favorite chant over the entire weekend was, "God made the rivers, God made the lakes, God made Florida, we all make mistakes!" Whoever fashioned that gem, kudos to you sir. I speak on behalf of the team by saying that we will never stop trying to win the day for you, our loyal fans. Asking whether the Portland Pilots will ever stop trying is like asking whether or not freshman forward Steven Corbett has the ability to stop smiling... the obvious answer for both is no. 

Many of you who attended the games over the weekend may have also noticed the player trading cards which have begun to circulate around campus. First I'd like to thank the wonderful people in the media and marketing departments for developing the cards, but I'd also like to warn them of the dangerous culture they have just created. Just the other day I witnessed a back alley deal between two shady looking characters over a Justin Baarts card. From what I could see the deal was made for two Banner Schafers, a valuable item in its own right. However, my eyes are still peeled for the elusive holographic Matt Dally, rumored to be worth up to $600. 

Finally I'd like to raise a point I made during an argument with a random pedestrian on campus. The situation began as I rode my bike past this guy and he noticed the Portland Soccer logo on my backpack. At this point he yelled, "Soccer is for girls," and quickly faded into the darkness of night. I never was given the satisfaction of replying to the taunt, nor would it be smart to blog what I would've said that night, but I think I have a better response prepared. To prove soccer is a respectable manly activity, I'd like to bring to light our team's obsession with mustaches. There is nothing more manly than a proud and noble 'stache and mustaches of all shapes and sizes appear on the faces of the men's soccer team. One man, however, bears the one 'stache to rule them all...

Senior Michael Nielsen... 

It is rumored that Mike's mustache fought Chuck Norris, and won. The greatness of Mike's facial hair was actually foretold by Nostradamus. You can't even say the words "Mike Nielsen's mustache" in an airport or else TSA will be all over that. The fact of the matter is that if the Pilots men's soccer team has weapons such as Mike's lip mane on their side, no one can say soccer is not a manly sport. Just try it. Do you really want this guy ^ knocking on your door?  

When I was thinking of the guys on our team to represent us in the mustache category, it was a close decision between Mike and one more Casanova...

 Freshman Michael Escobar. I think Mike was the right choice though. 

Thanks again for reading my blog Pilots fans. Next blog will come with a report on the windy city of Chicago, Illinois after we return from Northern Illinois University. Until next time!

PREVIOUS ENTRIES
• Entry #1 (8/30/11)