Wednesday, May 30, 2007
With week 1 out of the way, here are the other scores from around the league:
Pistolas F.C. 4 - 6 Titans F.C.
FC All Stars 5 - 1 Spartans F.C.
Cody F.C. 0 - 6 GB United
Markham United 0 - 10 Markham Blues
Solun F.C. 4 - 4 Apollon F.C.
Seems like there either some very weak or very strong teams out there...Viva Pistolas!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Pistiolas FC dropped their home opener in a 6-4 loss to the Titans FC at the MDHS North Stadium in Markham on Sunday.
Two quick, early and easy goals by the Titans led to some immediate changes on the defensive end as lessons were learned that the last man back should never try and play 'hide the pickle' only to get caught.
The Epic arrived minutes after gametime and was a welcomed addition in his first 30 seconds as he came on to notch his first goal of the season.
By half time, the score was 4-2 for the Titans, and the Pistolas again changed defensive tactics going with a diamond defense group.
The General, already late for a confirmation, agreed to stay an extra ten minutes showing his dedication and commitment to the team. By the way, speaking of commitment, a big congrats to Andy and Charles, Father and Godfather of Andy's little daughter's baptism earlier in the day.
The second half was once again the stronger half for the Pistolas, controlling the play, making passes and plays, and netting 2 more goals. Unfortunately, the Titans were able to capitalize on 2 breakaways that left Scorpinho handcuffed, amongst a flurry of chances on fastbreaks that they amassed.
The 2-2 second half was more indicative of how the game was played, but alas, a 6-4 loss was the final scoreline.
Adding insult to injury, the Pistolas lost keeper Scorpinho for the next three Sundays as he flies off to Greece to play in three internatinoal matches. He returns on June 24th.
Assistant Captains Ivano, Davidinho, and Charles The Epic, will assume the duties of running the team including handling the corner flags, nets, and the recruiting of a part-time goalkeeper for the 3 game absence. As of now we have 2 possible recruits for keeper.
As Scorpinho leaves for Greece, it will be up to you to check the schedule for dates, times, and importantly fields where we are playing. Also consult the maps link in the side bar under stadium, for maps of the fields.
Friday, May 25, 2007
We will be playing the season at 4 different fields: MDHS North, MDHS South, Centennial, and Mount Joy.
MDHS (Markham District High School) North and South fields are located at Markham Rd. and Hwy 7. The school is on Church St.
Centennial is on the north side of Bullock across the street from the north side of Markville Mall.
Finally Mount Joy is actually at the very back of Brother Andre School, the fenced field. BA is located just east of Markham Rd. on 16th, and it is on the north side - you cant miss it.
Here are the results from the friendlies:
Solun 4 - 6 Apollun
Markham Blues 5 - 2 GB United
Pistolas 2 - 2 FC All Stars
Cody FC 2 - 7 Markham United
Thursday, May 24, 2007
With all the hype and electricity - even before playing a regular season game - PFCSE (Pistolas FC Sports and Entertainment) has launched the Official Pistolas FC Store.
Fans across the globe can now be apart of this growing phenomenon buy purchasing official Pistolas FC merchandise through our online store. Set to expand with its offerings, the store now boasts the Official (inaugural) Pistolas FC Organic Tee, a deluxe, soft fabric that's lightweight and highly fashionable. With '07' emblazoned on the back, this is sure to be a collectors item down the road. Get your shirt today!
Other shirts now on sale include the 'Scorpion Kick' soft cotton polo tee, and the very trendy 'Davidinho' tee which is currently a hot seller.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
I realize with all the tom foolery surrounding this website, this may seem like another Pistolas FC funny, but THIS IS NOT A JOKE. Please read on.
The growing entity that is Pistolas FC (PFC), now has it's very own Magazine Subscription Fundraising Website. Basically, we send out emails to friends, family, and coworkers interested in purchasing Magazine subscriptions for very low prices, and at the same time reap the rewards. Here’s how it works:
“Purchase or renew magazine subscriptions at up to 85% off the newsstand price and our team automatically receives 40% of the sale. It’s never been easier to show your support for Pistolas FC. Help us out by purchasing a magazine today!”
For example, 27 issues of Time Magazine can be bought from the Pistolas FC Magazine Website for the low price of $15.00. That’s an 85% savings!
The site offers 100’s of magazine titles appealing to Men, Women, Teens, and Kids alike, and make a great gift!
Popular titles include: Men’s Health, Time, People, Car and Driver, Sports Illustrated, Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Fortune, Newsweek, Popular Science, Family Circle, House & Garden, Cottage Living, Runner’s World, Glamour, InStyle, Redbook, Vogue and Entertainment Weekly, just to name a few.
Funds raised will first go towards the coverage of this years player fees. Any additional monies raised would go towards players’ fees for next year; Adidas Uniforms for next year; possibly Pistolas FC Tracksuits and T-Shirts; and team parties at The Duchess.
Please take the time to send out emails to friends, family, and coworkers that may be interested in purchasing magazine subscriptions. Also note, that when sending these emails out, that we not spam everyone in our contacts list as we at Pistolas FC frown upon spammers.
And finally, without freddy adu, I present the link for the Pistolas FC Magazine Subscription site:
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Disciplined positioning will be key this season if this team is to truly take advantage of its talent and take a shot at the League Tile, League Cup Championship, and the MLS Cup Tournament. And as we've all heard before, defense wins championships.
The return of Marcello 'The General' Maiorano from the Bahamas is a more than welcome addition to the Pistolas. His commitment to play 'D' is heralded, but are their others out their willing to join him? Last game Rocco emerged as the defensive star, but with his talent, he could play the field.
So let's hear from the players. Up on the right column is our first poll: Which position do you want to play?
Is there anyone else there committed like 'The General' to playing fulltime on defense?
You decide. Vote now.
The future of the Pistolas FC franchise is looking fantastic with the likes of youth prodigy Jean Carlos Chera. This youngster born in 1995, has been compiling highlight reel film since the age of 4 years old.
JCC joined the Pistolas FC Diaper Squad in 2001 where at the age of 6 he was putting on a clinic that the current professional 2007 Pistolas can only dream of doing.
Now at the age of 12, this child star has ammassed a series of highlight film that we are proud to show you here on this website.
If you scroll down in the column to the right you'll see some video stills of this Pistola FC child star. Simply click on the first picture and then scroll back up to the top of this page. A video box will appear embedded in the page and will load and automatically start playing. Enjoy!
Fans the year long wait is over.
After weeks of planning, MLS guru Eira (pronounced I-ra) released the schedule for the upcoming MLS season. The ten team league will square of against each opponent once through the course of 9 weeks between May 27th and July 29th. After that the team will play 4 weeks of playoffs in August in a yet to be determined format, with losers playing weekly as well in consolation games.
New this year, is the MLS Cup Tournament which will be a 4 week Cup Tournament similar to the F.A. Cup in the Premiership. Matches will be drawn randomly from a truckers hat, as in Europe, to determine who plays who. Again, losers will play in consolation matches.
When all is said and done, there will have been 18 matches played by all teams.
For your viewing pleasure, Pistolas F.C. has taken the liberty to provide for you the only real schedule you'll ever need to know, The 2007 Pistolas F.C. Schedule.
It will be a permanent link on the right red column of this page for easy access. Simply click on it and it will take you to the schedule. There is also a return link on that page that will bring you back to this site.
The Pisotlas F.C. will open the season against the Titans on Sunday May 27th at the familiar MDHS North Field where they played their friendly. A scouting report on the Tits is forthcoming.
As for other field locations, stay tuned as we will be bringing you a map in the days to come.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Still trying to get their legs, lungs and positioning right, Pistolas tried again to push the ball up, only to get caught on an identical breakaway play. After only the first 15 minutes, the score line read, Pistolas 0-2 Team 2.
Being a team of character, the boys regrouped again and pressed on. Eddy ‘NBT’ hit the post on a dazzling play of jiggery-pokery around the goaltender. On a later play, Andrew ‘Big Laser’ Eppich was brought down in the box, and on the spot kick had the keeper completely fooled. Unfortunately the ball went just right of the right post and the Pistolas were still down by 2 going into halftime.
With the first half under their belt, their nervousness out of the way, and some regrouping on positions, the Pistolas returned to the pitch a determined bunch. The first half was understandably forgiven.
The second half saw the life and potential of this squad. A defensive star on the team was born in Rocco, and the midfield and strikers did their part in dominating ball possession and chances.
Finally a breakthrough on the offensive end, when Arbi and Jason Shumski both scored on beautifully laid out through balls. With the score tied at 2 a piece, the Pistolas went for the win.
Two crossbars and a blown breakaway by Charles ‘I was more surprised I was in open space with a through ball’ Eppich, plus a few other nervous shots at their keeper showed exactly the potential threat this team can have on opposing teams.
At the end of the game the score line read Pistolas 2-2 Team 2; truly a game of two halves. But the consensus afterwards was that the score did not match the chances and intensity displayed by our heroes, and the final could have easily read 5-2.
On a final note, the black, red, and white, was definitely a winning side versus a colour that causes sacrilege to the name ginger. There’s only one true Ginger!
I have come to the painful realization that I am not in game shape... great effort by the defence and a few glimpses at the Pistolas ability to fire on target. Currently enjoying our perfect record as this was only a pre-season game and will not count towards the season...
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
What started off as a day of announcements in goal and at striker, spiraled into a day of infamy for the storied Pistolas FC franchise. Compared to the likes of the Juve scandal, the club dug deep to rise from the ashes of disparity.
The Mystery of the Missing Keeper...
Was there any doubt that Scorpinho wasn’t the starting goalie for the club? Brand spanking new gloves and the Ronaldo announcement as 'Reserve' keeper for the friendly solidified that, as did the day’s early comment that he'd resume starting keeper duties upon his return from his 3 weeks of International Caps in Greece.
In an interview with Pistolas FC feature reporter D.Sanchez, Scorpinho clarified:
“I'd like to be the starting keeper on this team, and start every game,” Scorpinho said. “My match fitness playing out has always been in question since the broken hip last year, but at some point I'd like to play out to see how it feels. I thought this Sunday being a friendly would be good for me to play 5 minutes to start up front and then return to the net for the rest of the game. I never realized it would create such a kafuffle. I know that Davidinho has been the strongest voice for me playing out. I'd like to say that I could play first halves in net and playing out in the second, but not knowing my match fitness I cant commit to that. Also, it depends on factors like which team we're playing and how the flow of the game is. If it’s a close game that I’m playing an important role in, then there’s no way I’m coming out. But if we were up by 3 goals I would love to come out and try my luck up front.”
The case of the missing keeper is solved. Controversy closed.
The Mystery of Davidinho’s Quad…
Team doctors reassessed Davidinho’s ripped quad muscle and have upgraded his status to a minor strain.
“Right now I’m day-to-day, but it’s only Wednesday. I should be able to go on Sunday” said Davidinho.
The case of the ripped quad solved. Case closed.
The Mystery of the Broken Foot…
Big Laser also had his foot re-evaluated and team doctors have projected that he should be able to play come Sunday.
The case of the broken foot solved. Case closed.
And as for the rest of the humour intended for this site, I would’ve gotten away with it if it weren’t for you meddling kids!
Aging veteran 'The Epic' and young gun 'Scorpinho' will start the friendly this Sunday at Striker combining to provide a lethal combination up front for the Pistolas F.C.
Blessed with a canon of accuracy, 'The Epic' will be looking top shelf on goalies throughout the league. Having been away from the game since his retirement in 1954, 'The Epic' feels like he still has some legs left in him and hopes to prove that to all his fans and teammates.
'Scorpinho' on the other hand is looking to this friendly as a conditioning stint to assess his match fitness away from his starting keeper role. A one time legend at St. Andrew's S.C. and NSSC, this scorer is not looking to add the brilliant flash of 'The Epic', but rather a finesse touch into the back of the net.
'Bloody Toes' Ronaldo will get the nod between the posts in Sunday's friendly as he makes his debut in goal for the Pistolas F.C. Ronaldo felt good playing the keeper position during Practice 2, and has quite the goal kick to send the ball up front.
This start will also give him some experience for the first three weeks of June when he'll be called upon to defend the goal in the absence of 'Scorpinho' who has been called away from the team during that time to play some international Caps in Greece.
'Scorpinho' named after his famous Scorpion Kick (see below) will resume his goaltending duties on June24th, and will start the 1st half of the Opening Game on May 28th.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Sunday's highly anticipated game will feature two returning midfields from last year's squad.
The Raging Bull who has earned his stripes throughout the years has paid his dues through admirable play at 'D' and mid. This year, looking sharp as ever in practice, Raging Bull has earned the starting outside right wing position where he looks to dominate.
Eddy 'NBT' will play along side of The Raging Bull with his talented play to form the inside right. Nevertheless, don't be surprised to see this guy burst up front and score a goal....or 4.
On the inside left, newcomer Carlos Quinto will start in place of the injured Davidinho. This talented player who previously played college soccer in Ecuador, brings experience and talent to the squad and is no stranger to the centre mid area of the pitch.
Playing along the outside left wing will be another newcomer, Andrew 'Big Laser' Eppich, whose broken foot should be good enough to start on Sunday thanks to the purchase of special boots. A trooper, this young lad showed some skill and possibly the teams hardest shot at practice 1.
To recap, here are your starting midfielders for this Sunday:
Outside Left: Andrew Eppich
Inside Left: Carlos Quinto
Inside Right: Eddy 'NBT'
Outside Right: The Raging Bull
The starting defense for this Sunday's match has been announced. Playing a 4-4-2 formation, the squad will be going with an outside/inside formation on the left and right as opposed to 3 and a sweeper. Here are the following starters:
Outside Left: Gus The Greek
Inside Left: Eddie Moss
Inside Right: Dave B.
Outside Right: Matt Dookie
Monday, May 7, 2007
Just six days before kickoff of the 2007 MLS campaign, a number of injuries have set in on the team after two practices. Earlier today the team learned that Davidinho suffered a ripped quad muscle; and then this evening, we learned that Andrew 'Big Laser' Eppich had suffered a broken foot in practice one.
Matt Dookie suffered a minor groin pain similar to 'The Epic' in Practice 1, and Practice 2 culminated with Ronaldo's bloody sock.
The following is a breakdown of injuries and their timetabled return.
Davidinho - Ripped Quad Muscle - 4-6 weeks
Andrew E - Broken Foot - 2 weeks (Game time decision)
Ronaldo - Bloody Toes - Game Time Decision
The Epic - Groin Pull - Day to Day
Matt D. - Groin Pull - Day to Day
Davidinho was about to be the first player named as a starter in this Sunday's match against 'Team 2'. With his absence, the coaching staff will have to rethink the starting lineup now.
Now this is the way to run a team - nice touch on the hi-tech interface - looking forward to a big season. Buying new shoes this week to reinforce my aging feet.
1. Mark R. 10. Marcello M.
2. Dave F. 11. Rocco P.
3. Ivano V. 12. Arbi S.
4. Eddy M. 13. Gus G.
5. Eddie M. 14. Carlos Q.
6. Ron F. 15. Matt D.
7. Charles E. 16. John S.
8. Andrew E. 17. Jason S.
9. Dave B. 18. Steve W.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
The practices are done. The lineups set. Now, the new look Pistolas F.C. look to play their first game on Sunday May 13th 2007. The league announced that this Sunday's game will be a friendly to help sort out positions and play as a team, and won't count in the standings. This should allow a good look and ample playing time for the full squad as it feels out who will play upfront, the mid, and most crucially on 'D'. The league also announced 18 weeks for the season, with the full schedule yet to be released.
After the friendly, there won't be any games on the following weekend, the Victoria Day long weekend; then, on May 27th, the season begins.
Look for depth at the midfield position this year, and a full 18 player squad on Sunday.
The starting lineup will be announced here throughout the week, with the team going with a 4-4-2 formation for this friendly.
Game Day: Sunday May 13th 2007
Game Time: 5pm
Stadium: Markham District High School North Field (Hwy 7/Markham Rd. - maps to come)
Sunday's cool temperatures brought out 8 players to the Pistolas F.C. Mary Ward practice facilities in the early hours of the morning. Newbies Gus, Ronaldo, Eddie, and Matt Dookie got to show off their skills in the 3 hour drill, impressing the old crew. In the end of day scrimmage, the old timers took the game 10-9 after a valiant comeback by the young guns down 8-5 at one point. First impressions are that this year's team can cross the ball in, and has height to connect. A big step up from last year.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
If you havent figured out yet by the new web design and colour scheme, the 2007 Pistolas F.C. uniforms sport a black, red, and white styled jersey, with with black shorts and black socks.
They will be handed out at this Sunday's practice.
Last week was quite the turnout and showed a lot of intensity and skill.
Please reply here to let everyone know if you can make it or not.
The Pistolas Football Club was established in 2004 by 'Scorpinho' and the rest of the triumvirate 'Raging Bull' and 'Davidinho'.
Prior to this, the triumvirate enjoyed many seasons in the late 1990's at Inter F.C. under the direction of legend Paul McCann. The last season at Inter F.C. was in 2001 before the team eventually folded. Paul McCann sold his house and took his family on a one year trip around the world. As for the triumvirate, two went to play overseas for a year facing international competition.
They returned in 2002 to no team and no league. After 20 straight years of playing football at least once a week, 'Scorpinho' felt the absence of the competitive pitch.
After 2 years, the itch grew into plans for a new team. In Spring 2004 the team name Pistolas F.C. was unveiled, and the triumvirate was reunited. Unfortunately, the cast of recruits, though talented, lacked heart and maturity and after a succesful season in the standings, the team crumbled in the latter stages of the playoffs and parted ways at seasons end.
The triumvirate settled for joining the Vaughn Strikers in Summer 2006 for the Inaugural Season of the MLS (Markham League of Soccer). What started off as a promising season, quickly went downhill due to player injuries, committment and lack of talent.
Resigned to fulfilling a dream team capable of competing for the championship, the 2007 Pistolas F.C. started recruiting in early March and ended on the last day in April.
This year, the Pistolas F.C. boast a talented squad of quality individuals who should gel well and provide fans with entertaining football not only for the Summer of 2007, but for years to come.
