Pictured here in a recent match, WiP striker/GK Drew Triplett has been a clutch all-around player for the Progress.

Match Report

SEATTLE (Feb. 31st) –  In the fourth week of its inaugural season, Work in Progress FC returned to their home field at Magnuson Park to face another Division 4 veteran, Jet City Strikers.  In 2008 the Jet City Strikers fell 7-0 to WiP’s partner squad Work Doers FC.  Doer captain Jon Augustavo offered his advice as he coached WiP from the sidelines; “These guys play pretty clean,” reported Augustavo, “expect a few loose balls in your zone…anything could happen, but rough play will likely be kept to a minimum.”  This advice held true, as the Progress took the opening kick and dominated possession, using their physical strength to shut down Jet City’s efforts.

In the fashion of Doer goal-keeper Hamburger Myers, WiP was able to finish after what seemed like just one minute.  Only a few possessions into the game, midfielder Riley Lovejoy set up the first opportunity for the Progress.  Michael Pleas, who enjoys weekend excursions to Aspen, received a nicely slotted pass from Lovejoy, and took two touches, cutting deep into Jet City’s backline.  With no one left but the lone keeper, Pleas easily buried the guy from about 8 yards out.

As the ball was brought back to the midline, Progress-man Drew “He-man” Triplett trotted out onto the pitch.  He would be the next player to strike for Work in Progress FC.  In the eighteenth minute, a bad clearance from Jet City’s backline left an unclaimed ball rolling just inside the box.  Noticing the opportunity, He-man tripped, but managed to regain his balance and raced towards the ball.  Jet City’s keeper abandoned the net and charged, hoping to make a key save.  Triplett, also known as “The Finisher,” was able to pop the ball over the head of the sliding keeper with an incredible touch off the outside of his right foot.  The ball bounced and slowly rolled into the net.

Despite the early push by the Progress, Jet City was not ready to fold.  About 35 yards from the WiP goal, Jay Davidson battled with Jet City’s offense to gain control of the ball.  One JCS forward went for a slide tackle, prompting Davidson to challenge him.  The helpless player received a gift from Davidson, a pair of cleats to the gut and Jet City was granted its first set piece.  Jet City called on their most talented player, who delivered a low hovering blast that found its way just inside the right post, as keeper Max Berry watched it pass.  WiP now led by just one goal.

This lead would be completely diminished minutes later, when a skipping JCS shot slipped through the hands of Berry.  “Complete garbage!” Berry exclaimed in regards to his mistake.  The score was now even, but WiP FC maintained its poise and continued to build upon the early momentum.

In the 37th minute, Ollie Peterson would bolster his stats with his first assist for the Progress.  Earlier in the match, Peterson had engaged a JCS player in a tackle that was so forceful that a thunderous echo reverberated across the pitch; Almost as thunderous as defender Kevin “The Boot” Sigley’s first goal kick, which evoked an energized “Ooooooooooohhhhhhhh!” from the WiP sidelines.  Peterson sent a deep pass through Jet City’s rear defenders, providing Lovejoy with a one on one opportunity.  With one touch on the run, Lovejoy slipped it past the keeper and into the ol ball bag.  The first half was drawn to a close after JCS took a nerve racking shot on goal that was stuffed by keeper Berry.

In the second half of the match, there was no looking back for WiP.  Shortly after the 63rd minute, Derek Long sent a pass from the wing to forward Pleas, who yet again zigzagged his way into the goal box to take a shot from ten yards out.  Partially due to a keeper error, Pleas was credited with his second goal for the day.  “It was too easy getting through their backline,” proclaimed Pleas, “it was almost as though they wanted me back there.”

Just before Pleas’ second goal, Progress striker Nick White was seen jogging in from the parking lot.  Evidently the 9 AM kickoff was too early for the disheveled White, who scored 15 goals in his first season in Division 4 with the Work Doers.  After a brief warm-up, White came into the game and nearly scored on his first touch.  The ball was retrieved by the keeper, but White was not deterred.  Just a few possessions later, Pleas provided White with the perfect opportunity to revive his goal-scoring rampage.  A nice pass from the man of the match provided White with an easy finish for his first goal with the Progress.

Regardless of a comfortable three goal lead, WiP continued to play aggressively.  With Lambert, Rosasco, Sigley, and E. Englund holding it down defensively, it was a difficult task for JCS to penetrate the steadfast Progress backline.  After several futile attempts by Jet City, Work in Progress FC would score once more awarding Michael Pleas with a hat-trick on the day.  Pleas produced his third goal on a strong counter effort with another assist from midfielder Ollie Peterson.

“Really solid effort today,” commented WiP manager Alex Englund.  “After they slipped two in, I was worried they might come from behind, but we held our composure and finished them off.” 

This week’s victory brings WiP’s record to 2-2-0, which moves the Progress from 8th to 6th place out of 12 teams.  On Sunday, WiP will face the currently 5th place Sea-Town United at Loyal Heights in Ballard.  Kickoff is scheduled for 11:15 AM.

Copyright 2010 Work Doers FC