LAAS League Table

LAAS Match Fixtures

FC Gensler vs. Gehry Tech

5+design (4-2) St. Annes Soccer Academy

On a cold wednesday night, 3 Dec 2008, 7.30pm @ 17th Street and Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, 2 teams met for an interesting friendly soccer match.
The 5+design team is made up of mainly architects, most of whom are working in the 5+design architecture firm (Hollywood area) and the rest from other smaller architectre firms (Los Angeles).

The St. Annes Soccer Academy team is made up of youths (10yr-20yr olds). Their coach is a passionate friendly guy who calls himself "the fat man". The academy is part of a local church's efforts to bring together youths in the neighbourhood, and organizing good clean challenging fun games for them.

From the moment the ball is kicked, it was a fast-paced, action-packed game all the way. The youths from the academy were fast and very enthusiastic. Their coach, also playing, sometimes as a goalkeeper or midfielder, not only shouts instructions and chided the team at times, but often shouts encouraging words to the youths, spurring them on, all in good spirit.

The 5+design team took a while to adjust to the speed of the opponents but managed to create several goal-scoring chances. By half time, 5+design team was 2-0 up, with superb shots from Max(striker) and Calvin(right winger).

Early in the 2nd half, Arthur (5+design central midfielder) blasted a blazing shot into goal, and won over several fans from the opponents as well. However, St. Annes team didn't give up and the coach lead by example with a nicely taken shot from a tight angle. They began their comeback, 3-1. St. Annes team played very well like an well-oiled engine. Nice touches gave the 5+design team's defence lots of trouble. Fortunately, Igna(5+design goalkeeper) was up to the task and made several good saves. Later, St. Annes team scored their 2nd goal from a set piece freekick. A powerful shot that went beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. The youths sense a potential comeback and were upbeat. Fortunately, Danielle (5+design left winger), like the fox-in-the-box, sneaked in next to the opponent's goalkeeper as he tried to catch onto a shot, and threw herself in for the ball, resulting in a slight tussling that made the ball slipped out of the goalkeeper's hands into the net. Goal! 4-2! And the final whistle blows.

5+design team & Allies


St. Annes Soccer Academy Team

All in all, it was a very tight and enjoyable game. Both sides gave their all and created many exciting moments. It was very heartening to see the youths pit themselves against bigger players, not afraid of challenging themselves while learning to work with each other, encouraging the rest and listening to instructions. Seeing how successful the game turn out to be, both sides agreed on a re-match in 2 weeks time. We all will be looking forward to it.

And to end this entry, here's a quote from the St. Annes team's coach as he was on his way out of the field, ready to give a ride home to some of his youth players, "Oh boy, I'm gonna get it from this boy's mum. I promised her I will get her boy back home by 9.30pm, but it's already 9.30pm now." The 10-yr old cool-afro-haired, green glassy-eyed boy grinned,turned his head towards us, and said in a matter-of-fact manner, "Good game guys...."

A touching scene indeed.....

Friendly Match - 5+design versus Gehry Office

5+design 3-1 Gehry
Friendly Match 15th Nov Saturday, 5.30pm – 7pm
Santa Monica Airport Park, 3201 Airport Ave

5+design's Team line-up [Formation 5-4-1]
_____________________________
Maysho Goalkeeper
Eric Sweeper
Sernhong Stopper
Marcelo Right Back
Jen Left Back
David Defensive Midfielder
Arthur Central Midfielder
Max Attacking Midfielder
Hari Right Winger
Danielle Left Winger
Gurmukh Striker
_____________________________
Alice Time keeper
Yvonne Photographer
Robert Chang Cheerleader

Highlights
_____________________________
1st Half
- Gehry took the lead up one at the 20th min
- 5+design responded at the 25th min with a beautiful equalizer from Gurmukh
- Maysho courageously blocked a shot by the Gehry striker. Both men crashed into each other and went down. It took a few minutes for both to shake off the impact. Maysho soldiered on throughout the match to put up a solid performance

2nd Half
- 5+design dominated the match in the 2nd half with several good moves around the opponent’s goal mouth
- Erik lead 5+design into the lead with a superb shot in the 40th min
- 5+design won the match with a third goal from Gurmukh in the last 5 mins

Note:
A soccer coach from a soccer academy in Santa Monica approached the 5+design team that night to request us to play against his team this Wednesday 7.30pm. If I get it correctly, the team, is organized by the St. Annes Soccer Academy as part of a social program by the City of Santa Monica, to inspire and direct the energy of youths in more positive channels through soccer. A great opportunity for all of us to contribute to the society and bring positive impact to the community through soccer. Who knows, we might inspire a few of them to be future 5+design’s designers? haha...

Please enjoy the photos... [All photos courtesy of Marcelo's wife, Yvonne]

10-9-2008_5D vs Gensler Soccer Friendly

Hey! After hearing from the Gensler-based(biased) match reporter, how about something from the 5+Design side.

It was definitely a good, fun match. The field was perfect (Astro turf!). Hopefully, we can have our future games there. In the run-up to the game, both teams were worried that there might not be enough players. In the end, both teams had lots of supportive friends who came along (@9.30pm!) to add up the numbers. It was truely a collaborative effort!

5+Design's team, in addition to the office's architects, also consists of a pilot, a few Japanese students, and other offices' architects. In all, everyone really enjoyed themselves.

Here's the line-up for 5+Design (sorry if I missed out any names, I can't remember everyone who joined in that night, but it's really great to have played with all!) >>

[Goalkeeper] - Maysho, Joe Tarr
[Defenders] - Eric, Se Young, Scott, Terry
[Midfielders] - Arthur, Jay, Rachel, Sernhong, Hari
[Strikers] - Gurmukh

Our next game will be versus Gehry Technology! Please enjoy the photos and videos below.


Gensler on the attack at the 5+Design's defence zone.


Eric (left) & Rachel (right) taking a breather during halftime.


Scott (left), Terry (center) & Jay (right) looking on as the game proceeds into several exciting moments.


The 5+Design Team!

A moment in the game.

Acrobatic goalkeeping skills from Maysho!

After-game celebrations!

9th October '08_Gensler vs 5Design

Gensler vs 5Design

Graft _[2-1]_ 5+Design >> Match Report

[*Disclaimer: The reporter is not held liable for any biased reporting.]

DMJM vs GRAFT

Final score 2-0 ( GRAFT wins! )
I wasnt there for this game but i hear GRAFT had a great team.
I'm sure DMJM would be looking for a rematch soon!