Westside United FC
August 27th, 2007 by Mike

Today, my soccer team, Westside United FC entered into playoffs after finishing third out of 10 teams during the regular season. I have to say that this is pretty good considering we lost more than half of our games. How did we rank so highly in the standings with a not so great record you ask? Two words… “Spirit Points.”
Our league is meant to be slightly competitive, but not to the point where people are killing each other to score a goal, well at least most of the time… In fact, we don’t even have referees at our games, all officiating is done by the players. This usually works well, but sometimes things do get a bit crazy. Last week for example was a bit of a doozy! Anyway, at the end of each game, each team rates the other on how sportsmanlike they were and then assigns the other team “spirit points.” “Spirit points” get factored in to the final win/loss record, and voila, we’re number #3 with a 3-5-0 record in a 10 team league! Just so you know your’e team can also be assigned, “negative spirit points” too! gasp!

Here’s a clip of tonight’s star, Clem. Clem scored our only 2 goals tonight and therefore deserves a shout-out. Holla!!!! Unfortunately, this clip isn’t one of them, however it was a nice kick as he put a beatiful, spinning trajectory on the ball. Way to go Clem, you’re a star!
On a side note, if you listen closely you’ll hear a female wooing in the background. Sorry ladies, this dude’s taken! Of course that could have been Ag(Clem’s better half), but I guess we’ll just never know!
This is our team talking strategy during halftime. Unfortunately it didn’t work as we lost the game 6-2. Oh well it doesn’t really matter, cause I’ll bet we maxed out on our “spirit points!”
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Oh and make sure to tune in next Monday to MichaelMcKinlay.com when Westside United FC battles their sworn arch-enemies/rivals Westside FC. Yes, they have nearly identical team names and this just makes these two despise each other even more! This is due to the fact that they are an outcast, splinter group within our very own Westside community. In depth analysis will be provided as this game will once and for all settle the bad blood between these two teams. You do not want to miss this testosterone/estrogen fueled battle of the ages!
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Posted: August 27th, 2007 under Mike's Videos, Sports.
Comments: 9















You doofus! We have a 8-team league…you can’t have a 3-4-0 record with 10 teams (last night’s game doesn’t count as it’s playoffs).
Just teasing. Good job on the website though. Keep the poems coming…you should write one about Westside Utd’s heroics!
Hey, sorry dude, I tried checking the league website to verify the stats but the section with our stats was down at the time. I looked at other divisions of the league and they all had 10 teams, with 8 games played before playoffs. Anyway MichaelMcKinlay.com in no way guarantees in any way, shape or form, AND can not be held responsible for the accuracy of information posted on the site.
Thanks for the idea and perhaps I will create a song or poem for our many supporters! Stay tuned to MichaelMcKinlay.com for details!
You really need a disclaimer such as this one for cases such as these.
This is what blogs were made for. Damn, I so wish I was there to play for Westside U. As it is, all I can offer are “spirit points” (you Canadians crack me up!).
I will be cheering for you…
Nick: THERE’S ONLY ONE WESTSIDE FC!
Fellow Supporters: Erm… actually, there are two.
Westside til I die. Good match report Michael.
Yes Nick, we wish you were here play for us to. Just so everyone knows who Nick is, he is from England but has now been living in Japan for more than 10 years. He is also known as my net buddy 4 life and if you would like to know more about him, you can start with my poem to my Net buddy 4 life. You can find this poem at http://www.michaelmckinlay.com/2007/04/28/a-poem-to-my-net-buddy-4-life/
Hey thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed the report. I can’t wait to cover next week’s game!
Mike, football is not a game, it’s a way of life!
Thanks for the disclaimer info Nick! Yes us Canadians don’t want anyone’s feelings to be hurt, and when you think about it, aren’t we all winners????
Here’s an interesting quote…
In the UK, legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once said:
“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I’m very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”