History
The man of the match was originally a foosball trophy Brian carved for a tournament he was having at his house. It looks like a giant foosball guy. Some time later while Thomas (my 9 year old son) and I were there, we decided the six or eight of us present should have a wall ball tourney in Brian's driveway. We leaned about six pieces of plywood against the cars to form the court, put two goals up (which Scotty had made the day before out of PVC pipe and proudly presented upon his arrival) and began to play a knock down drag out round robin tournament. The winner, we decided, would get to hoist the pine statue now known as man of the match.
After much libation and many near career-ending injuries, it was down to me and my son, whom I have never let win at anything on purpose. Victory was mine, and I could feel the grains of the wood in my hand, the smell of pine in my nose. But whoops--was into the agony as the ball slides into the back of the netting. It was not just defeat but ultimate humiliation. Thomas hoisted the trophy and Brian allowed him to take it home with him, not, I am sure, to revel in his accomplishment, but rather to make the humiliation last as long as possible for me.
Later that week I had a brainstorm and called Brian to ask how he would feel if we transformed the little pine foosball man into a man of the match trophy to recognize stellar performance on the pitch. He thought that was a fine idea and I started to get excited about being able to present it for the first time, as I knew that it would become a lasting tradition. I began to work on a introduction for the little pine man and the honor it carried with it. I could not wait to make a big presentation at the end of next week’s game.
I packed it neatly into a perfect fitting bag, as I wanted to keep it under wraps until it was time to award it after the game. I did my managerial duties, gave the starting line-up and commenced to watch the game. I think it was Brian G. who got the first goal, and as I recall we went into half with a comfortable two nil lead. It was safe for me to step on the pitch. I put myself in at some point in the second half, at the top of course, and soon after finished a ball that was squirting around inside the eighteen. A few minutes later Kerr boy play me a thru ball and I was tearing one one one with the keeper and manage to chip him. I don't remember the last one but they all came in rapid succession. A hat trick inside of my first 20 minutes on the pitch, I was having tons-o-fun. So much fun in fact that I had forgotten all about the Man of the Match and my glorious speech to go along with it.
I believe we won that match 5-0, but even with a hat trick I did not feel by any stretch I contributed that much to the win; the game was well in hand before I even stepped on. I just happened to have one of those days. I tried to leave the little man in the bag, but word got out and people starting asking about it and it was, under protest by me, awarded to me. So much for my eloquent words that would inspire pride and longing for a day when you too could carry the Man of the Match home for the week and proudly display it on your mantle. I had another week of the little man in the house. I was finally able to give a little watered down version of my speech the next week, but it did not have the punch that the first presentation had.
The Man of the Match has since become an important part of game day. Everyone should know, in case it comes your way, that there are a few rules that go with it. If you are awarded the Man of the Match, you will be joining us at post game. No slinking out of that one. M.O.M. winners enjoy free beverages for the day. This is non-transferable: game day only. You can enjoy the M.O.M. at your home for one week, or until the next match. God forbid you should forget to bring it to the next match: you cannot afford to buy that much beer. At the last game of the outdoor season, Man of the Match is awarded to the season MVP to be enjoyed for the whole off-season. May M.O.M. be with you this season.
Allan Zabriskie
Testimonials
Brian Gualano: I was very fortunate to have received the wooden statue twice last season (2002). This was especially pleasing to my 3-year-old son who likes to roll it around the living room and down grassy hills. The first time I was presented with the award was the match we played right after one of our incredible Wizards road trips--the MLS All-Star Weekend in Washington D.C. After a nerve-racking, noxious gas-producing ride back from D.C. that Sunday (Cheetah was driving), we piled out of the van just in time for the starting whistle. [Check out the road trip description for further details.] I don't quite remember exactly what was so deserving of the award that day but I believe I had a very solid game in defense with some supporting runs and assists up front--possibly a goal as well from a defensive position.
The second time, I do remember a match winning strike on a free kick. Everyone during that match had a solid game against a worthy opponent. In fact, I believe Mottershead was in line to receive the statue when I "stole" it from him with a game winner in the final 5 minutes off a smashing free kick from 20 yards out. Sorry about that, Pierce.
Boshart: I received it once. Don't remember the date, except that I had it for 3 weeks due to weather cancellations the following weeks. It could have been the game I scored two of our four goals. Sorry, but I don't quite remember all the details (too much Guinness). Hope this helps.
Minor: I won it for scoring a goal and assisting another and creating many scoring chances --do not remember who we were playing--I think it was the 3rd presentation.
Kerr: Although I was involved in most of our goals last season, (15 goals, 13 assists), put us through to the final, and tallied the lone strike in the Championship, (later called the Goal of the Year) I only received the wooden man once. Though this snubbing does not compare to that of Ginger, who even on two hat-tricks and a couple two-goal games did not impress the judges sufficiently to nab the honors...what can you say? My performance was a 2 goal, 2 assist effort in a 6-1 W. The shining moment was a first-time left footed volley into the roof, off a sublime flick from the end-line after the big cannon throw-in. This followed another first time effort, again roofed, from the top of the box after a delicate lay-off. I had a hand in making the first and second goals of the match, as well.
Shane: Well, my man of the match award was given to me on a day when we came out hard against a good team (that day) Smuch. I got a hat trick and fortunately scored some fine goals. The first was a through ball from Scotty or Greg, I think, and I timed my run with persision so that it became me and the keeper. I slotted it to the far post on the ground just inside the post. The next was probably my most spectacular of the season with a scissor kick that came off a beautiful cross by (I think) Nick. It went off the crossbar and hit the keeper's back and in. The third was a left footed drive from about 25 yards out that luckily had the right dip to the upper right corner of the net.... That's my chonicle. Thanks for letting me relive it for these 3 minutes of writing.
Lincoln: I don't remember exactly what I did that was so great. Perhaps everyone else had such a bad day that I got it by default. I do remember running out into the space on the right side over and over again and being used as an outlet quite a bit. I also had a good mix of passes down the line, to the middle, and across the pitch. I scored the goal that put us ahead.
Paulie: I was man of the match one game but I can't remember what game.
Monteleone: Two-time recipient for stellar performances against an unfriendly assault from El Chapala. Monteleone is the creator of the LWD (Little Wooden Dude) and rightfully won him to keep at the end of last season following a heroic performance in the Final.