Yes, I went to the game

Well, at least the second half. From what I was being told over the phone, I knew I could get in for free and watch half a game in an empty stadium, which was the case. It also helps when you have a couple friends out there to discuss the ongoings with.

Boo to Shoe for leaving early and missing the fireworks.

Yeah, they won 10-0. So. Nothing to write home about. Not as bad as I've seen. I've been in attendance at a 16-0 laugher before.

But according to one person on the Silverbacks message board, I need to go back to Soccer 101 classes.

I'm actually really glad I went so I can provide my "expert" prediction.

Here's the thing: I never expect any team to just lay down and give the game to the other team. But that's what happened here.

Put yourself in the shoes of an Azzurri player. You're an amateur, you miss a day of work to fly out here, probably have to buy your own plane ticket. You come out, give up two early goals, then get rained on.

Yet instead of Jason Smith showing mercy and professionalism, he plays pretty much his entire first team, ends up with two injuries (Jarun and McIntosh) and keeps pushing forward until the end.

What bothers me the most is the changes. I understand the first two due to injuries. But isn't this the kind of game where you can get some guys who haven't played much some playing time so they'll stay fresh instead of sitting on the bench every game?

Why do you take Hudson off and bring on JUSTIN MOORE to play centreback? When you have John Queeley, a centreback on the bench?

And why have a straight swap at the end, Ukah for Hassim? How about Kevin Barrow if you're going to bring a striker on?

I love how all the Jason Smith defenders will point to this game as a good performance for him and how us critics are supposed to eat our words. But the fact of the matter is that it's not what he did, it's what the other team didn't do. Hell, my rec league team probably could have beaten Azzurri tonight.

And I'm still not going to the game on Saturday.