Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Rena Cohen

 

Theme: Soccer positions.

I tried out for Soccer once,

They gave me this T-Shirt...

20 Across. Soccer player who shares every little detail online?: PUBLIC DEFENDER.

A defender is an outfield player whose main job is to stop the other team from scoring goals. 

Types of Defenders

Center-backs (CB): Play in the middle of the defense right in front of the goal. They win high balls and block shots. 

Full-backs (LB/RB): Play on the left and right sides of the backline. They stop opposing wingers and run up the sidelines to help on offense

Wing-backs (LWB/RWB): An aggressive type of full-back. They focus heavily on running up and down the field to support attacks

Sweepers (SW): A rare, deeper defender who plays behind the main defensive line to clean up loose balls. 

Key Skill

Tackling: Winning the ball cleanly from opponents

Positioning: Standing in the right place to block passing lanes

Aerial ability: Heading away crosses and long balls

Communication: Organizing the backline and talking with teammates.

38 Across. Soccer player from a Florida archipelago?: KEEPER OF THE KEYS.

A keeper (short for goalkeeper) is the designated player on a soccer team whose primary job is to stop the opposing team from scoring by preventing the ball from crossing the goal line.

Key Responsibilities and Rule

Handball Privilege: The keeper is the only player on the field allowed to use their hands and arms, but they can only do this inside their own designated penalty area.

Last Line of Defense: They act as the final barrier against shots and direct the outfield defenders during plays and set pieces.

Distinct Uniform: To easily tell them apart from everyone else, the keeper must wear a jersey color that is different from both teams and the referee.

Starting Attacks: Beyond stopping goals, modern keepers often use kicks or throws to launch fast counter-attacks for their team.

51 Across. Soccer player who doesn't pull their weight?: CARRIED FORWARD.

A forward in soccer is an outfield player who plays closest to the opposing teams's goal with the primary job of scoring and creating goals.

Main Roles of a Forward

Center Forward / Striker: Plays through the middle as the main goalscorer and focal point of the attack.

Winger / Wide Forward: Plays on the left or right side to stretch the defense, dribble past defenders, and cross the ball into the penalty box

Second Striker: Plays just behind the main center forward to link the midfield and attack

False Nine: A forward who drops backward into the midfield to pull defenders out of position and create open space for teammates. 

Core Responsibilities

Finishing: Shooting and heading the ball into the net to score goals

Creating Space: Making smart runs off the ball to open passing lanes for teammates

Holding the Ball: Using physical strength to keep possession under pressure from defenders until help arrives

Pressing: Applying early pressure on opposing defenders when the other team has the ball.

Onward! To the coin toss, and kickoff!

Across:
1. Insensitive: CRASS.

6. Not out: SAFE.

10. Apple variety: GALA.

14. __ Productions: media company founded by Oprah: HARPO. (Oprah backwards.)

15. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024: UCLA.

16. Team with a lot of pull?: OXEN.

17. All over: AGAIN.

18. Birds whose oil is used in Aboriginal medicine: EMUS.

19. Super Serum seller: OLAY. (Note: Olay does not sell Emu Oil...)

20. [Theme.]

23. __-di-dah: LAH.

24. Blubber: FLAB. Emu oil is made by harvesting, melting, and refining the thick layer of fat found on the back of an Emu.

25. Accident report?: OOPS. 😬 

28. "What a gimme!": EASY.

31. Mail: POST.

34. King topper in a game of war: ACE.

35. Singer Halliwell: GERI.

Also known as Ginger Spice...

36. Leave in a fit?: CLOTHE. (To make sense, you must read this 3 times...)

38. [Theme.]

41. Like steak, but not cake: SAVORY.

42. Reasons to go to extra innings: TIES.

43. Jazz (up): AMP.

44. Rookie gamer: NEWB. Also Newbie, or Noob...

45. Speck on a map: ISLE. 

46. Sign: OMEN.

47. Long fish: EELS.

49. "Truthfully" initials: TBH. (To Be Honest.)

51. [Theme.]

58. Lean: THIN.

59. Within reach: NEAR.

60. Eaglet home: AERIE.

61. Avant-garde style: DADA. Examples can be found here...

62. Small bird of prey: KITE. Again, examples can be found here...

63. "You almost guessed it!": CLOSE. No examples here,  because you missed it...

64. Staircase part: STEP.

65. "Now!": STAT.

66. Respected leader: ELDER. 

Down:
1. Fella: CHAP.

2. Robusto! sauce brand: RAGU.

3. Many an Eid celebrant: ARAB. More info here...

4. Lets the cat out of the bag: SPILLS. 

5. Ketanji colleague: SONIA. 

Clue/answer refers to these guys.

Since there is no politics on the Blog,

I will not be naming them...

6. Sought compensation: SUED. (See below:)

7. Height: ACME. 

A scene from Coyote Vs Acme.

8. Nickname for comedian Gabriel Iglesias: FLUFFY. 

9. Stand for artistic freedom?: EASEL. 😀

10. Bible: GOOD BOOK.

11. Wheel spinner: AXLE.

12. Father of Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia: LEAR. William Shakespeare wrote the tragedy King Lear. 

Quick Facts:

Written: Between 1605 and 1606

First Performance: December 1606

Plot: An aging king divides his kingdom among his daughters, leading to tragic consequences and madness.

13. Flexible amount: ANY.

21. Joyful: CHEERY.

22. Italy's third-largest city: NAPLES.

25. National trees of the United States: OAKS.

26. Place where people cruise through life?: OCEAN.😏

27. Get to: PEEVE.

29. Preferring platonic relationships, for short: ARO. Aro is short for aromantic, which describes a person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others.

30. Searches (through): SIFTS.

32. Iron output: STEAM.

33. Herb in jerk seasoning: THYME. 

35. Company with an annual search for a spokesbaby: GERBER.

36. Flamin' Hot puff: CHEETO. 

People are serious about their Cheetos...

37. "College GameDay" network: ESPN.

39. Short time out: POWER NAP.

40. From dawn __ dusk: TIL.

45. Finder's cry: I SEE IT. 

Finders cry: Mine!

46. "Such is life": OH WELL. 

48. Spot for a tee party?: LINKS. ❤️

50. Knee protector: BRACE.

51. Small talk: CHAT.

52. Deputy: AIDE.

53. Spreadsheet input: DATA.

54. Guitar ridge: FRET. My 50 year old guitar is getting worn grooves in its frets.

(I fret about my frets...)

55. Yankee nickname of the 2000s: AROD.

56. "__ and shine!": RISE.

57. Lots of bucks: DEER. 

58. Some 37-Down highlights: Abbr.: TDS. (Touchdowns.)

The Grid.

7 three letter words, 6 people names, and only one abbreviated school name. Not bad!

A Link to Rena Cohen July 20 Crossword Writeup

Describing this lovely Constructor...

Sorry for the deep dive into splainin' Soccer positions, but I know little about the game and had to do much research to do this write up, and, you know I hate to suffer alone...

CE:D out...

≽^• ˕ • ྀི≼

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 Zhouqin Burnikel

A Shot in the Dark.  Today's puzzle is by our Blog Hostess.

16-Across. Mall kiosk for pictures: PHOTO BOOTH.  //  Photo Shot.

22-Across. Night out before tying the knot: BACHELOR PARTY.  

47-Across. Court marking that's 15 feet from the backboard: FREE THROW LINE.  Who was the most famous professional baseketball player known for consistently throwing free throws underhand?  Hint: He retired with a 90% free-throw percentage in the NBA.  *

And the unifier:

58-Across. Tries, or what one does at 16-, 22-, and 47-Across: TAKES A SHOT.

Here's the Grid.  Are you willing to give this puzzle a shot?

Across:

1. Outings with a significant other: DATES.

6. Ancestry test sample: DNA.  DNA is short for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid, which is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms. It is a classic double-helix shape, resembling a twisted ladder.  A brief history of DNA and how it can be used to determine ancestry.

9. Reach across: SPAN.

13. NCAA hoops powerhouse: UCONN.  As in the University of Connecticut, not to be confused with the Yukon, which is a territory in northwest Canada.

14. Paid players: PROS.  As in Professionals.

15. __ Zor-El: Supergirl: KARA.  A cartoon character.  Kara Zor-El is somehow related to Superman, but the DNA story is twisted.

18. Soothes, as a sprain: ICES.

19. Dragon roll option: EEL.  Yummers!  

20. Places for posters: WALLS.

21. Tuckered out: SPENT.

25. Artichoke core: HEART.

26. Dudes: GUYS.

27. Mild, medium, or hot dip: SALSA.

28. Greek god with arrows: EROS.  Everything you wanted to know about Eros but didn't you wanted to know.

30. Symbol on Chile's flag: STAR.  The flag of Chile was officially adopted on October 1817.  The blue represents the the sky and the Pacific Ocean.  The white represents the snow on the Andes Mountains.  The red represents blood shed by patriots fighting for independence from Spain.  The star symbolizes the independent state.

34. Mango center: PIT.  Mangos are indigenous to South Asia.

35. Refuse to patronize: BOYCOTT.  The word Boycott is named after Charles Boycott (Mar. 12, 1832 ~ June 19, 1897).  He was an English estate agent in Ireland and refused to lower the rents and tried to evict protesting tenants.  The local community banded together refused to work in Boycott's fields, sell him food, or even deliver his mail.  This led to his ostracism by his local community in Ireland gave the English language the term boycott.

38. In the style of:  À LA.

39. "What's more ... ": ALSO.

41. Cabbage unit: HEAD.

42. __ salts: footbath additive: EPSOM.  Epsom salt is a pure chemical compound made of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen, known chemically as magnesium sulfate.

44. Gator relative: CROC.

46. Totally steamed: IRATE.

52. Chowder server: LADLE.

53. Ahead of schedule: EARLY.

54. "Impractical Jokers" network: TBS.  Impractical Jokers is a hidden-camera series that follows four friends who take dares to an outrageous level.  I am not familiar with this show.

57. Cornstarch brand: ARGO.

60. Swimming event: MEET.

61. "Yes, exactly!": AMEN.  A crossword staple.

62. Knightley of "Atonement": KEIRA.  Keira Christina Knightley (b. Mar. 26, 1985) is an English actress known for her roles in period dramas and blockbusters.  I plowed through the book Atonement by Ian McEwan (b, June 21, 1948), which this movie was based on.  The book did not make me want to see the film.

63. Drops a fly ball, say: ERRS.

64. "People Puzzler" channel: GSN.  As in the Game Show Network.

65. Map feature: INSET.

Down:

1. Bamboozle: DUPE.

2. Dull pain: ACHE.

3. Accessories worn at construction sites: TOOL BELTS.

4. Doc who treats rhinitis: ENT.  As in an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor.

5. Crustacean found in cold northern oceans: SNOW CRAB.  Everything you ever wanted to know about the Snow Crab.

6. Dryly humorous: DROLL.

7. Mediocre at best: NOT SO GOOD.

8. Tandoor residue: ASH.  A tandoor is a cylindrical, vase-shaped oven traditionally made of clay and fueled by charcoal or wood, used for high-heat cooking and baking.  It is most commonly used in South Asia, Western Asia, Central Asia, and the Horn of Africa.

9. Ticket for access to the slopes: SKI PASS.

10. Indiana basketball player: PACER.

11. "Why __ you ready?": AREN'T.

12. Extremely mean: NASTY.

14. Flag holder: POLE.

17. Bank of Thailand coin: BAHT.  As of the day I am writing this, the Thai Baht is worth 0.030 US Dollars.

21. Undercover agent: SPY.

23. Small batteries: AAs.

24. Coating on a junkyard car: RUST.

25. Hard precipitation: HAIL.

27. Mineral bath place: SPA.

28. Skin care products that treat fine lines: EYE CREAMS.

29. Color TV pioneer: RCA.  The RCA Corporation began as the Radio Corporation of America over 100 years ago.

31. "Have a little bite!": TASTE THIS!

32. Succulent that grows pups: ALOE.  Aloe vera pups are the small baby offshoots that grow at the base of a mature parent plant.

33. Horned sheep: RAM.

36. "Pick me! Pick me!": OH, OH!

37. Dish marinated in soy sauce and mirin: TERIYAKI.  Teriyaki is a Japanese cooking method and sweet-savory glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake.  Teri means shine or luster from the sugar and Yaki means grilled or broiled.

40. Spotted rainforest cats: OCELOTS.

43. Stovetop vessel: PAN.  I initially tried Pot here, but that didn't work with the perps.

45. Driver's path: Abbr.: RTE.  As in Route.

46. Misfortunes: ILLS.

47. Moth magnet: FLAME.

48. Harder to find: RARER.

49. Lawn care device: EDGER.

50. Like some whiskey barrels: OAKEN.  Why whiskey is aged in oaken barrels.

51. Small brown bird: WREN.  Wrens are known for their surprisingly loud songs and upright tail posture.

55. Snoozefest: BORE.

56. "Right away!": STAT.

58. Identify on social media: TAG.

59. Rep.'s colleague: SEN.  A Senator is a colleague of a Member of the House of Representatives.

*  Rick Barry (né Richard Francis Dennis Barry, III; b. Mar. 28, 1944).

חתולה

Many thanks to Kat and Manatee for substituting for me during my recent absence.