Announcement
3 Jul. '09. At long last, after the Internationals were finally victorious in their 5th MD State Cup Final, they earned their 1st trip to the USYSA Region I Championships. as MD State Champions 2009. This year, the Regional Championship was held in Barboursville, WV, for the first time on brand new soccer fields at the Barboursville local park. Without question, these fields were the worst fields the Internationals can recall ever having played on anywhere coast to coast. For such a high-level event to have such low-level quality fields is beyond disbelief. The fields were nothing more than cow-pastures cut short with clumpy weeds in between patches of hard dirt. Numerous coaches, team officials, players and spectators were heard bemoaning the condition of the pitches teams were dealt to play on. Nonetheless, the poor field conditions was equally the same disadvantage to all teams, except perhaps for those teams whose style of play is sending long balls upfield to speedy strikers which the Internationals' style of play is not. It is more a ball control, possession style of play, requiring a very smooth surface for passing and holding the ball. Inter knew it would be in for a very tough challenge to play effectively on these bad fields.
In the 1st preliminary match, Pachuca faced its friends from Virginia, GFA '91 Elite. The last time the two teams played was at the US Club Soccer Region E 2008 event almost 1 year ago to the day in which Inter prevailed, 1-0. Although the pitch was poor, the weather was great with mildly warm temperatures and partly sunny skies. Inter kicked off in the 1st half but the GFA '91 Elite controlled play for most of the half, holding Inter to just 1 shot on goal by Vitalis at the 43 min. mark from 18 yds. left which sailed over the cross bar and no corner kicks. Inter committed 5 fouls (including 1 offsides and a YC shown to Nicholas for a hard foul just outside the box). GFA '91 Elite played very physically, committing 11 fouls (including a YC shown to #3 for a hard foul on Skylar and 1 offsides). With its vertical play, repeatedly sending balls upfield to 3 speedy attackers, GFA '91 Elite would strike quickly at the 13 min. mark off of a service into the box which Seth came out to grab but it slipped off his finger tips onto the ground behind him near the goal line and a nearby GFA '91 Elite player tapped in an easy goal. GFA '91 Elite created a total of 4 shots on goal, including another service into the box around the 41 min. mark but Seth was able to punch the ball out of harms way. GFA '91 Elite also setup 5 corner kick opportunities which were all unsuccessful, and the half ended, 1-0, GFA '91 Elite.
In the 2nd half, GFA '91 Elite kicked off but Pachuca played more aggressivley and focused, holding GFA '91 Elite to just 1 unsuccessful shot on goal and 1 corner kick into the box which Nicholas defended away on a diving header clearance. GFA '91 Elite committed 6 fouls while Inter committed 9 fouls (including 2 handballs and YC's shown to Matt and Patrick for hard fouls). Inter's offensive opportunities were again nullified by the poor pitch and GFA '91 Elite's tough defense, and it managed just 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful, and the match ended, 1-0, GFA '91 Elite.
