Bethesda Internationals

23 Jul. '07. After an unexpected early morning passing of a thunderstorm and some light hail, the Internationals fueled up at a nearby IHOP and then headed out for another long drive from Winston-Salem to Bryan Park for a 2PM afternoon match against the CESA FC 91 team from Ohio who had not faired well in its first two matches losing to YMS Xplosion, 0-3, and then to the Irvine Strikers BU15 Black, 0-5. The weather was cooperating nicely at Bryan Park with partly cloudy skies and temps in the low 80's at kickoff time. In the 1st half the Internationals controlled most of the play shooting five times on goal with two corner kick opportunities while committing seven fouls (including 1 offsides), but could not finish -- including a close-in hard shot by Vitalis at the 20 minute mark which the CESA GK made a good stop. The Ohio team would manage just one but effective shot on goal while committing eight fouls (including 1 handball). After an Internationals foray into CESA's box was deflected out, CESA sent a quick long ball upfield behind the back line who were pushed up near mid-center, and a CESA player was able to get past the defenders and collect the ball as it bounced up in the air from the turf about 22 yards out and dribbled 1v1 towards goal and fired a shot to the left of Stefan as he came off his line to stop the shot, and the CESA FC 91 were up on the Internationals, 1-0 at halftime. Meanwhile, the half-time score of the YMS Xplosion vs. Irvine Strikers was 1-0, Irvine, which was good news for the Internationals. If the score held, an Internationals victory over the CESA team would send them into the Final. The Internationals stymied the CESA FC 91 in the 2nd half, allowing no shots or corners while committing three fouls (including 1 handball). The Internationals played with much more purpose and focus, shooting six times on goal and creating two corner kick opportunities while committing eight fouls (including 3 offsides). At the (20) minute mark, Nat rcvd a ball in the mid-field around 30 yards out, held off two defenders, turned and laced a shot to Skylar on the right about 18 yards out who dribbled forward as a defender was closing on his left and the GK came off his line but Skylar was able to tap in the ball into the net past the GK for the equalizer goal as he slid to the turf and came up with a nasty 'strawberry' on his left hip. The outcome of the match remained uncertain as it seemed that the Internationals would not be able to finish the go ahead goal as the clock was ticking away. But alas, at the (36) minute mark, the Internationals finally were able to notch the elusive go ahead goal. Vitalis rcvd a pass on the right side, dribbled up to the right corner area and served a perfect pass into the box where Ben alertly timed his jump up in the air to head strike the ball into the net, and the match ended several minutes later, 2-1, Internationals. Kudos to the CESA FC 91 team for their valiant effort in trying to upset the Internationals as it was heard on the sidelines that several of their ODP National pool players were absent today at call-back camp. And, moments later as the players were picking up their bags and walking off the field, the good news came that Irvine topped YMS, 2-0, thus propelling the Internationals into the Final to face the '91 Carolina Goldstar Select, who have had a fortunate run in the USCS National Cup VI. After the RR's pulled out, the Select were invited to replace the RR's and played strongly to earn a berth in the Finals tomorrow, and no doubt it will be an excellent and well-played contest indeed.