Announcement
20 Mar. '08. After last year’s cancellation of the U15 games due to heavy rain and poor field conditions, the Internationals were eager to once again participate in the prestigious Jefferson Cup which attracts many top teams from around Region I-III – and college coaches. The Internationals faced the LAC St. Louis Lakers from Canada in its first preliminary match on the turf field at Striker Park. It was a sunny but very windy day and the strong wind was blowing across the turf. The Lakers worked very hard to pressure and challenge Inter players, committing (10) fouls including a YC to a Lakers player for a hard foul on V. and their offense was held by Inter’s strong defense to just (1) shot on goal which went awry. The Internationals committed (4) fouls including three offsides calls, and would shoot (3) times on goal and setup (4) corner kick opportunities but all were unsuccessful and the half ended, 0-0. The Lakers maintained their hard play in the 2nd half and would threaten early in the 1st minute after a cleared ball high in the air sailed backwards and Ben missed heading it away and it bounced precariously backwards towards goal as Matt scrambled/stumbled to try and clear the ball away but a Laker player got to it first about 18 yards on the right and slammed a hard shot on goal. Fortunately, Seth reacted quickly to make a diving, finger-tip save to his right and deflected the ball away. The Lakers committed (9) fouls including a YC shown to #5 for a hard foul on Ebo, and a RC shown to #8 for taking Scott down in the box on a breakaway at the 26 minute mark. Skylar stepped up and sent the PK shot to the back of the net to the right of the GK, and the Internationals went up, 1-0. The Lakers managed one more shot on goal and (2) corner kicks which were unsuccessful. The Internationals would take (6) shots on goal, including a shot close-in by Scott setup by Skylar on a nice through pass but the attempt was unsuccessful. The Internationals would commit (6) fouls including two offsides and a YC shown to Skylar for a soft foul, followed by a YC to Nat for USB/protesting, and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals.
21 Mar. ’08. In the 2nd preliminary match, the Internationals faced the strong JBS FC Premier Force team from New York who bested the Internationals at the Bethesda Thanksgiving last November in the final minute, 1-0. The wind was still blowing hard and the Internationals had the wind advantage at kickoff on another turf field. The Internationals' defense stymied JBS allowing no shots on goal, although (1) dangerous corner kick was taken but it did not find its mark Thanks to Seth’s quick reaction to jump up and punch it out of harms way. The JBS team committed (4) fouls including one handball, while the Internationals committed (6) fouls. The Internationls managed (4) shots on goal and (3) corner kick opportunities but would finish (1) goal. With just (1) minute left in the half, Roque sent a free kick from 25 yards on the left into the goal mouth where a melee ensued and the ball luckily bounced to Brian’s foot where he aptly struck in the ball to take the lead, 1-0. The JBS team had the wind at their backs in the 2nd half and played very aggressively, committing (8) fouls including a YC shown to #6 for a hard foul. JBS could manage only (2) corner kicks which were unsuccessful. The Internationals would take (3) shots on goal which two went awry and the JBS GK made a good save on the other attempt, and also (3) corner kicks were taken but to no avail. The Internationals committed (8) fouls including one high kick, and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals.
22 Mar. ’08. In the 3rd preliminary match, the Internationals matched up with Team Ohio (OHS Champs) on a grass field. It was a very sunny day and the winds calmed down for the most part but with occasional gusting which did not adversely affect the match. Both teams had beaten the Canada and New York teams, but the Ohio team had a (1) goal better goal-differential, so it was a must-win match for Inter if it would advance to the Final. Both teams attacked and counter-attacked with both defenses thwarting the other from finishing a goal. The Ohio team managed (2) shots on goal including a DK from about 30 yards out to the right which sailed into Seth’s clutched hands and (1) corner kick which was unsuccessful while committing (7) fouls including (1) handball and (1) offsides. The Internationals would take (2) shots on goal, one of which went awry and another which was stopped by the GK and (3) corner kicks which all were unsuccessful while committing (5) fouls inclulding (1) handball and (1) high kick, and the half ended, 0-0. In the 2nd half, both teams stepped up its attacking/counter-attacking. Team Ohio would take (3) shots on goal including a shot by an offsides player which no call was made and which surprised the defense & Seth that no call was made, allowing the player to take an easy shot on goal but luckily it went wide and just missed left of goal. Team Ohio would also create (3) corner kick opportunities which were unsuccessful while committing (7) fouls including YC’s shown to #11 and #9 for hard fouls. Inter managed (4) shots on goal and (1) corner kick but all went awry/unsuccessful while committing (5) fouls – and the match ended, 0-0. Team Ohio would advance to the Final the next day to face GFA 91 Crew, and prevailed as Champions, 1-0. Congratulations Team Ohio!
