Bethesda Internationals

29 Mar. '08. The Internationals made its first Away/road trip up to Manhattan, NY, in its inaugural season in Region I Premier League today. It was yet another very windy, cold but mostly sunny day in which the Internationals would contest two Region I Premier teams from NY State where the wind was a factor. In the first match, the Internationals faced the Manhattan Phoenix (NYE) in an 11AM match for the first time. Although the Phoenix had not placed in the top (4) of the NYE State Cup nor participated/finished in any notable premier tournaments, it had worked its way up from the Region I Colonial League in 2006 as Champion and into the Premier League in 2007 where it finished as Champion of the U15N division but lost in semi-final round action to PDA Larsson, winner of U15S and National Finalist. Sal C. would be at the helm while Pete was with the Cougars 90 in a Region I game back in MD. The game would be played on a nice turf field adjacent to Icahn Stadium where a track and field event was being held with starting-gun shots sounding off throughout the match. The Phoenix would not disappoint the Internationals in their level and quality of play. In the first half, the Phoenix had the wind at their backs but the first five minutes was played mostly even with both teams moving the ball up and down the field well with defenses pressuring/tackling the ball and setting up quick counter attacks. But, the Phoenix grew more confident with the wind and each penetration deep into Inter’s half of the field, and controlled play for the remainder of the half, shooting (4) times on goal. Seth made a great finger-tip save to deflect a hard shot away to his right and the other shots went wide – except one. At about the 13 minute mark, the Phoenix launched a counter-attack downfield on their left about 25 yards and switched the ball to their right to an unmarked player who collected the ball and slammed in the go-ahead goal into the right side of the net. The Phoenix would also setup (5) corner kick opportunities but were unable to finish a goal while committing (6) fouls including a YC shown to #12 for a hard foul on Fabio and sending him to the sidelines for the remainder of the half to ice and dress a small scrape/bruise to his right shin. The Phoenix came close to adding a 2nd goal when a corner kick into the goal mouth was cleared away by Skylar at the last moment on the goal line.  The Internationals were unable to mount many offensive forays into the Phoenix’s side of the field largely due to their strong defense and against the wind, and were limited to just (2) shots on goal and no corners while committing only two fouls. However, the equalizer goal would come at the (32) minute mark when Nat sent a nice pass upfield to Brian on the left about 15 yards where he was quickly challenged for the ball by two defenders but managed to dribble his way into an open crease, turned and sent the ball into the goal mouth where Nat had run into position to deftly kick in the goal, and the half ended several minutes later, 1-1. The Internationals had the wind at their backs in the 2nd half and controlled most of the play. The Phoenix play much more aggressively, committing (5) fouls including a YC shown to #7 for a hard foul and would take just (2) shots on goal, one close-in point-blank that could’ve gone in but luckily was mis-kicked left and wide of goal. Another dangerous opportunity for the Phoenix was fortunately defended in the nick of time by Jamie’s quick reaction, scrambling over to kick the ball out of harm’s way. The Internationals played with much more intensity in the 2nd half as well, committing (8) fouls including two handballs and would take (3) shots on goal and setup (2) corner kick opportunities. With the precious minutes ticking away towards the end of the match, it would seem that it would end in a draw. But, with about two minutes left in the match, Vitalis received a pass around mid-field on the left and raced upfield to the end line where he very determinedly and skillfully eluded two defenders and sent a cross into the goal mouth where Nat was once again in perfect position to strike in the game-winning goal at the 39th minute, and the match ended, 2-1, Internationals.