Bethesda Internationals

23 May '08. On a splendid, warm and sunny late afternoon out at the MD SoccerPlex Stadium, the Internationals were matched up in 1st round preliminary play with their old friends from VA, the McLean MPS Premier (formerly FCH Premier AC 91W). Conspicuously absent was their dangerous striker of seasons past, Torian, which would turn out to be fortuitous for Inter as the Premier would not seriously threaten to score except for a tense PK attempt. In the first half, the Premier played very physical and aggressively, committing eight fouls (including 1 handball & 1 high kick). The Premier took 4 shots on goal and setup 3 corner kicks which all were unsuccessful, including an attempt off of a strong throw-in near the end line followed by a well-timed head strike which sent the ball sailing towards the upper right corner but Seth reacted quickly and layed out to grab the ball in its path. The Internationals stayed focused, making mostly good passes and moved the ball well setting up 6 shots on goal and 2 corner kick opportunities while committing 5 fouls, including a potentially goal-saving foul from behind by Ben N. on an MPS player near 25 yards center which resulted in a free kick by MPS that fortunately was unsuccessful. At the about 22 minute mark, Ebo collected a ball in the center around 18-20 yards, passed it outward and over/back to Fabio around 25 yards on the left where he launched a strong left-footed blast which sailed high through defenders to the upper right corner of the post that just slipped off the fingertips of GK into the net for the go-ahead goal. With just 2 minutes left in the half, Nathaniel rcvd a ball (from Ben N?) near 20-22 yards center, dribbled 1 or 2 steps to create an open lane and fired a hard shot past the GK into the net for the 2nd goal, and the half ended, 2-0, Internationals. In the 2nd half, both defenses stiffened and the Premier held Inter to 2 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks which all were unsuccessful while committing just 2 fouls, including a foul in the box after a dangerous long ball near 18-20 yards was mis-kicked/deflected backwards into the box as Fabio scurried back to make what appeared to be a clean tackle on the ball– but drew the whistle and resultant PK attempt. Seth was large on the goal line waving his arms, jumping up and down with his tall 6’3” frame as the errant shot hit the side bar to the left of Seth and bounced back out to the kicker who slammed it into the net in frustration as the 2nd attempt was not allowed. The PK would be the Premier’s only shot attempt and no corner kicks while committing 4 fouls, and the match ended, 2-0, Internationals.