Announcement
2 Aug. '08. The Internationals returned to the highly acclaimed Surf Cup for its 2nd outing since 2006 as a rising U15 team. The weather was splendid with sunny skies and mild temps in the mid-70's. In the 1st contest, the Internationals matched up with Santa Rosa United Gold (CA-N), recent Finalist in the CA-N State Cup. The Internationals continued its strong play from the USCS National Collegiate Showcase last week in VA Beach. Inter's stingy back line held Santa Rosa to just (1) shot on goal which was a wicked blast from the right about 22 yards out that sailed high towards the upper left 90 corner but Seth flew out and up to make a beautiful finger-tip save with the resultant only corner kick by Santa Rosa unsuccessful. Santa Rosa played very physical and aggressively committing (6) fouls including YC's shown to #4 and #17 for hard fouls and a RC shown to #10 for abusive language in disputing a called foul at about halfway through the 1st half and Santa Rosa played a man down. Inter had the wind at its back and took (4) shots on goal and setup (3) corner kicks which were all wide/unsuccessfull while committing (3) fouls and the half ended, 0-0. In the 2nd half, Santa Rosa had the wind at their back but Inter continued its strong defensive play holding Santa Rosa to no shots taken but allowed (3) corner kicks which were unsuccessful while commiting (3) fouls. Inter managed (3) shots on goal including an almost-goal free kick by Ebo from about 30 yards out on the left that sailed high towards the upper 90 right corner but the GK made a great finger-tip save, and the resultant corner kick as well as one other corner kick were also unsuccessful. But, at about the (23) minute mark, Skylar passed a ball from the right side near the right corner of the penalty box to Chris in the middle on the 18 yard line who passed to Nick A. further left on the 18 yard line who passed back to Chris who then slammed the shot into the net for the go ahead and eventual game-winning goal. Inter committed (8) fouls (including 3 offsides), and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals.
In the 2nd match later in the afternoon, Inter faced the CZ Elite (CA-S), winner of the 1st match vs. Black Watch Griffins (NY-E), 3-0 (including an own-goal). CZ Elite is formerly FC Barcelona who topped Inter at the Surf Cup in 2006, 5-0. The skies were cloudy and a bit more breezier/coolish this afternoon. As expected, CZ Elite was a very competitive and aggressive team, but Inter matched up with them well. Although they had some very talented players in all around positions, the CZ Elite did not appear to be as formidable as it was when they rolled over Inter in 2006, perhaps losing some key elite players to the Development Academy system/clubs whereas Inter lost no players to DA and improved its roster by the addition of several quality elite players during the last couple of seasons. Nonetheless, Inter had its hands full in a tough, hard fought match with the still very formidable CZ Elite and the 1st half was basically even with CZ taking (2) shots on goal including a free kick and followup header that went just over the cross bar. CZ committed (5) fouls (including a YC shown to #13 for a hard foul on Skylar). Inter also committed (5) fouls and was held to just (2) shots on goal including a hard blast by Vitalis that sailed just wide left and another hard blast from Nat E. which soared in to left corner crossbar just missing the net, and half ended, 0-0. In the 2nd half, play continued evenly between the two teams, attacking and counter-attacking with CZ Elite shooting (3) times on goal including a hard shot inside the goal area which Seth made a great save on, and (2) corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing (5) fouls (including 1 handball and a YC shown to #8 for unsportstmanship behavior). Inter committed (6) fouls (including 1 hand ball, 2 offsides and a YC show to Pat for a hard foul). Inter also took (3) shots on goal and setup (1) corner kick which was unsuccessful, however, at the (9) minute mark, Ebo launched a free kick on CZ's left 18 yard line over to Chris in the box around 6 yards out who then headed the ball further in to Nat who headed the ball over to Ben in an open area just near the goal line who then struck in the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal. CZ Elite furiously launched attack after attack mostly long-balls upfield but Inter's strong defense held on and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals.
