Announcement
28 Dec . '07. Back out at the nice Hess Fields at DWWS on a warm, sunny afternoon, the Internationals faced the Michigan Wolves, USYSA 2007 Champs, a superior team filled with many big and tall, talented players -- and, without its two starting backs, Ben N. and Jamie, as they would miss this big match due to red cards issued yesterday. The Internationals knew they would be in for a huge battle against the Wolves who yesterday were upended by Kendall Coalition, 2-3, after leading, 2-0. The first half was played evenly with the Wolves taking 4 shots on goal and setting up 1 corner kick opportunity which were all successful while committing 6 fouls. The Internationals managed 2 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks which were all successful as well while committing 4 fouls, and the half ended scoreless, 0-0. In the 2nd half, the Wolves stepped up their intensity and controlled play for most of the half, shooting 7 times on goal and created 11 corner kicks while committing 5 fouls (including a YC shown to #6 for a hard foul and a YC shown to #8 for USB). The Internationals created several scoring opportunities with 2 shots on goal and 3 corner kicks but credit the Wolves defense for stopping the Internationals from finishing any goal. The Internationals committed 3 fouls (including 1 offsides and 1 handball), with the officiating being far better than the 1st match vs. CASL -- except for an apparent wrong call for a foul by Inter in the box when in fact the Wolves player appeared to have stumbled to the turf by himself, touching the ball on the ground, but alas, a PK was awarded to the Wolves at the 28 minute mark -- and Seth guessed correctly, moving to his right to stop/deflect the hard shot off to the right behind the end line for a CK. Then, came the dagger. At the 79th minute with just 1 minute left (plus 1 minute stoppage), the Wolves mounted another attack sending a ball into the right back line which was uncleared as a defender fell to the turf and another Wolves player collected the ball and quickly switched it over the the right side/left back area to another player about 20 yards out who dribbled a couple of yards and then blasted a shot which sailed into the near post past Seth, and the matched ended, 1-0, Wolves.
In the other group match, CASL prevailed over Kendall, 2-1. The Internationals will play Kendall tomorrow, and Kendall's chances to push through are still alive with a win over Inter, which Inter hopes to disallow...