Bethesda Internationals

28 Apr. On a mostly cloudy day with a moderate cross-wind at the MD SoccerPlex, the Internationals played its good friends from Virginia, FCH Premier AC 91W. FCH's starting GK was out of action with a broken nose and another player likewise with a broken arm but several Inter defenders were also absent due to injury or other conflicts, including Ben due to a concussion at SFS lacrosse on Thursday, and Mati & Martin, due to high school rugby and lacrosse events, as well as Roque due to Confirmation of younger brother. No matter, the Internationals would play superb soccer today from start to end even though just finishing with one, winning goal. In the first half, the FCH AC 91W would manage just 2 shots on goal, including a free kick from 30+ yards out after a foul by Inter, which both went awry, while committing 6 fouls (including 1 handball). Inter quickly setup 5 shots on goal within the first 6 minutes, including a hard blast by V from about 25 yards out which went directly into the GK's chest and then to the turf but was quickly scooped up before Inter could clean up. The Internationals would shoot twice more and setup 1 corner kick opportunity but could not finish while committing 7 fouls (including 1 offsides and 2 handballs), and the half ended scoreless. In the second half, FCH AC 91W increased its attacking/counter-attacking, managing 4 shots on goal, including a header in the box which almost slipped past Joe into the net but went wide just outside the right post, and a missed opportunity by the normally hard-shooting and accurate Torian who rcvd a pass in the box, turned and squibbed a shot towards goal which luckily went wide. The FCH AC 91W committed 5 fouls (including 1 handball), with a hard foul by #14 (who was shown a resultant YC) from behind on Skylar who was dribbling towards goal near the 20 yard center area. The Internationals continued to play superb soccer, passing and moving the ball well upfield, setting up 9 shots on goal and 1 corner kick but would finish only once while committing 10 fouls (including 3 handballs, 1 offsides) and a YC on Brian for a hard foul as well as a YC on Joe/GK for USB in questioning official as to why Brian couldn't come back in after he went off injured with a couple of minutes left in the match. At about the 37 minute mark, Gerald rcvd a pass on the right and out-maneuvered the defenders all the way to the end line where he then crossed the ball from right to left into the box to Scott who easily tapped in the winning goal from 2-3 yards out, and the match ended several minutes later, 1-0, Internationals.