Bethesda Internationals

29 Jun. '07. The Internationals added four very talented players from two other Potomac SA sister teams to its USCS roster for this event and for what it is hoped will be its upcoming 2006-2007 roster, including Nat, Matt and Stefan (GK) from the Cougars 92, and Seth (GK) from the Rapids. In the 1st preliminary match on Sat., 30 Jun. '07, the Internationals faced a very competitive Richmond Kickers Elite team who played well but in the end the Internationals would prevail 3-0. In the first half, Inter's strong D held the Kickers Elite team to just two shots on goal and 2 corner kick opportunities which were all unsuccessful while committing four fouls. And, Stefan made a great athletic flyout grab/save on a hard struck ball by the Kickers to deny a sure goal. The Internationals' offensive game was elevated a notch with Nat's commanding center-mid play, controlling and distributing the ball well to teammates as well as winning many headers to control possession of the ball. The Internationals would take (3) shots on goal and (7) corner kicks but could finish just once. At about the 21 minute mark, Skylar launched a corner kick into the goal mouth where Ben timed his jump to head in the 1st goal goal past the surprised GK. The Internatinionals committed 7 fouls (including 1 offsides) and the half ended, 1-0, Internationals. In the 2nd half, the Internationals continued to play strong defense, limiting the Kickers to two shots on goal and (1) corner kick opportunity which were all unsuccessfull while committing eight fouls (including 1 offsides and 1 handball). The Internationals elevated their offensive attack and would take (8) shots on goal and (1) corner kick while committing (7) fouls (including 1 offsides). At about the 20 minute mark, Nat sent a nice pass upfield on the left to a streaking Vitalis who moved the ball down to the left corner where he sent a hard laser cross low on the turf through the goal mouth where Scott timed his run onto the ball to easily tap in the 2nd goal. With just (1) minute left, Vitalis sent a pass upfield on the left side where Patrick collected the ball and made nice service into the goal mouth where Brian timed his jump to head in the 3rd goal, and the match ended, 3-0, Internationals. In the 2nd match on Sat., 1 Jul., the Internationals faced the North Meck SC 91 Boys Red (Storm?) in an early 8AM match. The North Meck team kicked off with the wind at their backs. Although the North Meck team played with great intensity, it managed just one shot on goal off of a counter attack break-away shot which fortunately rolled wide of goal. North Meck setup (4) corner kick opportunities but could not finish while committing (9) fouls (including the GK picking up the ball just outside the 18 yard line to prevent a sure possession and probable score by the Internationals, and one offsides). The Internationals would take four shots on goal and (1) corner kick while committing (7) fouls (including one offsides). At about the 16 minute mark, Nat sent a nice pass up the right side to Skylar who served the ball into goal mouth as Scott raced into position to strike in the only goal. In the second half, the Internationals' strong defense held the North Meck team to just two corner kick opportunities which were unsuccessful while committing five fouls (including 1 handball). North Meck played much more determinedly in the second half, serving several well-placed balls behind the back line into the goal mouth which forced Seth to work hard but he very capably was able to reach and grab the balls from harm's way. North Meck held the Internationals to just one shot on goal and one corner kick opportunity which were both unsuccessful while committing five fouls, and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals. In the 3rd game on Tue., 2 Jul., the Internationals were matched up with the previously unknown but formidable Triangle SA United Gold team which was recently formed by very talented players from the former Fuqay-Varina (Flash?) and current Carolina Goldstar Select teams and others in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill cities area, including U13 Mikey Paye, an USCS National id2 player who amazed spectators on both sides with his soccer prowess and good sportsmanship. In the 1st half, the United Gold launched a barrage of attacks and counter-attack against the Internationals, shooting 8-9 times on goal with numerous corner kicks but luckily for the Internationals the United Gold were unable to finish, else the Internationals surely might've been down a couple of goals at the half. The Internationals appeared to be tentative and on the back of their heels, unable to break through with any serious attacks or scoring opportunities, although several shots were taken to no avail, and the half ended scoreless. In the 2nd half, the United Gold continued to attack and were able to score off of a corner kick into the goal mouth and easy tap in for the lead goal, which more or less awakened the Internationals as they played with much more determination and purpose. Several minutes later, the Internationals were able to find the equalizer goal when Ebo rcvd a pass on the left side, dribbled inward toward the mid-center area and lobbed a perfectly placed pass behind the defenders as Skylar timed his run and beat the defenders to the ball near the right side of the 18 yard line also beating the GK who scrambled off of his line belatedly towards the ball as Skylar deftly chipped it over the Gk onto the 6 yard line and bounced into the open net. Sometime during the half, an United Gold defender apparently took a hit/collision to his head and fell to the turf, laying unconscious for several minutes, causing alarm amongst the sideline as players, mom, and coach ran over to his aid. Fortunately, a trainer was nearby working on Brian's possible hamstring pull and quickly attended to the player who regained consciousness and was helped off of the field after 10 minutes. About 10 minutes later, Ebo possessed the ball on a counter attack on the left side, dribbled upfield and served another well-placed ball to Vitalis near the left side of the 18 yard line who turned and fired a hard low shot through several defenders into the right side of the net for the go ahead and game-winning goal as the match ended several minutes later, 2-1, Internationals. In the Championship match on Tue., 3 Jul., the Internationals once again faced the Triangle SA United Gold team as the top (2) teams in a group of eight with the most points would play as Wildcards #1 and #2 in the Championship match. No doubt the United Gold would be up for the challenge to avenge the preliminary match yesterday, but could the Internationals continue to play this tough team without losing focus was the question? An MRI was done on the United Gold player (#2) yesterday which was negative and a doctor cleared him to play the next day, however, the trainer at the site would not clear him to play, unfortunately for United Gold as he was a solid defender. In the 1st half, the United Gold once again displayed its offensive capability and launched (10) shots to goal while committing (8) fouls (including 1 handball). The Internationals' would shoot (7) times on goal and setup (3) corner kick opportunities while committing (4) fouls. After a foul by United Gold at about the 17 minute mark, Skylar served a well-placed corner kick into the goal mouth where the ball deflected around and Nicholas was able to head-in the 1st goal. The United Gold would find the back of the net for the equalizer goal at the 25 minute mark. After the Internationals were dispossessed of the ball upfield on the United Gold's side, they launched a quick counter attack which caught the back line out of position and Mikey was able to get around Nicholas without backup support and served the ball into the goal mouth where it was struck, deflected and struck again into the net, and the half ended several minutes later deadlocked, 1-1. In the 2nd half, the United Gold was pretty much contained by Inter's strong defense, although they managed (3) hard shots with a couple of them being a little dicey as Seth and Ben bumped into each other and the ball was dropped but quickly repossessed by Seth, and another shot almost went in as Seth dove to the ground, body across the goal line holding the ball just outside the line. The United Gold would commit (8) fouls (including 1 offsides), while the Internationals committed (5). The Internationals managed (5) shots to goal and no corners, and the game-winning goal came at the 34 minute mark when Vitalis made a short pass to Nat about 20-22 yards on the left where he dribbled to his right drawing defenders with him and then made an abrupt cut on the ball to his left and fired a hard high left-footed shot into the upper left side of the net, and the match ended several minutes later, 2-1, Internationals. Congratulations to the United Gold team for reaching the Final and playing two very well, hard-fought, quality, entertaining matches with the Internationals, and who topped the Freestate Titans, 5-1, in its first preliminary contest. No doubt they will give CASL Elite (2006 Champ) and North Meck 91 Boys Red (2006 Finalist) all it can handle in the NC State Cup this Fall 207.