Bethesda Internationals

01 Oct. '06. After a night filled with on and off rain showers, the sun would shine bright in the morning on the nice fields at the MD SoccerPlex when the first match of the 2-game mini-scrimmage fest saw a newly revamped MSC Revolution (ex-United), now coached by Philip Gyau facing its old arch-rival, Beth. Roadrunners, now assisted/trained by Julio Arjona, and 3 ex-MSC United Players, including Julio Jr. The contest was an entertaining and somewhat even match with both teams creating a number of opportunities, and in the end, the talented RR's bested MSC Revolution, 3-2. But, MSC Revolution will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with come MD State Cup play with the addition of several new, talented and skillful players. In the second match, the Internationals faced the strong BRYC Premier '91 in a tune-up scrimmage for Yardley next weekend (and VA State Cup for BRYC). The last scrimmage belonged to BRYC Premier '91, 1-0, played at GWU/Mt. Vernon campus turf field in July. The Internationals kicked off and set up an attack against BRYC defenders but it was soon foiled and BRYC launched a counter-attack, penetrating deep into the Internationals back line, and at about the 5 minute mark, after a defender slipped while attempting to run to clear the ball out and Joe unable to react quickly enough to jump out from his line to grab the ball, a BRYC player easily struck in the 1st goal. BRYC would manage just 3 shots on goal and no corner kicks, while committing 4 fouls. The Internationals would shoot 4 times on goal, including a nice shot by Patrick from about 20 yards out center that sailed high and hit the cross bar, richocheted downward and appeared to have bounced behind/over the goal line for a score, but the center ref could not see it from his position and the parent AR did not make the call. The Internationals took 4 shots on goal and created 2 corner kick opporutnities which were unsuccessful, and created 5 fouls (including 3 offsides and 1 handball). Finally, the equalizer goal would come with about 5 minutes left in the half at about the 35 minute mark. After a foul by BRYC, Skylar launched a free kick from about 20 yards on the left into the box where a scrum of players attacked the ball and Vitalis came up with the ball, flipped it up to himself and then slammed in a hard volley shot into the net. The second half was mostly controlled by the Internationals, shooting 4 times on goal, including a nice header attempty by Jeff about 6 yards out to the right, which just missed to the right side post and sailed behind the end line. The Internationals created 1 corner kick opportunity which was unsuccessful, and committed 5 fouls (including 3 handballs and 1 offsides), while BRYC took 3 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks but could not finish, and committed 5 fouls (including 1 handball and 1 offsides), and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.