Bethesda Internationals

22 Sep. '07. The Internationals were invited by the much vaunted DC United Development Academy team to a Friendly at the RFK Auxillary Field today. After the recent announcement of the Development Academy program by US Soccer earlier in the summer, many top players from various quality teams in the area joined the DC United Development Academy team including several elite players from the top team in Maryland and Region I, Bethesda Roadrunners, as well as several elite players from Freestate Titans, another strong club team and MD State Champion in 2005. Both teams were respected advesarial opponents of the Internationals in league, tournament and MD State Cup play during the past 6-7 years. Interestingly, no players from the Internationals opted to tryout for the DC United Development Adademy team or the other local Potomac SA Development Academy team, and instead declared to stay intact as a top club team to compete in premier college showcase tournaments where exposure to college coaches/scouts will be maximized. It was a sunny, hot & humid afternoon at kickoff and both teams moved the ball well up and down the field but the strong defenses on both sides were quick to shut the door on any quality shots finding the net except for a PK by the Internationals after a foul in the box on Stephen Ho at about the 43 minute. Vitalis stepped up to take the PK and fired in a hard shot past Stefan and the Internationals took the lead at halftime, 1-0. The DC United DA managed four shots on goal and (3) corner kick opportunities while committing (7) fouls inlcuding 1 offsides, while the Internationals were held to just two shots on goal (including the PK) and two corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing six fouls. In the second half, DC United DA found the equalizer goal around the 23 minute mark after breaking through the back line and sending in an easy score. At about the 31 minute mark, Julio fouled Nathaniel in the box setting up another PK which was taken by Skylar who struck a hard high shot to the upper corner past a diving Stefan. Alex took over GK duties from Seth and made a couple of great saves as did Stefan make a nice stop on a hard shot by Vitalis. But, the DC United DA would once again find the equalizer goal off of a counter attack and Alex was unable to retrieve the ball sent arcing into the box before it was struck into the net at about the 41 minute mark. The DC United Da would take (8) shots on goal and setup (6) corner kicks while committing (8) fouls (including 1 handball), while the Internationlas would also shoot (8) times (including the PK) and setup (4) corner kicks while committing four fouls (including 1 offsides), and the very entertaining friendly ended in a draw, 2-2.