Announcement
13 Dec. '08. The Internationals were back in action after a hard-fought, competitive event at the PDA Showcase two weeks ago. The weather in Williamsburg today was cold, windy with partly cloudy skies. For its first match in the morning, the Internationals faced the Triangle United '91 Silver (NC) on a grass pitch at the Warhill Soccer Complex. Inter's strong defense held the United Silver team to just 1 shot on goal which was unsuccessful and no corners while committing 9 fouls (including 1 handball). The Internationals controlled play and moved the ball around well, setting up 3 corner kicks and 7 shots on goal while committing 2 fouls (including 1 offsides), but could finish only 1 goal which came at the 30 min. mark off of a nice cross from Erik from the right into the box where Nathaniel timed his jump up to head strike a shot into the net to put Inter up 1,0.
In the 2nd half, Inter held the United Silver to just a single corner kick which was unsuccessful while committing 5 fouls. Inter again controlled play in th 2nd half and at about the 8 min. mark, Nathaniel collected a ball up top, dribbled into the box and after eluding two defenders was about to attempt a 1v1 shot towards goal when he was dragged down from behind for a PK. Nathaniel's perfect PK whizzed by the GK into the net to put Inter up 2-0. The Internationals would take 4 shots on goal but all were unsuccessful while committing 4 fouls (including a YC show to V for a hard foul, and 1 handball), and the match ended, 2-0, Internationals.
As the highest U17 seed in the event, tournament officials extended the Internationals an extra exhibition match with a U18/U19 team from Colombia touring Williamsburg and assembled with players from both Colombia and several players residing in the Orlando area. As expected, the Colombia Select team was quick, aggressive and played very physical. The first half of play was basically even with both sides creating opportunities but unable to finish. The Colombia Select team managed 6 shots on goal which were wide or high and a direct shot which Seth caught and 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful while committing 9 fouls (including a YC shown to #11 for USB, 1 offsides and 1 handball). The Internationals would take 5 shots on goal and 1 corner kick which were all unsuccessful while committing 4 fouls (including 1 offsides).
In the 2nd half, the Internationals stepped up its intensity and played more determinedly. Inter's solid back line held the Colombia Select team to just 3 shots on goal which were all unsuccessful and no corners while committing 9 fouls (incudling a YC shown to #13 for a hard foul from behind on Ebo). The Internationals would launch 8 shots on goal, including a nice crossed ball by Ebo from left to right far post where Skylar's header attempt was snatched by the GK and 3 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful while committing 7 fouls (including 2 offsides), and the match ended in a scoreless draw, 0-0.
