Bethesda Internationals

27 Dec.'07.  On a mildly warm evening under the lights at the superb Hess Fields at Disney's Wide World of Sports, the Internationals opened tournament play against the strong CASL Elite, NC State Champs and Region 3 Finalist, and whom the Internationals bested last year at Disney, 3-1.  This match was unfortunately taken away by the center ref with some very questionable officiating.  At about the 19th minute mark, Jamie attempted a slide tackle and caught some leather on the CASL player and the center ref called a red card on Jamie for 'cleats up' -- clearly a severe penalty in the opening minutes of what would've been a quality, entertaining match between two strong teams.  A CASL player launched an ensuing free kick from about 40 yards out on the left which sailed into the box about 6-8 yards out where another CASL player timed his leap up to head flick in the ball past Seth in the upper right corner to take the lead.  After not calling a foul on CASL for pushing Ben N. in the back in the box, Ben fouled a CASL player from behind and incredibly, the center ref pulled out a red card for a 'ceats up' foul in attempt to tackle the ballat about the 36th minute.  CASL held the Internationals to just 2 shots on goal and 1 corner kick which were all unsuccessful while committing 8 fouls (including the 2 red cards and 1 offsides).  Playing 1 man down for most of the 1st half, the Internationals kept CASL to just 2 shots on goal while committing 5 fouls, and the half ended, 1-0, CASL.  Playing two men down in the 2nd half, the Internationals valiantly staved off a barage of shots (5) and corner kicks (5) by CASL, not allowing any to be finished.  The Internationals were unable to mount any real offensive threat and were shut out from any shots or corner kicks.  CASL committed 8 fouls (including a YC shown to #14 for pushing Skylar in the back and to the ground, a YC shown to #4 for a hard foul from behind on Matt; and, 2 offsides).  The Internationals committed 13 fouls, including a hard foul by V at the 39 minute mark after a non-call foul on CASL for holding V on a run just a few moments earlier, and match ended, 1-0, CASL.