Bethesda Internationals

3 Jun. '07. After an exhausting MD State Cup Final vs. the Bethesda Roadrunners on a very hot day at the SoccerPlex yesterday morning, the Internationals were back out at the SoccerPlex on a wet, rainy, cold, and an extremely windy day with temps 20 degrees lower than yesterday to play its last game of the NCSL spring season against the old Green Machine, MSC Revolution (United). It was hoped that the Internationals would not have a let down from yesterday's 1-2 loss to the Roadrunners knowing that the NCSL/D1 crown was at stake for the Internationals if it would be able to prevail over MSC Revolution who were definitely up for the challenge. The adverse weather was a factor as both teams would frequently squib-kick the wet ball which errantly sailed wayward from the intended path. With the cross-wind blowing from right to left, the Internationals kicked off in the first half and would manage just a single shot on goal and created two corner kick opportunities which were unsuccessful while committing (3) fouls. MSC Revolution would not fare much better shooting (3) times on goal which all went wide/high and awry with no corner kicks while committing six fouls (including 1 handball), and the half ended scoreless. In the second half, the Internationals strong defense held the Revolution to just one shot on goal and (3) corner kick situations which all were unsuccessful while committing six fouls (including 1 handball). A double YC was shown to Jamie/#13 and Efe/#17 (Revolution) for USB after a challenge/tackle of the ball by both players. The Internationals were able to setup (4) shots on goal and create (1) corner kick while committing six fouls (including 1 offsides) -- and, fortunately, at the (32) minute mark the Internationals were able to notch the game-winning goal off of a counter attack. Ebo delivered a nice service from about 35 yards out mid-center into the goal mouth behind the defenders around 6 yards out where Scott raced onto the ball and chipped in the goal over Eric who came off the line too late, and the match ended several minutes later, 1-0, Internationals, thus clinching the NCSL/D1 crown for the second spring season in a row. It was also the Internationals' 8th consecutive game without giving up a goal after dropping the opener to the MSC Predators, 2-3.