Bethesda Internationals

29 Mar. '08. After the earlier 1st match ended, players and families dispersed off of Randall’s Island to seek inside shelter/warmth & food in Manhattan and Brooklyn before the 2nd match later against Buffalo United Elite (NYW) at 4PM. Brian and his father went to visit Columbia U. and upon their return to pay the Triboro Bridge toll, unfortunately discovered that Bill’s wallet went missing – somewhere at Columbia U. Luckily, they had enough coins in the car to pay the toll to cross the bridge, and also luckily, Brian had his ATM card with him so they could find an ATM to get some cash to pay for bridge and other tolls on the way home again. The Buffalo United team prevailed as the Region I W. Appalachian Champs and NYW State Champs last year. The Internationals once again started on the 1st half of play against the still strong blowing wind. The Buffalo United players were very athletic and worked hard, pressuring the ball while committing (7) fouls. But, Inter’s strong defense stymied the Buffalo team, preventing them taking any shots or corners. The Internationals attempted (6) shots on goal and (2) corner kick opportunities while committing (7) fouls including 1 handball, 2 offsides and YC shown to Ben N. for foul on a Buffalo player from behind – just after not getting a call on Buffalo for clearly fouling Ben in the box only seconds earlier. At about the (4) minute mark, Nat sent a great pass from mid-field to Skylar upfield about 25 yards out on the left where he dribbled towards goal a few yards, turned with the ball to find space and fired a nice shot which sailed into the right side of the net to take the lead. The Buffalo GK made a couple of nice saves including a close-in shot by Skylar and the half ended, 1-0, Internationals. The 2nd half was all Internationals, although the Buffalo team would take (3) shots on goal and setup (1) corner kick but all were unsuccessful including a hard blast from about (18) yards out on the right but was deflected by Seth with another great save. The Buffalo team committed (7) fouls including a break-away foul in the box on Nathaniel H. at the (23) minute mark. Vitalis stepped up and took the PK which he easily made. Prior to V’s PK, at about the (10) minute mark, a melee ensued in the box to clear out a ball but Vitalis was in good position to strike in the goal. At about the (13) minute mark, Patrick passed back a nice ball from the right side around 18 yards out to Roque around 22-25 yards out who blasted the ball hard high towards goal just over the fingertips of the GK, striking the cross bar and bounced down to the turf and then upward onto the left side bar and then into the upper left corner of the net. At the (22) minute mark, Fabio passed a nice ball to Ben F. on the right about 18 yards out to right-center where he eluded a defender and found an open space to fire a shot past the Gk and into the net. With the wind at their backs, the Internationals would take (11) shots on goal, (5) corner kicks wile committing (6) fouls – all offsides! The Buffalo team was clearly frustrated and at the (29) minute mark the GK picked up a ball outside the box and a free kick was taken by Ebo who blasted in the shot over the wall of players and into the net, and the match ended several minutes later, 6-0, Internationals.