Bethesda Internationals

26 May '07. Out at the Poolesville Polo Grounds on a extremely hot day, the Internationals would match up with a very physical HBC Flames (NY-E) team from Region1 Northeast in its first preliminary match. The Internationals held the Flames to just a single shot on goal and (1) corner kick which were both unsuccessful while committing four fouls (including 1 handball). The Internationals managed (4) shots which missed their mark and 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful while committing six fouls (including 2 offsides and 1 handball) and the half ended scoreless. In the 2nd half, the Internationals would once again control its strong play taking (7) shots on goal (including a hard blast from Ebo which the Flames' GK made a good stop/save) and (8) corner kicks but could not finish while committing 6 fouls (including 3 offsides). At about the 12 minute mark, Ben jumped up to clear a header ball upfield and was collided into by a Flames player with both players falling to ground. After severals minutes of stoppage, players were escorted off the field and Ben sustained a Grade One concussion. He will be out of action the rest of the tournament and more than likely will miss the upcoming MD State Cup Final next Sat., 2nd Jun. The Flames committed seven fouls (including 1 handball) and were held to just one shot on goal which unluckily for the Internationals was the game-winning goal. At about the 25 minute mark, off of a counter attack, the Flames quickly moved the ball upfield past the pushed up defenders, and as they raced back to challenge, Joe came off line to about 18 yards out to the right and attempted to grab the ball but it squibbed away backwards towards the left side of the goal mouth where only a Flames player was present and easily tapped in the goal, and the matched ended several minutes later, HBC Flames, 1-0. In the second match, the Internationals would face up with the COSA Express (OH-S)from Region2 Midwest Regional in the second contest of the very hot day. The Express earlier defeated the FCH Premier AC 91W team, 2-1, and the Internationals would not let down in this match against the Ohio team. In the first half, the Internationals denied the Express from taking any shots on goal and allowed (1) corner kick which was unsuccessful while committing five fouls (including 1 handball). the Internationals would take (4) shots on goal and (1) corner kick but all were unsuccessful while committing three fouls and the half ended scoreless. The Internationals' strong defense again held the Express to no shots on goal and no corner kicks while committing five fouls. Although the Internationals would step up its offensive intensity in the 2nd half, shooting 4 times on goal (including a close-in left-footed attempt by Skylar which was caught by the GK and a free kick by V from about 22+ yards out which sailed high and wide over the cross bar) and setting up six corner kick opportunities which were all unsuccessful while committing just two fouls, the Internationals would not be able to finish, and the match ended in a scoreless draw, 0-0. Jamie was shown a RC for USB/language used in conversation with teammates which the center ref overheard and found objectionable, and Jamie will have to sit-out of the game 3 match against FCH tomorrow.