Bethesda Internationals

15 Aug. '08.   At the Disney Soccer Showcase event in Dec. '07, Vitalis Atemafac was selected as an All-Star player from the Internationals along with All-Star players from the other teams in the Showcase Division.  Next Tue., 19 Aug., Vitalis will head to England to hook up with the other All-Star players from teams around the USA for training of the new Disney All-Stars team in  preparation for the inaurgural Chelsea FC Youth Cup tournament during 23-25 Aug. to be held at Chelsea FC new Academy and Community Pavilion in Cobham.   In the All-Stars U17 group are teams from Bayern Munich (GER), Ajax  (HOL) and Tolyatti FC (RUS).  In the other U17 group are teams from Chelsea FC (ENG),  River Plate (ARG), Al-Nejmeh FC (LBN) and Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR).   Goo luck, V, and have fun!

12 Aug. '08. Last Thu./Fri., professional scouts from the storied Mexican club, Pachuca Club de Futbol, were in town to evaluate players at a tryout session held at the Maryland SoccerPlex.  Today, the Director of Coaching for Pachuca FC USA, Julio Zarate, announced that the scouts indicated to him that they were intrigued with the play of Skylar Olson and would be following him for an invitation to a mini-camp in Mexico for a professional opportunity in the near future.  Skylar is a member of the Region I '91 ODP pool, and has been a returning member to the Maryland '91 ODP squad for the last 5 years. Congratulations, Skylar, and good luck in the future ahead!

11 Aug. '08. After seeing Seth MacMillan at USCS National Collegiate Showcase in VA Beach, 26-29 July, and again at the Surf Cup in San Diego, 2-4 Aug., the US Men's National team has invited Seth to a mini-camp with other select invitees and MNT players in Bradenton, FL, next week. Congratulations, Seth, a well-deserved honor, after holding opponents to just 1 goal in 4 games (16-1) at the USCS Showcase, and shutting out teams in the first 4 games at the Surf Cup (5-0) before a tough loss in the 5th game with the Slammers FC (0-3) as a result of some defensive breakdowns due to fatigue and substitutions. In both events, Seth made some outstanding saves which no doubt caught the eye of the MNT coaches in attendance. Seth is also a member of the Maryland '91 ODP squad for 2007-2008.

4 Aug. '08. Back out at the Polo Club on a gorgeous Monday morning, the Internationals faced the Slammers FC from Newport Beach, CA, in the Semi-Final. Meanwhile on an adjacent field, the CZ Elite faced the Arsenal FC in the other Semi-Final action. The first half was an even contest between two determined teams with the Slammers taking (3) shots on goal, no corners and committed (8) fouls (inlcuding 1 offsides). The Internationals managed (3) shots on goal including a header by Chris off of a free kick by Ben N. but the ball was caught by the GK. Another free kick by Pat and followed by Nat's header went high over the cross bar. Inter committed (6) fouls (including 2 offsides), and the half ended scoreless. Just 23 secs into the 2nd half, the Slammers FC took a ball upfield on the left side and broke through the right back line and slammed in a shot past Seth into the net to take the lead, 1-0. The Slammers FC intensified their attacking/counter-attacking taking (5) shots on goal and set up (2) corner kicks while committing (8) fouls (including a YC shown to #2 for a hard foul from behind on Pat). The Slammer's defense stiffened up, allowing Inter just (2) shots on goal including a free kick by Ben into the goal mouth where Nat headed the ball forward to Chris who headed in the goal at the (5) minute mark -- but it was called back due to an offsides call. Another shot by Ebo went high over the cross bar and (1) corner kick was unsucessful while committing (4) fouls (including 1 offsides). The Slammers scored just after Ben's free kick, again penetrating the back right line and stuffing a shot into the net past Seth at the (6) minute mark. The Slammers scored again at the (13) minute mark while Inter was unable to finish a goal. Congratulations to the Slammers for their well deserved win.

In the Champsionship match later in the afternoon, the Slammers faced the Arsenal FC who prevailed over CZ Elite in the other Semi-Final, 1-0. Arsenal FC then prevailed over the Slammers FC in the Champsionship match, 2-1.

In the quarter-final match vs. Texans 91/92 Red (TX-S), Inter controlled play in the first half shooting (5) times but could not finish and no corner kicks while committing (5) fouls. Again, Inter's strong back line held the Texans to no shots or corners while they committed (9) fouls (including 1 handball and 2 offsides) and the half ended scoreless. In the 2nd half, the Texans stepped up their defensive pressure playing more determined and aggressively. However, Inter held the Texans to no shots and (1) corner kick which was unsuccessful while the Texans committed (7) fouls (including 1 offsides and a YC shown to #19 for dissent). Inter played aggressively as well committing (8) fouls (including 2 offisides and a YC shown to Jamie for a hard foul). Inter had a couple of chances to finish on two close situations with a good cross by Stephen into the box where Nat could've easily headed the ball but instead volley kicked it high over the cross bar; also, Stephen later rcvd a ball upfield and made a 1v1 run on the GK close in but the ball got away before he could shoot on goal. At about the (29) minute mark, Skylar launched a service from about 30 yards out on the right into the goal mouth where Nat collected the ball, turned and fired in the game-winning shot, and the half ended seconds later, 1-0, Internationals. The Internationals will move on to play in the Semi-Final tomorrow against another CA-S team, Slammers FC, who prevailed over the SD Surf White (CA-S) in quarter-final play earlier. And, the CZ Elite won over Legends/Stampede FC, 3-0.