Bethesda Internationals

3 Aug. '08. Back out at the beautiful Polo Grounds on a splendid, warm, sunny and still breezy morning, the Internationals faced the Black Watch Griffins (NY-E), which had dropped the 1st two round matches to CZ Elite and Santa Rosa United Gold. It was expected that the Griffins would be playing for pride and Inter could not let their guard down against this determined team. In the 1st half, Inter controlled play and its defense allowed just one shot on goal which went awry while the Griffins committed (9) fouls (including 1 handball and a YC shown to #15 for a hard foul on Chris). Inter launched a barrage of shots on goal in all total (9) which just missed wide or high over the cross bar while committing just one foul. At about the (27) minute mark, alas, Chris received a ball upfield on the right from (?) and served the ball into the goal mouth around 6 yards out where Marcel was in perfect position to strike in the go ahead goal and the half ended several minutes later, 1-0, Inter. In the 2nd half, the Griffins played much more aggressively and with dogged determination committing (7) fouls (including 1 handball and a RC show to #15 for a foul from behind on Nate at the (15) minute and the Griffins played a man down for the rest of the 30 minute half. Inter's back line stymied the Griffins holding them to no shots or corners taken, but their defensive pressure held Inter to just one shot on goal and one corner kick while committing (5) fouls (including 2 offsides). At about the (16) minute mark, Skylar launched a free kick from about 30 yards out on the left into the box where Nat E. headed the ball forward to Chris who finished the shot putting Inter up, 2-0, and match ended several minutes later, 2-0, Inter. By winning its preliminary matches, 1-0, 1-0 and 2-0, Inter amassed a total of (25) points to win the group and move on to the quarter-final later this afternoon and play the 2nd place finisher from Group A, Texans 91/92 Red (TX-S). Our CA-S friends, CZ Elite, had beaten Santa Rosa United Gold in an earlier match, 5-1, and ended up with (19) points, finishing 2nd in the Group and will move on to play the 1st Place winner in Group A, Legends FC/Stampede FC (CA-S) later this afternoon.

2 Aug. '08. The Internationals returned to the highly acclaimed Surf Cup for its 2nd outing since 2006 as a rising U15 team. The weather was splendid with sunny skies and mild temps in the mid-70's. In the 1st contest, the Internationals matched up with Santa Rosa United Gold (CA-N), recent Finalist in the CA-N State Cup. The Internationals continued its strong play from the USCS National Collegiate Showcase last week in VA Beach. Inter's stingy back line held Santa Rosa to just (1) shot on goal which was a wicked blast from the right about 22 yards out that sailed high towards the upper left 90 corner but Seth flew out and up to make a beautiful finger-tip save with the resultant only corner kick by Santa Rosa unsuccessful. Santa Rosa played very physical and aggressively committing (6) fouls including YC's shown to #4 and #17 for hard fouls and a RC shown to #10 for abusive language in disputing a called foul at about halfway through the 1st half and Santa Rosa played a man down. Inter had the wind at its back and took (4) shots on goal and setup (3) corner kicks which were all wide/unsuccessfull while committing (3) fouls and the half ended, 0-0. In the 2nd half, Santa Rosa had the wind at their back but Inter continued its strong defensive play holding Santa Rosa to no shots taken but allowed (3) corner kicks which were unsuccessful while commiting (3) fouls. Inter managed (3) shots on goal including an almost-goal free kick by Ebo from about 30 yards out on the left that sailed high towards the upper 90 right corner but the GK made a great finger-tip save, and the resultant corner kick as well as one other corner kick were also unsuccessful. But, at about the (23) minute mark, Skylar passed a ball from the right side near the right corner of the penalty box to Chris in the middle on the 18 yard line who passed to Nick A. further left on the 18 yard line who passed back to Chris who then slammed the shot into the net for the go ahead and eventual game-winning goal. Inter committed (8) fouls (including 3 offsides), and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals.

 

In the 2nd match later in the afternoon, Inter faced the CZ Elite (CA-S), winner of the 1st match vs. Black Watch Griffins (NY-E), 3-0 (including an own-goal). CZ Elite is formerly FC Barcelona who topped Inter at the Surf Cup in 2006, 5-0. The skies were cloudy and a bit more breezier/coolish this afternoon. As expected, CZ Elite was a very competitive and aggressive team, but Inter matched up with them well. Although they had some very talented players in all around positions, the CZ Elite did not appear to be as formidable as it was when they rolled over Inter in 2006, perhaps losing some key elite players to the Development Academy system/clubs whereas Inter lost no players to DA and improved its roster by the addition of several quality elite players during the last couple of seasons. Nonetheless, Inter had its hands full in a tough, hard fought match with the still very formidable CZ Elite and the 1st half was basically even with CZ taking (2) shots on goal including a free kick and followup header that went just over the cross bar. CZ committed (5) fouls (including a YC shown to #13 for a hard foul on Skylar). Inter also committed (5) fouls and was held to just (2) shots on goal including a hard blast by Vitalis that sailed just wide left and another hard blast from Nat E. which soared in to left corner crossbar just missing the net, and half ended, 0-0. In the 2nd half, play continued evenly between the two teams, attacking and counter-attacking with CZ Elite shooting (3) times on goal including a hard shot inside the goal area which Seth made a great save on, and (2) corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing (5) fouls (including 1 handball and a YC shown to #8 for unsportstmanship behavior). Inter committed (6) fouls (including 1 hand ball, 2 offsides and a YC show to Pat for a hard foul). Inter also took (3) shots on goal and setup (1) corner kick which was unsuccessful, however, at the (9) minute mark, Ebo launched a free kick on CZ's left 18 yard line over to Chris in the box around 6 yards out who then headed the ball further in to Nat who headed the ball over to Ben in an open area just near the goal line who then struck in the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal. CZ Elite furiously launched attack after attack mostly long-balls upfield but Inter's strong defense held on and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals.

31 Jul. '08.  The Internationals have been accepted once again in the top tournament in the nation for the 3rd straight year.  The Internationals are hoping to be placed once again in the top Showcase division where the competition has always been highly competitive with tops teams from around the country. Bracketing of teams remains pending.

29 Jul. '08. Down at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in VA Beach over the course of 4 days in the hot Virginia sun, the Internationals brought their A game with them in all 4 contests. The first game on Sat., 26 Jul., matched up the Internationals with the Indialantic Youth Brevard from FL. The first half play was controlled by Inter which took (8) shots on goal and setup (2) corner kick opportunities which were  all unsuccessful while committing just (2) fouls. Indialantic played aggressively committing (8) fouls while Inter’s strong defense held them to just (1) shot on goal. At about the (19) minute mark, after a mis-handled attempt to move the ball away from Inter’s goal area, the ball was collected by Indialantic and a clean shot was launched past Seth into the net for the socre and the half ended with Indialantic on top, 1-0. In the 2nd half, Inter continued to control play, although Indialantic’s defense limited Inter to just (4) shots on goal and (2) corner kicks. Inter stepped up its intensity and played more aggressively committing (11) fouls. Inter’s stingy defense held the Indialantic team to no shots taken and (1) unsuccessful corner kick while committing (13) fouls (including a YC shown to #4 for a hard foul). At about the (5) minute mark, Ebo launched a ball into the goal mouth where Ben timed his jump to head strike in the equalizer goal, and at about the (13) minute mark, Vitalis served a nice ball across in front of the goal line where Chris was in position to easily strike in the winning goal and the match ended, 2-1, Internationals.

 

In the 2nd match on Sun., 27 Jul., Inter faced the upstart TSF Academy Celtic team, NJ State Champ and Region I Regionals Semi-Finalist and recent Potomac Memorial Chesapeake 2008 Champion. Inter expected a tough match and was not disappointed by the play of the TSF team. The first half was even with both teams moving the ball up the field well and both defenses digging in. TSF’s defense held Inter to just (3) shots on goal which were unsuccessful and no corners while committing (6) fouls (including 2 offsides), while Inter’s defense held TSF to (4) shots on goal and (2) corners which were unsuccessful while committing no fouls, and the half ended scoreless. In the 2nd half, both teams continued their strong play but Inter’s defense kept the TSF team from launching any shots or setting up any corners and they committed (3) fouls (including a YC’s shown to #2 and #7 for hard fouls). Inter would launch (8) shots on goal and no corner kicks while committing (6) fouls (including 1 high kick and 1 handball). At about the (14) minute mark, Chris made a nice pass to Ebo who sent a hard shot into the net for the lead goal. And, at about the (28) minute mark Vitalis rcvd a pass on the left and sent a blast into the net to put Inter up, 2-0. TSF continued to play hard and determined but Inter’s vaunted defense denied them any opportunity to finish. Late in the 2nd half at about the (36) minute mark, Ebo sent a ball upfield to Marcel who collected the ball behind the defenders,1v1 on the GK and sent a strike into the net to put Inter up, 3-0. Just two minutes later at the (38) minute mark, Marcel rcvd another ball upfield again behind defenders and 1v1 on the GK to send another strike into the net and the match ended shortly thereafter, 4-0, Inter.

 

In the 3rd match on Mon., 28 Jul, Inter would match up against the Pasco Jr. Stallions from NJ. Inter controlled play throughout the match, and in the 1st half, Inter held Pasco to no scoring opportunities while they committed (5) fouls. Inter took (4) shots on goal and set up (3) corner kicks while committing (3) fouls. At about the (5) minute mark, Philip sent a pass over to Matt on the left who then sent the ball up field to Chris who then finished a shot to put Inter up, 1-0. At about the (24) minute mark, Ebo sent a nice pass upfield to Nate H. who then moved the ball into scoring position to finish Inter’s 2nd goal. And, at the (36) minute mark a DK ball was launched by (?) into the box where Marcel timed his jump up to head strike in the 3rd goal of the half. In the 2nd half, the Pasco team continued its aggressive play committing (4) fouls and a YC shown to ? for a hard foul. Inter continued to create numerous scoring opportunities with a whopping (19) shots take on goal and (2) corner kicks while committing (2) fouls (including 1 offsides). At about the 1st minute of the 2nd half, a DK was launched by ? from about (24) yards out on the right into the box where Ben was in position to knock in the goal. Just one minute later, Nate H. sent a nice  pass upfield to Chris who sent a shot into the net ; and, at the (36) minute mark, Roque launched a corner kick into the box where Nat E. was in position to strike in the goal and the match ended, 6-0, Inter.

 

In the final/4th match on Tue., 29 Jul., Inter played the Central Penn Alliance team from PA-E. Again, Inter controlled play for most of the match and its strong defense held the Penn team to just (2) shots on goal in the 1st which were unsuccessful while committing a single foul. Inter would take (6) shots on goal and setup (2) corner kicks while committing (6) fouls (including 3 offsides and 1 handball). At about the 30th minute, Ben F. sent a ball upfield to Chris who fired a shot into the net to put Inter up at the half, 1-0. In the 2nd half, Inter’s stingy defense continued to play strong holding the Penn team to just (1) shot taken and (1) CK setup which were both unsuccessful while committing (4) fouls (including a YC shown to #7 for a hard foul). Inter launched (10) shots on goal and setup (3) corner kick opportunities while committing (4) fouls (including 3 offsides and a YC shown to Fabio for a hard foul). At about the (17) minute mark, Chris collected a passed ball and fired a blast into the net to put Inter up, 2-0. And, at the (23) minute mark, Matt sent a ball upfield to Chris who finished Inter’s 3rd goal. At about the (34) minute mark, Fabio sent a DK into the goal area on the left where Vitalis collected the ball and fired in the shot and the match ended several minutes later, 4-0, Inter.

23 Jul. '08. Upon conclusion of the Surf Cup on 4th Aug., the Internationals (Potomac) will formally affiliate with the Pachuca Futbol Club USA in Maryland which is an affiliate of the storied Mexican club, Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico's oldest and most successful club. Henceforth, the team will be known as Pachuca Internationals.

Pachuca FC USA has been newly formed by Julio Zarate, a top area high school coach (Good Counsel) and coach of the renowned U18/MSC Dragons 90, 4 times MD State Cup Champs 2004-2007 and twice Region I Champs and longtime friendly adversary of the Internationals' coach, Pete Mehlert, former head coach of American University, and his older team, U18/Potomac Cougars 90, MD State Cup Champs 2008. Both Dragons 90/Cougars 90 teams will have 'aged out' this fall and be sending most of their players off to college.

With their combined and extensive experience, coaches Zarate & Mehlert will collaborate on the development of players and teams affiliated with Pachcua FC USA to be as highly competitive and as successful as possibly can be both regionally and nationally.