Bethesda Internationals

24 Jul. ’07. After a light continental breakfast at the Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center where the team/families have been staying since Friday, everyone checked out of the hotel at 7:45AM and headed out on the 45 minute drive to Bryan Park for the USCS National Cup VI Championship match at 10:00AM versus 91 Carolina Goldstar Select. The weather at the hotel was cloudy with light rain/drizzle but by the time everyone reached the field the weather cooperated with partly cloudy skies, no precipitation and temps in the low 80’s. The quality of the fields seemed to progressively worsen with each game as the first match versus Irvine Strikers was played on a superb putting-green-like field but today’s match would be played on a very narrow field no more than 65 yards wide with scattered areas of brown grass/dirt and divits from previous play the past several days. Patrick M. was still rehabbing his foot injury sustained in practice two weeks ago, and Nathaniel was still nursing his hamstring pull sustained at St. Margaret’s camp last week. But, Martin, who had stayed home to convalesce a reaggrivated back injury, recuperated well enough and came down for the Championship match today. The Internationals controlled play for most of the first half and held the Goldstar Select team to just two shots on goal and one corner kick while committing seven fouls (including 1 handball). The Goldstar Select team had a chance to knock in the first goal after a foul by Skylar at the (9) minute mark about 18 yards out center, but the free kick sailed harmlessly wide of goal; however, the Goldstar team would find the back of the net several minutes later. At about the (20) minute mark, a ball appeared to be rolling out of bounds on the right side and Ben held up pursuit while a Goldstar select player continued his run towards the end line. As no out of bounds call was made by the side official, another Goldstar player ran onto the ball and sent a pass upfield to his teammate in the far right corner who quickly crossed a well-placed ball into the goal mouth where another Goldstar Select player kicked it in past Seth who was scrambling to position himself to defend against the cross to no avail, and the Goldstar Select took the lead, 1-0. The Internationals had its chances with four shots on goal, including a free kick and resultant weak header which sailed high and a close in miss to the right of goal, as well as two corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing three fouls, and the half ended, 1-0, Goldstar Select. In the 2nd half, the Internationals maintained their focus and played strong, shooting on goal six times and created three corner kicks while committing six fouls (including a YC shown to Nicholas for a hard foul from behind, and 1 handball). The Goldstar Select team would shoot five times on goal and setup two corner kicks while committing eight fouls (including aYC shown to #13 for a hard foul from behind on Ben F). After a foul by Goldstar Select at about (10) minutes into the second half, Skylar launched a free kick from about (35) yards out to the right into the box where Nicholas was able to control the ball off of a bounce and chested it past the GK into the net for the equalizer goal. Then, at about the (17) minute mark, Ebo rcvd a pass upfield on the right, dribbled a few yards inward towards goal, fired a hard shot but it deflected up in the air. Ebo charged towards the ball/defenders, repossessed the ball, kicked it towards goal but it again was deflected away. But, Ebo, not to be denied, again charge the ball, repossessed it and this time the quick released shot found it way into the lower right side of the net past the surprised GK, and the Internationals took the lead, 2-1. But, the lead would not last long. Just (3) minutes later, after a slide tackle, Ebo inadvertently touched the ball with his hand while on the ground and a resultant PK was called, and the Goldstar Select player kicked it into the net past Stefan who could not stop the well-placed shot, and the match was knotted up again, 2-2. At about the (35) minute mark, Nat was fouled around 26 yards out center. Usuually, Skylar might’ve taken the free kick to send a soft lob into the box for Nat and Ben to attempt to head strike a goal, but this time Nat elected to take the free kick and blasted a beauty over the wall, curving the ball into the upper left corner of the net for the go ahead and winning goal as the match ended several minutes later, 3-2, Internationals. Congratulations to the Goldstar Select team for its strong showing in the USCS National Cup VI Finals after being invited (as the Region A Finalist) when the Roadrunners pulled out at the last moment. Congratulations and Many Thanks to Coach Pete for his focus and determination through the years in developing our boys into top elite players in the region and for molding the team into a formidable contender to be reckoned with in any venue in which it will participate. Footnote: With the recent addition of several players including Nat, Nathaniel, Matt, Ben F., Seth and Stefan, the Internationals’ level of play has been greatly elevated with the depth and quality of talent on the roster now. The team has demonstrated at the Region E and National Cup VI Finals that it can compete with any other top team in the country as the Internationals’ normally strong defense has improved even stronger and its offense has been significantly boosted. While the hotel where families and players stayed was forty miles away from Bryan Park, in retrospect, it was a fortuitous circumstance since it required closer coordination between families and players to schedule meetings with coach in between dining in the W. End of Winston-Salem and with other activities (Celebration Station go-karts/putt-putt) and the one-game-per-day event over the course of four days. Fond memories can be recalled of the entire team and families walking from the Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center each evening several blocks away to dine together at several local restaurants such as My Cousin Vinnie’s where the boys gorged themselves with pasta on two occasions, Bistro 420 where the parents were entertained by a Kingston Trio look-alike/sound-alike band, Fourth Street Filling Station, Foothills Brewing Co. with its excellent micro beers, and Downtown Thai restaurants – all excellent destinations with superb food and ambiance, and, especially the Country Kitchen nearby Bryan Park where on two mornings after the 8AM contests, everyone joined in together for breakfast at this nice mom-and-pop restaurant. Also, the Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center itself was a pleasant experience with the courteous and efficient staff attending to every need uttered by families or players. It truly was an outstanding experience for everyone, and it is hoped that the future will be rock solid for players in the pursuit of their soccer dreams – and of parents’ hopes that many college doors will be soon opening!

23 Jul. '07. After an unexpected early morning passing of a thunderstorm and some light hail, the Internationals fueled up at a nearby IHOP and then headed out for another long drive from Winston-Salem to Bryan Park for a 2PM afternoon match against the CESA FC 91 team from Ohio who had not faired well in its first two matches losing to YMS Xplosion, 0-3, and then to the Irvine Strikers BU15 Black, 0-5. The weather was cooperating nicely at Bryan Park with partly cloudy skies and temps in the low 80's at kickoff time. In the 1st half the Internationals controlled most of the play shooting five times on goal with two corner kick opportunities while committing seven fouls (including 1 offsides), but could not finish -- including a close-in hard shot by Vitalis at the 20 minute mark which the CESA GK made a good stop. The Ohio team would manage just one but effective shot on goal while committing eight fouls (including 1 handball). After an Internationals foray into CESA's box was deflected out, CESA sent a quick long ball upfield behind the back line who were pushed up near mid-center, and a CESA player was able to get past the defenders and collect the ball as it bounced up in the air from the turf about 22 yards out and dribbled 1v1 towards goal and fired a shot to the left of Stefan as he came off his line to stop the shot, and the CESA FC 91 were up on the Internationals, 1-0 at halftime. Meanwhile, the half-time score of the YMS Xplosion vs. Irvine Strikers was 1-0, Irvine, which was good news for the Internationals. If the score held, an Internationals victory over the CESA team would send them into the Final. The Internationals stymied the CESA FC 91 in the 2nd half, allowing no shots or corners while committing three fouls (including 1 handball). The Internationals played with much more purpose and focus, shooting six times on goal and creating two corner kick opportunities while committing eight fouls (including 3 offsides). At the (20) minute mark, Nat rcvd a ball in the mid-field around 30 yards out, held off two defenders, turned and laced a shot to Skylar on the right about 18 yards out who dribbled forward as a defender was closing on his left and the GK came off his line but Skylar was able to tap in the ball into the net past the GK for the equalizer goal as he slid to the turf and came up with a nasty 'strawberry' on his left hip. The outcome of the match remained uncertain as it seemed that the Internationals would not be able to finish the go ahead goal as the clock was ticking away. But alas, at the (36) minute mark, the Internationals finally were able to notch the elusive go ahead goal. Vitalis rcvd a pass on the right side, dribbled up to the right corner area and served a perfect pass into the box where Ben alertly timed his jump up in the air to head strike the ball into the net, and the match ended several minutes later, 2-1, Internationals. Kudos to the CESA FC 91 team for their valiant effort in trying to upset the Internationals as it was heard on the sidelines that several of their ODP National pool players were absent today at call-back camp. And, moments later as the players were picking up their bags and walking off the field, the good news came that Irvine topped YMS, 2-0, thus propelling the Internationals into the Final to face the '91 Carolina Goldstar Select, who have had a fortunate run in the USCS National Cup VI. After the RR's pulled out, the Select were invited to replace the RR's and played strongly to earn a berth in the Finals tomorrow, and no doubt it will be an excellent and well-played contest indeed.

22 Jul. '07. Once again, the Internationals made the long 45 minute drive from Winston-Salem to Bryan Park near Greensboro for another early 8AM match on a bright sunny morning, this time against its friends from Yardley, PA, YMS Xplosion. The Internationals have come to know the strong YMS Xplosion team from previous contests at the Jefferson Cup 2006 where the Internationals prevailed in group play, and the YMS Columbus Day 2006 where the Internationals tied YMS in group play but then lost in the Final, as well as losing to YMS in group play at the CASL Shootout 2006. The superb fields at Bryan Park were covered with heavy morning dew and made for a slippery & fast playing surface. In the first half, the Internationals created a number of scoring chances shooting five times on goal and setup one corner kick while commiting seven fouls (including 2 offsides and 1 handball, and a YC shown to Matt for a hard slide tackle foul on the slippery turf). At the 5 minute mark, Skylar served a ball upfield to Vitalis on the left about 18 yards out and Vitalis dribbled a few yard towards goal 1v1 on the GK and fired a hard shot which sailed wide of goal. Several minutes later, at about the nine minute mark, Nick A. served another ball upfield to Vitalis on the left about 20 yards out and this tiime Vitalis fired a hard shot which found its way into the net and the Internationals were up, 1-0, on the Xplosion. Although the Internationals contained YMS from penetrating deep into the Internationals' goal area and held them to just two shots on goal, one of which sailed wide, the Xplosion managed to finish the equalizer goal at the (13) minute mark after Ben was unable to head clear a ball away and a YMS player collected the ball around 30 yards out mid-center, turned and fired a hard, high blast which sailed over Seth's outstretched hands into the upper left corner of the net. In the second half, both teams picked up the intensity of play trying to notch the go ahead goal. At about the seven minute mark, after a foul by the Internationals, YMS launched a well-placed free kick which sailed high into the upper left corner of the net as Stefan jumped up to punch the ball away but it luckily went over the crossbar. The Xplosion would take four shots on goal and setup two corner kick opportunities but could not finish while committing seven fouls. The Internationals would also shoot four times and create two corner kick opportunities while committing seven fouls (including 3 offsides and 1 high kick). At about the 20 minute mark, Nat rcvd a pass in the middle near 20 yards out, turned and fired a blast but the GK perfectly placed himself in position to stop the shot. With about 1 minute left, Nat rcvd a pass around 20 yards out to the left, turned and zipped a hard shot through defenders towards goal but it went just wide of the far post, and the match ended, 1-1.

21 Jul. '07. After driving about 40 miles from the mandated hotel in Winston-Salem by Tournament Logistics associated with Score At The Shore organization to Bryan Park just outside of Greensboro, in an early morning 8AM match, the Internationals would face last year's Champions, Irvine Strikers BU15 Black, who gave up zero goals in their Region F Championship this year. The weather was splendid with temps in the high 70's/low 80's with lots of sunshine and low humidity. The superb putting green quality fields were wet with heavy dew making the ball slippery and fast bouncing. The only other complaint being the frequent passing of freight trains less than 50 yards away and blowing of the loud horns as they approached a nearby crossing. In the first 10-15 minutes, the Strikers moved the ball well although more laterally and in the back than effectively up front and could not penetrate Inter's strong back line, and the Internationals knew that they could play against this strong California team. Stefan started as Gk and did not have much hard work as the Irvine team would take (2) shots on goal at the (27) and (30) minute marks which went wide/wary while committing five fouls (including a YC shown to #11 for a hard foul from behind on Skylar on a breakaway run. The Internationals would take four shots on goal and setup one corner kick opportunity while committing four fouls (including 1 offsides). At about the 37 minute mark, after a foul by Irvine, Skylar launched a free kick from about 25 yards out into the box where Ben alertly timed his jump to head strike in the first goal past the surprised GK, and the half ended several minutes later, 1-0, Internationals. The Internationals controlled most of the play in the second half as the Strikers appeared to be less organized in their offense and could not penetrate Inter's solid back line. The Strikers would take three shots on goal and two corner kick opportunities which all were unsuccessful while committing four fouls (including another hard foul from behind on Scott by #11 who was shown a YC followed immediately by a RC and sent off the field. The Internationals would shoot three times on goal and setup two corner kick opportunities while committing eight fouls (including 3 offsides and 1 handball). At about the five minute mark, Skylar sent a nice pass upfield to Scott on the right who served the ball into the box where Nat controlled the ball to strike in the 2nd goal. Just five minutes later, Ebo served a ball into the box where Nicholas controlled tapped it over to Ben who struck in the 3rd goal. Alas, with just 30 seconds left in the contest, the Strikers penetrated behind the back line who were caught out of position and could not clear the ball away cleanly. Roque attempted to kick the ball out but caught the leg of an Irvine player who immediately fell to the turf and an ensuing PK was awarded. Seth came in the second half as GK had no chance to stop the hard struck shot which sailed into the net and the match ended, 3-1, Internationals.

11 Jul. '07. The brackets have been set and schedule released for the eight Regional Champions as follows: Bracket 1: Bethesda Roadrunners (MD) - Reg. A Albion SC (CA-S) - Reg. G Santa Rosa United Gold 92 (CA-N) - Reg. H Naperville Lightning White (IL) - Reg. D Brakcet 2: Irvine Strikers SC BU15 Black (CA-S) - Reg. F YMS Xplosion (PAE) - Reg. B Potomac Internationals (MD) - Reg. E CESA 91 FC (OH-S) - Reg D (Premier) The Internationals are looking forward to another very competitive event in its second outing as an USCS team with several newly added players whose talent and skill helped the team earn the Region E Championship in VA Beach last week.