Bethesda Internationals

18-19 Nov. '06. The Internationals came to CASL after a recently successful trip to YMS Columbus Cup as Finalist and hoped to capitalize on the momentum against its strong opponents in group play. The first match pitted the Internationals against the Roanoke Star Premier (VA), VA State Cup Semi-Finalist 2006 & Finalist 2005. The pitch at Fuqay-Varina was small but the turf was in fine shape after the heavy rains on Thursday and younger age group play the week before. The Roanoke team was very quick and pressured the ball/players relentlessly. In the first half the Internationals had the wind at their back but could manage just 1 successful shot on goal, largely due to the Roanoke's quickness and tight defense. At about the 37 minute mark, the Internationals mounted a counter attack and a ball was sent into the Star's backfield about 10-15 yards out to the right where Jamie was able to collect the ball and direct it inward to the center of the goal mouth about 6 yards out to an awaiting Roque who turned and fired in a blast for the Internationals' only goal. The Internationals committed 8 fouls (including 4 offsides) while the Star team committed 11 fouls (including 4 offsides and 1 handball). The Star also took just one shot on goal which went awry and 1 unsuccessful corner kick. The level of intensity picked up in the second half with the wind at the Star's back. Inter launched 6 shots on goal including several close-in open netters with the GK having come out far from his line -- but all sailed high or wide of goal, including 1 unsuccessful corner kick. The Internationals committed 6 fouls (including 2 offsides), with the last and critical foul occurring at the 33 minute mark. As Nicholas and a Star player were shoulder to shoulder attempting to possess the ball, the Star player fell down and a free kick was awarded to the Roanoke team from about 20 yards out to the right. The wall was set but unfortunately Joe was not in position to save the hard, low and accurate strike which whizzed by the wall on the right into the open net, and the match ended in a 1-1 tie several minutes later. The Roanoke Star were able to setup 4 other shots on goal, including a hard free kick shot which Joe saved and 1 corner kick which were all unsuccessul while committing 3 fouls, including a takedown foul by their GK on a break-away by Roque at about 18 yards out to the right -- with no card (red) being shown to the GK. In the second match, the Internationals faced the tough Cobb FC Premier (GA), Dallas Cup 2006 & Atlanta Cup 2006 Champs, whom the Internationals (as formerly Inter Bethesda) bested in the Potomac Memorial 2006 tournament, 1-0. The match started late and would end minutes before darkness fell. In the first half, the Cobb team held the Internationals to just one strong shot on goal by Vitalis which slid inches away from the net and rolled out behind the end line. The Internationals created 3 corner kick opportunities which could not be converted while committing 4 fouls. The Cobb team took 4 shots on goal including a hard strike that luckily bounced off the cross bar, and another which Joe stopped/caught. The Cobb team committed 6 fouls (including 3 offsides and 1 handball), and the half ended scoreless. The Internationals appeared to have the game in control in the second half, shooting 6 times on goal and creating 3 corner kick opportunities but could only finish once while committing 3 fouls. At the 4 minute mark, Roque served a nice ball into the goal mouth about 6 yards out where Ebo timed his jump to head strike in the first and only goal for the Internationals. However, at about the 15 minute, the Cobb team launched a counter attack and sent a ball down field on their left side into the Internationals back line on the right where an attempt to head it outward/away resulted with the ball being deflected backwards into open space toward the goal, and a Cobb player was able to run onto and possess the ball to fire in a strike past Joe and even the score, 1-1. The Cobb team committed 5 fouls (including 1 offsides and 3 handballs). With about 3 minutes left in the match, a Cobb player was fouled around 25 yards out to the right, and a high, arching free kick ensued which dropped into the goal mouth to an unmarked player on the right side of the net who then struck in the winning goal, 2-1, Cobb. In the 3rd match on Sunday, the Internationals faced its friends, YMS Xplosion, who the Internationals tied, 1-1, in group play at the YMS Columbus Cup 2006, but lost, 0-2, in the Final. The Internationals also bested YMS at The Jefferson Cup 2006 group play, 1-0, but were simply outplayed by the Xplosion in this match. The Internationals were uanble to control the midfield for most of the match and many errant balls were sent to the feet of the Xplosion. In the first half, YMS took 5 shots on goal and created 2 corner kicks while committing 8 fouls (including 1 offsides and 2 handballs). Vitalis appeared to have been fouled in the box but unfortunately no call was made. At about the 19 minute mark, YMS countered off an ineffectivelly cleared ball and sent a through pass to a YMS player around 6 yards out who fired in the first goal. The Internationals could manage just 2 shots on goal while committing 4 fouls. The Internationlas tightened up its defense in the second half, allowing YMS just two shots on goal and 1 corner kick while committing 7 fouls (including 1 offsides). Similar to the Cobb match, with about 3 minutes left, YMS would notch their second goal after a pass was misdirected in the box and a YMS player intercepted the ball to slam in the easy goal from the right side about 6-8 yards out. The Internationals managed 3 shots on goal and corner kick which all were unsuccessful while committing 9 fouls (inlcuding 3 offsides) -- Nicholas was shown a YC for dissenting a called foul, and the match ended, 2-1, YMS Xplosion, who would go onto the Final and fall to the Michigan Wolves, 1-0.

07 Nov. '06. The Internationlas have been placed in the top Champions A Division along with other outstanding teams from Regions I, II and III: Group A CASL Elite (NC) East TN Select (TN) Michigan Wolves (MI) BRYC '91 (VA) Group B YMS Xplosion (PA-E) Potomac Internationals (MD) Roanoke Star (VA) Cobb FC Premier (GA) The Internationals are looking to continue its strong play on the heels of the recent Columbus Cup at Yardley in October, where it finished as a Finalist.

4 Nov. '06. After a couple of past attempts to get together for a friendly, the Arsenal and Internationals at last finally faced off at the SoccerPlex on a sunny but chilly day. Several players from both Arsenal/Internationals were teammates at B-CC and/or ODP and had fun playing against each other. The Internationals moved the ball well and played in the Arsenal's half for the initial 4-5 minutes, but the Arsenal would strike first off of a counter attack at about the 6 minute mark. An open Arsenal player on the right side received a long ball around 25-30 yards and fired a superb, hard, high shot into the left upper 90 of the net past Joe who could do nothing to prevent the shot from going in. Although the Internationals continued to move the ball well, the Arsenal's solid defensive back line stymied the Internationals from penetrating deep and open enough to take any shots on goal; however, at the 23 minute mark, the Internationals were able to score off of a corner kick by Skylar which sailed low into center of the box about 6 yards out, and after a flurry of action the ball deflected outward to Jamie about 15 yards out center who then struck in the equalizer goal. But, the Arsenal would score twice more before the half ended. At about the 29 minute and 35 minute marks, the Arsenal penetrated deep in behind the defense near the end line and successfully crossed low, short balls across an open goal mouth to teammates on the far post who easily struck in the two goals from left to right and then right to left, respectively. The Arsenal would shoot 5 times on goal, no corner kicks and committed 5 fouls, while the Internationals were held to no shots on goal, 1 corner kick and committed 1 foul. In the second half, the Internationals controlled play for the first 20-25 minutes, shooting 4 times on goal, 2 corner kicks but could not finish while committing 5 fouls (including 1 offsides). The Arsenal would control play for the remainder of the half, also shooting 4 times on goal to no avail (including a strong hard shot which Joe made a great save/stop) and 1 unsuccessful corner kick while committing 5 fouls (including 1 handball), and the scrimmage ended, 3-1, Arsenal.

7-8 Oct. '06. The all-day/evening long rain on Friday abated in time for the games to be played on Saturday at Macclesfield Park in the quaint borough of Yardley, PA. It was the Internationals' first participation in this highly acclaimed tournament which is usually contested by top Region I teams. The Internationals were placed in the Championship bracket with Clearwater Chargers/FL (FL Champs & Region III Semi-Finalist) and Yardley Xplosion/PAE (PAE Finalist & Region I Semi-Finalist). In the first match of the day, the Internationals faced its friends from The Jefferson Cup Final, Clearwater Chargers, who easily won that event, 4-0. On a short field, the first half of the 1st half was evenly played but the Chargers took control of the second half of the period with relentless pressure and effective counter attacks, shooting 5 times on goal but could not finish. The Chargers mid-field and left back in particular were very impressive in their play and foiled the Internationals from creating any serious threat, although they did shoot just once on goal which went awry. The Chargers played hard and aggressive but committed only 1 foul, while the Internationals committed 6 fouls, and the half ended scoreless. In the second half, the Internationals appeared to be more energized and played with focus & determination, shooting 4 times on goal and created 2 corner kick opportunites while commitiing 7 fouls (including 2 offsides and 1 handball). At about the 23 minute mark, Skylar received a pass on the left about midfield and raced downfield towards the Chargers' goal where he was challenged by a Chargers defender in the box. Both were shoulder to shoulder as Skylar leaned inward towards the net, and both fell to the turf with a fortuitous foul being called on the Chargers defender. Vitalis stepped up to take the PK and fired in a hard shot to the back of the net past the GK. Although the Chargers played more aggressivley in the second half and committed 4 fouls, the Internationals' strong defensive back line held the Chargers to just 2 unsuccessful shots on goal, and the match ended, 1-nil, Internationals. In the second match of the day on a longer pitch, the Internationals faced its other friends from the Jefferson Cup group play, YMS Xplosion, where the Internationals, prevailed in that event, 1-0. In the first half of the 1st half, of what would be a very physical match, in which Roque received a YC for a hard foul, the Internationals controlled most of the play but the Xplosion took charge in the second half of the period. The Internationals could manage only 2 shots on goal and created 1 corner kick, which all were unsuccessful, and committed 3 fouls (including 1 offsides), while the Xplosion took 5 shots on goal and created 4 corner kick situations -- all but one were unsuccessful, which came with just 1 minute left in the half. After a ball was sent into the box by YMS, the Internationals cleared/passed short and YMS intercepted to put in an easy shot into the net to the left of Joe. In the 2nd half, the Xplosion continued its control of play and pressured/challenged the Internationals on every ball possesion. The Xplosion took 4 shots on goal and created 2 corner kicks, but all went awry/unsuccessful, while committing 6 fouls. The Internationals managed just 2 shots on goal and no corner kicks due to the Xplosion's strong defensive back line, and committed 2 fouls (including 1 offsides). After a foul by Xplosion at about the 20 minute mark, Vitalis took a hard free kick shot from 25 yards out to the center which sailed between everyone in the box straight to the net past the surprised GK, and the match ended in a draw, 1-1. As both the Xplosion and Internationals prevailed over the Chargers, a PK period ensued to determine 1st and 2nd Place finish of the group for Semi-Final grouping. The 1st PK period ended in a draw, 4-4, and a sudden death 2nd PK period ensued. YMS made the 1st shot, but the Internationals missed its first attempt, striking the side post and deflecting across the goal mouth, off of the GK and outward away. The Xplosion would win the group and go on to play the Roadrunners in Semi-Final A, while the Internationals would go on to play the winner of the other group, LMSC Velez, in Semi-Final B. In the Semi-Final match, the Internationals played its friends from the BSC Thanksgiving 2005, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The LMSC Velez are a much improved team from last November, with many bigger and skillful players, and they would control the 1st half, shooting 3 times on goal and creating 2 corner kicks while committing 5 fouls (including 1 offsides). At about the 17 minute mark, after what appeared to be a missed attempt by the Internationals to kick/clear the ball away, a Velez player possessed the ball and in the blink of an eye, the ball was sailing past Joe into the next. The Velez held the Internationals to just a single shot on goal which went awry. The Internationals committed only 1 foul, and although they created 3 corner kick opportunities, all were unsuccessful, and the half ended, 1-0, Velez. The Internationals stepped up its intensity of play in the second half and the defense allowed Velez just a single shot on goal which went awry and no corner kicks, while committing 8 fouls -- including a hard shot to the back of Jamie, knocking him to the turf but no YC shown. The Internationals' offensive movement of the ball was much crisper, shooting 3 times on goal and setting up 4 corner kick opportunities, while committing 4 fouls (including 1 handball). At about the 4 minute mark, after a foul by the Velez, Skylar launched a free kick from about 22+ yards out on the left into the box where Vitalias alertly struck in the equalizer goal, and the half ended in a draw, 1-1. In the first 5 minute OT period, Velez managed just 1 shot on goal which was unsuccessful, no corner kicks and committed 3 fouls. The Internationals could manage no shots on goal but did create 1 corner kick opportunity which was unsuccessful, while committing 2 fouls. In the second 5 minute OT period, neither Velez nor the Internationals were able to take any shots on goal, although the Velez managed 1 unsuccessful corner kick. Both teams committed 1 foul each, and the match ensued into FIFA penalty kicks. After having experienced a PK tune-up the night before against the Xplosion, the Internationals, and Joe in particular, seemed to be much more relaxed and prepared than Velez. Taking a cue from the Xplosion GK last night, Joe walked out to shake the hand of the first Velez player as he marched out to setup to take the PK -- and Joe saved the shot. Velez missed the 2nd PK, but scored on the 3rd attempt and Joe saved the 4th shot, and Velez missed the 5th attempt, while the Internationals made 4 shots and missed just 1 to prevail, 3-1, earning a berth in the Championship match against the Xplosion, who prevailed, 3-2 over the fabled Roadrunners, who won 4 Championship matches at Yardley over the course of 5 attempts. In the first half of the Championship match, the Internationals and Xplosion played mostly evenly with both teams shooting just once on goal to no avail. The Xplosion created 1 corner kick opportunity which was unsuccessful and created 6 fouls (including 2 handballs), while the Internationals created 7 fouls (including 2 offsides and 1 handball), and the 1st half ended scoreless. The Xplosion stepped up its offensvie attack in the second half, shooting 4 times on goal, creating 4 corner kick situations while committing 8 fouls. At about the 10 minute mark, after a long ball was sent towards the Internationals goal, a defender chased down the ball and shielded it between his feet as it was slowing rolling towards the goal area 18 yard line while an Xplosion player was running closely behind him in an attempt to try and tackle the ball away. Joe ran up to collect the rolling ball as it crossed into the goal area, but incredibly, the center official (positioned well behind the action in the mid-center area) called an infraction for kicking the ball to the GK, which appeared not to have occurred. The free kick was placed in the center at the 19 yard mark, and the Xplosion player fired a nice shot between everyone into the net past Joe. Just 5 minutes later, the Xplosion sent a nice corner kick from the left into the box at the 6 yard line, and a melee of action followed with the Xplosion successfully kicking in the second goal of the match. The Xplosion's strong defense held the Internationals to no shots on goal, and 1 corner kick situation which was unsuccessful, while committing 3 fouls (including 1 handball), and the match ended, 2-0, Xplosion. Congratulations to the YMS Xplosion on a well-earned Championship. Regrettably, the Internationals had not participated in this excellent event in previous years as formerly Inter Bethesda, and unfortunately it will be the last time as maximum U15 age group for this tournament.

01 Oct. '06. After a night filled with on and off rain showers, the sun would shine bright in the morning on the nice fields at the MD SoccerPlex when the first match of the 2-game mini-scrimmage fest saw a newly revamped MSC Revolution (ex-United), now coached by Philip Gyau facing its old arch-rival, Beth. Roadrunners, now assisted/trained by Julio Arjona, and 3 ex-MSC United Players, including Julio Jr. The contest was an entertaining and somewhat even match with both teams creating a number of opportunities, and in the end, the talented RR's bested MSC Revolution, 3-2. But, MSC Revolution will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with come MD State Cup play with the addition of several new, talented and skillful players. In the second match, the Internationals faced the strong BRYC Premier '91 in a tune-up scrimmage for Yardley next weekend (and VA State Cup for BRYC). The last scrimmage belonged to BRYC Premier '91, 1-0, played at GWU/Mt. Vernon campus turf field in July. The Internationals kicked off and set up an attack against BRYC defenders but it was soon foiled and BRYC launched a counter-attack, penetrating deep into the Internationals back line, and at about the 5 minute mark, after a defender slipped while attempting to run to clear the ball out and Joe unable to react quickly enough to jump out from his line to grab the ball, a BRYC player easily struck in the 1st goal. BRYC would manage just 3 shots on goal and no corner kicks, while committing 4 fouls. The Internationals would shoot 4 times on goal, including a nice shot by Patrick from about 20 yards out center that sailed high and hit the cross bar, richocheted downward and appeared to have bounced behind/over the goal line for a score, but the center ref could not see it from his position and the parent AR did not make the call. The Internationals took 4 shots on goal and created 2 corner kick opporutnities which were unsuccessful, and created 5 fouls (including 3 offsides and 1 handball). Finally, the equalizer goal would come with about 5 minutes left in the half at about the 35 minute mark. After a foul by BRYC, Skylar launched a free kick from about 20 yards on the left into the box where a scrum of players attacked the ball and Vitalis came up with the ball, flipped it up to himself and then slammed in a hard volley shot into the net. The second half was mostly controlled by the Internationals, shooting 4 times on goal, including a nice header attempty by Jeff about 6 yards out to the right, which just missed to the right side post and sailed behind the end line. The Internationals created 1 corner kick opportunity which was unsuccessful, and committed 5 fouls (including 3 handballs and 1 offsides), while BRYC took 3 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks but could not finish, and committed 5 fouls (including 1 handball and 1 offsides), and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.