Bethesda Internationals

06 Mar. '06. Brackets have been finalized as follows: Bracket 1 South Central Premier Storm (CT) BAYS 92 (MD) Odyssey Sport (ME) Bracket 2 Inter Bethesda (MD) Bruno United (RI) Super Nova 91 (PAE) Bracket 3 Massapequa Aces (NYE) PA Classics Blue 91 (PAE) Bethesda Ajax (MD) Bracket 4 Concord Clash (DE) Crusaders United Sangster (MA) Buffalo United Elite (NYW)

04 Mar. '06. Out at the old Redskins Park near Dulles airport, Inter played its D1 friends from Manassas, MATT Crew. It was a mostly sunny day with temps in the low 40's but with the blustery/gusty winds it felt like 32 degrees freezing. MATT Crew played with its characteristic strong pressure/determination and seemed to win the ball more often, while Inter looked to be intent on short passing and less vertical upfield. Although it had been training outdoors since early January, Inter appeared to be a bit rusty for most of the first half. Nonetheless, Inter's defenders denied MATT Crew any serious shots on goal, just allowing one shot and two DK's and a single corner kick for both halves. In the first half, Inter managed 3 shots on goal and one corner kick, but neither team was able to score. Inter launched 4 shots on goal in the second half, and the winning goal came about midway thru the 25 minute period when Skylar sent a nice DK from 35 yards out to the left into right side of the goal box about 6 yards out where Ben kicked in the ball past the GK. The match ended 1-0, Inter. 05 Mar. '06. The next day, Inter traveled to St. Stephens-St. Agnes School in Alexandria. It was another day filled full of sunshine and clear skies with temps in the upper 40's, but the winds calmed down making for a pleasantly fresh day. In the first match, Inter faced its good friends and sister D1 team, Ajax, who moved the ball around well and penetrated into Inter's backyard several times but could not launch any shots on goal. At about the 16 minute mark, Vitalis received a pass upfield and dribbled into space about 30+ yards to the left of goal and served a nice ball into the center of the goal mouth about 15-20 yards out where Glenn collected the ball and while turning the ball rolled out to Sam nearby who turned and fired in the 1st goal. In the 2nd half, at about the 3 minute mark after a foul by Ajax, Skylar launched a DK from about 20+ yards out on the left and into the goal area about 10 yards out to the right where Roque collected the ball, turned and dribbled a few yards and then slammed in the second score. The match ended 2-0 in favor of Inter. Inter's last friendly match was against its good D1 friends from Virginia, FCH Premier AC 91W. Inter was in great form for the last match and moved the ball around extremely well. Again, Inter's strong defense shut down PAC's potent offensive threat and did not allow any shots on goal or corner kicks in both halves. After a foul by PAC at about the 5 minute mark of the 1st half, Skylar sent a nice DK from about 30+ yards out to the left into the left side of the goal mouth about 6 yards out, where Jamie collected the ball and fired in the 1st goal. In the second half, Inter revved up its attack shooting 8 times on goal and creating 6 corner kick opportunities but finished just once. At about the 23 minute mark, Glenn sent in a shot towards the goal from the right but the GK mishandled the ball and as it fell to the ground Tomiwa tapped in the 2nd goal. The matched ended 2-0, Inter. All in all a very competitive and enjoyable friendly with very good D1 teams whom Inter will face in the upcoming spring league play. Many thanks to Samir Shaban of ASC Milan, ASC Arsenal and PAC Rangers 89 for coordinating/setting up the Pre-Spring Friendlies.

05 Feb. '06. Inter Bethesda has been accepted into the prestigious The Jefferson Cup for its 3rd outing and is bracketed in the top Championship Division with some outstanding teams: Group 4: YMS Xplosion (PAE)-Champ Inter Bethesda (MD)-Finalist Ann Arbor Arsenal (MI) Group 3: RFC91 (VA)-Champ/R1 Semi-Finalist Concorde Fire (GA)-Semi-Finalist Jersey Crew (NJ)-Finalist Group 2: FC Delco (PAE)-Semi-Finalist Freestate Titans (MD)-Champ Michigan Wolves (MI) Group 1: Clearwater Chargers (FL)-Finalist Roadrunners (MD)-Semi-Finalist Ambassador SC (OHS)

06 Jan. '06. Inter Bethesda has been accepted into the Baltimore March Madness 2006 tournament. Bracketing has not yet been determined.

20 Dec. '05. Congratulations to Nat E. ('93), Nicky A. & Nicholas V. ('92), and Vitalis A. & Skylar O. ('91) for being selected into their respective Maryland ODP 2006 pools.