Bethesda Internationals

24 Apr. ’09. Since MD State Cup officials mandated that Round 3 must be played tomorrow, 25 Apr. ’09 at 12:45pm, the Internationals coordinated with Blue Chip tournament officials to arrange a 2-game format for today. Fortunately, the BC officials kindly obliged and arranged an early morning match with our Region I Premier League 2008 friends, Manhattan Phoenix (NYE), followed by the regularly scheduled match with Javanon (KY) at 2:40pm. Thus, the other two games with Scott Gallagher (MO) on Sat., 25 Apr., 10:30am, and Eclipse Select (IL) on Sun., 8:00am, would be released but Pachuca would incur a one-game forfeit penalty accordingly, and the Internationals would fly back to Maryland out of Columbus later tonight.

The Blue Chip Showcase is the biggest, single, most-attended U17 college showcase tournament in the country and our juniors were eager to display their talent against some very tough competition in their bracket.

On a very breezy, warm morning out at Oxford Community Park near picturesque Miami of Ohio U., Pachuca squared against the Manhattan Phoenix (NYE), whom it battled to a hard-fought 1-0 decision in Manhattan last spring 2008 in Region I Premier League South play. Manhattan kicked off against the wind. The Phoenix players were big, fast and worked hard, although Pachuca controlled most of the play. Inter’s usual strong defense held Manhattan to just 3 shots on goal which went wide/over cross-bar and 1 shot from 20 yds. left which Seth caught, and 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful while committing 6 fouls (including 1 offsides). At about the 6 min. mark, a ball was served in the box by (?) and Skylar’s header went wide left. Around the 14 min. mark, Stephen passed a nice ball from mid-center over to Nate about 25 yds. left who dribbled a couple of yards to setup a hard left-footed shot from around 22 yds. which hit the far post side bar and bounced into the net to put Inter up, 1-0. One min. later, Alex collected a pass near 10-12 yds. on the right but the shot went over the cross-bar. At the 18 min. mark, Erik possessed a ball in the mid-field, dribbled upfield a few yards to around 25 yds. center and launched a blast which the wind aided to sail into the upper net past the GK to put Pachuca up, 2-0. About the 27 min. mark, Nate collected a ball near 20 yds. center and fired a shot which went wide left, and around the 30 min. mark, Chris passed a ball from the left side of the box over to Schillo on the right side whose shot was blocked by the GK. Inter also setup 2 corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing 6 fouls, and the half ended, 2-0, Pachuca.

Pachuca kicked off in the 2nd half against the wind. The Phoenix would manage only 3 shots on goal which Seth caught two shots and the other went wide left. Manhattan also setup 3 corner kicks which were unsuccessful while committing 6 fouls (including 1 handball). Inter took 3 shots on goal and setup 2 corner kicks while committing 4 fouls (including 1 handball). At about the 8 min. mark, Erik dished a ball in the middle over to Schillo about 20 yds. left whose shot was finger-tip-saved by the GK for a corner kick. One min. later, Schillo possessed a ball,  maneuvered near 18 yds. center and fired a shot on goal which the GK caught. At the 13 min. mark, Erik passed a ball to Schillo near 18 yds. center for a shot which went wide right, and the match ended later, 2-0, Pachuca.