Bethesda Internationals

9 Nov. '08.  The Arlington Legend invited the Internationals to scrimmage on the nice artificial truf pitch at Washington-Lee HS today.  It was the second scrimmage encounter between the two teams and the Legend is a markedly improved team -- and so are the Internationals.  In the early opening minutes, Nathaniel crossed a nice ball from right to left through the goal mouth to Chris but the GK grabbed the ball.  A few mintues later, Skylar served a ball across the goal mouth but it was cleared away.  At about the 10 min. mark, a ball was sent into the box where Chris collected it and struck in the go ahead goal.   With little defensive pressure, the Legend scored off a hard shot from about 25 yds. center which sailed high into the upper right corner past Seth.  A few minutes, later Nathained passed a ball back in the middle to Ebo who sent a long-ball upfield to Vitalis on the left who crossed the ball into the box but it was cleared away.  Around the 24 min. mark, Stephen passed a ball to Jamie on an overlapping run who crossed the ball into the box but it was cleared away.  At the 35 min. mark, Matt crossed a ball from deep on the left into the box to Stephen but the GK caught the ball.  A few minutes later, Ben collected a ball from the right back, worked it upfield and passed to Erik around 25 yds. on the right who sent a hard shot which sailed high over the cross bar, and the half ended several minutes later, 1-1.  Both teams took 2 shots on goal and the Legend committed 4 fouls while the Internationals setup 1 corner kick while committing 5 fouls (including 2 offsides).

In the second half, at about the 8 min. mark, Skylar passed a ball from near 18 yds. right to the middle to Ebo who collected the ball and fired a hard left-footed blast which sailed into the right upper corner of the net to put the Internationals up, 2-1.  At the 14 min. mark, Ebo passed a ball to Chris around 25 yds. left who struck a hard shot towards goal which was deflected behind the end line for a corner kick.  A couple of minutes later, Ebo served a ball from the right into the box which was grabbed by the GK.  At the 20 min. mark, after a foul by the Legend, Patrick's free kick into the box was collected by Ebo for a close tap-in for a 3-1 lead.   At about the 23 min. mark, the Legend took a shot from about 25 yds. out center/right which Mike (guest) caught.   Two mins. later, at the 25 min. mark, after a foul on Nathaniel in the box by the Legend, Erik sent the PK into the right side of the net to put the Internationals up 4-1.  At the 40 min. mark, Philip worked a ball upfield and crossed it from left to right through the goal mouth where Jamie's volley attempt was caught by the GK.  At the 43 min. mark, Skylar collected a ball in the middle, dribbled to around 25-28 yds. center, turned and fired a blast which sailed high into the upper right corner of the net to notch the 5th goal, and the scrimmage ended a few minutes later, 5-1, Internationals.  The Legend were held to just 1 shot on goal while committing 4 fouls while the Internationals launched 9 shots (including 1 PK) and 2 corner kicks while committing 6 fouls (including 2 offisdes).

Many thanks to the Legend for the invitation to scrimmage today and good luck in their league and torunament play ahead.

27 Oct. '08.  The Internationals have been accepted into the PDA Showcase event in Zarepath, NJ, 28-29 Nov., and is looking forward to competing against some excellent teams in Region I, III, including several Development Academy teams:

Albertston 91 Academy (NY-E)

Bayside United FC  (RI)

Black Watch Griffins (NY-E)

Concorde Fire Elite (GA)

FC Delco 91 Cup (PA-E)

FC Westchester 92 (NY-E)

Hockessin SC Clash (DE)

JBS FC Premier (NY-E)

Massapequa SC Aces (NY-E)

Match Fit / Chelsea Marauders (NJ)

NJ Rangers Blue Devils (NJ)

PA Classics Elite 91 (PA-E)

PDA Scholes (NJ)

TSF Academy Celtic (NJ)

YMS Xplosion (PA-E)

16 Sep. '08.  Region I announced the selection of the Region I ODP regional pool squads today. 

Skylar Olson was selected onto the 91 squad, which also included a former Inter teammate now in Europe with his Air Force family, Glenn Verley (ODP Europe).  There were  6 players selected from MD, 7 from EPA, 5 from NJ, 2 from VA, 1 from ME, 1 from MA, 1 from VT and 1 from ODP Europe.  

Nick Alers, Jamie Thomas and Erik Opsahl were selected onto the 92 squad.  There were 11 players selected from MD, 4 from EPA, 3 from NJ, 2 from CT, 2 from VA, 1 from PAW, 1 from RI, and 1 from MA.

Congratulations Nick, Jamie, Erik, and Skylar.  Best of luck ahead!