Bethesda Internationals

7 Sep. 2003. Another splendid and sun-filled day for soccer found Inter in the 2nd game of this young fall 2003 season squaring up with the talented and strong Spring 2003/D1 champs, MSC United. Having lost a hard-fought and well-played game against rival RFC '91 the day before, Inter was hopeful of 'turning it around' against the mighty Green Machine, but it was not to be. MSC United put (3) goals in the first half and another (3) in the 2nd half, mostly from defensive miscues and second attempt finishes which Inter's defenders could not counter quick enough to stop. Several ineffective passes were intercepted by MSC United and Inter's defense could not scramble quick enough to recover from the counter-attacks, with resultant goals scored. A nice, strong kick was made by Julio Jr. in the 1st half from about 25+ yards out from the right side, but apart from that goal, all other scores were 'in the box' goals and mostly second-attempt finishers. Congratulations to MSC United for a fine match and win!

6 Sep. 2003. On a pleasant and sunny morning, Inter came out to Reston to play RFC '91 on a nice field -- although the grass was a bit high. The fans were not disappointed, as they were treated to a high caliber game from start to finish. For the first half, both teams dug in defensively as the offenses sputtered and were unable to knock in the ball, 0-0. Inter pretty much controlled the game in the first half, playing often on RFC '91 side with several shots on goal, but in the second half RFC' 91 stepped up the pressure both offensively and defensively. About mid-way through the 2nd half, a nice run was made by their right forward and Philip came out to challenge the player who dribbled/side-stepped with the ball, found an open lane and crossed the ball into the goal mouth as Philip's support could not cover quick enough. However, Skylar was able to race over to kick the ball straight out of the goal mouth but into a RFC '91 player and the ball was deflected back towards the goal next to Rob lying on the ground, who was unable to pick it up quick enough before a RFC '91 player tapped it in. Earlier, Nick's DFK from about 22+ yards out sailed just high over the cross bar, and numerous shots on goal by several Inter players could not find the back of the net today. Congratulations to RFC '91 for another fine game and win over Inter, in what is becoming a great rivalry between two very good, rising D1 teams.

31 Aug. 2003. Inter virtually did not have much quality practice time all week prior to this event due to rain/T-storm shortened practices. And, with the addition of (4) new players -- and (1) sitting out on IR due to minor surgery -- Inter did not show the enthusiasm and hard work it needs to win with synergy and quality team play. Thus, in the 1st game of the tournament, Inter fell to a very determined DCST Blue Thunder team, 2-1. Inter's defense could not stop the two easy goals when it should have contained the DCST players from penetrating the left backfield. Inter's offense couldn't find the back of the net until midway through the 2nd half, when Nicholas crossed a nice ball to Manuel (who was clearly behind the 2nd defender), and as the ball was lofted in the air, stepped in front of the 2nd defender, trapped the ball and then passed to Pablo, who punched it in -- only to have a very belated and wrong offsides call made against Manuel. Inter was able to score just one goal in the last minute of the 2nd half from a nice cross by Nick to Pablo, but too little too late. Congratuations to the Thunder for their fine effort and win! In the 2nd game against an even harder working and stronger determined team, Super Nova 91 (PA), Inter held their opponent to no goals at the half-time, but early in the 2nd half another defensive breakdown allowed a ball to be lofted over the defenders in front of Rob, and a Super Nova player was able to run it down and head it in off of the bounce for the only goal. Inter did not have the luck in this game either, striking the cross bar/side posts more than once or twice and deflecting away/out, and a breakaway shot that missed wide, and another 18-yard strike from the right side that sailed just over the crossbar. Congratuations to Super Nova '91 for a great game and victory! But, alas, in the 3rd game against yet another very hard working and determined team, Montgomery Premier (PA), Inter stepped up its hard work and team play, and was able to dominate their opponent throughout the match. In the first half, Inter was fouled twice within the span of two minutes and (2) free-kicks were awarded at about the 22+ yard/right side, and Nick kicked two strong high balls that sailed above and over the outstretched hands of the keeper into the back of the net; thus, Inter led at the half, 2-0. Late in the 2nd half, a penalty was called in the box against the Premier team, but Nicholas' PK attempt was snatched low on the ground to the right by the diving keeper, however, several minutes later, Nicholas made a nice cross to Sam, who punched it in from the left side about 20+ yards out. And, late in the game with about 5 minutes left, Nat, who was playing up front/left forward, was able to tackle/collect the ball and dribble between several defenders up to 18+ yards out and fired a strike to right side of the net, which the diving keeper couldn't grasp in time. End of match, 4-0, Inter! Congratulations to Montgomery Premier for a well-played match!

15 Aug. 2003. As a result of tryouts held during the summer, (4) new very good players were added to Inter: Luis V., from BSU Blazers, Jonathan M. and Manuel C. from OLNEY Predators, and Nick A. from U13/POT Cougars 91 - White. And, Inter said goodbye to Erik O., who left to the U12/ POT Cougars 92; Thatcher L., who left to the U12/DCST Blue Thunder; and, Mac K. who left to the U12/SSA Hawks; and, also, to Nicky R., who left to concentrate on Tae Kwon Do and baseball. Good luck and best wishes to all!

5 Jun. '03. In the last game of a challenging first season in D1 against the undefeated and talented, division-leading MSC United on a rare, dry, splendid, sunny late afternoon on a beautiful bermuda grass field at the SoccerPlex, Inter came out to play with enthusiasm and determination. Although Inter could not penetrate past mid-field in the first 10 minutes and was constantly defending against MSC's relentless assault/counter-attacks, it was finally able to counter-attack beyond mid-center right with a great cross by Skylar to Nat who pushed way up to the left striking a nice high ball from about 20+ yards out which went over the outstretched arms of MSC's great keeper, Eric, into the net. Inter, 1, MSC United, 0. But, within minutes afterwards, MSC United launched an attack to cut through Inter's defense and a nicely crossed ball from the goal line near the net was struck home strongly by Julio Jr. from near the PK mark. Inter, 1, MSC United, 1. Shortly afterwards, MSC United was again on the attack, and Julio Jr. weaved through Inter's defenders and fired in a bullet to the net beyond Rob's reach. MSC United, 2, Inter, 1. In the second half, Inter could not move the ball effectively, largely due to MSC's strong defense. Two more goals were scored by MSC with one lob to the goal mouth and headed in by Rocque. The last goal was scored with 3-4 minutes left on a break away by Peabo (due to defensive mis-kick) who juked out Rob to tap in the goal. End of match; MSC, 5, Inter, 1. Congratulations to the Green Machine for a great win!