Announcement
Internationals Tied in 1st Prelim Match at Potomac Memorial
23 May ’09. It was a splendid and 3 sunny late morning at the MD Soccer Plex where the Internationals faced the hard-working Metro FC Rapids 91 (OH-S). Although the pitch was dry, it was unusually slippery nonetheless – and it would go against Pachuca in the 1stminute. The Metro Rapids kicked off but Pachuca quickly possessed the ball; however, due to immediate defensive pressure, Erik passed back from near mid-field to the around 22 yds. center, but as Mati attempted to collect the passed ball, he slipped to the turf and a Metro player possessed the ball to fire in a shot past Seth to put the Rapids up 1-0. The Metro team would manage 3 other shots on goal, 2 of which went awry and another from about 18yds. center which was stopped by Seth. The Rapids also set up 6 corner kicks but all were unsuccessful including a finger-tip-save by Seth. The Rapids committed 7 fouls including 2 YC’s shown to #3 and #10 for hard fouls and 1 shown to #5 for USB. Although down 1 goal early on, the Internationals kept their focus and determination, setting up numerous scoring opportunities. Several minutes after the Metro goal and a foul by the Rapids, Skylar sent a free kick from around 22 yds. right into the box where Philip deflected the ball to Schillo whose shot was caught by the GK. At the 19 min. mark, Patrick collected a pass near 22 yds. center and fired a shot which went over the cross-bar. Two mins. later, Erik crossed a nice ball from the right sideline into the box and Philip’s header went over the cross-bar. At the 25 min. mark, Skylar passed a ball from the right side upfield to guest-player from Saprissa(CTR), Ricardo, near 25 yds. center who dribbled 3-4 yds. before sending a strike into the net to knot the score, 1-1. Ricardo also had another chance at the 28 min. mark from about 20 yds. center which the GK caught. And, just as time was exprining, Schillo sent a nice pace to Ricardo near 22 yds. center but his shot sailed high over the cross-bar. Inter setup just 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful and committed 5 fouls (including 1 offsides and 1 hand-ball), and the half ended, 1-1.
Pachuca kicked off in the 2nd half with a strong cross-wind blowing left to right. The Internationals’ strong defense denied the Rapids from setting up any shots on goal, although they did create 5 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful. Metro committed 3 fouls (including 1 handball) while Pachuca committed 10 fouls (including 3 offsides and 1 handball). The Internationals also setup 5 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful. The Rapids stepped up their defense, holding Inter to just 3 shots on goal. At the 3 min. mark, Nate collected a ball inside the box and fired a shot which went wide right. Ricardo received a pass near 25-26 yds. center and fired a hard blast which sailed over the cross-bar. And, at the 32 min. mark, Ebo also sent a hard shot form near 20 yds. center which bounced off the cross-bar, and the match ended, 1-1.
