Bethesda Internationals

3 Aug. '09. The Internationals have participated in this premier elite tournament for the 3rd time (and last) since 2006 which is held at the San Diego Polo Grounds in Del Mar, CA. It is a picturesque venue with a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean a couple of miles to the west and the foothills of a mountain range nearby to the east -- and the normally superb fields compliment Inter’s style of play, although this year they were somewhat dry with some bumpy areas. An armada of hot air balloons was seen flying over the fields during one of the days of the event last year, adding to the colorful festivities of the tournament. The competition usually is strong and quite formidable.  Last year, the Internationals advanced to the Semi-Final -- including a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the current USYSA National Champions, CZ Elite (CA-S) -- before falling flat to the tough Slammers (CA-S), 0-3. This year, the Internationals hoped to advance deeper into the Final, and it was eager to regain its winning ways after two disappointing and close losses in the Region I Championships in early July.

On Sat., 1 Aug., in the 1st game of the U18/U19 Super Group Division, the Internationals were matched up with the U18/Rebels 92 (TX-S).  Although the Rebels were not highly ranked, it was seeded in the top Super Group Division --and they were not  able to mount any real threatening offensive attacks/counters.   In the 1st half, Pachuca held the Rebels to just 2 shots on goal which were unsuccessful and no corners while Inter launched 7 shots on goal and 4 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful except one. At about the 6 min. mark, a ball was crossed on the left bby Matt into the box near 6 yds. left where Schillo collected the ball, turned and fired in a blast to put Inter up, 1-0.  Unsuccessful shots were taken by Vitalis (1) at the 5th min., Chris (3) at the 8th, 9th & 25th mins., Nicholas (1) at the 10th min., and a PK by Erik at the 12th min.  after being taken down in the box. There were no fouls committed by the Rebels and just 1 by Pachuca, and the half ended, 1-0, Pachuca.

In the 2^nd half, Inter kept up its strong play both offensively and defensively, holding the rebels to just 1 shot on goal and 3 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful.  The Rebels played more aggressively, committing 4 fouls and a YC shown to #10 or a hard foul while Inter committed 2 fouls.  Inter again had several chances to add to the score including a PK by Ricardo in the 1^st min. after Nate was taken down in the box, but it bounced off the right post and was unsuccessful as well as other shots by Ricardo (1) at the 8th min., Vitalis (1) at the 9th min., and Chris (1) at the 19th min., and 2 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful, and the match ended, 1-0, Internationals.

In the 2nd match on Sat., Pachuca faced the AZ State Champs,(Tempe) Pros 92 White.  The Pros were big, strong and fast but not overly threatening offensively, although they were quite solid defensively.  The match was basically even for both halves which was reflected by the scoreless draw at the end of regulation play. In the 1^st half, Inter controlled most of the play, holding the Pros to 2 shots on goal, including one which was fired off just as the half ended, and 2 corner kicks but all were unsuccessful. The Pros committed 1 foul and a YC shown to #11 for a hard foul while Inter also committed 1 foul.  Two shots on goal were taken by  Skylar at the 2nd & 29th mins., (1) by Schillo at the 4th min., and 3 corner kicks by Vitalis which were all unsuccessful, and the half ended, 0-0. 

In the 2^nd half, the Pros 92 stepped up their offense and controlled much of the play, taking 3 shots on goal and 1 corner kick but all were unsuccessful. The Pros committed 1 foul while Inter did not commit any.  Inter managed just 2 shots on goal, (1) by Schillo at the 8th min. and (1) by Ricardo at the 10th min. and 2 corner kicks by Vitalis and Patrick which were all unsuccessful, and the match ended in a scoreless draw.

On Sun., 2 Aug., the Internationals faced a tough U19 team, San Diego Surf 91 (CA-S), who were not highly ranked but many of the players were huge, very physical, played hard, and were very strong defensively.  The Surf mounted numerous threatening attacks but luckily all shots went awry/unsuccessful or were stopped by Seth.  In the 1^sthalf, the Surf team took 5 shots. They committed 3 fouls while Inter committed 2 fouls.  Inter was held to just 2 shots on goal, one at the 10^th min. by Schillo from about 6 yds. on the right which went over the cross-bar, and one by Vitalis at the 14^th min. from about 10 yds. left which went wide right, and the half ended, 0-0.  

In the 2^nd half, Inter controlled most of the play and held the Surf to just 2 shots on goal and 2 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful.  The Surf committed two fouls while Inter did not commit any.  Pachuca created numerous scoring opportunities or (8) shots on goal.  At about the 3^rd min., Patrick  fired a shot from 20yds. center which went over the cross-bar; 1 min. later, Vitalis kicked a ball from 20 yds. left which sailed over the cross-bar.  But, at the 8^th min., Schillo collected a ball near 6 yds. center, dribbled across the goal mouth from right to left and slipped in a shot into the net to put Pachuca up 1-0.  At the13^th min., Vitalis took a shot from near 25 yds. center which went over the cross-bar; at about the 24^th min., Chris sent a hard shot from near 15 yds right which went wide right; two mins. later, Eli sent a shot from near 22 yds. center which wide left; and, at about the 24^th min., Chris sent a shot from close-in near 6 yds. left which was headed away.  Skylar also took a corner kick which was unsuccessful, and the match ended, 1-0, Pachuca.

In the 2nd match (Quarter-Final) on Sun., the Internationals faced the CA-S State Champs, United Futbol Black.  The United matched up about the same size as Inter. At times they would move the ball well offensively but Inter’s strong defense stymied them from setting up any real threatening shots on goal.  Their defense was porous and often unorganized which provided numerous scoring situations for Inter.  In the 1^st half, the United managed just a single shot on goal and 1 corner kick which both were unsuccessful.  The United committed 3 fouls while Inter committed 4 fouls.   Pachuca controlled play for most of the half, creating 11 shots on goal and setting up 4 corner kicks.   Shots were taken by Nate (2) at the 2^nd & 3^rd mins., Skylar (1) at the 7^th min., and also Vitalis (1) at the 7^th min., whose laser blast from the left side near (?) sailed past the GK into the net; by Chris (2) at the 8^th and 24^th mins.; by Erik (1) at the 8^thmin; Eli (1) at the 12^th min.; by Ricardo (1) at the 12^th min.; and, after a free kick into the box by Patrick on the left near (?), Nicholas(1) headed in Inter’s 2^nd goal.  The United managed to strike with just 1 min. left in the half after a through-ball got in behind the back line where Seth punched it out but it fell near an United player who collected the ball close inside the box and sent in an easy shot into the net past Seth, and the half ended, 2-1, Pachuca.

In the 2^nd half, neither team managed any offensive threats or no shots, no corner kicks and no fouls, and the match ended, 2-1, Inter.

On Mon., 3 Aug., in the 4^th match/Semi-Final,Pachuca faced the Vancouver Whitecaps from Canada.  The Whitecaps were big, strong, fast, technically very sound and played quite similar to Inter’s style of play with many 1-2 touch passes –but luckily couldn’t finish any of its chances.  The wind was blowing moderately strong near 20mph and the temperature was in the low-80’s for this mid-morning match.  In the 1^st half, the Whitecaps managed 3 shots on goal which went over the cross-bar or went wide.  The Whitecaps committed 1foul while Inter committed 4 fouls (including  2 offsides).   Inter created just 1 shot on goal by Skylar at the 12th min. near 25 yds. right which went over the cross-bar, and 1corner kick by Skylar which was unsuccessful, and the half ended, 0-0.

In the 2^nd half, both teams moved the ball well offensively and created several scoring chances.  The Whitecaps took 3 shots on goal which went wide or over the cross-bar, and also took 4 corner kicks which were all unsuccessful.  The Whitecaps committed 3 fouls while Inter committed 4 fouls.  Inter took 4 shots on goal, including a shot by Eli from near 20 yds. center which went over the cross-bar; but, at the 17^th min. after a right corner kick by Nate into the box, Nicholas’ header attempt was deflected out to Chris near 6 yds. center where he collected the ball and sent in an easy shot into the put to put Inter up, 1-0.  Shots were also attempted by Stephen (1) at the 22^nd min. near 8 yds. right; and, by Erik (1) at the 28^th min. from near 25 yds. center, but both were unsuccessful.   Inter also took 2 corner kicks by Nate with 1 being successful.  With just 1 min. left in regulation time, Erik collected a pass in the middle and as he was dribbling forward near (?), 2 Slammers players sandwiched him from the front and behind in a hard collision with all 3 players hitting the turf.   Play was stopped and Erik suffered a cut above his left eye which required 9 stiches while on the pitch.  One of the Slammers players was taken by emergency vehicle to a nearby hospital for possible concussion.  After a 20 min. injury delay, play resumed and the official gave a generous 5 mins. of stoppage, but Pachuca held on to prevail over this very tough team from Canada, 1-0.

 In the 2^nd match (Championship) on Mon., Pachucafaced its friends from last year’s Semi-Final, Slammers FC (CA-S).   Both teams appeared fatiguedalthough they both worked hard to setup several scoring situations but wereunable to finish.  In the 1^sthalf, the Slammers took 2 shots on goal and setup 2 corner kicks which were allunsuccessful.  The Slammerscommitted 1 foul while Inter committed 2 fouls.  Inter took 5 shots on goal: by Vitalis (1) at the 8^thmin.; by Chris (2) at the 13^th & 14^th mins.; and, byRicardo (2) at the 28^th and 33^rd mins., but all wereunsuccessful.  Vitalis and Patrickeach took corner kicks from the left and right sides, respectively, but theywere unsuccessful as well and the half ended, 0-0.

In the 2^nd half, the Slammers controlled most ofthe play, setting up 7 shots on goal which were all unsuccessful -- and 1thwarted with a nice save by Jamie. The Slammers created just 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful.  They committed 2 fouls with 1 yellowcard shown to #2.  Inter also committed1 foul with a YC shown to Jamie for a hard foul.  Pachuca setup 2 scoring opportunities at the 12^thmin., by Vitalis (1); and, 19^th min. by Skylar (1) but both attemptswere unsuccessful.

 In the 1^stx 10 min. Golden Goal OT, Chris was taken down hard in the box at the 9^thmin. and a YC was shown to (?).  Nicholas’sPK attempt went wide. 

In the 2^nd x 10 min. Gold Goal OT, the Slammersmanaged one shot on goal at the 3^rd min. which was unsuccessful.  Ricardo also took one shot on goal at 6^thmin. mark which was unsuccessful, and the match extended into PK’s.

The Slammers made the 1^st PK past Seth.

Eli made Inter’s 1^st PK past the GK.

The Slammers 2^nd PK attempt was stopped by Seth.

Ricardo made Inter’s 2^nd PK past the GK.

The Slammers 3^rd PK attempt was stopped by Seth.

Skylar made Inter’s 3^rd PK past the GK.

The Slammers made the 4^th PK past Seth.

Ben’s PK attempt went wide.

The Slammers m,ade the 5^th PK past Seth.

Patrick made Inter’s 5^th PK past the GK, andPachuca won on PK’s, 4-3. 

Congratulations, Pachuca Internationals, on a well-deservedSurf Cup Championship 2009!  Kudosto the Slammers for a well-played and entertaining match.

3 Jul. '09.  At long last, after the Internationals were finally victorious in their 5th MD State Cup Final, they earned their 1st trip to the USYSA Region I Championships. as MD State Champions 2009. This year, the Regional Championship was held in Barboursville, WV, for the first time on brand new soccer fields at the Barboursville local park.  Without question, these fields were the worst fields the Internationals can recall ever having played on anywhere coast to coast.  For such a high-level event to have such low-level quality fields is beyond disbelief.  The fields were nothing more than cow-pastures cut short with clumpy weeds in between patches of hard dirt.  Numerous coaches, team officials, players and spectators were heard bemoaning the condition of the pitches teams were dealt to play on.  Nonetheless, the poor field conditions was equally the same disadvantage to all teams, except perhaps for those teams whose style of play is sending long balls upfield to speedy strikers which the Internationals' style of play is not.  It is more a ball control, possession style  of play, requiring a very smooth surface for passing and holding the ball.  Inter knew it would be in for a very tough challenge to play effectively on these bad fields.

In the 1st preliminary match, Pachuca faced its friends from Virginia, GFA '91 Elite.  The last time the two teams played was at the US Club Soccer Region E 2008 event almost 1 year ago to the day in which Inter prevailed, 1-0.   Although the pitch was poor, the weather was great with mildly warm temperatures and partly sunny skies.  Inter kicked off in the 1st half but the GFA '91 Elite controlled play for most of the half, holding Inter to just 1 shot on goal by Vitalis at the 43 min. mark from 18 yds. left which sailed over the cross bar and no corner kicks.   Inter committed 5 fouls (including 1 offsides and a YC shown to Nicholas for a hard foul just outside the box).   GFA '91 Elite played very physically, committing 11 fouls (including a YC shown to #3 for a hard foul on Skylar and 1 offsides).   With its vertical play, repeatedly sending balls upfield to 3 speedy attackers, GFA '91 Elite would strike quickly at the 13 min. mark off of a service into the box which Seth came out to grab but it slipped off his finger tips onto the ground behind him near the goal line and a nearby GFA '91 Elite player tapped in an easy goal.  GFA '91 Elite created a total of 4 shots on goal, including another service into the box around the 41 min. mark but Seth was able to punch the ball out of harms way.  GFA '91 Elite also setup 5 corner kick opportunities which were all unsuccessful, and the half ended, 1-0, GFA '91 Elite.

In the 2nd half, GFA '91 Elite kicked off but Pachuca played more aggressivley and focused, holding GFA '91 Elite to just 1 unsuccessful shot on goal and 1 corner kick into the box which Nicholas defended away on a diving header clearance.  GFA '91 Elite committed 6 fouls while Inter committed 9 fouls (including 2 handballs and YC's shown to Matt and Patrick for hard fouls).   Inter's offensive opportunities were again nullified by the poor pitch and GFA '91 Elite's tough defense, and it managed just 1 corner kick which was unsuccessful, and the match ended, 1-0, GFA '91 Elite. 

18 Jun. '09.  The draw was announced with the Internationals being placed in Group D along with several strong, top elite teams in Region I, including YMS Xplosion, GFA 91 Elite and TSF Academy Celtic:

Group A:

Bruno United (RI)

Kirkwood Nemesis (DE)

LMSC Velez (PA-E) - Premier League

RVSC Rapids (WV)

Group B:

BC United Fusion (NY-W)

Beadling SC (PA-W)

Capital SC (VT)

Seacoast United (ME)

Group C:

Beachside SC (CT)

FC Blazers (MA)

Massapequa Aces (NY-E)

Nashua World Cup (NH)

Group D:

GFA 91 Elite (VA)

Pachuca Internationals (MD)

TSF Academy Celtic (NJ)

YMS Xplosion (PA-E)

It is expected to be a very challenging event with many strong, highly competitive teams in all groups battling hard-fought contests to represent Region I in the National Championship later this month, 20-26 July, in Lancaster, MA.

13 Jun. '09.  The Internationals have been placed in the top Supergroup division along with other top teams:

Group A:

Slammers FC (CA-S)

Sereno SC 92 White (AZ)

Eastside FC 91 Red (WA)

Strictly Soccer Futbol Select (FL)

Group B:

Pachuca FC USA Internationals (MD)

Pros 92 White (AZ)

Rebels 92 (TX-S)

Group C:

United Futbol Black (CA-S)

Mustan Ajax 91 (CA-N)

Texas Fire (TX-S)

HSC Bulls 92 (HI)

Group D:

Vancouver Whitecaps (CND)

FC San Diego B91 Gold (CA-S)

Bay Oaks Gold 91 (CA-N)

LIJSL ODP (NY-E)

The Internationals are looking forward to great WX and great competition in this excellent tournament where many college coaches from across the country will be in attendance.