20 July 2011

Another great day as weather is sunny and about 70 degrees, cool enough to keep a jacket on hand but great weather to play. Crazy day today as we have to run around town to play our last group games as well as some playoff games. 

Boys 14s are first with an 8:50 am game but I think they are still in bed as they lose 3-1, poor game but they still advance in the consolation bracket and from now on out it is single elimination.  Jonathan Otto continued his  scoring touch as he  notched the only goal. 

Boys 16s up next and win 3-0 vs. a weak opponent but also did not play well.  Goals from Michael Feeland(2) and Andrew Doughty led the way.  They advance in the consolation bracket as well. 

Boys 15s thump a Swedish team as it was the Will Coyer show as he got a hat trick in this game and this win advances them into the winners bracket. 

Boys 18s up next and if they win their  game vs. the Germans they win their group, which is a great feat.  We start strong as Eddie hits on a free kick but then give up 2 goals and fall behind 2-1. Eddie ties it up and James Mairson scores the game winner as we win the group. It gives the boys the afternoon off before they start playoffs in the winners bracket on Thursday. 

Girls play at Heden again and lay a big goose egg.  Ed and Charles are not happy with effort, desire, etc, and give an earful as they lose 5-1 and played their worst game on tour.  CC got the one goal but we were never in it. Disappointing. 

We head to our first playoff game as the boys 15s play a Swedish team in the winners bracket.  We dominate play and go up 1-0 as Darren Maguire scores a very nice  goal. We miss chance after chance and allow the Swedes to stay in  it and sure enough they get an equalizer late to tie us.  So guess what, Penalty kicks, the dreaded downfall for Stars 'n Stripes as we have been eliminated more times than I can think of by losing to penalty kicks.

Swedes  are up first and make it
Stewie up next and gk saves
Swedes miss their 2nd
Daniel makes our 2nd
Swedes make their 3rd
Jordan Cano makes our 3rd
Swedes make their 4th
Ivan misses our 4th and we are out once again on PKs, boy I hate this, especially since we were clearly 3-4 goals better.  Lessons are always learned and we will continue to learn.

We are washing our uniforms tonight and relaxing in preparation for another big soccer day tomorrow as we want to play as long as we can. Wish us luck.

Ciao,
Ed

POD:
Girls - CC
18s - James Mairson
16s - Daniel Antoniou
15s - Will Coyer
15s - 2nd game - Daaron Mcfarling
14s - Roman Cano