SLSG Metro 14 Boys had to fight back to salvage a draw in the final game of the US Club National Championships. The tying goal coming 20 seconds from the final whistle, clinched a spot in the national semifinal.
Coach Decker's team playing Ironbound from New Jersey entered the game with a win in both of their opening round games. Consequently they only needed a tie to advance. After Matt Klosterman put the eastsiders ahead 1-0, SLSG Metro relinquished the lead giving up two unanswered goals. The outcome looked bleak when with 30 minutes remaining Jordan Smith was shown a red card and SLSG Metro was forced to play a man down. But last second heroics came off of the foot of Landon Paul as he got to the endline, pulled out in front of goal and cracked one against the back post. The goal tied the score and more importantly put the team into the semifinal.
With a strange twist of the fate, the same two teams squared off in the semifinal. The semifinal was played Sunday afternoon, which meant the two teams would face each other twice in the same day. This one was over early as SLSG Metro scored 3 unanswered goal to win 3-0. Isaiah Seidler, John Horstman and Anthony Brown scored for Metro.
The SLSG Metro U14 Boys, who are born in 97/98 will be the first team in the club history to reach the National Championship game as they face Olimpica from Southern California. In 2000, the 85 team lost to Red Storm in the National Semi Final after upending DC United and Ironbound in group play. Monday's Championship game pits two teams that squared off in the opening round. SLSG Metro, will hope to repeat the first encounter as they beat Olimpica 3-2 behind a goal from Brenston Wolfe and 2 goals from Anthony Brown.
The U13s got their game on track with a convincing 4-0 win over Southern California power Arsenal. Adam Johnes, Nick Heinemeier, Eric Tejeda(2) scored for Coach Hewitt. Unfortunately, they did not get the necessary help to advance. The guys had a tremendous year and are the youngest SLSG Metro or Metro United team to make it into the National tournament. Congratulations to Coach Hewitt and the boys for all of their successes.
No comments:
Post a Comment