KENDALL SC’S U15B WHITE REPEAT AS DISNEY SHOWCASE CHAMPIONS
U18B Also Reach Semifinals and U16B Defeat National Champions

January 8, 2007 - Kendall SC’s U15B White claimed a championship at the Disney Showcase for the second year in a row, winning five matches and allowing only two goals en route to the Copa title and leading the charge for what turned out to be a strong showing for the club in one of the country’s top tournaments. For their part the U18 Boys team, composed primarily of USSF Academy players reached the semifinals in the top Showcase bracket before losing in overtime to the eventual champions, Dallas Texans Red.

U15B White

The U15B White, who had won the Premier bracket in the 2006 Disney Jr. Showcase, kicked-off the tournament with a convincing 3-0 win over Michigan semifinalists, Vardar Stars Red. With the score deadlocked at the end of the first half, Jeronimo Giraldo assisted Juan Monsalve, who volleyed it in to give Kendall the lead they would not relinquish. In the second half Monsalve set up Manuel Stoilov for the second goal in front of a wide open net, and Gabriel De Mola capped the scoring with a hard drive inside the far post.

The second match against Delaware state champions, Delaware United Blizzard, was more lopsided than the final 1-0 score would reflect, but the Blizzard made Kendall sweat it out to the end.  Although they did not produce a single shot on goal, Delaware United kept repelling Kendall’s attack until with less than 10 minutes left in regulation Cristian Cabrera worked his way into the area and drew the defense out. He crossed it back to Monsalve, who combined with Stoilov to put the ball in the back of the net.

With a pass to the Semifinals on the line, Kendall SC met Connecticut’s undefeated Oakwood SC, the defending state finalist. A very close and physical contest broke open in the second half when Monsalve capitalized on a corner kick to score the game’s only goal. The game went back and forth with both teams producing a handful of chances and Kendall’s back line of Carlos Monge, Christian Mera, Gustavo Melendez and Oscar Vazquez holding on to score a third consecutive shutout.

The road to the championship would only get tougher with a Semifinal match-up against North Carolina state semifinalist Triangle FC Navy, who exhibited great technical ability. That, combined with the absence due to injury of defensive midfielder, Adrian Garcia, allowed them to control the flow of play during significant portions of the match. A defensive breakdown in the midfield during the first half allowed Triangle to take the lead. Trailing for the first time in the tournament, Kendall did not give up, creating several scoring chances. Finally, midway into the second half Giraldo chipped a pass to Monsalve, who tied the score. Several close calls ensued for both teams, but neither side could break the deadlock through regulation and two overtime periods. In the ensuing penalty shootout it appeared that neither team would flinch. Each team converted its first four PKs and after Adam Yepez made good on Kendall’s fifth try, Jose Diaz de Villegas dove far to his left to deflect what would be Triangle’s final shot and secure a rematch with Oakwood SC in the Final.

After defeating Texas’ Andromeda, Oakwood SC had their minds set on revenge, but Monsalve quickly cooled them off with an early scoring blast from outside the area. Everything appeared to be going Kendall’s way, but an errant pass in the midfield gave way to a counteract and an Oakwood midfielder wove his way through three defenders and scored off a deflection. A war of attrition ensued with Kendall losing its two center backs to injury and fatigue settling in. Garcia, who was back in the lineup, defensive midfielder Tony Quiroz, and defensive subs Christian Teran and Gabriel Rafols stepped in to hold the fort against Oakwood’s relentless effort. For the second day in a row the boys would have to march to the penalty spot to decide their fate. Another perfect sequence ensued with each team converting its first six shots. When Garcia slotted in Kendall’s seventh kick, Diaz de Villegas snatched Oakwood’s next shot to seal the victory and claim the championship.

U18 Boys

The U18 boys showed their class by assuring first place in their group after playing only their first two matches. They led off with a 2-0 win against Real Colorado anchored by a strong defensive effort from Kevin Ante, Victor Angulo, Franklin Blaise, Marco Franca and goalkeeper David Sarabia. But the highlight of the tournament was a 3-2 victory over Texas powerhouse, Solar SC. With the team trailing 0-1 after the first half, Angulo, Cristian Campero, Yeong Choi, Christian Gonzalez, Eder Molina and Hosman Ramos led a spirited attack that produced three consecutive goals. A late goal by Solar proved to be too little too late.

With the group result assured, Kendall took it easy against the Potomac Cougars, dropping that match by a score of 1-3, but preserving their energy for the tough semifinal ahead. The game against Dallas Texans Red proved to be as challenging as expected. Both teams battled through regulation emerging tied at 0-0. The Texans prevailed in overtime, scoring the game’s only goal.

U16B Boys

The U16 boys, who fielded a squad made up primarily of players from the U16B White team plus a handful of USSF Academy players, headed into the tournament’s Showcase bracket  with uncertainty because they were nursing several injuries.  All doubts were laid to rest with a first match win over the defending national champions, Michigan Wolves. The Wolves took an early two-goal lead, but Kendall fought back to tie the score in the first half when Matías Alves earned a PK and Edison Enderica punched it in. Alves and Enderica combined again on a PK opportunity in the second half to take the 3-2 lead, and the back line of Rafael Centofanti, Andres Mills, Andres Moreno, Guzman Nuñez, Fabio Raucci and keeper Bryan Medeiros held on top stop a furious onslaught and preserve the victory.

In the second game, Kendall SC let slip away an opportunity to defeat another national powerhouse, losing to the eventual champion CASL Elite 1-2. They wrapped up play with a 2-2 tie versus Maryland’s Potomac SA Internationals.

U17B White

The U17 boys team, also made up of members of the U17B White and USSF Academy players, dug itself a hole in the first 10 minutes of the tournament allowing two goals to the Dallas Texans Red en route to a 2-4 loss. They recovered with a 2-1 victory over Super Y-League national champions LA FC and tied the Michigan wolves 0-0 to finish second in their Showcase group.