January 14, 2010 – Kendall SC’s U9B Blue swept through the Silver-2 group to win the inaugural Soccer Skills Unlimited Naples Tournament with an unblemished 4-0 record. Close on their heels were the U14B White who reached the Gold group Final only to come up short in a penalty kicks shootout.

By the time the U9B Blue reached their last match, the outcome seemed almost predetermined. They had scored three consecutive wins - each by at least two goals – over Grey Ghosts (4-1), Pinecrest Premier White (7-2), and West Pines United (4-2), the team they would meet in the Final. The boys left no room for chance in the re-match, scoring another 3-1 victory that left coach Pablo Podgaetz smiling along with 10 very happy youngsters. Meanwhile, the U14B White saw their hopes for a second consecutive championship come up short by the narrowest of margins. After advancing to the elimination round based on a 5-1 win over Suncoast Spartans Orange and a 2-2 tie versus last year’s State Cup quarterfinalist Kraze Academy-McAvoy, Luis Hernandez’ boys earned a trip to the final with a solid 3-1 victory over Tarpon FC. They faced the until-then undefeated Palm Harbor Elite and took them the distance,

Kendall SC’s U9B Blue celebrate the championship with their coach Pablo Podgaetz

finishing regulation and overtime with a 1-1 score. The ball didn’t roll Kendall SC’s way in the penalty kicks round, but nonetheless the team felt very proud for its accomplishment.

Also participating in the tournament were the U12G White, who had a solid performance, winning their first two matches in the Gold group against Bonita Storm (3-1) and Sebastian United (2-1), before dropping a heartbreaker to Pinecrest Premier 0-1. The U10B Blue faced a tough road in the U10B Silver group, dropping decisions to Weston FC Barcelona, Naples Sharks, and Key Biscayne Milan.