Undefeated Performance in the Showcase Qualifier Gives Team a Direct Pass to the Event’s Showcase Bracket in December
September 7, 2011 – Kendall SC’s U18B White put in a commanding defensive performance in winning its bracket at the Disney Showcase Qualifier, allowing only one goal over the course of five undefeated matches. With the title, the team secured a direct invitation to the Showcase group at the Disney Soccer Showcase in December, where they will have the opportunity to display their talent against top competition in front of college coaches from around the country at a critical point in their recruiting process.
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Luis Calix’ U18B White team started off group play on a high note with a 2-0 win over Florida’s #9-ranked FC United of Florida before having to face off against Georgia’s Darlington Soccer Academy. In what would turn out to be their toughest contest of the weekend, the two teams battled to a scoreless tie. With Kendall SC holding the goal differential margin over Darlington they held off Florida’s #7-ranked Fusion FC Blue 2-1 to finish atop the group.
In the semifinal Kendall SC faced off against Brandon Flames. They took the early lead, but could not shake off Brandon until the final seconds when Patrick Lopez slotted a long shot over the head of the Brandon goalkeeper, who had left the goalmouth open to join the attack. The Final would pit Kendall SC in a rematch against Darlington SA. With Kendall nursing a 1-0 lead and three minutes left in the game, lighting struck and the match had to be stopped for 30 minutes. When the teams retook the pitch, Darlington mounted a furious charge and it took two clutch saves by Cody Nuñez to seal the victory and clinch the championship.
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| Kendall SC’s U18B White - Disney Showcase Qualifier Champions |
With the entry of the U18B White into the tournament, Kendall SC is guaranteed to have at least four teams playing in the Disney Showcase in December. They will be joined by the U16 and U18 US Soccer Development Academy teams that will be playing in the special USSDA brackets against other Development Academy clubs, and the 97 Pre’Academy team that will also be playing in a special bracket created for U14 teams (’97s) of Development Academy clubs that participate in one of the NPL’s Pre-Academy leagues.
Also participating in the Qualifier and still awaiting word on their acceptance to the Showcase are the 96 Pre-Academy team and the U17B White.
The 96 Pre-Academy team, playing with its new make-up for the first time in a tournament, played in the U16 age bracket. The team consists of a core of U16 players from last season U15 state semifinalists plus some members of the former U14B White and key additions from Final Four teams of other Miami clubs that last year played in the U14 or U15 age groups. After leading off with a 1-0 victory over South Georgia United, the team let its guard down and surrendered a tie to Coral Springs United Green. Needing at least a tie to advance, Kendall SC could not solve Florida’s #7-ranked West Florida Premier and lost the decision 0-1.
Another team that went into the tournament with a completely reconstituted roster was the U17B White and Julio Perdomo’s fresh troops had to face off against some top notch competition in the group stage. They surrendered a 1-3 loss to perennial State Cup contender, Belleview United, and bounced back with a 2-1 win over CFK Kraze Black. Needing a strong performance against Florida’s #2-ranked Team Boca White, the boys almost pulled it off but still fell short of the goal in a 1-2 loss. Nonetheless the tournament served as a good staging ground for the new team and bodes well for the months to come.
