U17 Boys Soccer Academy at National Championships

On Friday, July 29, the Soccer Academy U17 Boys started the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup X tournament with a 9 a.m. game versus the West Coast Regional Champions from the state of Washington. At the half, the game was tied 0-0 with Darlington maintaining most of the possession.

At the start of the second half, our players missed a number of opportunities in the final third. In the 65th minute, we built out of the back on our left side. Kendrick Rhea was overlapping Enrique Bello when we lost possession and a quick counter-attack put us down 1-0. The boys worked hard to try and equalize, but the Ranier Valley, Wash., team held defensively.

The Darlington Soccer Academy boys had several chances to equalize in the final minutes of play. After a number of fouls by the opponents, we sent one freekick from the left side into the box and Shakeem Albouy attempted an incredibly difficult "bike" that was tipped around the post by a diving goalkeeper. Minutes later, Kendrick headed a corner kick on goal that was cleared off the line from a sliding defender. In the final minute of play, a through ball as sent behind the defense and Shakeem beat the Washington goalkeeper to the ball, but pushed the ball just wide of the post. The game's final minutes of play were very physical, with one Ranier Valley player being ejected with a red card after a viscious challenge in the air. The boys showed great heart, but came up short 0-1.
 
Friday nights' post-game team meeting was a tremendous momentum shifter for the boys. After realizing their destiny was still in their hands, they rededicated themselves to their goal and energy flooded back into the room. These young men are working incredibly hard for each other, the Soccer Academy and Darlington.

The team played Eastern FC on July 30 at 11 a.m. This opponent is ranked No. 9 in the country so we knew we had our work cut out for us. This was a must-win game and we had to win with a three-goal differential to ensure that we had maximum points. 

From the opening whistle, our boys attacked. In the first 10 minutes, it was obvious our team had arrived! They played numerous one- and two-touch passing combinations and picked the EFC team apart. By minute 10, we were up 2-0. Tremendous goals were scored by Myles Englis and Ian Antley. Shakeem almost added a third goal, but just barely missed with a header at the far post. Twenty minutes into the game, the momentum shifted and the EFC central midfielder found some space about 30 yards out; he hit an incredible shot into the upper left corner to bring the game back into reach at 2-1.
 
At the half, with a score of 2-1, the Darlington boys were told this was NOT good enough. We came back out with the same intensity as we started the game and attacked with urgency. In the first three minutes of the second half, we scored two goals! One was a tremendous effort and far post rip of a shot from Myles. The fourth was a great combination from Alex Berry, Cameron Rohani and Gabe Garbin, with Cameron receiving a great splitting ball in behind their backs that he slotted into the side netting.

At 4-1 we had to keep the three-goal differential for max points. Jordan Lee, Kendrick Rhea, Brody Gardner and Harrison Williams played incredible in the back line to hold EFC to their one goal. The final two minutes were filled with a constant bombardment from EFC, but Grayson Rector came up big on corners and free-kicks. At the final whistle, the boys had accomplished their goal of a win with a three-goal differential to give us the best opportunity as possible to advance.

After our game, the coaching staff and I stayed to watch the two other teams in the running for the National Championship game. Everything we needed to give us the best opportunity to be in the final game happened. The Idaho Thunder won and today at 5 p.m. our boys will compete against them in the National Championship Semifinals.

If we win today, we will be play for the National Championship on Aug. 1. A tie or a loss will not work, today is a must win! The boys are ready, the atmosphere is what each player dreams about... now it is time to get down to business!

"Great moments are born from great opportunities, and that's what we have here tonight, that's what we have EARNED here tonight" - Herb Brooks, Miracle