Quarter-Finals vs Vestavia Steamers
The TBU U17 boys fell in the quarterfinals today, losing 1-0 to the Steamers from Vestavia Hills AL. The Steamers scored in the 15th minute and never tried to play soccer after that. The TBU boys had a hard time dealing with the long ball, as the Steamers closed up shop and began to launch the ball forward. In the end, it was tough for the TBU boys to play soccer. The TBU boys come home after playing some great soccer and making a lot of friends with the way they played. Surely, the new season will come quickly and the TBU boys will be ready for new challenges.
Group Game 3 vs South Carolina United
The TBU U17 boys continued their quest for a berth in the knockout rounds at the Southern regionals today. Our boys took on the South Carolina State Champ, South Carolina United. Coach Scotty Moniz made several changes to a lineup that had taken some knocks and minor injuries. But TBU started very well again and the SC United goalkeeper singlehandedly kept his side in the game as TBU cut through the SC defense in the first 20 minutes of the game. Mauricio Delgado crossed several times to both Demetri Zervos and Ajay Sequeira as the SC team cleared balls off the line and played desperate defense. The half ended 0-0, but goals were definitely on the cards. In the second half, with left back Greg Balsamello getting a chance to play wide midfield, he took his opportunity with relish. Greg scored the opener with his opposite right foot from a tight angle, following a good ball from Joe Metzger. 1-0 good guys! As the game entered the final stages, SC showed why they are state champs and pulled a goal back to make it 1-1. But this only spurred the TBU boys on. Within minutes, we were 2-1 up, following a great run and pass from Tommy Gordon, which was clinically dispatched by young Blake Wilson, for his first goal of the tournament. Five minutes later it was 3-1, as Mauricio Delgado got on the score sheet, with a toe poke following a tremendous diagonal ball from Thiago Silveira. And two minutes later, it was 4-1, as Mauricio Delgado crossed for Ajay Sequeira to finish. So as the game finished 4-1, the TBU boys had won the group and advanced to the quarter finals as group winners! We have a day off tomorrow and play the Steamers from Alabama on Tuesday at 11am in the quarter finals. Watch this space for updates!
GROUP GAME 2 vs SOLAR
In the second group game at Southern Regionals, TBU U17 boys took on the Texas North State Champ, Solar Chelsea 95 from Dallas. Both Solar and TBU had won their first games yesterday. Solar beat South Carolina United 1-0 and our boys had beaten Oklahoma Football Club 2-1, so this was the matchup of two unbeaten teams in the group. TBU started brightly and were the better team in the first 20 minutes, but slowly the Solar team played themselves into the game. The best chance of the half fell to Solar off a corner, but Noah Franke saved off the line to keep the score 0-0 at the half. TBU coach Scotty Moniz settled the boys down at the half and we came out passing the ball in the second half. Again, TBU were on top. TBU continued to go from strength to strength and created a handful of great chances in the second half. After the referee waved off two certain fouls in the Solar box that would have been penalties, TBU kept pressing. In the 88th minute, after a lot of pressure on the Solar defense, a Solar defender handled the ball in the box and this time the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Up stepped Thiago Silviera as cool as a cucumber and slotted the ball low into the left corner of the net. Two minutes later the game was over! TBU 1 Solar Chelsea 0. After a stellar defensive performance and a clean sheet, TBU is now on top of the group with 6 points! Tomorrow, TBU take on the South Carolina State Champ, South Carolina United at 8:15am. At stake, a place in the Southern Regional Quarter Final! Watch this space to follow the TBU U17 Boys team!
GROUP GAME 1 vs OFC
The U17 TBU Boys began their regional play this morning v OFC (Oklahoma Football Club) the state champs from OK. We were down a goal to nil after less than 3minutes, when OKC scored from a corner kick. The ball was played short and after another short pass and shot, the ball took a wicked deflection to end up in the net. This TBU has played in some big games and been down before, so the team did not panic. They went about playing themselves into the game. In about eh 40th minute, TBU scored from a free kick, when Macsen Pritchard served a beautiful ball for Sean Young to head in on the far post. So, the game was knotted at 1-1 at the half. After halftime, TBU were clearly the better team and were a bit unlucky not to be ahead midway through the half. But, with about 7 minutes to play, so good interplay by the midfield released Joe Metzger down the left hand side of the field. Joe’s cross was not dealt with by the OKC defense and Michael Speza crushed the ball into the bottom corner to give TBU the go-ahead goal. TBU ran out comfortable 2-1 winners in the end.
TBU plays the North Texas State Champs, Solar, tomorrow at 10:30am. Follow the TBU boys right here on our web site.