NEWS
U18 Reaches Third Consecutive Championship Final at 21 Weston Cup
February 18th, 2021
The FUTSOC FUTALAN BOYS U17/18, completed their most successful tournament run at the 2021 Weston Cup and Showcase, recently played in the city of Weston, Florida.
After an opening defeat to the eventual champion by the minimal score of 1::2 (our goal by captain and striker Agustin Gonzalez), a 4::0 defeat of CES Strikers (by forfeit), a 0::0 tie against Miami United FC, our boys played an excellent match in the championship game against PSG Academy U18 Blue. A Florida State Cup Semi-finalist last season, our respected opponent was the odds-on favorite to win the championship. However, our boys proved to be most worthy opponents throughout the nationally ranked event.
A scoreless first half of play with both teams attempting creative challenges against each team’s defenses, broke open on a charging foul in the penalty area against our striker Agustin Gonzalez, resulting in a penalty kick which gave our young squad a 1::0 lead in the 51st minute. Continued battles in the midfield and many unsuccessful forward advances and shots, had both teams struggling to hold the score in the case of our team and for our worthy opponent, to equalize the match with little remaining time. With only nine remaining minutes in the match, a forty-meter cross into the area, was aided by strong wind gusts and the ball sailed into the net in the upper corner for the 1::1 tie. Play continued to the very end, with the score still holding.
Direct into penalty kicks, our boys were stopped on one very well-placed shot and another, which hit the crossbar, and two kicks successfully scored, against the three kicks placed by the PSG squad, resulting in the final score of 1::1 (3::2) and the championship victory.
Congratulations to our fine squad for such an inspired effort in our first event this 2021 season and our third consecutive final at championship level tournaments since last year (prior to the COVID pandemic)! The season is still young, and we anticipate many more successes for our young squad in the months to come.