News

Academy Teams Play in Winter Showcase
 Dec 08 2009 - RH

 Phoenix, AZ - FC Milwaukee opened the 2009-2010 Academy Season at the Winter Showcase in Phoenix Arizona. The U18 and U16 teams finished with identical 1-2 records after games against the Baltimore Bays, La Jolla Nomads and Atlanta Fire.

The weekend opened with the Baltimore Bays. The U16 team got off to rocky start but settled down to play a solid 1st half. When the halftime whistle blew it was knotted at zero’s. In the 2nd half, the game tilted in the Bays favor, but with 10 minutes remaining, FCMN had a chance to take the lead. An impressive stop by the Bays keeper from a Logan Andryk strike kept the game tied up. Then it was Brian Carr’s turn to make a save of his own. In the 75th minute he stopped a penalty kick to keep the game tied. A late goal by Baltimore sealed the fate for the 16’s. Pat White was the resident coach of the 16’s on the weekend. “That was a good 1st game for us. The kids competed very well. We had impressive performances from several kids and in our first game together showed we can play at the Academy level.” The U18 fell 4-1 to the Bays with Mike Roettgers scoring the team’s only goal. Coach Rob Harrington, “We did not play a good game. We made too many little errors to give up goals, did not cause them to make mistakes and were not good in attack. With that said, some of our possession at midfield was impressive but at this level the details matter and we didn’t take care of the details.”

In game 2, both teams faced the Nomads from Southern California. Again the 16’s went to halftime with the game scoreless. An early 2nd half goal by the Nomads got the competition going. FC knocked on the door on several free kicks but each opportunity just missed the mark. The game ended 2-0 Nomads. Coach Pat White, “We had our chances to tie it up and it didn’t happen. This league, like the highest levels is cruel. Little mistakes cause goals and failing to capitalize on opponent’s mistakes can mean the game. This is what happened.” The same could be said for the 18’s 3-0 loss to the Nomads. After intercepting 2 passes from the Nomads in the 1st half in their final third the 18’s were unable to convert. The game hit intermission at 0-0. Then the 18’s stepped it up and played 20 minutes of sterling soccer before little mistakes had the team down 2-0. “There was a stretch in the 2nd half where we played wonderful soccer,” said Coach Harrington. “Unfortunately, the good stuff ended when we got near the goal. We were lacking in the finishing department, and a few errors cost us.”

In the last match, the teams played the Atlanta Fire and the offense came alive. Danny Karrels scored on a through ball to put the 16’s up early in the 1st half. Atlanta tied the game late in the half. With the 16’s putting on the pressure, a goal seemed inevitable. With less than 2 minutes remaining, Patrick Hodan buried a free kick to give the 16’s their first win of the young campaign. The 18’s went up early on a Jack McDermott free kick goal. Minutes later, the Fire responded with 1 of their own. Then it was Riley Weiner serving from the end line to a wide open Kevin Ferron who scored with a 2 touch finish. The last goal of the game was Ferron’s again as he hit a left footed bender from 22 yards past the screened keeper. The game ended 3-1.

Coach White comments on the weekend. “ I have been to 2 Academy events now and as a former professional player can say without question that this league is the best preparation for kids who want to excel in the game. We played 3 tough games this weekend against good players, coaches and
teams. It was exciting to watch our kids respond and finish the weekend with class.” Coach Rob Harrington. “This was our first weekend of the year and that always means something is going to missing whether it be set plays, fitness or the final third. The good news was this we got better every game. Both teams possessed the ball pretty well. Both teams displayed the effort required to compete at this level. In the final games, both teams got after the goal with much more attitude and confidence. We are all looking forward to the challenges before us come early March.”