Golds Still in Running After Blue Chip Showcase
The CUP Crew Juniors - Gold were in Oxford, Ohio for the adidas Blue Chip Showcase. The opening match was against Annandale Knights from Virginia, the third such meeting in five months. The match, a Showcase (non-MRL) game, resulted in a 1-1 draw on a goal by Caelan Hueber. Next up were 2 MRL Premier matches, where 2 wins would put the Golds in the driver seat in the league. First up was Eclipse Select from Chicago and despite dominating the second half of play and having numerous chances on goal, the Golds found themselves unable to score and fell short 0-1. Next up was Chicago Fire Juniors North, also from Chicago. The CUP boys cruised to a 2-0 win on goals from Hueber and Jacob Meyer. The results put the Golds at 4-2-0 and with a win in their final MRL match and a little help, they have a chance to repeat as MRL Premier Division Champions.
Next up the Golds begin Ohio South State Cup play.
|
|
Golds In Control After Crossroads Showcase
The CUP Crew Juniors - Gold were in Carmel, Indiana for this year's Crossroads of America Showcase. Three MRL matches were on the schedule and the Golds turned in a dominating performance with a 3-0 win over Michigan Wolves, a 3-0 win over Springfield SC of Missouri, and a 3-1 win over Raytown BGFC, also form Missouri. The 3 wins put them in 1st place in the MRL Premier Division Red group. |
|
Golds Play Great at National League in Las Vegas
The CUP Crew Juniors - Gold flew out to Las Vegas for the balance of their USYS National League schedule. They played very well, getting a 3-1 win over Annandale Knights. In an amazing game with Albion SC of Southern California, the Golds came up just short at 0-1 to the 2-time, defending National League champions and National Runner-up. They close things out with a tough loss to Galaxies from Chicago, this year's league champion. |
|
Golds Look Strong at Jefferson Cup
The CUP Crew Juniors - Gold headed out to Richmond, Virginia for this year's Jefferson Cup to face three top squads. They returned with 3 shutout victories and the Jefferson Cup Championship Division title. Details to come. |
|
Golds Preparing for Spring Season
After a short break, the CUP Crew Juniors - Gold spent the balance of January back at the CUP Speed & Agility program. February saw a return to training and play. First up, the Gold's traveled to Ohio Dominican University for a Friendly with the Crew Academy 16's, earning a 1-1 draw. They then participated in CUP's Ohio Buckeye Indoor Showcase at Wall2Wall Soccer in Mason, Ohio. In front of 24 different College and University program coaches, they played 2 friendly-style, 55 minutes matches; a 3-2 win over Crew Academy 16's and a 1-0 win over Kings Soccer Academy. |
|
Golds End Tough Winter Campaign
The CUP Crew Juniors - Gold came off their undefeated showing at CASL with a quick turnaround to the opening National League weekend, then a short break before being off to Disney.
National League - Birmingham, Alabama
v
12/08/11: 2:00PM vs. AHFC 95B (TXS): The Golds opened with a solid South Texas match-up. 4 minutes in, they found themselves down 0-1, but just 2 minutes later, Sam Bascom got to the end line on the left, sent in a cross, which Jacob Meyer redirected past the keeper to draw things level at 1-1. But 1 minute later, a cross into their box would be headed goal bound and they were again behind 1-2. It would be a tough half, as the Golds would see one of the roughest patches in team history and go to the break down 1-5. The second half would see a more solid effort and just over 7 minutes in Connor Bauer would knock the ball to Kyle Mattes, who would net it to make it 2-5. They would concede a PK to round out the scoring, as the Golds shockingly fell 2-6.
12/09/11: 8:00AM vs. CESA 94 Premier (SC): The Golds were looking to get back on track in this early affair. Just 6:30 in and Meyer would be taken down from behind on his way to goal, resulting in a red card for CESA and a freekick just outside the box. Bascom would step up and place a perfect ball to the right upper 90 for the 1-0 lead. The CUP boys were looking solid, but with 6 minutes to go in the half, they would concede the equalizer and things would go to the break 1-1. A freekick goal would see it go to 1-2 early in the half, but a great finish by Caelan Hueber off a ball from PJ Suess would knot it back up at 2-2. The Golds were pressing for the win, but with 12 minutes to go, they would get caught on a counter and would find themselves on the short side of a 2-3 result.
12/10/11: 2:00PM vs. Beadling SC (PAW): The CUP squad was definitely hoping for a win on day 3, as they faced a good Beadling side. After going down 0-1, they would draw level off of a Suess freekick to Bascom, who would send in a cross to a waiting Kyle Mattes, who would finish it with the back heel. They would take the lead in stoppage time as Bascom would again send in a cross that Jerrick Valentine would send a great strike on goal and David Janusz would knock home the rebound from the keeper. 2-1 CUP at the break. They would seal the victory with 4 minutes to play in the match as Bascom would knock it to Mark Andrew and he would send a blistering shot of the underside of the crossbar to make it 3-1.
12/11/11: 9:30AM vs. AC Bethesda (MD): It was the final day and the CUP boys were wanting to get away with another win and a level record for the weekend. A back and forth half would go to the break scoreless. Then, less than 2 minutes into the second half, Bauer would knock a ball up the right side to Janusz, who would cut back the defender and slide the ball inside the near post for the 1-0 lead. The match would continue to be a back-and-forth affair with the Golds turning away any opportunities. But with 6 minutes to play a loose ball would find its way to an opponents foot and we were level at 1-1. That's how it would end and the Golds would see a 1-2-1 record for the opening weekend of National League.
Disney Soccer Showcase - Orlando, Florida:
12/27/11: 7:00PM vs. Empire United Rochester (NYW): It was time to get back on track for the Golds and the beautiful weather of Florida was just the place. They opened with a solid squad from New York and were in control of this match the entire way. It was 19 to go in the first half when they finally got on the board. Suess sent in a great cross from the right and Hueber headed it past the keeper for the 1-0 lead. It would go that way to the break, but the second half would be all Golds. 1 minute after the restart, Andrew would hit a shot from the 18 that would be blocked, collect the rebound and nail a laser strike into the net to make it 2-0. It would go to 3-0 with 26:30 to go, as Suess would send in a well place free kick from the left that Hueber would just nick to redirect it into the back post. They would round out the scoring at the 14:45 mark, when Valentine would send in a cross from the left and Meyer would head it home for the 4-0 lead. That's how it would end and the Golds seemed to be back in stride. Pedro Diaz would record the shutout.
12/28/11: 3:00PM vs. CESA 94 Premier (SC): Day 2 would be a rematch of a prior day 2 and the Golds were looking to get the better of the result this time. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be on this day, as they found themselves down 0-2 just 7 minutes in to play. They would sure things up and get on top of the match, but just could not find the net, despite numerous chances to score. Chasing the game, they would concede a third late leaving themselves needing a win in order to play on day 4.
12/29/11: 7:00PM vs. Annandale Knights (VA): The Golds came in looking for a win and a chance to advance against a big, athletic Knights side. They would once again find themselves with numerous chances throughout the match, but just could not find the right final ball to get them on the scoreboard. Annandale would take advantage of their chances and would take the match 0-3 to send the Golds home a day earlier than they had planned coming in to the event. |
|
Golds Win CASL College Showcase Championship
The CUP Crew Juniors - Gold went 3-0-0 in the 2011 CASL Elite Predator Division, claiming the Showcase Championship in the event's top division for the 2nd year in a row!
12/02/11: 12:00PM vs. Northport Sound (NYE)
CASL College Showcase in Raleigh, NC. It was a beautiful mid-day match time, as turf played host to their first match-up, which saw them take on the 2011 New York East State Cup Champion Northport Sound. The match started a little shaky defensively and rust was evident throughout the play, as they found themselves down 0-2 with just 19 minutes gone in the first half. They cut the deficit in half with 11 to go, as Sam Bascom would see a ball on to Connor Bauer, who would hit a great strike at the 18 yard line from the center of goal and it would land just inside the post to make it 1-2. It would stay that way until the half. Out in a 3-5-2, the Golds looked a different team in the second half, as shaky turned to dominate and the defense would not yield a shot until a late header would fall harmlessly on top of their goal. On the offensive end, the Golds would draw level just over 5 minutes in when Kyle Mattes would beat his man on the right and send in a cross, collected by Bascom, who would cut it across the box at the 18 and unleash a great strike to the back post for the 2-2 leveler. Just as they were down nineteen minutes into the first half, they would take the 3-2 lead 19 minutes into the second half. Kyle Mattes lined up a freekick at the corner of the 18-yard box to the right of goal and his well delivered curler would be driven goal bound on a snapping header by Mark Andrew from about the penalty spot. They would see some more opportunities, but they had all they needed, as they saw the match out for the hard earned win.
12/03/11: 8:00AM vs. NASA Elite (GA)
It was a brisk and early 8AM kickoff on the stadium turf, as the Golds took on NASA Elite of Georgia. The CUP squad looked sharp in this one, taking early control of the match and never giving up control. It was about 15 minutes in, when PJ Suess slid a nice ball thru the back line for a cutting Caelan Hueber, who would avoid the keeper and tuck the ball neatly into the goal for the 1-0 lead. They would double their tally with 5:40 to go, as Kyle Mattes would get to the end line and slide a ball across the six for a ready Sam Bascom to finish first time, slickly redirecting it past the defender and goalie. 3 minutes later, Bascom would again involve, as he would be taken down just outside the 18-yard box, dead center of goal. He and Suess would line up the resulting free kick and it would be Bascom who would strike a bender to the upper right 90, leaving the keeper no chance. It would go to the half 3-0 and after the break, the Golds would simply possess out the match without being challenged. Pedro Diaz and Jake Ciricillo would combine for the team's first shutout of the year.
12/04/11: 8:00AM vs. Dallas Texans (TXN):
Another brisk morning, up and at it for an 8AM start on a soft grass field, as the Golds took on the Dallas Texans of Texas North. We saw some of the team's best stuff this far, as they turned in a very sharp first half performance. The possession was spot on, movement off the ball was great, and the Golds were coming out on top of tackles and 50/50's like they owned the ball. We were 10:30 in and their efforts would be rewarded as Garrett Householder would play a ball to Jacob Meyer​ and he would send it into the net for the 1-0, as he opened his account for the season. Then with 8 minutes left, Householder would again involve, as he got on he end of a Jake Stovall throw-in, skipping it across the face of goal, which seemed to freeze the Texans and allow it to find the backside of the net. It would go to the break at 2-0 with the Golds defense refusing to allow any possession in their end, let alone an attack to build. The trend would continue for the first 10 minutes of the second half, including a great combination, just 3:30 in, of Mark Andrew playing the ball from the right to Meyer, who would find David Janusz waiting at the top of the box for the one-timer, as he too would open his scoring tally and run it to 3-0. Everything was going the Golds way, but just when they got comfortable, Dallas pushed more players forward and began dictating the play. A great finish and an unfortunate own goal would see it go to 3-2 and it was all hands to the pump in an effort to get back on the front foot. The CUP squad bent, but didn't break, as they protected the one goal advantage and saw out the match to the final whistle.
|
|
9/20/11: Golds i n 2011 USYS National League
The Golds we selected for the 2011 USYS National League where they will compete among the Nation's best teams. The league, entering its fifth season, is for top Under-15 through Under-18 Boys and Girls club soccer teams with each team having an individual proven track record of continued success in US Youth Soccer programs.
The team kickoffs in Birmingham, AL on December 8-11 at the Collegiate Championship Soccer and Junior Showcases, which coincides with the NCAA Men’s College Cup. The team will then participate in Las Vegas on March 23-25, which is held in conjunction with the Player's College Showcase.
This year's Boys U-17 Divisions are:
Blue Division
AC Bethesda (MD)
Beadling (PAW)
CESA 94 Premier (SC)
AHFC 95B (STX)
Albion White (CAS)
Galaxy SC 94/95 (IL)
Annandale Knights FC (VA)
CUP Crew Juniors - Gold (OHS) |
Red Division
Everest SC Black (OHN)
Raiders FC (IL)
FC Frederick (MD)
Lake Grove United (ENY)
Concorde Fire Elite (GA)
Eastside FC 94 Red (WA)
94 HFC Red (NC)
Downtown Las Vegas Rapids Gold (NV)
|
The first place team from each division will earn a spot to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships along with the four US Youth Soccer Regional Champions.
|
|
9/20/11: Golds Add 2 Players, Welcome Back Another
The CUP Crew Juniors - Gold are coming off a very successful 2010-2011 season! Going into the 2011-12 campaign, the Golds have added Connor Bauer, a midfielder from the CUP Black squad, and Matt Dudon, a midfielder most recently with Metro FC. The Golds also welcome back goalkeeper Pedro Diaz, after his stint playing a year up last season. Best of luck to these and all the players and coaches!
|
|
8/31/11: Congratulations to Coach Puppione
 CUP Golds Assistant Coach Bobby Puppione recently completed and received his USSF "A" License. Congratulations to Coach Puppione and thank you for your continued dedication to our team and Club! |
|
|