Xplosion Conclude USYSA NL Season at 5-2-0 (Positioned for Chance at Nationals) - Dec 30, 2007
The Xplosion team concluded their season in the inaugural USYSA U16 National League with (4) games in Orlando in conjunction with the Disney Showcase tournament. The Xplosion finished with an impressive 5-2-0 in the league, which currently places us in 2nd place and in good position for an automatic entry into the 2008 USYSA Nationals in July. The team also guaranteed a top (4) finish which guarantees the team an automatic spot in the league for the 2008-09 season. The team must now wait until the first week in April when the remaining NL teams finish the season with games played in Dallas, TX. The Xplosion will be focused on the results of the Chicago Wind, who currently sit at 2-1-1 and hold the tie-breaker advantage over the Xplosion. The Wind must win all (3) of their remaining games in Dallas against tough opponents (Dallas Texans, Texans FC, Slammers) to knock the Xplosion into the 3rd spot. For more info on the USYSA National League, please click HERE.
Results:
Game #1 (Raleigh, NC), vs Manhattan Phoenix - In their first USYSA NL game the Xplosion jumped out to a 1-0 lead against our Region 1 opponents, only to see Manhattan tie it at 1-1 right before the half on a costly mistake. The team settled down in the second half and scored (2) more goals to finish the game at 3-1 (1-0-0; 3 points)
Game #2 (Raleigh, NC), vs Chicago Wind - The team played poorly for most of the first half and allowed the Wind to control much of the play. The Wind scored off of a steal at mid-field and breakaway for a 1-0 lead. The Xplosion tied the score at 1-1 minutes later off of a cross and finish. The Xplosion then took control of the game in the 2nd half and pressured the Wind defense but could not come up with a the go ahead goal. A mistake by the Xplosion defense led to the ball finding its way to a wide open Wind striker who pushed the ball past the Xplosion keeper for a late 2-1 lead. The Xplosion would continue to pressure the Wind defense, but the final whistle blew and the Wind prevailed 2-1. (1-1-0; 3 points).
Game #3 (Raleigh, NC), vs Slammer FC - In a must win situation, the Xplosion came out ready to play and put in (3) quick goals in the first half and then coasted to a 3-0 win. (2-1-0; 6 points)
Game #4 (Orlando, FL), vs Dallas Texans Red - In the two previous games between YMS and Dallas, the teams had played to a tie (Texans won in PK’s in 2005 Disney semi-final). Dallas was currently at 3-0-0 in the league and in the top spot. The Xplosion came out strong early in the first half and scored with less then 5 minutes gone to take a 1-0 lead. Dallas did not panic and their hard work and discipline paid off with (2) goals before half for a 2-1 lead. The Xplosion had a chance to tie the game late in the 2nd half, but a PK was saved by the Dallas GK. Dallas would then ice the game minutes later for the 3-1 win and put the Xplosion in need of winning their final three games to have any chance of finishing 2nd and securing the automatic entry into the Nationals. (2-2-0; 6 points).
Game #5 (Orlando, FL), vs Texans FC - The Texans FC sat at 3-2-0 and ahead of the Xplosion for 2nd place. A loss to the Texans would eliminate the Xplosion from having any chance of finishing in 2nd place. In front of many interested college coaches, the Xplosion team wanted this game and came out strong right from the opening whistle. After a couple of near misses, the Xplosion took a 1-0 lead early in the first half. The game went back and forth and was very physical. The Xplosion Back 4, defensive MF and GK played a very storng game in keeping the Texans away from the goal area. The final whistle blew and the Xplosion had won the battle 1-0. (3-2-0; 9 points).
Game #6 (Orlando, FL), vs Cobb FC 92 - Cobb came to Orlando with a much stronger team then had played at Raleigh due to the Inter-Regional event. The team is well coached and plays hard for 80 minutes. The Xplosion was in another must win game and once again came out strong. The Xplosion applied constant pressure on Cobb throughout the first half and the effort was awarded when the team scored in the final seconds of the first half. Cobb picked up the pace in the second half, but another strong performance by the defence led to the second consecutive shutout and a hard fought 1-0 win. (4-2-0; 12 points).
Game #7 (Orlando, FL), vs Arsenal Supereagles - On a hot and humid day, and their 4th game in four days, both teams were tired and sore. The Supereagles were looking for their first win of the season, and the Xplosion were looking to set the bar for the other teams in the league to shoot for to take the coveted 2nd place spot. The Xplosion came out with alot of energy and did not allow Arsenal to get into any rhythm. The Xplosion score midway through the first half for a 1-0 lead. Two more goals late in the 2nd half sealed the teams third win in a row and third consecutive shutout. (5-2-0; 15 points).
Xplosion Invited to Play in USYSA U16 NL - October, 2007
The Xplosion has been selected by the USYSA to participate in the newly established U16 National League. The National League consists of 8 teams from across the US that battle over (3) long weekends. The top two finishers from the NL will receive an automatic birth in the USYSA NCS National Championship held at the end of July 08. These two teams will join the (4) region champs as the National Championships expand their field to 6 teams. The Xplosion open up play with (3) games in Raleigh, NC to be held at the beautiful WRAL Soccer Complex over the Thanksgiving Break. The teams then move down to Orlando, FL in late December where they will play in conjunction with the Disney Showcase. The schedule will be completed when some teams meet in early April in Dallas, TX. The tentative schedule for the Xplosion includes:
Raleigh, NC
Nov 23rd vs Manhattan Phoenix (NY)
Nov 24th vs Chicago Wind (IL)
Nov 25th vs Slammers (CA-S)
Orlando, FL
Dec 27th vs Dallas Texans Red (TX)
Dec 28th vs Texans FC Red (TX)
Dec 29th vs Cobb FC (GA)
Dec 30th vs Arsenal Super Eagles (MN)
