USL Match Report
Sunday, August 02, 2009
ROCKFORD, IL – On the final day of competition at the fourth annual USL Super-20 League North American Finals, Triangle FC shot out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Mollie Pathman and Gloria Douglas, but the Chicago Red 11 fought back with second half goals by Rachael Sloan and Jessica Carlson to tie the match 2-2 by the final whistle. The result made USL Super-20 League history – the first-ever repeat champions of the Super-20 League, Triangle FC.
In the men’s final, second-time Super-20 Finalist Red Bull New York sent notice early and often that they would not be denied in this quest for a North American Championship. They defeated fellow MLS Academy side Chivas USA, 7-0 to clinch their second USL Championship.
In just the second minute of action, Red Bull’s Steven Amaya hit teammate Ryan Kinne with a one hop cross at the back post. Kinne wasted no time heading the pass into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Chivas battled right back, earning a corner that was knocked into the middle of the area and redirected low to the left side of Red Bull goalkeeper Sheldon Parkinson. The tall goalkeeper used every inch of his frame to extend to his left and stall the progress of the sure goal. Seconds later another Chivas shot was blocked away and cleared by the Red Bull defense.
Roughly 10 minutes after the save, the match changed dramatically when Jorge Mejia was shown a straight red following a late tackle in the middle of the park. Making matters worse for the Southern Californians, Mejia was barely off the pitch before Red Bull was awarded a penalty kick, which was converted by Kinne for a 2-0 lead.
Closing in on halftime, John Tardy, who would later be named Super-20 League MVP by Head Coach Rob Elliott, netted his first goal of the match. On the play, teammate Andrew Welker seemed to have just missed Tadry with a cross to the top of the box. Unfortunately for Chivas, Tardy somehow got a hold of the ball with his heel, redirecting it down, and past the defender marking him.
“I was trying to get the ball down to my feet,” said Tardy after the match. “I got a piece of it and it went past the defender and I was right in on goal.”
The Super-20 League MVP finished the chance easily for a 3-0 lead heading towards halftime. The match ended 7-0 in favor of the Red Bulls after they got second half goals from Matthew Uy, Cesar Blacido Tevin Jackson, Sam Petrone.
Tardy and Amaya were members of the 2005 USL Super Y-League U15 Championship team.
“We have been with the Red Bull Academy for a while,” said Tardy. “Steven was here first and told me to come try out. Once I made the team I stayed because it is the best competition in the tri-state area. The coaching staff has always been great, too.”
“Our plan coming into the tournament was just to work hard,” added Tardy. “Chicago was the toughest team we played because we’re not that big and it was hard to match up with their size.”
The 2008 Super-20 Women’s MVP, Triangle’s Pathman got things started for the defending champs in the 17th minute. Receiving a pass from Alex Berger, Pathman turned, made a run into the box and fired near post. Red 11 goalkeeper Alex Kapicka did well to stop the shot, but the rebound landed on Pathman’s thigh. The 17-year old striker knocked the ball to her left and slid a shot under Kapicka for a 1-0 advantage.
Berger picked up her second assist of the game in the 30th minute via the corner kick. Her lofted cross was won in the center of the penalty area by Gloria Douglas, who quickly found the ball at her feet and hammered it past Kapicka for the 2-0 lead.
Down but not out, the Red 11 netted two second half goals to rally back, but it was not the result they needed to claim a North American Championship in just their first year.
“We have yet to lose a game,” said Red 11 Head Coach Tony Anglin. “So, overall, it was a pretty successful season.”
“What we have been saying all season long is a quote from John Wooden,” said Triangle FC Head Coach Pete Sadin. “He said ‘It takes talent to win a championship, but to repeat takes character.’ It is a great feeling to have accomplished our goal. But all the credit goes to the girls. Great players make great coaches.”
Sadin named center back Katie Dodd the Super-20 League MVP during the award ceremony.
“Center backs never get any love,” said Sadin. “She did a great job organizing our backs in all of our matches. She really shut down the opposing teams’ attackers.”
