Most of the Strikers headed home Sunday & Monday after an incredible Cuba experience! Many thanks to Nancy and Tom Coward for making it all possible, to Jocelyn Cabrera for invaluable trip planning for U-12 and to Coaches Tom & Alex Cabrera for volunteering their time getting players ready for the tournament!
Hasta luego!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Varadero Side Trip
Game Four & Closing Ceremonies
Friday, July 13 - U-12 boys took on Team Cerro in the last game of the tournament. Key West played outstanding soccer, keeping pace with Cerro almost the entire game before Cerro pulled away at the end. Mark Robino scored for the Strikers. Coach Cabrera was extremely proud of his team's perseverance in the tournament, the boys played with five guest players, had only one substitute available and played against older teams. Big Kudos to Michael MacLaughlin, Anthony Cabrera, Sofie & Mark Robino, Kyle Smith, Cruze Sweeney, Alexis Ayala and Danny Galvan!!!!
Key West Strikers U-14 boys played tough in the pouring rain against Team Cerro's U-14 boys. Spencer Hamilton scored the first goal of the game off a perfectly placed Jack Behmke free kick. Danny Kearney also scored for the Strikers. The Strikers could not convert on several breakaway scoring opportunities and lost the game 3-2. Congratulations to Brian Coward, Kevin Coward, Alex Cabrera, Alistair Fergus, Eric Whiteside, Jason Barcenas, Connor Chaney, Seth Landry, Spencer Hamilton, Jack Behmke, Christian Lee, Gabe Didato, Noah Cutchin & Danny Kearney on a hard fought tournament!
During closing ceremonies coaches Tom Coward and Alex Cabrera presented the Cuban youth soccer officials with a Conch Republic Flag and trophies were distributed to the winning teams in each division including the CHAMPION U-14 GIRLS KEY WEST STRIKERS!!!!!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
U-14 Girls Championship Game
The championship game of the girls Under 14 division lived up to the hype ending 1-1 and the champions crowned by penalty kick shoot out. It was sunny, it was storming and all points in between but the girls kept focused and stayed aggressive throughout the match.
The first 15 minutes was largely a battle in the midfield with only one shot taken by both teams. After a controversial call, Havana Estrellas (Stars) took advantage with a perfect direct kick to the far upper corner in the 17th minute. Team USA girls responded well taking nine shots to Havana Estrella's one shot until halftime but could not find the back of the net.
In the first ten minutes after halftime, Havana Estrellas dominated but we came back with four shots in five minutes before the water break.
The breakthrough came with just five minutes to go. Regan Durkin took a long range shot that the keeper couldn't handle. Sophia Thomas followed the shot and pounced on the loose ball, tying the score 1-1.
Penalty kicks decided the championship. Gabby Pozzi was tough in goal, saving two shots. Tatum Flowers, Regan Durkin, Savannah Schuhmacher and Lilly Bailey all scored to earn Team USA the championship 4-3 in penalty shots.
Friday, July 13, 2012
U-14 Girls Update Game 3
After a day off from the tournament on Wednesday, the girls U-14 team came out aggressively and scored four goals in the first half of their game Thursday morning. Coach Ernesto Rodriguez had them play more defensively the second half and the final score was 4-2.
Marathon teammates connected for the first goal six minutes into the game. Regan Durkin struck an aggressive corner kick to the back post as Savannah Schuhmacher made a ten yard run and executed an unstoppable header into the goal.
In the 13th minute an own goal was scored to tie up the game. However, team captain Tatum Flowers took a direct kick from 22 yards out two minutes later which found its way past the keeper for a 2-1 lead.
After coming close a few times, Sophia Thomas coolly put away the ball after a pass behind the definese from just past midfield by Durkin. Callie Craighead put away a cross from Durkin right before halftime to make it 4-1.
Play was back and forth with only three shots for both teams during the first 18 minutes of the second half. There was a penalty kick scored and a couple and yellow cards and the final score was 4-2.
Our last game will be the finals of the tournament against East Havana. A win by two or more goals will ensure a first place for team USA!
Marathon teammates connected for the first goal six minutes into the game. Regan Durkin struck an aggressive corner kick to the back post as Savannah Schuhmacher made a ten yard run and executed an unstoppable header into the goal.
In the 13th minute an own goal was scored to tie up the game. However, team captain Tatum Flowers took a direct kick from 22 yards out two minutes later which found its way past the keeper for a 2-1 lead.
After coming close a few times, Sophia Thomas coolly put away the ball after a pass behind the definese from just past midfield by Durkin. Callie Craighead put away a cross from Durkin right before halftime to make it 4-1.
Play was back and forth with only three shots for both teams during the first 18 minutes of the second half. There was a penalty kick scored and a couple and yellow cards and the final score was 4-2.
Our last game will be the finals of the tournament against East Havana. A win by two or more goals will ensure a first place for team USA!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
July 12, 2012 Game 3
U-12 boys played Team Plaza this morning. Despite solid defensive play from Anthony Cabrera and aggressive mid-field play from Mark and Sofie Robino the Strikers lost 6-0. Coach Cabrera praised his team's effort saying the team hung in there and played tough until the end.
U-14 boys took on Team Arroyo today. In another very evenly matched game the Strikers came out on the losing end of a 3-1 effort. Key West's goal was scored by Danny Kearney in the second period. Seth Landry, Jason Barcenas and Gabe Didato played great on defense.
U-14 boys took on Team Arroyo today. In another very evenly matched game the Strikers came out on the losing end of a 3-1 effort. Key West's goal was scored by Danny Kearney in the second period. Seth Landry, Jason Barcenas and Gabe Didato played great on defense.
Free Day Fun - July 11, 2012
Free day today! Pictures below from Santa Maria Beach and Las Terrazas in Pinar del Rio.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
U-14 Girls Game Update
The Girls Under 14 team got their feet under them during the first game of the tournament. They started with the wind in their face and a few new players that haven't played with the team. Despite that, it was an open game with 14 shots in the first 15 minutes.
East Havana scored first, converting a penalty kick from a hand ball. Team USA dominated right after the water break, but tired right before halftime. East Havana took advantage and scored in the 30th minute.
In the second half, with the wind at their backs, Team USA dominated play. Shots were 12-3 for Team USA but nothing found the back of the net. The end score line showed 0-2, but Team USA won valuable experience on Day One.
Tatum Flowers scores the fourth goal in game two on Tuesday.
Callie clears the ball with Savannah and Lilly watching.
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Game Two...
The Girls Under 14 team played much better as a team as they beach Octobdiez, the third ranked team in Cuba 4-0.
Our players made great adjustments to the physical play of the Cuban team and dominated the game. In the 13th minute, Regan Durkin touched the ball to the side to get by an on-rushing playing and teed off from 20 yards out low to the left side of the keeper.
Seven minutes later the lead was doubled when Durkin passed to Callie Craigshead who then took a 30 yard shot from the right.
Right before halftime the lead was stretched to three. Savannah Schuhmacher won the ball in midfield, passed to Durkin who blasted another low shot in from 25 yards away.
The second half was all Team USA. Shots were 11-0 during the half. 55 minutes in, there was a scramble in the box. Tatum Flowers shot the ball and the ball took a deflection and found its way into the net.
A fine defensive performance was shown by Flowers and Lilly Bailey. Forward Sofia Thomas pestered the Cuban defense all game and almost scored but was called offside.
Coach Ernesto was pleased with the improvement from Monday but believes we can still improve team passing for the next game.
East Havana scored first, converting a penalty kick from a hand ball. Team USA dominated right after the water break, but tired right before halftime. East Havana took advantage and scored in the 30th minute.
In the second half, with the wind at their backs, Team USA dominated play. Shots were 12-3 for Team USA but nothing found the back of the net. The end score line showed 0-2, but Team USA won valuable experience on Day One.
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Game Two...
The Girls Under 14 team played much better as a team as they beach Octobdiez, the third ranked team in Cuba 4-0.
Our players made great adjustments to the physical play of the Cuban team and dominated the game. In the 13th minute, Regan Durkin touched the ball to the side to get by an on-rushing playing and teed off from 20 yards out low to the left side of the keeper.
Seven minutes later the lead was doubled when Durkin passed to Callie Craigshead who then took a 30 yard shot from the right.
Right before halftime the lead was stretched to three. Savannah Schuhmacher won the ball in midfield, passed to Durkin who blasted another low shot in from 25 yards away.
The second half was all Team USA. Shots were 11-0 during the half. 55 minutes in, there was a scramble in the box. Tatum Flowers shot the ball and the ball took a deflection and found its way into the net.
A fine defensive performance was shown by Flowers and Lilly Bailey. Forward Sofia Thomas pestered the Cuban defense all game and almost scored but was called offside.
Coach Ernesto was pleased with the improvement from Monday but believes we can still improve team passing for the next game.
Mas Futbol!! July 10, 2012
Day two of the tournament...U-12 boys Strikers vs. Team Marianao. A short handed Key West team played tough against a strong Marianao team but ended up on the losing end of a 6-1 game. Key West's goal came when Kyle Smith scored off a free kick in the third period. Keeper Michael MacLaughlin put forth an outstanding effort in the game.
The U-14 boys Key West Strikers took on Team Playa and played to a 0-0 tie. The two teams were very evenly matched with the play becoming more and more physical as the match went on. Keeper Christian Lee played a great game with several key stops including a penalty kick in the second period. Coach Tom commented that the energy level among the Key West players seemed a little low and the team will have to play at a much higher level Thursday to continue to be competitive.
Opening Games July 9, 2012
Opening day of the tournament! Our team busses were greeted at the field this morning by dozens of kids from Team Cerro giving each American player a "Certificate of Participation with Love, Peace and Soccer". Opening ceremonies began with a welcome speech by Key West Strikers coach Tom Coward followed by the teams lining up behind their country's flag. Then, the Cuban National Anthem was played followed by the "Star Spangled Banner".
The U-12 boys Striker Team coached by Alex Cabrera kicked off the tournament against Team Bollero. In addition to Anthony Cabrera, Cruze Sweeney, Alexis Ayala, Danny Galvan, Mark Robino, Kyle Smith and keeper Michael MacLaughlin, Key West had five Cuban guest players playing for them. The teams played to a 6-1 Bollero win. Mark Robino scored the lone Striker goal off a penalty kick.
Brian Coward scored the first U-14 boys goal of the tournament. Tom Coward's team played Centre Habana and came away with a 3-1 victory! Connor Chaney and Spencer Hamilton also scored. Coach Tom was very pleased overall with the team's play particularly with the defense and with Danny Kearney's efforts up top.
In the evening a large group of us went to see a qualifying soccer match for the U-17 boys Cuban National Team. The Cuban team defeated Puerto Rico 2-0.
The U-12 boys Striker Team coached by Alex Cabrera kicked off the tournament against Team Bollero. In addition to Anthony Cabrera, Cruze Sweeney, Alexis Ayala, Danny Galvan, Mark Robino, Kyle Smith and keeper Michael MacLaughlin, Key West had five Cuban guest players playing for them. The teams played to a 6-1 Bollero win. Mark Robino scored the lone Striker goal off a penalty kick.
Brian Coward scored the first U-14 boys goal of the tournament. Tom Coward's team played Centre Habana and came away with a 3-1 victory! Connor Chaney and Spencer Hamilton also scored. Coach Tom was very pleased overall with the team's play particularly with the defense and with Danny Kearney's efforts up top.
In the evening a large group of us went to see a qualifying soccer match for the U-17 boys Cuban National Team. The Cuban team defeated Puerto Rico 2-0.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Touring Havana July 8, 2012
Free day today! The U-14 boys started the day with a two hour practice on a local field. Later, some of the families from U-12 boys went to visit a nearby aquarium while others explored more of Old Havana. Then, many of us enjoyed watching a baseball game between team U.S.A and Cuba. The U-14 girls team arrived in Cuba today.
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