DELCO Under-16s Produce Mixed Results At Disney Showcase
Coming off a good showing at the 2007 Nike Friendlies last month at the IMG Academy's complex in Bradenton, FL, the FC DELCO Development Academy Under-16s were looking forward to a good result against tough competition at this year's Disney Soccer Showcase presented by Chelsea Football Club. Unfortunately for the new Academy squad they opened up flat in the face of intense pressure and didn't recover until their third and final game.
DELCO opened the showcase against a little known local team called Wellington Wave Premier. The Wave came out pressuring aggressively and repeatedly forced DELCO onto the back foot. The Wave opened the scoring early by catching DELCO on a lazy trap practically going in unopposed. FC DELCO responded quickly with two quick goals in open play with great combination work between Joe Schmid, Kevin Pierce and Michael Lowe.
All looked right with the world for FC DELCO now that they were up 2-1 and showing some of their best movement. Unfortunately, this new score line led to complacency in their play. Late in the first half the Wave repeatedly pressured the left side of DELCO's defense. It was only a matter of time when one of several dangerous crosses would find their mark amongst the confusion. The half ended with the score line 2-2. Both teams had reasons for both optimism and concern.
The second half started with DELCO flatter and slower than they were in the first half; if that is possible. Even so, the score line still showed 2-2 late in the game when the Wave countered the DELCO attack. With everything to gain, and nothing to lose, the Wave attacker went all out against the DELCO defender forcing a penalty to put them up 3-2. It was the first of two unfortunate calls against boys from up north. The second came late in stoppage time when a DELCO player was sent off for violent conduct.
In the end it was a poor start all around for FC DELCO losing 4-2. The remainder of the tournament would be an uphill climb at best.
FC DELCO's second game against the team from California LAFC would provide little relief from their poor start the first day. While marginally better than their opening game, there was little movement or workrate in the DELCO attack and they had a difficult time holding possession in the midfield. The organization in the back was a little better but there was considerable work to be done if this inaugural Academy League season is to be a positive experience for Mezger's boys. The game ended with DELCO losing 2-nil.
If DELCO is to take anything positive away from the Disney Showcase it would come from their result in the third game against the bracket winners Lonestar Red from Texas. While the DELCO attack still showed the need for considerably more work, the back line and midfield finally showed up ready to play.
FC DELCO went up early in the second half with some nice combination work. However, all could sense the impending storm that was brewing from Texas. As expected, Lonestar started throwing bodies forward and it was all hands to the pump for DELCO. The back line played as if everything was riding on this result; And most likely it was. Several times late in the game, Bobby Rosato, Andrew O'Malley and Sam Heller all came up with game-saving stops. In the end it was a good positive result for Mezger's boys to take back home.
