USA U-21 Men - Match Report

by Mike Whitehead – Manager

Semi Final - USA vs. Chile

1900 hours

The US played CHILE today to compete for a first place opportunity and a berth to the upcoming Junior World Cup in July 2009.   

The US squad responded well in the initial 10-15 minutes of the game and competed with the Chilean’s.  The US allowed a nice FG to their South American opponent in the 2nd minute of play.  The US defense was clinical out of the back building the ball by SCHEURER and BARBER though GINOLFI creating a few opportunities and forcing two nice PC which were inches away from changing the match momentum for the US squad.  In the 25 minute the Chilean’s forced another PC resulting in a goal, putting the Chilean’s ahead 2 – 0.  The US continued to fight but were unable to convert ending the half 2 – 0.   

The US started the second half but seem to fall away in the pressing allowing the Chilean’s more chances then they could create, which allowed their opponents a PC in the 41st minute resulting in a goal.  This put the US squad on there heals and still could not gain the momentum they needed.  The Chilean’s forced another PC in the 56th minute making the game 4 – 0, and another FG in the 57th minute.  The US tried to regain their composure but the opportunities were not coming.  The Chilean’s scored one final FG in the 61st minute to end the match 6 – 0 and a disappointing result for the US squad.

The US still has opportunity tomorrow to earn a final qualifying spot for the Junior World Cup.  The US will play the Canadians at 1630hrs, Sunday, 26th October, which will sure to be a well-fought battle between the two North American squads.

STARTERS:  SEGEREN(GK), DHADWAL, SHEURER, BARBER, SCALLY, GINOLFI (C),  WALSH, SUNDEEN, HOLT, CUNNINGHAM, SZOKE.

PLAYED:  MARTINEZ, PADHIAR, SCEGHERS, GRASSI, AHLUWALIA

USA Card;

30th min - GINOLFI (G)
53rd min – AHLUWALIA (G)
58th min – GINOLFI (Y)

USA U-21 Men - Match Report

by Mike Whitehead – Manager

USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago

Match Time:  20:50 pm

The US squad played their final pool match game against the host team Trinidad & Tobago. The local radio station did some advertising of the match to push for the local contingency to come support their side, and did so with drums beating and the crowd cheering.  

The US side was ready for the challenge from the start and kept their composure by taking again a solid defense stance and structure against the TT side.  The US was consistent in putting the ball into their opponents half and applying pressure forcing the TT to get two on the ball and attempt to aerial the ball out of their end or hitting though our lines.  This didn’t work as well as the would have liked forcing a number of turnovers and with the leadership of JON GINOLFI, Capitan, and his mid fielders, JED CUNNINGHAM and LIAM WALSH, they were able to find WILL HOLT in the circle for a nice deflection FG in the 11th minute putting the US up 1 – 0.   The US continued to execute good marking and out letting out of their backfield finding their forwards forcing their only PC in the 18th minute.  With the TT side expecting a drag flick option by the HOLT they went with a slip option to L1 – GINOLFI to L2 – NICK SZOKE across the goal face for a nice deflection putting the US up 2 –0.   With momentum on the US side they continued to control tempo of the game, and with some nice play from SEBASTIAN SCHEURER at the RB position he found AJAI DHADWAL at RH who displayed some silky moves on the TT defense to find WALSH in the circle who put the ball between the TT goalkeeper forcing a FG in the 19th minute.   The TT side was not by any means off their game, and with a number of great chances and goal shots, the US goalkeeper KEVIN SEGEREN made some fantastic saves, both PC and FG, to keep the US team in the match and ending the half up 3 – 0.

The US came back from half time knowing the game was far from over.  The US continued to their plan forcing a number attempts to create another goal but the TT side worked hard to prevent this and eager to get their home crowd on their side.  TT continued to make long runs with numbers up on the US defense and was able to get down the left side with a circle penetration forcing a FG in the 52nd minute making the game 3 –1.  The crowd was now a factor but US was able to keep calm and continue to create chances.  However the US was able to keep the TT side from forcing any more goals to win the match. 

With the win over TT the US qualified for the semi-finals match against CHILE Friday 24th OCT at 9:00 pm.  A win over CHILE would secure the US a spot in the Junior World Cup in Malaysia July of 2009. 
1st Half

1 – 0:  HOLT – FG (11 min)
2 – 0:  SZOKE – PC (18 min)
3 – 0:  WALSH – FG (19 min)

2nd Half

3 – 1: LUM – FG (56 min)

PCA:  1 of 1
PCD:  0 of 8

Man-of-Match:  KEVIN SEGEREN (GK)

STARTERS:  SEGEREN(GK), DHADWAL, SHEURER, BARBER, SCALLY, GINOLFI (C),  WALSH, SUNDEEN, HOLT, CUNNINGHAM, SZOKE.

PLAYED:  PADHIAR, SCEGHERS, GRASSI, AHLUWALIA

DNP: MARTINEZ, ZAYAC

No Cards for USA:

Oct 21, 2008

USA U-21 Men - Match Report

by Mike Whitehead – Manager

USA vs. Puerto Rico

Match Time:  10:30 am

The US Junior played their third match against the Puerto Rican’s and was eager to redeem themselves from their loss the previous day.

The US started the match with some earned respect from the PUR side allowing them to play the ball with their half with minimum pressure.  This allowed the US to create a number of penetrations into the PUR defense.  With the leadership from JON GINOLFI, Capitan, though his IR position and JED CUNNINGHAM, Vice Capitan, the US forced a PC in the 17th minute resulting in a goal by HOLT.  The US side kept composed marking in their defense and maintaining possession against the PUR side allowing a nice left side cross FG deflection by NICK SZOKE off the PUR goalie making it 2 – 0 in the 30th minute.  The PUR side created a few chances, one resulting in a PS in the 32nd minute and finishing the half 2 – 1.

The US continued the second half with good possession and discipline not allowing the tiring PUR side to many chances in the half, eventually shutting them out with no additional goals. The US forced only a few PC, one in the 40th minute resulting in another drag flick goal by HOLT.  The US pressure kept the PUR on their heals allowing another left side cross and another nice defection FG in the 55th by minute HOLT putting the US ahead for the win 4 – 1.

After the end of three matches, the US is in 2nd positions with 6 pointst, 11 GF and +1 difference.  Just ahead of TRINIDAD & TOBAGO who also has 6 point’s, 10 GF and also with a +1 difference.  

The US final pool match play will be against the host nation, TRINIDAD, tomorrow Oct 23rd at 8:00 pm.  A draw or better will put the US side though to the Semi Finals.

1st Half

1 – 0:  HOLT – PC
2 – 0:  SZOKE – FG
2 – 1:  FERNANDEZ (PUR) PS

2nd Half

3 – 1: HOLT – PC
4 – 1: HOLT – FG

PCA:  2 of 5
PCD:  1 of 2

Goal Shoots:  13

Man-of-Match:  JON GINOLFI – Capt.

STARTERS:  SEGEREN(GK), DHADWAL, SHEURER, BARBER, SCALLY, GINOLFI (C),  WALSH, SUNDEEN, HOLT, CUNNINGHAM, SZOKE.

PLAYED:  MARTINEZ, PADHIAR, SCEGHERS, GRASSI, AHLUWALIA

Cards for USA:

AHLUWALIA – 27th min.  (Green)
SZOKE – 31st min. (Green)
GRASSI – 45th min. (Yellow – not 5 meters from the free hit)

USA U-21 Men - Match Report

by Mike Whitehead – Manager

USA vs. Argentina

Match Time:  10:30 am

The USA Juniors played their second match today.  It was the first match of the day and humid as expected. 

The US started off the match playing a possession game of hockey by building the play though the side outlet channels to their forward lines.  The US defense was doing a good job in marking the ARG forwards for the first 12th minute’s, however the US had a few technical mistakes that lead to a ARG counter attack goal. The US had some good play at times but continued having trouble getting the ball out of their half which allowed more ARG counter attacks against them allowing forcing another FG at the 15th minute.  The ARG had three penalty corners which resulted in three goals; the 18th, 30th and 35th minutes ending the half 5 – 0. 

The US took the pitch the second half; Men’s National Coach asked US squad to play with strength and power out of their defense.  With the heat becoming a factor the US defense was tiring, and had trouble getting the ball out of their end with any power as requested.  KEVIN BARBER had a great effort for the US making superb tackles.  After a hard fought battle, the US allowed four additional goals, FG – 58th min, PC – 60th min, FG – 62nd min and the final FG – 67th min.  Ending the 2nd half 9-0.

KEVIN SEGEREN, GK, had a number of fantastic saves in goal to keep the goals under a double-digit result.

The US came away disappointed and knew they could have played much better.  Moving forward they’ll take away some key points and use it in the upcoming matches against PUERTO RICO tomorrow, OCT 21st and Trinidad on OCT 23rd

Man-of-Match:  KEVIN BARBER

STARTERS:  SEGEREN(GK), DHADWAL, SHEURER, BARBER, SCALLY, GINOLFI (C),  WALSH, SUNDEEN, HOLT, CUNNINGHAM, SZOKE.

PLAYED:  MARTINEZ, PADHIAR, SCEGHERS, GRASSI, AND AHLUWALIA

Green Card – COLIN SCALLY (59min)