CFHC sent a co-ed
squad of ten to the Philly 7 V 7 At the Drexle University
on June 10th. The tournament consisted of a 2 pool,
8 team women’s competition and a 6 team round
robin for the co-ed competition. It was a pretty cold
and bleak day in West Philly, with the temperature never
threatening the expected high of 78 degrees and the
sun only breaking through sporadically. The games were
played on a half pitch with a full circle and were 25
mins one way.
Game 1:
CFHC 3 – 0 Dallas (Jay, Theresa, Steve) The opening
exchanges suggested that this game might end up being
pretty tight, CFHC definitely had the better possession
but Dallas were dangerous on the break, particularly
as in the 7 V 7 its easy to over-commit in attack; fortunately
anytime Dallas did break, Theresa, Moritz and Shayan
were up to the task. CFHC were playing a 1-2-1-2 format
with Mo and later Steve acting as sweeper. Jay managed
to break the deadlock about half way through, coming
off the bench and managing to squeeze one by the Dallas
goalkeeper. Not the sweetest strike by his own admission,
but exactly what we needed to calm the early tournament
nerves. Dallas didn’t have a response and further
goals from Steve and Theresa gave CFHC a deserved win.
Straight away the teamwork was pretty solid, everyone
got plenty of ball and the rotating forwards (Tina,
Betsy, Gaby, Justine and Jay) held the ball up well
for the half line to come through and aid our attacks.
Satisfying start.
Game 2:
Chicago 5 – 0 ECM (Jay, Tina (2), Steve* (2))
Very little to say about this one, we came up against
a poor but committed opposition. Once again it took
us a little while to get the flow of passes going and
at times it felt like we were playing at the opposition's
level instead of imposing ourselves, once the goals
started to come it was plain sailing though with Tina’s
brace being the highlight. In the end the score line
didn’t flatter with Shayan having very little
to do between the posts.
Game 3:
Chicago 5 -3 Xcaliber (Steve (3), Gaby, Theresa) A really
good battle this, Xcaliber could boast a US Girls National
team player as well as a couple of Mavericks players.
It seemed like the two easier games hadn’t been
ideal preparation for this much tougher task and it
took a little time to hit stride. Xcaliber took the
game to CFHC striking early twice and putting Chicago
on the back foot, but we hit back! During an excellent
10 minute period CFHC took control. After getting one
back, Jeanne played a super 30 yard pass to Steve, who
put it past the keeper to level the scoring. Gaby then
got the all important go ahead goal controlling the
ball in the D and pushing it past the advancing keeper
to make it 3-2, while at the other end Xcaliber, always
dangerous in attack couldn’t find a way past Shayan
to get back in the game. Mo burst forward to win a penalty
flick which Steve converted before Theresa finished
making it 5-2. A shell shocked Xcaliber could only muster
a late consolation to leave the score 5-3 at the final
whistle.
Game 4:
Chicago 0-0 Golden Eagles
It seemed almost impossible given the format and the
large circles that there could be a 0-0 in the tournament
but that’s exactly what happened against Golden
Eagles (benefiting greatly from having Kamal in their
ranks). Golden Eagles had the better of the game, but
a truly outstanding performance by Shayan and a last
gasp tackle by Theresa when a goal seemed inevitable
kept our unbeaten record intact. We weren’t able
to get much going in attack, but the defending was resolute,
with Justine slotting in at right back for a period
and making key tackles to help out Mo, who had his best
game of the tournament to that point.
Game 5:
Chicago 4-1 Philly Ghosts (Jeanne* (2), Mo* (2)) Having
gone one down, ShinDawg literally took the game by the
scruff and brought CFHC back into it. Starting as the
lone midfielder, she linked well with Mo, Tina and Betsy
and eventually the pressure paid off, with a Korea/Germany
1-2 punch putting CFHC back on top. After an ugly incident
and sending off that doesn’t warrant column inches,
Jeanne and Mo each got their second of the game from
the spot to leave CFHC comfortable 4-1 winners, a nice
way to prepare for the final.
*goal resulted
from penalty stroke
FINALS: Chicago
0-2 Golden Eagles
A tale of missed chances handed Golden Eagles the title.
Going an early goal down, CFHC responded by putting
together the sort of attacking play that had been missing
from the group game against GE. Similar to the first
match of the day, Justine, Jay, Tina and Betsy held
the ball up for the midfielders to come through, very
effectively. Owning the ball for most of the game, short
corners and chances came aplenty. Steve hesitated on
a pass to Mo allowing the keeper to intercept when the
game should have been leveled, Mo and Steve both missed
the target from close range following short corners
and Jay found the goal line defender on a chance he
would normally finish in his sleep. A late breakaway
left Shayan exposed and allowed Golden Eagles to put
some gloss on the score line, while CFHC could only
rue another opportunity lost and another second place
finish.
Its great that
we can go to these tournaments and be so competitive
now and the more experience of finals we get, the more
likely it is that we take the kind of chances that went
a begging in Philly and in the final at Cinci earlier
in the year. Our ability to finish in the D is the only
thing that is stopping the club from having 2 Cups in
the trophy cabinet at this early stage of the season.
