Taken from USLSoccer.comThe U14 Northern Virginia Royals amazing run in the 2007 North American Super Y-League Championships ended just short of the title, falling 1-0 to Arsenal FC in the tournament final. A second half of relentless pressure was not enough to equalize Arsenal’s first half goal, leaving the Royals just shy of a Cinderella ending.
An emerging staple in the strong soccer region of Southern California, Arsenal FC landed teams in Tuesday’s U14 and U15 boys North American Finals. The South Atlantic Division Northern Virginia Royals were fresh off a 2-1 win over Canada’s Mountain WFC in the semi-final match the previous day and proved an even truer test of Arsenal’s mettle.
Arsenal began playing the possession game embedded in the minds of all their teams in the early part of the match. By holding the ball they were able to break through Northern Virginia’s back line in less than ten minutes.
The strike came from Jonathan Tovar with good work on the flank by Christian Gomez, who followed a side-step move or two with a feed to Tovar. Tovar finished right down the middle of the Royals goal for the initial lead, which would prove enough as the pair played to a stalemate for the remainder of the contest.
Arsenal held a distinct advantage in possession through the first half until the final ten minutes when Northern Virginia put Arsenal under heavy pressure.
The Royals continued the pressure in the second half, growing stronger and eventually earning a penalty-kick following a tackle from behind in the area. Tyler Dunn stepped to the mark and hit a nice shot at Arsenal goalkeeper Sammy Varo, but the net minder quickly slid to his left to brick wall the free kick.
“It was more of a reaction save,” said Varo following the match. “I do not like to dive before the ball is kicked. I just like to go after it once I see it.”
Varo was named the Super Y-League U14 boys MVP following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory.
“These team from the east are as strong as any I have seen in California,” added Varo. They can play with anybody, but today we were stronger and earned the championship.”
The Super Y-League title completes the double for the team who won the Southern California Division of the SYL/Coast Soccer League Championship earlier this month.
“We wanted to keep the ball down and play on the floor,” said Arsenal Head Coach P.J. Brown following the match. “Northern Virginia was more direct and tried to take us out of our game. Once we established what we liked to do we were able to control the pace of the match.”
