SYL Select Teams: 6-3-0
’90 side drops 3-0 decision to TSV 1860 Munich, ’92s currently 4-1-0
 MUNICH, GERMNAY – After accepting an invitation to play ‘92 Unterhaching Monday, the Super Y-League Select ‘92s, undefeated to this point in their 2007 Tour of Germany, played their toughest match of the tour thus far. They again relied on the talent of potent goal scorer Reed Losee of the VardarStars and dispatched the formidable opponent on their own turf 1-0.
“Our defense played exceptionally well in that match,” said Super Y-League Select Team Manager Sean Trask. “We did not finish as well as we should have but our defense was there to pick up the slack. We got away from the midfield possession that was working for us late in the game and started playing long ball. If we would have been able to capitalize more often early, we would not have been fighting as hard in the closing minutes.”
Relying on a three back system that rotates in defenders: Zachary Haapaoja and Chris Benedict of TSF Academy, Leron Haywood of the Brooklyn Knights, Billy McGuiness, Matt Ducci and Mitchell Albrecht of the Chicago Magic and Jack Ryan of the Washington Crossfire, the Super Y-League Select ‘92s allowed only four goals in three games to this point. Three of those goals came in their opening match against SSV Regensburg, where the offense more than carried the load for the side, winning 6-3. Not to be overlooked, ’92 goalkeepers McKenzey Scott of the South Jersey Barons and Tommy Duquette of the Michigan Wolves have combined for two clean sheets.
Monday, July 16
A clean sheet was essential for the side in Monday’s match with ‘92 Unterhaching. The only goal came from the aforementioned Losee in the 13th minute. The strike was abetted by teammate Bradley McIntosh of the Washington Crossfire when he swung in a ball from the left flank. Losee collected the ball, just inside the penalty area and powered a shot past the Unterhaching goalkeeper for the early 1-0 lead.
The team continued to further exert themselves in the second half. Controlling much of the play, they earned a kick from the mark early in the second stanza. Losee stepped to the penalty spot only to bash a rocket off the crossbar. The rebound was quickly gobbled up by the Unterhaching keeper and the save preserved the one goal score line.
Shortly after the missed opportunity, Losee again came free in the box. This time a header played in by Giovanni Tacconelli of the South Jersey Barons was won by Losee at the back post. Needing only an on-target strike to net an insurance goal, Losee did his best to accomplish the task but left the header just wide of the net.
Unable to push the score any further, the Super Y-League Select ‘92s relied on their goalkeeper and back three to preserve the win. The match finished 1-0, the side holding their undefeated 3-0-0 European record in tact.
Tuesday, July 17
The ‘90 Super Y-League Select Team showdown with the youth academy side of TSV 1860 Munich was played Tuesday. The German Second Division youth academy side ran like a well oiled machine as they methodically netted three goals against Neil Megson’s week old defense. The Select Team fought back in the second half, hitting the post and creating numerous scoring chances but they were ultimately unable to find the back of the net and fell 3-0.
Down 1-0 at halftime due to a 20th minute TSV 1860 goal, the Select Team was further inhibited by losing a man to a straight red card in the 50th minute. Showing some character, the team willed some attempts on goal but playing a man down, the side succumbed to the disadvantage and relinquished a second goal in the 70th minute. On the goal, the Americans left their goal exposed pursuing a ten-man equalizer and a long ball played over the back line was received by an 1860 striker. The forward calmly drew goalkeeper Jordan Maman of the Chicago Magic before dropping the ball to a late arriving 1860 midfielder who crushed it into the open net for a 2-0 lead. The side added a third goal minutes later and the match finished 3-0 in favor of 1860.
The same day, John Hannan’s ‘92’s extended their unbeaten run to 4-0-0 with a 3-1 win over the ’93 Regional Select B Team. Playing a high line of defense, the Bavarians forced two early mistakes out of the Americans and it looked as if the side would drop the first match of their 2007 Tour of Germany. The side was heading into halftime down 2-0 when, just before the whistle, Bradley McIntosh of the Washington Crossfire picked out teammate Dominick Sarle of the New York Rough Riders who knocked home one for the Super Y-League Select Team and made it 2-1 heading into halftime.
“During halftime we talked about loosening up their defense with a few balls over the top and then picking them apart through the middle,” said Hannan. “That goal right before the half really put us in a good position for the rest of the match. We really broke them down in the second half. We had a lot of scoring chances.”
The ‘92s got another goal from Losee in the second. On the goal, a miscue between the Bavarian goalkeeper and defender allowed Losee to bolt in between the two and knock an easy goal in and knot the match at 2-2. Haapaoja came out of the back to assist Dzanan Catic on the game winner.
Wednesday, July 18
The success of the ‘92s came to a close today as they dropped their first match of the tour, a 3-2 loss to the Bavarian Regional Select A Team at 10:30 this morning, German time. Again the side was susceptible early and gave up a goal in the first few minutes off a long, 30 yard shot that beat Scott to the near post. Soon after, the Bavarians took a quick 2-0 advantage off another defensive blunder. Similar to the day before, the Americans fought back and were rewarded with a goal just before the halftime whistle. Jacob Doyle of the Northern Virginia Royals netted a penalty kick to draw near at 2-1. But heading out of halftime, the Bavarians gained a two goal advantage off a breakaway. Relentless, the Super Y-League Select Team came within one goal of a draw for the second time, another McIntosh to Losee goal, this time off a corner kick, but the side could not find a third goal and dropped their first match of the tour 3-2.
“This team had the advantage of seeing us play the day before,” said Hannan. “Their game plan was to lie back and weather our attack throughout. When we made those mistakes and went down two goals early, it just played into their hands but we did possess the ball about 80 percent of the match. Believe it or not it was one of the better games we have played so far.”
After the match the two teams took a train called an “S-Bahn” into Munich. The train left around 2:30 p.m. German time. The 90’s having practiced earlier in the day, decided to tour the city while the younger ‘92s visited the Munich Cathedral and a National Park near the English Gardens.
Tomorrow the ‘90s are in action against the ’90 Regional Bavarian Select B Team while the ‘92’s hit the road, traveling to Oberammergau where they will face the ‘92 Bavarian Regional Select A Team Friday and ‘92 TSV 1860 Munich on Saturday.
“It has been a great trip so far,” said Rough Rider Dominick Sarle. “The sites are amazing and the games are great. Everywhere we visit, the people are so friendly. As a player looking to play in college and hopefully as a professional somewhere down the road, these tours have opened my eyes to the amount of dedication you need to have in order to play at the top level.”
About the Super Y-League Select Tours of Germany
To become eligible for these tours players underwent a full season of evaluation through Super Y-League regular season play. Appraised by their club coaching staffs, the most elite players from the 2006 Super Y-League season were invited to attend the 2007 Super Y-League ODP National Camps in Cocoa, Florida. An Olympic Development Program sanctioned event, these camps serve dual purposes. Players are first evaluated directly by U.S. National Team Staff Members or recommended for inclusion in U.S. National Team Programs. The second motive of the SYL ODP National Camps, the top 20 players from every age group U13-U17 boys and girls, are named to a Super Y-League Select Team. These are those teams.
“These annual tours of Europe are yet another example of United Soccer Leagues’ emphasis on the importance of international development,” said USL President Francisco Marcos. “The most important component missing in the maturation process of American players is a lack of meaningful international competition. Players should take advantage of every opportunity to compete internationally. The Super-Y-League Select Team tours are one more step in the process of making USL a true international organization.”
Super Y-League Select Team Report I
Super Y-League Select Team Report II
Super Y-League Select Team Report III
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