U14 Boys SYL Final
Arsenal 1 NOVA Royals 0
 Tuesday, November 20
TAMPA – 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 U14 boys faced the South Atlantic’s Northern Virginia Royals, 2-1 winners over Canada’s Mountain WFC yesterday. Their competition in this final was an even truer test of their 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 down Northern Virginia’s back line in less than ten minutes.
The strike came from Jonathan Tovar with good work on the flank by Christian Alvarez, 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.”
“This side has a lot of experience in big matches,” said Brown. “Fresh off our Coast Soccer League Championship it is fabulous to get the chance to play great soccer outside Southern California. The fields at the North American Finals were immaculate and the officials were great.”
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