The second of the two upper-field games was, by this time 1-0 in favor of Red Bull New York who were facing California’s SCC Breakers. The match got off to a different start despite the even skill levels of the two sides. Red Bull New York’s early goal by Kevin Davies ignited a game where bypassed midfields led to a ping-pong-like battle of offensive chances. Unfortunately, luck was not with the Breakers who were even in scoring chances but left wanting on the scoreboard.

 

The score either allowed Red Bull to take on a counter attacking style of soccer or lit a fire under the Breakers who pressed for much of the remaining first half. But with chances going amiss, Red Bull countered late in the first half and took a 2-0 lead into halftime on a goal by Matt Bouraee.

 

“They seemed to let up right before halftime,” said Red Bull New York’s center back Brian Barry-Austin. “We went into the second half with more of a defensive attitude. We knew, after tying H.C. United 1-1 yesterday we had to get out of here with a win.”

 

Red Bull New York’s imposing center back led a stingy defense who, gave up one second half goal to the Breakers but, held on to a lead that grew to 3-1 by game’s end.

 

Meanwhile, at the site of tomorrow night’s semi-final match, deep in the damp and cool New Hampshire forest, an international war between the Ottawa Fury and Tampa’s H.C. United was underway.

 

The first half was a back and forth, physical fight that kept the center official as busy as the players. A torrent of fouls was replaced by a scrappy goal by Canada’s own, who took a 1-0 first half lead on a rebound goal by Corey O’Donnell.

H.C. United continued to battle through physical play from both sides until earning a PK just before the half. Ognjen Perucica converted a penalty goal seemed to be a mental blow to the Fury, who let the match be consumed by the increasing quick play of H.C. United.

 

The second half began in similar array as the first and H.C. pulled ahead of the Fury 2-1 on a goal by Pascal Millien who’s work ethic in the middle turned heads from start to finish.

 

The remaining second half slowed H.C.’s dominance and the two sides battled from end to end.

H.C. United finished off the Fury 3-1 before the end despite several chances from a quality Canadian side.

 

“We played a little slow, we need to start harder in the beginning,” said H.C. United’s Pascell. “Too many fouls in the back like that are dangerous and some teams in this tournament have guys who will make you pay.”

 

“We're obviously disappointed with the result,” said Ottawa’s goal scorer Corey O’Donnell. “We should have got our heads up and not focused on the negative things after their first goal. We can’t blame the refs; we have to finish our chances.”

 

Back at the women’s match up, a sunny second half went the way of Parsippany, who scored roughly ten minutes into the second half and held back several late MPS Boston attacks.

 

Highlighting the match were two late photogenic saves by Parsippany’s goalkeeper Caitlin Nazerarechuk. First, her sprawling kick save to her left kept the lid on a potential goal off a MPS ball swung in from the right flank and headed on net. Nazerarechuk’s second moment of brilliance was a diving cover of the near post on a rebound shot from just outside the area. Both preserved Parsippany’s clean sheet and set the stage for tomorrow’s showdown with the touted Washington Freedom.

 

“This was not an easy match,” said Parsippany’s Head Coach Kobie Johnson. “MPS Boston was very athletic. It could have gone either way.”

 

“We’re looking forward to a second go-around with the Washington Freedom,” added Johnson. “This is a long tournament and we’re just looking to keep things simple against them. They’re obviously very talented club.”