03/21/2022
This year has been a journey. I spent the past 5 years developing players in the US soccer development academy which then changed to MLS/NEXT. Over those 5 years, I coached the boys U12 division; the team and its individual players has many successes. This past year, I moved from MLS/Next to the Club side as a Technical Director. I was given the 11 Boys age group. We had a lot of players pulled from the current 11 Boys team to play for the MLS/NEXT 12 Boys Team.
These moves created an opening for new players to play on the U11 Boys Club team. We had a lot of players come from our recreational program and some pulled up from the U10 Boys team. Most of the returning player were Division 2 players.
As the year went on, the boys trained hard, and the parents were very supportive. We suffered a lot of loses but there was always progress being made. Each loss was a learning experience that added to their development. As a staff, we decided to enter a team of players from the U10 Boys and U11 Boys to enter the Region C Commissioners Cup
Division 2.
Entering the tournament there were no expectations, other than to enjoy themselves and give 100%. During their group play, they won their first game 8-0, building some early confidence. They won their second group game 5-1. Their last game of group play was a very hard fought game where they pulled off a 1-0 victory in the final two minutes of the match.
After advancing out of group play, the boys realized how much they’ve improved over the year. They were one of the 16 teams to advance out of 27. Advancing into the quarterfinals, they played a tough Pinellas County team, beating them 3-0. This catapulted them into the Commissioner’s Cup Final Four for regency.
In their Semi-Final game they had to play against Cape Coral. The Charger Boys scored early and gave up a goal in the second half. At the end of regulation, the game was tied 1-1. Both teams has to play two 10 minute overtime periods. In the last minute of the second overtime, in dramatic fashion, the Chargers scored the game winning goal to go to the finals.
In the Final match, against The Soccer Pit Youth Athletic Club, the Chargers came out quick, scoring two goals in two minutes. In what could have been a runaway game, the opposing team showed so much strength and character by scoring a goal to cut the lead in half. As the emotions balanced out for both teams, it became a true battle between two champions. Our boys stayed strong and fought off a very good team to win the Final 2-1! It was a great final played by two great teams. I am so proud of the boys and the parents. It goes to show how hard work does pay off.