Arizona Sahuaros, Priemer Outdoor Soccer Team, U23's

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Sahuaros participate in the 2010 USASA U23 National Cup

The U23 Sahuaros.

In the first match, the Sahuaros drew against Region 3's Florida's Futsoc USA Enigma 2-2 coached by Jose Tamayo. The Sahauros had the lead twice in the match. First on a goal by DeLeon in the 18th minute after a goal mouth scramble only to be countered by a Futsoc equalizer in the 37th minute. The Sahuaros took the lead again in the 50th minute on a Ciliento header off a corner, but Futsoc again drew level in the 59th minute.
This was the first time the Futsoc club was participating in the U23 tourney. The mission of the club is to help as many players as possible to move on to college programs. The 2010 club is on its 3rd group of players that began as U12's and includes one high school National Champion team member.
In the second game of the day, the Sahuaros fell to the Chicago Fire U23 club by a score of 3-0. Despite having several scoring opportunities, it must be said that the Fire bossed the game, displaying excellent skills and tactics. Players on boths sided were feeling the effects of the unusually warm weather coupled with high humidity and many cramped up late in the game and after it was over. Chicago's goals came in the 37th, 48th and 90th minutes. The loss eliminated the Sahuaros from the championship, while Chicago were 2-0-0.
On Sunday the matchup was between the Sahauros and FC Maryland, an independant club in only its second year. FC Maryland was the MSSL U20 Champion in 2009, its first year. With seven holdever players, the 2010 U23 team went undefeated in MSSL. They won 5 matches in the Region 1 tournament over two days to reach the USASA National Cup. With both clubs eliminated, several players were relegated to the bench to permit them to recover from injuries as they leave shortly for their college programs. FC Maryland boasts 3 Division players, but two of them were out due to injury. Coach Jeff Saul's club proved no match for the Arizona team as Pat Perkins scored a first half hat trick(9, 18, 43) and Nick Auditore added a 4th goal in the 51st minute. Shortly afterward, the game was ended as a lightning storm approached. It's fair to say that both clubs welcomed the early end as the midday heat of the 2pm start was clearly taking its toll on all of the players. FC Maryland finished the group play 0-0-3 and the Sahuaros finished 1-1-1.

Next year the USASA and AYSA championships will be in Phoenix. Something for Valley fans to look forward to.