“Ninety-six degrees in the shade - real hot - in the shade”. The hit number by reggae super band Third World would have been an appropriate theme song for the Disney Showcase Qualifier event held on Labor Day weekend. With only division finalists in each age group awarded invitations to the prestigious Disney Showcase Tournament later this year and during the New Year, the action was fast and furious throughout. The three day competition saw four West Pines United teams securing spots to the main event when our U14 boys and girls captured top honors in their respective divisions. Our U13 and U15 girls’ teams fought through group and semi-final action only to narrowly go down as losing finalists.
Led by coaches Richard Jobson and Todd Goodman, our U14 boys and girls’ teams continued their incredible run of victories when both teams went undefeated in their run to the championship. Scoring a total of 14 goals with none against in group play, the boys gave up their only goal against when powering to a 2-1 semi-final win over Florida Rush, before cruising to an easy 3-0 championship victory over HCU.
Playing their first group game against Magic Jack/Schulz Academy, our U14 girls provided their own blend of “Magic”. With a scintillating performance the girls forged a 2-0 win over the pre-tournament favorites. This was followed with a 2-0 victory over Kicks FC and a relaxed 1-1 result with FC America Kumba to finish top of group play. Cross-town rivals Weston, was next to go down by a 2-0 margin in semi-final action before the team ended their quest with a 3-1 win over long-time rivals, WESA Krush.
The performance of both teams are truly remarkable when one considers that they have just recently concluded undefeated runs to win the Southeast Division of the Super Y-League and will be representing the Region at the National Championships in Tampa during the month of November.
Joining our U-14’s at the Disney Junior Showcase will be the Wayne Smith coached U-13 girls who gave up their only goal against in the championship game against perennial rivals, Sunrise. A pair of 1-0 victories over Krush and First Coast followed by a 2-0 win against Strickly Soccer paved the way for the finale, albeit the wrong end of a closely fought 1-0 game.
The most pleasant surprise however, was left to our U-15 girls to provide. In the doldrums over the past few months, the team sprang to life with a display of grit, determination and good soccer. Identical 2-1 wins over Florida Rush and Melbourne Tsunami after trailing by a goal in each encounter, was the confidence builder needed to turn back a very physical Clearwater Chargers team by a 2-0 margin and top of the group honors. The semi-final game against Pinecrest was another come-from-behind affair as West Pines rallied for a 2-1 victory, clinching a spot in the finals and a trip to the premier event in January 2010. The victory however, took its toll with injuries sustained, and a depleted squad succumbed to a 2-0 defeat from an impressive CFU squad.
