CROSSFIRE NIKE MUPC WRAPUP

The Crossfire Premier 1990 boys returned to Seattle on Sunday as the most successful US team ever in the modern format for the NIKE Manchester United Premier Cup. Not only did they reach the quarter finals, also a first for a US team, but they placed 8th out of 20 teams besting such renowned clubs as Manchester United, Borussia DortmUnd and Arsenal from London. In doing to the Seattle boys had 2 wins, 2 loses and 3 ties.

This was the first US team to advance out of group since the tournament expanded to 16 teams in 1998 and went to the national/regional champion format. In fact, only one Yankee team has finished in the top half (10th) and three have finished dead last. “No one other than ourselves thought we could do what we did,” said Crossfire coach and Coaching Director Bernie James. “This was a great result. I am proud of the boys and the respect we gained here in Hong Kong. We showed that we belonged.”
As strong as their results were with a few breaks they could have been better. An own goal cost them a tie against Russia, a free kick in torrential rain gave Argentina a 1-0 victory in the quarterfinals and inability to win hit penalty kicks after tie after ties with both the Pumas from Mexico (0-0) and Inter Milan from Italy (1-1) kept them from ranking higher in the final standings.

Crossfire had their last game on Saturday a 1-1 tie in a hard fought battle with Inter Milan. Afterwards they were treated to a match between the professionals from Manchester United, who were in Hong Kong on an Asia tour, and the Hong Kong national team. The game, which ended in a 2-0 Manchester victory, was one of the many highlights of the trip for the Crossfire team.

After the Manchester United match the 10 days ended with a gala closing ceremonies that featured guests Bobby Charleton, ex Manchester United and English star, and current Manchester United hero, Dutch international Ruud van Nistelrooy. It was held at the Hong Kong Jockey club. Music was blaring and a video of tournaments highlights was shown on a big screen behind the stage. The two celebrity guests handed each of the Crossfire players medals for the tournament and posed with the boys for a team picture. Afterwards the Golden Boot was given to Saddick Bouladuali from RCD Espanyol (Spain) and the MVP was presented to Argentine Brian Oscar Sarmiento from Estudiantes de la Playa. It was a fitting end to a great week.

“I am not sure that even pros get to ever play in an event like this,” commented former MLS player and Crossfire/LWYSA Technical Director Peter Hatrup. “I was very impressed by the attention it received back here in Seattle. Throughout the week I was working at a Crossfire camp and people kept coming up to me and asking how the team was doing. One parent from a younger Crossfire team said she got goose bumps when she heard they had reached the quarterfinals. These boys have given younger players throughout Seattle a goal to strive for.”

“All our boys played great,” said Coach Bernie James. “They were in every match. To play straight up against teams like the Pumas, Inter Milan, CSKA Russia and Estudiantes is a real accomplishment. I want to thank NIKE for making this all possible. They put on a great tournament. This is truly unique.”
Throughout the week it was a real team effort and different heroes continued to show up. Anthony Arena, Aaron Becerril, Ty Klein and goalkeeper Brooks Hopp anchored a defense that only gave up four goals in seven games. Jordan Sofli, who alertly stopped a sure goal at the line against Inter Milan, and Justin Minuk both came on to give valuable minutes during the competition. Danny Wenzel and Brandon Zimmerman provided real strength in the center of the field while Alexander Klein, Josh Petosa and Davis Smith held strong on the flanks. Kellan Brown gave the team a real offensive spark and was dangerous throughout. Consistent attacks up front came from Brent Richards, who played in three positions during the tournament, Jonathan Castro, Ellis McLoughlin and the team’s leading scorer with two goals, Fernando Monge.

Throughout the week the tournament saw hard fought matches. The highest score was 5-1. In the 64 matches there were a total of 123 goals scored.

FINAL PLACEMENT
1st Place FLUMINENSE (Brazil)
This team played beautiful soccer and was strong top to bottom. They avenged an opening game 0-1 loss to Paris St. Germain by winning the finals 1-0 on a back door goal in the Hong Kong National Stadium. Though from a country known for offense, the Brazilians only gave up one goal, which was in their opening match.

2nd Place PARIS ST. GERMAIN (France)
The Frenchmen played a brilliant game against Moscow in the semi-finals only to fall short against Brazil in the finals. Forward Axel Boyer (#11) with five goals was the second leading scorer in the tournament. This team showed a focused business-like attitude the entire week.

3rd Place CSKA MOSCOW (Russia)
Most of the coaches felt the Russians were the strongest team in the tournament. They lead all teams in scoring with 11 goals. The CSKA probably showed the best team play. They were impressive with their overall skills. Had their captain not been red carded in the quarterfinals on a very questionable call this could have been the tournament winner.

4th Place ESTUDIANTES (Argentina)
Lead by tournament MVP Brian Oscar Sarmiento this side surprised people with their hard tackling and stingy defense. They did not give up a goal until they lost 1-0 to Brazil in the quarterfinals. Their team spirit was noticed by all as they constantly sang throughout the week.

5th Place PUMAS (Mexico)
The Pumas were one of two North American teams to advance out of group. They were very organized in the back giving up only three goals the entire tournament. Their only loss was to tournament winner Fluminense in the quarterfinals.

6th Place ULSAN HYUNDAI (Korea)
The Koreans were the most physically imposing team in the tournament. They rolled through group play with 7 goals including an impressive 3-0 win over Borrussia Dortmond only to have their offense fail them in the quarterfinals in a close 0-1 loss to Paris Saint Germain.

7th Place INTER MILAN (Italy)
Though they were great technicians the Italians could never get an offense going scoring only 4 goals. The Italians had impressive ties against Korea and Arsenal. Their defense only gave up five goals all tournament, 2 against Russia.

8th Place CROSSFIRE PREMIER (USA)
This team surprised the tournament by advancing out of group, a first for a US team in the modern format. With a few breaks might have been able to place higher.

9th Place ARESENAL (England)
The Gunners came into the tournament as one of the clear cut favorites. A lack of offense kept them from advancing out of the “group of death” where they just fell behind Italy and Argentina. Their bubbly personalities were the talk of the tournament.

10th Place IF BROMMAPOJKARNA (Sweden)
No one knew much about the Swedes before the week started. They had the misfortune of being in a group with the two tournament finalists, France, who they tied 1-1, and Brazil, who defeated them 2-0.

11th Place BORUSSIA DORTMUND (Germany)
The Germans were a disappointment this week. They were well positioned to advance out of group until they self destructed against the Koreans losing 3-0 in their final game of group play. Their 6-3 keeper was one of the most imposing players in the tournament.

12th Place UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA (Chile)
This was another disappointing team relative to their talent. A tie against Russia put them in a good position to advance. Their fitness failed them when they followed a hard fought draw against the USA with a 1-0 loss to China.

13th Place RCD Espanyol (Spain)
The boys from Barcelona had imposing size that did not convert into victories. 7 of their 8 goals were scored by the Golden Boot winner, Saddick Bouladuali. They won all their games in the consolation rounds.

14th Place KUMAGAYA (Japan)
The boys from Japan were one of the most inconsistent teams in the tournament. They played brilliantly against Arsenal, a 0-0 tie, Argentina, a 0-1 loss and Inter Milan, a 1-0 win, only to fall apart against Chonburi from Thailand, losing 5-1.

15th Place SOCCER 2 (New Zealand)
These boys were actually an all star team from the island nation of 3mm people. They showed a great deal of spirit but were unable to show the type of team play to get results. They entertained all the teams at the closing ceremony by taking off their shirts and doing a traditional Kiwi war chant.

16th Place MOROKA SWALLOWS (South Africa)
This was another spirited group who sang songs and smiled their way through the week. A leaky defense gave up a tournament high 12 goals. They showed better against stronger teams. Their most impressive game was a 2-1 loss to Paris St. Germain in group play. They also played the Brazilians close losing 0-2.

17th Place MANCHESTER UNITED (England)
Their coaches feel this is one of the most talented group of players to come through the ManU youth program in quite some time. They seemed to have a size disadvantage in many of their matches. Their 4 goals for and 5 goals against seemed inconsistent with their weak results. ManU’s most impressive game was a 0-0 tie against the Pumas.

18th Place CHONBURI (Thailand)
The Thais played an energy packed game throughout. They showed the ability to score but also gave up inopportune costly goals. Their most impressive game was a 5-1 win over Kumangaya that kept the Japanese from advancing out of group. A 1-0 loss to Argentina showed that this was a side not to be overlooked.

19th Place TAI PO (HONG KONG)
The host Hong Kong team did not score a goal until their final match. That one goal was enough to help them save face with a victory in their last game against their neighbors, China. They played in a strong group with Brazil, France, Sweden and South Africa. In it they only gave up 7 goals.

20th Place LIAONING YF (China)
The Chinese came with a few younger players. Though those players were very skillful it put them at a disadvantage in their games. Liaoning might have had the best goalie in the tournament. Their 1-1 tie against Chile in group play proved that they belonged.

Thanks Brian Klein for the email and the recap