The 2014 U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Championships began Friday Feb. 28 on a pleasant afternoon in Phoenix.

With the forecast calling for evening showers in the Valley of the Sun some of the event’s games were moved up from late evening to early afternoon.

 

BOYS

The first game of the afternoon featured the 1998 boys group that included the team from Illinois playing the team from California – South.

The game was tight from the onset but California South had Illinois on its heels throughout the first half by getting their offense going through Milo Barton who had a couple of attempts on goal.

California came out aggressive on offense and really pushed the pace on the pitch against Illinois who tried their best to hold off the attack.

Illinois slowly made their way back into the game with a late first half push that saw them get a few shots on goal and ended the first half with a little momentum in their favor.

Though Illinois’ defense struggled to keep California South out of the box, goalkeeper Adam Masters made a couple of nice saves to keep his team in the game and after one half the score was tied 0-0.

The second half was much of the same for both teams as much of the game was played in midfield.

A couple of opportunities for California South to take the lead midway through the second half when a corner kick almost led to a score by Christian Flores who just missed the header that would given his team the advantage.

The game went into extra time and it was obvious at that point that the weather was starting to wear on both squads, as fatigue was an issue late in the game.

After 30 minutes of extra time the score was still 0-0 and the game would be decided on penalty kicks.

Illinois and California South each scored on their first three attempts in the penalties but it was a great stop by California’s goalkeeper, Jerry Fitschen that sealed the win for California as their tough defense proved to be the deciding factor in Friday afternoon’s game.

The other game in the 1998 boys division was Maryland against Florida where Maryland was able to get by Florida 3-2 because of the two goals from Joshua Fawole of the Maryland team. They will go up against California South on Sunday morning in the Championship game.

 

GIRLS

In a game that was moved up due to possible showers later in the evening, the 1998 girls division game featured California South against the girls Illinois team.

Earlier in the day the boy’s California South and Illinois teams played in a tough game that went the distance all the way to penalties.

That would not be the case for the girl’s teams as California came out strong and solid in the first half with sharp crisp passes that the Illinois team could not seem to handle.

Kennedy Smith was the first to score for California South on what was an easy one-timer from a left side corner kick.  Illinois seemed to lose all motivation after that first goal.

Only a short while later California was able to score again on an easy through pass that led to a goal that Illinois goalkeeper Ashley Nensel could only watch go right by her.

The first half was total domination for California South, as Illinois just seemed lethargic and uninspired throughout. The intense play of California really had an impact on Illinois.

With the score 2-0 going into the second half Illinois tried to make a push to get back into the game but once again the quick passes that California South perfected around the midfield left Illinois confused and frankly defeated as the offense did not let up and scorched Illinois for another four goals in the second half.

California South’s Sunny Dunphy, led the team with three goals as she made easy work of the Illinois defense getting the ball behind the net on several occasions, along with Dunphy California South also had Hinsseence Regassa, Carly Malatsky, and Kennedy Smith each score once for the team.

The final score after two halves of play was 6-0 with California South shutting out the Illinois team.

In the other 1998 girls division game, Virginia held on for the win against Georgia 4-2, with goals from Emily Fox and Ayan Adu.

California South will face Virginia Sunday morning in the 1998 girls division championship game.