Day 2 of the inaugural US Club Soccer Boys NPL Showcase featured some stellar team play and hard fought matches.

 

SLSG 97/98 NPL vs. Diablos 96 1 - 1 

This game was a constant back and forth of possession between two great teams, both with great ball control and harmony between the players.

The first goal came early on in the first half when Michael Hanrahan of SLSG made a beautiful cross to Sheridan Smith, for a header into the back of the net.

Keeping the ball in the Diablos attacking third for the majority of the first half, the fast paced SLSG was aggressive both on the ground and in the air challenging every ball.

With great ball handling by both Sean Michel and Ethan Dague, the offense persisted the remainder of the half.

Diablos picked it up the second half and maintained control of the ball.

The Diablos defense was held together by a wise goalkeeper, Sean Brown-Babinski , and a relentless defender, Patrick Ramm.

Just when the game seemed to be over Nathaniel Shirley, of the Diablos, got a head on the ball after a scurry of players in the box after a free kick tying the game up 1 - 1.

In the end, risky but successful saves by Brown kept it as a draw.

 

U17 LAPFC vs. U17 Sacramento United 96 Red   3 - 1

Every team's goal is to make their pay look effortless and graceful, LAPFC did just that.

This talent stacked team provided a game that many teams and parents stopped to watch.

Within the first five minutes of the game LAPFC's Christopher Sinani had two shots on goal.

With constant aggression, communication and passing, LAPFC proved to be in unison the whole game.

With Sinani being a part of all three goals this game he proved to be the driving force of the offense.

The first goal came by way of a corner kick by Sinani to Antonio Orihuela who placed it with his left foot in the back of the net.

Late in the first half the second goal was scored when Sinani hit a beautiful cross to Ali Kamal who tapped it in the back of the net to make the score 2 - 0 at the half.

Sacramento United 96 Red picked it up in the second half to score a single goal.

Louis Heinzer made a nice cross to Joshua Sanchez for their sole goal of the game.

Angel Cortes and Fernando Flores regained control of the middle of the field and Justin Wright dominated in the back, making the LAPFC defense impenetrable.

The final goal come off of a gorgeous open field breakaway by Sinani who slotted a left foot shot to the near post just out of the keeper's reach.

 

Chicago Magic vs. Predators '95 2 - 3

This game was a tough one. Both teams had great players and clear vision of the field.

The first two goals of the game came in the first half of the game.

Sawyer Lincoln, of the Predators, scored his first of two goals with a right foot shot into the left side of the goal.

The next Predator's goal came by way of an amazing play by John Sims and Joe Colarelli. With a heel flick by Sims, Colarelli was able to plant a right footed shot to the left post out of the goalie's reach.

After the half, Chicago Magic turned up the heat in an attempt to make a comeback.

An assist by Jason Lagger lead to a near post header by Xavier Ortiz to begin the struggle for the win.

A second goal by Lincoln came right after the goal by Ortiz. Lincoln made a breakaway for the goal and allowed him to sneak one into the far post. Late in the half a PK was awarded to the Magic and was put into the left corner of the net by Sosa.

Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time for the Magic to come back for the win ending in a 2 to 3 win for the Predators.