SIMA Gold Wins 2023 MAST

by Travis Clark

February 14, 2023

SIMA Gold captured the 2023 edition of the Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament, holding off a talented Florida Rush side by a 3-1 score on Saturday night.

The Rush secured a spot in Saturday's final after beating SIMA Elite on penalty kicks, after the two sides drew 1-1 on Friday night. The tournament, which spanned three games in three days for both teams, feature eight teams from the state of Florida, including three SIMA-based sides.

SIMA Gold secured a dream start to the game on Saturday night, going up a goal four minutes into the match. The move started through the feet of center back Mohamed Cisset. After carrying the ball out from the back, he quickly found Mohammed Ibrahim in the midfield. After SIMA worked the ball out to space on the flank, Abdul Wahabu stabbed home a great cross from the right wing to make it a 1-0 lead.

After weathering some pressure, Cisset added a second goal. Florida Rush dealt with a corner kick, but SIMA recycled possession back out to the wing. Cisset rose to glance home a high, looping cross to make it a 2-0 lead in the 17th minute.

Florida Rush rose to the challenge, however, and cut into the lead. After forcing a turnover high up the field, Rush won a penalty kick in the 29th minute. MLS NEXT midfielder Eduardo Giusti slotted home the spot kick to make it a 2-1 lead at the half.

While Rush kept the match close for a long stretch of the second, SIMA Gold eventually grabbed a third. Ibrahim, who had been involved in the buildup to the first goal, curled in a free kick that eluded both SIMA Gold attacker and the Florida defense, nestling into the bottom corner to round out the scoring.

In other action on Saturday, Tampa Bay United secured third place in the tournament, beating SIMA Elite by a 3-2 score. Lakeland United and Leg A-Z also notched wins in their respective consolation matches.

MAST Final Scoring

Fourth Minute: Abdul Wahabu, SIMA Elite

17th Minute: Mohamed Cisset, SIMA Elite

29th Minute: Eduardo Giusti, FL Rush

75th Minute: Mohammed Ibrahim, SIMA Elite