FUTSOC ENIGMA SHINES AT WORLD RENOWNED DALLAS CUP

ENIGMA PERFORMS ADMIRABLY AT INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED DALLAS CUP

Nationally ranked FUTSOC ENIGMA, coming off a preparatory event at the IMG SHOWCASE in Bradenton, Fl a couple of weeks ago, was placed in one of the most competitive groups of the U19 division at the world famous DALLAS CUP, competing against Knowsley Youth of England’s First Division, Elgin Pumas of Mexico’s Primera Division and the 6th ranked team in the U.S., Dallas Texans.

Group play was fierce against these top level teams, as ENIGMA opened with an upset victory over Knowsley by the score of 3::2, after being down 0::2 in the first half. A superb finish by attack forward, Fran Nicolaris in the 2nd half of play, resulted in the difference for the positive outcome. In the 2nd game, played against a similar style squad – Elgin Pumas, ENIGMA conceded two first half goals on defensive errors, which resulted in part because of unsettling weather conditions (40 mph winds). In the 2nd half we settled down, and against the wind, were able to secure the valuable point from the resulting 2::2 final score. Even though to this point, ENIGMA showed to be the superior squad, we had four points to show from the first two matches, with one game remaining in group play. That last match was played in even worse conditions than the day before, against a solid Dallas team. Despite this, ENIGMA played its most dominating performance of the tournament and maybe of the last few years, holding the vaunted attack of Dallas Texans FC in check for almost the entire match and dominating play nearly 80/20. The only shot allowed by the respected opponent came in the 85th minute, on a speedy counterattack, finding the net in the process and eliminating ENIGMA from group play in this heartbreaking 0::1 loss.

As is customary for Dallas Cup participants, we attempted to schedule “friendly” matches with other interested squads from our U19 division. To no avail, we then requested across the board to the Gordon Jago U19 Super Group, to play one of the top sides in the world, the Barclays Bank EPL Youth Champion and UEFA Youth Quarterfinalists MIDDLESBROUGH FC of England. After a light 90 minute warm–up scrimmage that same morning against another top shelf British side – Portsmouth FC, we met the English champions in a battle of top level youth clubs, losing in a very competitive match by the minimum score of 0::1. The result was the product of a careless defensive mental lapse, which stopped our defensive line and gave opportunity for the opportune score.

Our squad clearly demonstrated its brilliant soccer play level, which elicited comments from the FIFA refs officiating the match and which were reiterated by many of those present, that our teams had played one of the finest matches in the tournament, and furthermore, showed why ENIGMA stands proud as one of the U.S’s top youth teams, equal to the very best that Great Britain and Europe have to offer.

Congratulations to our meritorious quality opponents and to our outstanding ENIGMA boys for their superb performances throughout the world class event!

ENIGMA – 2016 DALLAS CUP (17): Mike Martinez, Orel Cohen, Keon Waite, Raheem Small, Myke Zamor, Daniel Atilano, Gian Scalise, Joey Piga, Elijah Kerr, Bruno Giacomelli, Chris Pereira, Landon Lupo, Esteban Escobar, Joaquin Saez, Francisco Nicolaris, Guillermo Deal and Mike Wehrhahn.

GF: 5 GA: 5 PTS: 4

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