FC Athletico
Futbol Club Athletico

The Premiere Idaho Falls Soccer Team
Promoting Academic and Soccer Excellence in Eastern Idaho

Silver State Invitational Soccer Tournament, Las Vegas, NV.
February 21-22, 2009

FCA Champions of the Silver Division

The Men of FC Athletico are the Champions of the 2009 Silver State Invitational Soccer Tournament U17 silver division with a record of 4 wins 0 losses, scoring 14 goals and allowing only 1.

The attack was balanced. Eight (8) FCA men had goals and 7 FCA men had assists. The leading goal scorers were Jose Luis Gomez, Alejandro Garcia and Miguel Romo, each with 3. The leading assist man was Jose Luis with 4.

To say the defensive intensity was high would be an understatement. The primary defense back crew of David Battisti, Josh Borland, Noah Bush, Arnold Pelayo and Oscar Reyes all played magnificently. Also contributing stellar backline performances, when called away from their primary roles, were Alejandro Garcia, Chuy Pelayo and Ruben Perez.

The goalie play was outstanding as guest player goalie Derik Embree (who is also Nevada’s ODP U17 keeper and Downtown Las Vegas U18 keeper) and FCA keeper Saul Salmeron reign supreme between the pipes.

Tournament Summary

Game 1 vs. U17 Neusport FC Gold – 2-0 Win

Captains were Jose Luis, Michael and Chuy.

The FCA men started with good intensity, having the best of the play in the first half. Jose Luis Gomez drew a foul in the penalty area and Michael Meyer hammered home the penalty kick for FCA’s first goal of the game and tournament. Only a few minutes later, a pass from Michael to Jose Luis resulted in FCA’s second goal for a score of 2-nil at half.

The second half was much more even play in terms of possession; however the opponent was unable to develop any quality chances on FCA’s goal. FCA won 2-nil.

MVPs – Josh Borland and Nico Sanchez

Game 2 vs. U17 Spring Valley FC – 4-0 Win

Captains were Josh Borland and Nico Sanchez.

Both teams had won their first game so this was for first place at the end of the first day. Simply put, FCA scored early and often.

The first goal was scored within ten minutes on a strike by David Sanchez off an assist from Jose Luis Gomez. The second goal was from a free kick of such beautiful creativity it bears describing.

At approximately 25 yards out, 3 FCA men, David and Nico Sanchez and Alejandro Garcia created a triangle around the ball. A firm pass by David went to his brother Nico who then smartly one-touched the ball across to Alejandro who found the back of the net around the impending wall of Spring Valley FC players. The goal left the opponent wondering what had just happened in the previous second of time.

The third goal was scored by David Sanchez off an assist from Jose Luis and to round out the first half, the fourth goal was scored by Jose Luis from an assist by Nico.

The score at half was FCA 4 – Spring Valley FC 0

The second half, while not changing the scoreboard, would certainly not be considered dull as FCA’s shot frequency had to be better than 1 shot every 2 minutes. The opponent shuffled their lineup and moved their best player from forward to center defense and basically played as a second goalie that couldn’t use his hands. FCA strikes hit him at least 6 times in front of the goal. The next most effective SVFC defender was the opponent’s goal posts and cross bar as the pipes were ringing every few minutes.

Final score FCA 4 – SVFC 0

MVPs – Noah Bush and David Sanchez

At the end of day 1, FCA had tallied 19 points, guaranteeing their place in the Championship game regardless of what was to happen in the final bracket game Sunday. A nice way to sleep Saturday night.

Game 3 vs U17 Ballistic SC – 6-1 Win

Captains were Noah Bush and David Sanchez

A game FCA had the better of from the start, the first score occurred at approximately the 20-minute mark off a shot by Jose Luis Gomez from an assist by Nico Sanchez. Only a few minutes later, the Ballistic squad returned with their one-and-only score to even things up at 1-1.

The second half produced another FCA scoring barrage. Shortly into the half, Miguel Romo started the onslaught from an assist by Jose Luis Gomez and lifted the score to 3-1 in favor of FCA. Moments later, Miguel and Jose Luis teamed up for a second time and successfully placed the ball into the back of the net to increase the score to 4-1. The fifth goal came off an assist by Miguel Romo and shot by Alejandro Garcia half way through the 35-minute half. The sixth and final goal was pounded into the back of the net by Ruben Perez off an assist by Jason Ward.

Final score FCA 6 – Ballistic SC 1

MVPs – Oscar Reyes and Derik Embree

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME vs Neusport FC Gold U17 - 2-0 Win

Captains were Oscar Reyes and Derik Embree. 90-minute game.

The opponent came out very aggressive and had the better of play the first few minutes and, while not really getting any quality strikes off, the play was on FCA’s half. Approximately five minutes in, FCA began to regain its footing and the first quality strike of the game was sent by FCA. Momentum slowly began to go FCA’s way and by the 15th minute, FCA was controlling possession.

The tried-and-true sports adage; a good defense is the best offense – particularly when the defense puts points on the board – was never truer than in the 20th minute. This was evident when Josh Borland, FCA’s center defensive man, poached the ball in FCA territory and proceeded to move up the pitch like an Olympic slalom racer going for gold. Reaching the penalty area, Josh sent FCA’s game ball to its favorite destination – the back of the opponents net. Result, FCA 1 – Neusport FC 0.

The second goal came in the last ten minutes of the first half when Miguel Romo and Jose Valencia combined for a beauty of a score with Miguel finishing the strike off the assist from Jose.

The Score at the half: FCA 2 – Neusport FC 0

Words cannot do justice to the tough, gritty play from the men of FCA in the second half as they played like the Champions they are, keeping the opponent scoreless and creating the better quality 2nd-half scoring chances.

Championship final score: FCA 2 – Neusport FC 0

FCA bracket play earned 28 out of a possible 30 points. In the entire tournament, all brackets/ages/boys/girls, only one other team did as well also earning 28 points.

For those reading a FCA summary for the first time, the MVP’s are selected by the players and those players are the captains for the next game.