MSC United 98 Takes AK Airlines Cup Title

With preparations for Far West Regionals beginning to step up, our MSC United 98 boys took time out to dominate the U14 boys division in the 2011 Alaska Airlines Cup.

In the semifinal match, the boys faced North Pole Cyclones 98, who came into the match with a tournament goal differential of 22-0. The zero didn’t last long, though, as MSC ran out to a 4-0 halftime lead, completing the overwhelming performance with second half goal from Trout Millhouse to seal the 5-0 win.

In the final, MSC faced CISC Velocity 98B Blue. 2011 Ina K medal winner Ben Sande opened the scoring just a minute into the contest, though Velocity equalized after a scrum in the box to make the score 1-1 at the interval. The second half featured an MSC onslaught, as United 98 scored 4 unanswered goals, beginning with a volley from left back Max Haines, to take the final tally to 5-1. Well done, boys!

See more photos from the day here: http://cid-6c85f546751d6a5c.photos.live.com/play.aspx/2011%20AK%20Airlines%20Cup?ref=1

Summer’s Here!

With the summer outdoor season finally upon us, the boys have begun training in earnest for Far West Regionals, working out four days a week in Palmer, while also managing to mix in the occasional practice game to assess our early-season progress. In our first, MSC United 98 defeated FFSC 98B by a score of 6-0, while getting the entire squad plenty of playing time.

Alex Valdez, onside when the ball was played, breaks away during a practice game versus FFSC 98B.

Coming right up this weekend is the third-annual MSC Friendlies, where our squad will face four very different challenges in three days–playing AYSC 97B Reds, KPSC 98B, FFSC 98B and the AK Street Soccer Academy 97 boys. Each match presents a different set of obstacles for our team and we’re excited to see how we respond.

Working out the early-season kinks, MSC breaks for goal.

The week following the friendlies, we’re set to begin UAYSL league play; then June 3-5 it’s time for the Alaska Airlines Cup, our final tuneup in preparation for FWR. The boys will be looking for positive results in this tournament, while also trying to improve in all facets of the game, as we’ll need to be firing on all cylinders by the time we arrive in Boise.

Far West Regionals Update

The pairings picture at Far West Regionals is becoming a lot clearer, with several states completing their State Cups in recent weeks.

Fort Collins Arsenal Colorado Gold

As Alaska State Cup Champions, MSC United 98 will compete in a pool versus the titlists from Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico, and two of the boys’ three opponents are now set, with only New Mexico remaining.

First, in other groups, Crossfire Premier 97A returns to the Region IV elite following a 2-1 final win over WPFC 97B Black, which means the boys won’t be able to reunite with Hassani Dotson in Boise, as he plays central midfield for WPFC. In Crossfire’s group will be the South Bay Gunners, ranked #3 nationally by GotSoccer. South Bay defeated Nomads SC Academy (#2 in the nation) in the Cal South State Cup final by a score of 3-0. Newcomer Maui Elite will pair with Crossfire and the Cal South entrants in a Regional group. Maui Elite is the former team of MSC United 98 midfielder Alex Valdez — and we’ve already arranged a light friendly with the squad in Boise before the tournament begins.

The third FWR bracket is headed by Alum Rock YSL PAC Impact from Cal-North, always a tournament favorite. Another surefire contender in this group hails from nearby Salt Lake City–Sparta United SC 98 Premier, who have competed in a number of tournaments with the boys, though we’ve never met. Sparta United were semifinalists in 2010.

In our bracket, Fort Collins Arsenal Colorado Gold 97-98 recently took top honors in the Colorado State Cup, returning to Far West Regionals for the second time. Finalists last year, Arsenal CO defeated Crossfire Premier on penalty kicks, before falling to Cal South (Santa Barbara SC) in the tournament final.

Vegas United SC 98

Our other confirmed opponent in Boise hails from Las Vegas — Vegas United SC 98 — and is a team the boys have met before, finishing in a 0-0 draw in Huntington Beach during the 2009 NHB Cup. The team upset LSVA 98B Red in the Nevada State Cup final, and should be a great fit for our style.

New Mexico wraps up their State Cup action this week, and then our group pairings will be set. Until then, the boys will continue to prepare for whomever they’ll face, taking things one session at a time.

United 98 Boys Participate in President’s Day Tournament

Several MSC United 98 players took part in the prestigious President’s Day Tournament held in Phoenix, AZ, over the weekend of February 19-21. While the weather did not cooperate, with shortened and cancelled games the real highlight of this year’s tournament, the boys did get several opportunities to advance their play ahead of next June’s Far West Regional in Boise.

To see a selection of photos from the boys’ weekend in Phoenix, click the image at right.

Alaska State Cup Champions!

Competing in their first Alaska State Cup in August, 2010, the MSC United 98 boys cruised the to the title, winning all five of their matches while posting an impressive tournament differential of 24 goals for and only 2 goals against.

The team now moves on to take part in Far West Regionals in Boise, ID, which takes place over the week of June 20-26, 2011.

2009 Ina K Memorial Champions

Again playing up one year, the MSC United 98 boys still dominated the competition at the 2009 Ina K Memorial, which kicks off the competitive soccer year in Anchorage. Posting a tournament goal differential of 27 goals for versus 1 goal against, the 98 boys thoroughly dominated their older competition — even taking the tournament final 4-0 over CISC Velocity 97B Blue.

Zane Cup Champions!

Group Stage:

Kenai Peninsula SC 97 Falcons vs. MSC United 98

Final: 1-4

 

MSC United 98 vs. Full Force SC 97

Final: 1-1

 

MSC United 98 vs. AYSC 97 Reds

Final: 5-0