On a beautiful Sunday afternoon the Crossfire Premier US Soccer Academy teams went south and made a strong statement in their local derby against Washington Premier by bringing home two road victories. The U16s hammered out a 2-1 win in a game that was not as close as the score suggests, while the U18s took home a hard fought 1-0 victory. These results leave the two Crossfire teams undefeated in both league and division play with records of 4-0-0 (2-0-0) and 2-0-2 (1-0-1) respectively. It also puts both teams at the top of their divisions’ standings.

 

Emotions were high as the two clubs christened the new lighted Field Turf grounds at the Washington Premier complex. There was a strong Tacoma crowd as the sidelines were stuffed with spectators, including coaches from most of the area college soccer programs, looking for what promised to be two great matches. Both clubs knew each other well from years of games in the WSYSA leagues but never were the stakes higher as this was the first time they had faced each other as US Soccer Academy teams.

 

In the first game the U16 Crossfire Premier team took quick control of the match but despite a number of attractive opportunities could not get the ball in the back of the net. Throughout the first half Crossfire seemed to set up camp in the Washington Premier penalty area but was unable to finish. Bradley McIntosh and Charlie Piehler showed themselves to be particularly dangerous darting through the Tacoma defenders and creating chances. Washington Premier tried to counter with a series of direct attacks meant to keep Crossfire on their toes. They were able to manufacture a number of set plays and corner kicks that provided some dangerous moments. Kelyn Rowe, who is more known for his offense was a fixture in the Red and Black’s defensive middle during these moments as he continually cleared corner kicks with his head against the larger Premier attackers.

 

In the second half the Crossfire midfield lead by Ben Fisk began to assert themselves. Midway through the period Kelyn Rowe on a long throw in found an open Cody Snyder who gracefully slotted the ball into the opposing net. This was goal number eight in just four games for the league’s leading scorer. 

 

Washington Premier fought gamely back and was able to take advantage of a set play when the direct kick went off the hands of the Crossfire keeper and was alertly slammed into the goal by the Tacoma boys.

 

Crossfire, ever the dominant team, came back to assert themselves and put the game away when Cody Eley hit a powerful shot into the goal off a Bradley McIntosh corner kick to regain the lead.  In the last five minutes behind the pleading of WA Premier Head coach Reece Olney to “play more direct” the Crossfire opponents fought to gain a tie but Jack Ryan and Andrew Cunningham anchored the defense the rest of the way to insure the result for the Crossfire U16s.

 

In the second match of the afternoon Crossfire quickly asserted themselves with a series of attacks and strong possession. Fifteen minutes into the match Murphy Campbell found himself open in front of the goal but was denied by a brilliant and courageous save from the Washington Premier goalkeeper, Chris Carlin.  As a result of the collision a facial injury occurred that delayed the game for around 30 minutes as the player was attended to by the medical staff. After the pause the game became more of a physical but cleanly played game as both teams worked to regroup. 

 

After the game Campbell shared his regret for being a part of the unfortunate encounter and stated that he really appreciated Washington Premier Head Coach Jimmy McAllister and his assistant personally coming up to him to let him know that they knew there was nothing malicious done on Murphy’s part.

 

Crossfire’s best chance in the first half came as Anthony Arena rose above the Washington Premier defense and slammed an Alexander Klein corner kick with his head against the top post. The forward crew of Estaban Reyes, Ricky Morales and Zach Sampson continually manufactured chances but were frustrated by strong goalkeeping. The Tacoma boys were able to pressure with a series of corner kicks that were denied by Crossfire first half goalkeeper Brooks Hopp.

 

In the second half Kellan Brown added instant energy for Crossfire in the midfield and more chances started to develop. Josh Strasser proved to be dangerous down the right and Avi Castro’s speed proved to be a problem for Washington Premier on the left. After not being able to complete a series of chances a determined Estaban Reyes knocked a ball under a WA Premier defender’s outstretched legs while simultaneously leap frogging over them to position himself open in front of the goal. He quickly knocked a shot passed the astonished goalkeeper to put Crossfire ahead 1-0.

 

Washington Premier did not go away lightly forcing Crossfire goalkeeper Doug Herrick to stretch high in the air to parry away a direct kick. Another Washington Premier effort went off the post. Overall the Crossfire defense led by Anthony Arena, Aaron Becerril and Jermaine Haller proved to be the difference as the Crossfire U18s took away a well deserved 1-0 victory.

 

After the games Crossfire Coaching Director Bernie James shared his thoughts. “It is great to get results on the road in this league even if the road means a one hour car drive. We were very happy to be able to come down to Washington Premier’s new complex and take care of business. Washington Premier came out really fired up in both games. I believe that the fans were able to see two great matches and could really understand why the US Soccer Academy is so special.”

 

“We now have to get ready for two tough games against the DeAnza boys next Saturday night at Starfire. Any time we play a team from California we know it is going to be a tough game. I got to believe they cannot be too happy about our matches last weekend. They are sure to come up here very fired up and ready to play. The atmosphere at Starfire ought to be great and I would encourage any fan of soccer to be sure to be at the games, which will be at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. They are our season openers and it promises to be a great evening of soccer.”