Each year U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Boys Olympic Development Program sends its teams to various international tournaments. This is the highlight for the program and the elite players who are selected for these trips.  This year the Under 13s, 14s, 15s, and 16s traveled to Italy, Spain, Italy and Costa Rica respectively. All four teams finished in second place in the tournaments that included some of the top names in world soccer.  Following is a recap of the 94s and 95s. YESTERDAY we featured the 96s and 97s.
 
U15s Coached by Pat Laughlin, Jim Felix and Brian Tompkins

International Festival Costa Rica

The Region I Boys 1995 team took part in the U.S. Youth Soccer International Festival in Costa Rica. All four Regions played in the tournament along with the youth teams of top professional Costa Rican clubs Saprissa, Alajuela, Heredia, and Brujas. Each game was played in the first team’s stadium of these four clubs. In the first game Region I was drawn against Saprissa. The opportunity to play on the same field at Saprissa that the US National team had played on in World Cup qualifying was a great thrill. Region I was able to overcome some early nerves to put in a quality performance and defeat Saprissa 1-0. The Saprissa defense did not have an answer for left wing Mike Sauers (MD) and Mark Romanowski (Eastern-NY) put in a commanding performance at center back to lead the team. In the second game Region I experienced the only loss – this to Liga de Alajuela 3-1. They proved to be the most difficult team in the tournament.  Liga ended up as tournament champions and only conceded a great goal by Ryan Villella (PA-West) the entire tournament.

After a rest day Region I played Heredeia and prevailed 3-1. Although down 1-0 at the half, the team came back very strong in the second half. Team captain, Pete Pearson (VA), was outstanding in the second half scoring one and setting up two for Joel Teston (VA). The team showed great desire by scoring all three goals in the last ten minutes. A tired group of players showed up for both Region 1 and Brujas in the final game. Brujas was a talented team and scored a great goal but Region I dominated proceedings with a 4-1 triumph. Sheldon Sullivan (VA) and Andrew Tinari (Eastern-NY) put in quality performances as the outside backs in a 4-3-3 against Brujas.

This result saw Region I finish as runners up in the tournament and top USYSA Regional team. Pete Pearson was selected MVP for Region I in the tournament.

U-16s Coached by George O’Neil and Todd West

The 94 Boys were invited to the 20th Trofeo Scopigno Tournament in Rieti Italy.

There were 9 teams: 7 Italian clubs, C.S.K.A. Moscow and U.S. Region 1

The 1st game was a 4-0 win against LA' Aquila on National T.V. with Darius Madison scoring all 4 goals.

The next match was a loss against Lazio, 4-2. Darius Madison (EPA) and Chris Thorsheim (NJ) scored the goals. Region I made it to the finals, as the best second-placed team of three groups. .

The semifinal was a rematch against Lazio, however this time Region I was victorious by a 3-2 margin - Josh Mercer (DE) , Tyler Graziani (EPA), Darius Madison scored our goals.

The final, also on national television, was against Italian power Roma. Roma scored in the 25th. minute.  Nate Dearth (PAW) scored for Region I in the 44th minute. Roma scored in the 58th. minute.  Region I went all out on  attack to equalize, and  were caught on a counter attack in the 69th minute thus losing 3-1

GK Jason Scolaro (ENYS), received the Golden Glove award and Darius Madison, earned the Golden Boot award.

One More Team Set to Travel

Region I will be sending the U17 ODP team (93s) to a major tournament in Zagreb , Croatia in June. The team will be coached by Gordon Miller and Keith Tabatznik.

Region I Boys ODP Head Coach is Jay Hoffman.