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 96s and 97s. TOMORROW we will feature the 94s and 95s.

U13s Coached by Lew Atkinson, Jose Luis Rebay and Peter Dicce

The Region I 1997 Boys were the first American team to be invited to the 18th Toreno Internazionale: Piccole Grandi Squadre (Biggest Little Teams) and progressed to the final against Inter Milan while earning the Golden Boot. The 32-team tournament featured international teams from Serbia, France, Budapest, Swizertland, and Russia as well as Region I.

Region I progressed out of group with two wins and a tie before beating Borgorosso Arenzano (Italy) in the quarter-final on penalties. In the penalty shoot out Region I scored four consecutive penalties as Nicholas Giordano (Eastern NY) saved two of Arenzano’s.  Region I won the semi-final 3-0 over MTK Hungura (Budapest) on the strength of a Jeremy Ebobisse (Maryland)) hat trick to progress to the final against Inter. The final was played in front of a crowd of 1000. Region I scored first through a penalty by Ebobisse, but Inter quickly scored off a corner. The game remained level until with less than two minutes remaining in the second overtime Inter scored the game winner. At the award ceremony Jeremy Ebobisse was awarded the Golden Boot having scored 11 goals in the tournament.

U14s Coached by Ralph Pascarella and Darren Warham

The U14s were invited to the 16 team A.S.Artix Football Tournament in Spain.  After losing in the first group game Region I fought back to win the group and move to the Quarter finals where they shut out Aviron Bayonnais from France setting up a semi-final with CFF Paris.  Region I earned their 4th straight victory 2-1 to set up the final of this prestigious tournament vs Real Zaragoza of Spain.  A 5th win in a row was not in the books as the tight contest ended in a 2-1 defeat. Despite this the Americans impressed and had Junior Flores (VA) named as MVP of the tournament.

Opening Round
Region I  0 -  Real Zaragoza (Spain) 1
ST Sportive Artix (France)  0 - Region I  3
Region I  4 -  Mont de Marson (France) 0

Quarterfinals
Region I  2 -  Aviron Bayonnais (France)  0

Semifinals
Region I  2 - CFF Paris  1

Finals
Region I  0 -  Real Zaragoza  1