By Amy Batista, Special Writer
ORLANDO — The Upper Freehold-Allentown NJ Strikers U-18 boys travel soccer team were crowned champions in the Disney’s Soccer Showcase during the last week of December.
In an email Jan. 1, Coach Amaro Pereira said the tournament is the No. 1 rated youth soccer tournament in the country.
The event was held in Walt Disney World at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex presented by AS Roma from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30.
”This team has won many tournaments before, but this one was extra special because this was our last year participating in this event and have never won it,” the coach said. “This was our fourth year participating in this event, and we came in third two years and didn’t place in the other. This was their last year and made history by winning their first ever Disney Showcase.”
It is the ultimate place for top clubs to be seen by hundreds of college coaches looking for talent. Disney Soccer Showcase gives athletes a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages set for youth soccer in this country, according to its website.
This tournament is for college-bound players from the ages of 15-18.
The team is composed of 17 players coached by Mr. Pereira and Galo Carpio.
The players include Kevin Pereira, Kevin Primich, Will Sjaastad, Josh Samuels, Brody Zauner, Robert Ellerson, Craig Mallet, Derick Carpio, Wesley Reyes, Nick Sample, Vincent Masitti, Nick Zolofra, Randy Gonzalez, Kelly Blidi, Peter Hall, Tobias Twehe and Fomba Tulay.
”Over 450 teams competed from all over the country from the ages of 15 to 18-19,” the coach said. “UFA NJ Strikers finished first in our bracket and then played against the other team in the other bracket and won the championship.”
He added, “We earned our spot in the top division by placing third the previous year.”
The team spends basically all year preparing for these types of tournaments and showcases.
”It takes a lot of hard work and preparation to participate in these type of tournaments,” he said. “From getting airfare, car rentals, hotels reservations, etc. We pretty much train all year round for these college showcases. These type of tournaments are for athletes to showcase themselves in front of hundreds of college coaches.”
He said UFA was placed in the top showcase bracket and began play versus No. 3 ranked team, Michigan Wolves.
”After a day of traveling, the boys came out hungry and scored a record of eight goals while allowing one to beat the Wolves 8-1,” he said. “After an easy victory, UFA lost 3-0 to the number one ranked Triangle FC Alliance from North Carolina.”
He said with its backs to the wall, UFA needed to win its third game to have any chance of making it into the finals.
”They faced the . . . team in Florida, Space Coast United Storm, and defeated them 2-0 while the other two teams played to a 1-1 tie,” he said. “UFA NJ Strikers placed first in their bracket and earned a spot in the showcase finals.”
For the first time, UFA got a chance to showcase itself in front of a huge crowd of college coaches and play in the main stadium at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, he said.
”Standing in their way of their first Disney Showcase championship was the No. 1 ranked team in Florida, the U-19 JFC 96 Elite from Jacksonville, Florida,” he said.
He said in the championship game, UFA came out strong and took a 1-0 lead by the fifth minute of the game.
”Both teams had chances to add or tie the score, but at the half, the score remained in UFA’s favor,” he said. “JFC tied the score at one (goal) when they scored 10 minutes into the second half.”
He said the rest of the game, both goalies came up big to send the game into overtime.
”So after 90 minutes, both teams were set to play a 10-minute overtime, and when the final whistle blew, the scored remained 1-1, sending the championship game into penalty kicks,” he said. “After a perfect round of six penalties taken by each team, the game remained tied. UFA converted their seventh penalty while Josh Samuels, UFA keeper, saved JFC’s seventh kick to win it.”
For him, the highlight was seeing the kids embrace one another and mob the field once the goalkeeper made the last save in the penalty shootout.
”It was a true championship game that had everything anyone could have asked for in a youth soccer game,” he said.
