After a valiant effort, the Columbus Express 08 Boys Orange team’s run at US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup has ended. After an undefeated week at Regionals, the 08 BO team fell in a trio of 1-3 games.
Express 1, Beadling 3
CESC opened the National Championships with a 1-3 loss against Beadling SC (PA). Beadling found the net early on in the first half. With 18 minutes remaining in the first half, CESC knotted the score with a goal by Colin Jackson. Beadling converted a penalty and on the foul CESC was issued a Red Card forcing the boys to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. The third goal from Beadling came in the second half resulting in the final score line.
Express 1, Aztecas FC 3
Two late goals by Aztecas do in Express’s chance at Nationals. An Angel Espejel goal in the first half provided CESC with the lead up until the final seconds of the first half when Aztecas FC (TX) converted a set piece to tie the game 1-1.
In a second half of trading possessions, CESC rang the post twice with Espejel and Parker Gribbins releasing chances that drew woodwork. The breakthrough for Aztecas came in the final ten minutes with the go-ahead and insurance goals ending the game 1-3.
Express 1, Antelope Valley 3
In the final game of the group, CESC fell 1-3 to Antelope Valley FC (CA). CESC went down 0-1 ten minutes into the match when a shot looped over the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and found the net. Over the next fifty minutes, CESC exchanged tackles and held strong defensively until AVFC finished in a scrum to go up 0-2. Julian Jackson sliced the defense and lead in half when his missile beat the goalkeeper with less than seven minutes remaining. As CESC pushed to tie, a counterattack by AVFC resulted in a penalty and the final score of the game.
