US Club Soccer id² National Selection International Tour concludes
Photos | Videos | Daily log | Roster
COSTA BRAVA, Spain (Via US Club Soccer) – The final two video journals from the 2017 id² National Selection International Tour show the last days of the id² National Selection team’s journey in Spain, including its three Mediterranean International Cup (MIC) playoff games, interviews of the delegation and sightseeing excursions.
The id² squad advanced to the MIC quarterfinals, becoming the first U.S. team to do so in tournament history, according to MIC officials. FC Internazionale Milano narrowly won 4-2 in penalty kicks after a scoreless regulation. It was the second time in id² Program history that an id² National Selection team played FC Inter Milan, as the 2014 id² group played to a 0-0 tie during its tour of Italy.
The 2017 id² National Selection not only accomplished a historic American showing at the 17th annual MIC, but it also became the first team in the eight-year history of id² National Selection International Tour to not allow any goals against.
Video journals:
- April 6-11: Meet the team; domestic camp in New Jersey, scrimmage vs. Girona, sightseeing at La Catedral de Girona
- April 12: First group stage game vs. CDAFB Tegueste (Canary Islands)
- April 13: Second and third group stage games vs. Shangwen-Nama (China) and Hapoel Ramat Gan (Israel), respectively
- April 14: First and second round playoff games vs. UD Perfeccionamiento Global (Spain) and Club Gimnastic de Manresa (Spain), respectively
- April 15-16: Quarterfinal match vs. FC Internazionale Milano (Italy), sightseeing in Tossa de Mar, final thoughts from players and coaches
Beyond highlights and postgame reactions from the FC Inter Milan game, the final video journal also includes behind-the-scenes footage of a sightseeing trip to Tossa de Mar on Easter Sunday, where the boys enjoyed a pickup game on the beach and walked through the historic town.
Unique to this year’s trip was that the id² squad participated in the Mediterranean International Cup (MIC), instead of various friendlies. In total, the boys faced teams from Spain, Italy, China and Israel in just a few days.
After powering through its group stage unscathed, the id² National Selection team defeated UD Perfeccionamiento Global (Spain), 4-0, thanks to its consistent ability to jump on the scoreboard quickly. Kevin Sliva (FC Portland) finished a corner kick in the 4th minute, and Mwinso Denkabe (Juventus SC) added a goal of his own in the 16th minute. Dominic Vegaalban (Sacramento Republic FC) and Riley Lynch (SC Del Sol) scored insurance goals in the second half to secure the victory.
Later in the day, the id² team was back at it, this time downing Club Gimnastic de Manresa (Spain), 1-0. Vegaalban’s 37th minute goal proved to be the difference in a physical match.
The following morning was the FC Inter Milan game with a trip to the MIC semifinals on the line. Both teams matched up well technically, tactically and athletically. But, in the end, Inter won 4-2 in penalty kicks. MIC games are two 25-minute halves with no overtime periods.
This id² National Selection International Tour was the final programming element of the id² Program cycle targeting boys born in 2003.
