The Pateadores BU15 Manchester United Premier Cup team got results in five of the six games it played against the best U-15 youth teams in the U.S. at the magnificent Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
Head Coach had a formidable task. He and Coach Tony Adams had less than three months to train a select group of boys (born after 1/1/1996 from BU15, BU14 and BU14 Blue) to compete as a cohesive unit at the highest level of club soccer. From the opening 2-2 draw against last year’s defending champion, Arsenal FC, it was clear that all the hard work had paid-off.
The BU15 Man U team played attacking soccer the right way, and did it with class and unity. The team’s game schedule was filled with a “best of” list of the teams from the nation’s soccer regions, including Washington’s Crossfire (score: 0-0), St. Louis’ Scott Gallagher (score: 1-1), Colorado Rush (score: 0-0) and the Dallas Texans (0-1). The Pats finished the Memorial Day weekend on a high note with a convincing 3-0 victory over last year’s finalist, Weston FC of Florida. “What makes me most proud,” Coach Adams said, “is that we never sacrificed our philosophy and style of play throughout the tournament.”
Coach Adams said, “The experience of MUPC is unforgettable. Although the ultimate goal is for the team to raise the cup as champions on Monday after the final, this team was truly champions in other ways. There was incredible support and efforts made by all the parents to make this amazing experience happen for the players, team and club. We were all rewarded by the style, determination, and competitiveness displayed on the field by this exceptional team. They were not able to win the cup, but they won something even more valuable, respect and admiration from their peers, opponents, spectators, parents, and coaches. I know I'm not speaking out of turn, when I say on behalf of the coaches this was truly a honor and privilege to be associated to this team and what they stood for during their MUPC experience. On behalf of the coaches, we will always be grateful and praise this talented and respectful group of young men.”