Truly enjoyed the gorgeous weather down today at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, just east of Bradenton.
All week the U-20s were slated to take on “TBD”, which generally means they’ll take on a local college or maybe a amateur club or semipro team in a relaxed friendly/scrimmage with a lot of subbing.
When my kids and I arrived we gave a nod to Tab Ramos and Tony Meola and the rest of staff, who parked a van right next to my “Mom” van. Tony had the wheel, Tab rode shotgun. The team arrived in a bus and disembarked at a non-descript but well-groomed side field and began prep about 40 minutes from kickoff.
Only a trickle of fans showed up, which stunned me. The U-20 team is an impressive collection of MLS players and MLS academy talent, along with some club academy talent from outside the U.S. There are also products of elite college programs like Indiana, UCLA, Wake Forest, etc.
The side they played though? A total mystery to just about everybody around the field. I had three people ask me who they were (um, no clue!), and I asked a few myself. Later, at the U19 vs. U17 match in the main stadium on site, I saw several players from this “red” team and asked them about their team.
Why did I care? Because this team scored three goals against the U20s. Now, did the U20s score a dozen too? Yep. But still, I was stunned a random club from somewhere in the area could punch in three.
I happened to run into Adrian Rowe, who scored one of those three on a header — and had a massive ice-covered knot to prove it. He explained they were part of a group working with Team X Trainers out of Orlando, and the team name is Orlando FC Royals. Honestly, folks, they were tough for a group of guys jumping out there with MLS players and College All Americans.
Adrian is originally from Jamaica and played one year of high school ball at Kissimmee Gateway HS, just south of Orlando. He and teammates Kevin Rockwell and George New notched goals against guys who may play in the next couple of World Cups for the U.S.
This amateur side is one of those teams that aspires to be a part of the U.S. Open Cup, once known just as the Lamar Hunt Cup, named after one of American soccer’s greatest supporters and fans — team owner Lamar Hunt.
I love the U.S. Open Cup. Soft spot in the heart kind of stuff.
This is a tourney where it is possible for a group of 21 year old amateurs to make a run and end up facing off several months later against D.C. United for the Cup. How cool is that? Hey baseball, hoops, et al … badass is on line one if you want to learn.
This particular Orlando-based club is managed/coached by Ivano Prolli and Marcus Phil Don — a native of Trinidad who played pro soccer in several countries. They put together a group of former and current college players, along with other Central Florida talents, and use their connections to line up impressive friendlies. Usually only about eight to 10 a year, but “big ones”.
In the words of Marcus — “We’re kind of like Mike Tyson’s sparring partner … instead of aiming low, we aim high for competition. And remember, Mike Tyson’s sparring partners benefited from those fights too, whether they lost or not.”
He’s right … exposure ain’t free.
The coaching tandem is trying to help players get an extra look and maybe get a shot at the USL or a 3rd Division club in Europe, hoping to ignite careers for overlooked soccer talent.
I will say this … and I’ve seen a lot of soccer in my day: While this Orlando club was overmatched (obviously) and gave up a bunch of goals as expected … it still notched three legitimate goals against our U20s. The US never let off the gas pedal, either, folks. They’re here in Florida to get some work in, not be polite. They pounded on this Orlando side and neither side backed off.
If you’re a fan of comparative scores? Mexico didn’t score three goals on the US U20s in the CONCACAF Championship Match in November in Bradenton. And hey … the US posted 6 or more goals on its first five opponents in the tournament, including 13 goals against the US Virgin Islands. They dominated everybody in CONCACAF.
Remember … this wasn’t a national team opponent, it was a conglomerate of amateurs. No, this wasn’t tournament intensity, but it was still an interesting result for a team that has U.S Open Cup aspirations.
Now, for the U.S.? Obviously they were all pretty damned impressive, but my goodness gracious … Ayo Akinola from Detroit? The Toronto FC academy player who was capped four times with the full side this past season? Geezus what a rocket shot he has working the right wing. He had the first two goals, and the Orlando FC Royals’ goalkeeper shouldn’t feel bad about either one of them. Even his misses are insane.
Fun day on the pitch.
The Rowdies Observer 