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PSG U13 Boys Rise to Occasion, Reach Semifinals

12/11/2016, 6:30pm EST
By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com

Victory against Port Orange SC earns wild card berth as team strives to push higher


Super Y League / PSG defeated Port Orange 2-0 on Sunday to earn a wild card berth

BRADENTON, Fla. – Leading the Premier Soccer Group U13 Boys into the 2016 Super Y League North American Finals, Coach Dave Handley had a main goal for his team.

“It’s to enjoy the game, and when you play good competition, do you enjoy it?” said Handley. “Do you relish those opportunities? When I pit you against a player that’s equal to you, will you rise to that occasion? That’s what we tell them.”

On Sunday, likely needing a win to put a chance at the tournament’s semifinals within reach, PSG did just that. Goals in either half by Patrick McManus and Ethan Handley sent the side to a 2-0 victory against Port Orange SC, and into the wild card for the knockout stage.

The duo took its chances well. While Port Orange had more pressure early on, with both Maverick Cote and Chiduzie Ejie looking dangerous, it was PSG that took the lead when McManus found space on the right side and sent a low shot just inside the left post.

The second half proved more even, and Ethan Handley doubled the lead with a crisp finish to the top-right corner of the net. Stephen Belanger almost made it three after a clever first-time pass by Handley sent him in on the right side of the penalty area, only for his shot to go wide of the near post, but the lead held up as PSG’s attacking threats came through.

“Ethan’s probably my best finisher, although he plays wide left,” said Dave Handley. “Patrick causes havoc. He’s unconventional, which we haven’t tried to change. For me, that’s good as a striker. I want indecision from that defender you’re taking on.”

The victory, paired with a scoreless draw between the Concorde Fire – who were also in contention for the wild card spot – and Real Maryland FC, allowed PSG to move into the knockout stage. For a side that has been looking to prove itself at higher levels this year, the SYL Finals have been a welcome opportunity for the side.

“It’s been a very good experience for us, because normally we don’t play teams at this level,” said Dave Handley. “We seem to get better and better every game, every team we play that’s supposedly better than us.”

Now PSG will get a rematch with Ironbound, which took a 3-0 victory against them in the group stage, and enters the knockout round as the No. 1 seed. Whatever happens, though, the building blocks are being put in place for the side to continue to find its level, and for the players to continue their improvement in all areas.

“At this age, you’re all going to change,” said Dave Handley. “One kid might go on the field and stay on the field because he’s playing well. Another kid might not, and that’s going to change weekly. It’s not until you get to 14, 15, 16 when you’ll know where you are as a player, and what position. 

“I just try and coach. Whatever happens on the field, anywhere, that we defend here, we defend here, we defend here, we attack here, we attack here, we attack here. The same principles happen wherever you are on the field, and that’s what we try to teach them, and you’ll find your position in the end.”

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