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Barcelona USA MD Advance to U14 Boys Semi-Finals

12/10/2017, 11:30am EST
By CHRIS HOCKMAN - chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com

1-1 draw with Shoreline FC enough to send Barcelona through


Photo courtesy Aaron Cranford

BRADENTON, Fla. – Barcelona USA MD and Shoreline FC played out an entertaining 1-1 draw to close out group play in the U14 Boys Super Y Finals. That draw proved enough for Barcelona to advance to the semi-finals thanks to a stronger goal difference.

It took just nine minutes for Shoreline to open the scoring, after a good ball into the box caught out the Barcelona defense. The cross came into the box and found Ryan Smith who was able to easily send the ball into the back of the net, a vital goal for the shape of the group.

The lead only lasted four minutes as Barcelona quickly stole possession and worked the ball up the field into the box. That left Constantine Lukas Gerhardt open at the top of the box, allowing him to play a powerful shot on the ground, leveling the scores in a crucial match.

Barcelona kept attacking after the goal, looking for a vital second goal in an entertaining match. In the 21st minute Sebastian Vargas was in space on the edge of the area and unleased a powerful shot which was well saved by Jack Von Riesemann, parrying it over the bar.

A free kick presented the next opportunity for Barcelona, just three minutes later as an impressive shot from distance was hit by Jimmy Benitez. Benitez’s shot was hit well and beat the keeper but could only find the crossbar, keeping it level at half time.

Free kicks were the order of the day, both teams having chances from set pieces, but each goalkeeper was strong, despite the wind blowing the ball around.

The second half was tight, with both teams fighting for possession in midfield throughout the second half, as the teams knew a win would advance them to the semi-finals. With the group positioned as it was, Barcelona knew that a draw would be enough to advance the players started slowing the game down, sensing Shoreline thriving off of the fast pace.

In the 59th minute a beautiful through-ball allowed Barcelona to get through on goal with the keeper coming off the line. Von Riesmann did a good job again making the save at point blank range to keep the match level.

Five minutes from time Shoreline thought they managed to get the late winner when Aiden Bertelotti was able to poke the ball in from a free kick. But the ball had already crossed the line for a goal kick, keeping the match level at one, where it would remain, sending Barcelona through.

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