Real Caribe USASA U-23 National Cup Champions
Real Caribe won the U-23 National Cup in Chicago winning the semi-final 4-0 and the final 1-0 representing the LISFL only the second team to win a national cup along with Lynbrook in the 0-30.
Toyota Park
National Cup Finals
Congratulations to all the Champions
USASA crowned its six national champions this past weekend. Sunday’s
championship games featured teams from each of the four regions. Region I
and Region II took home bragging rights with each region winning three titles.
Photos from the entire weekend can be seen here:
picasaweb.google.com/usasasoccer/2012NationalCupFinals
On-demand video of the Men’s Amateur Final can be seen here:
http://www.thirdrockscreenprinting.com/usasa.html
Men’s Open
Croatian Eagles (WI) 3:2 AET PSA Elite (CA-S)
Men’s O30
Christos (MD) 3:1 Kickers FC (FL)
Women
Chicago Red Stars (IL) 3:2 NYAC (E-NY)
Men’s U23
Real Caribe (E-NY) 1:0 Croatian Eagles (WI)
Men’s Amateur
Battery Park Gunners (MA) 2:0 RWB Adria (IL)
Women’s U23
KC Dynamos (KS) 5:1 FC Milwaukee (WI)
Battery Park dethroned RWB Adria as the Men’s Amateur Champions.
Real Caribe USASA U-23 National Champions
The storied run of Real Caribe Soccer Club took a dramatic turn in Chicago, as they emerged victorious
winning the USASA National Men’s U-23 championship. Winning this championship was not only
monumental, it was also historical. Monumental because its the first national winning team from eastern
NY in forty years and historical because no other Jamaican club has ever won a national championship in
the United States. The number one goal for the Club was to win the national title. Winning the Region 1
tournament in June, moved Real Caribe closer to that ultimate prize. With determination and focus, the
squad led by coach Huntley Swaby and his staff (Marlon Pinnock and Calvin Murry) ventured to Toyota Park,
Chicago with one thing in mind and that was to win the National Championship. The team went into the
semi-final game against South Sound FC (Seattle, Wa.) brimming with confidence knowing they were well
prepared and ready to take on anyone. Goals from Kefari Samuels, Dale McDonald, James Palumbo and
Johann Craan proved too much for the opponent as Real Caribe cruised into the championship game with
a 4-0 victory. The finals saw Real Caribe facing Croatian Eagles (Wisconsin), who defeated the defending
national champion Carolina Railhawks (North Carolina) in their semi-final game. The final was a well played
game with both teams playing at a high level. Real Caribe had a slight edge in possession creating the more
dangerous chances. Caribe was rewarded in the 26th minute when center back Satchel McLean pounced on
a loose ball in the area after a corner, firing past a well beaten goalkeeper. Croatian Eagles pressed for the
equalizer but was kept in check by a solid Real Caribe defence and smart mid-field play from co-captains
Keston George and James Palumbo. Asked his thoughts on the victory coach Swaby said "today is a result
of hard work and dedication over the last five years. We had good teams in the past with guys who worked
just as hard but the championship kept eluding the club. This year things fell in place. We were given the
opportunity and we took it. We don’t know when or if Real Caribe will be in another position like this but we
hope it will be sooner rather than later." Club president Craig Hines added "Real Caribe will always continue
to blaze new trails and keep striving for excellence."