EDP Soccer Showcase Cup
The EDP Soccer Showcase Cup is a tournament where 100’s of teams enter from all over the USA, to showcase their talent in front of the best College / Universities. Our Pro squad was the only overseas team to enter the tournament, so straight away we had a big media following and pressure was well and truly on the boys to perform, and they sure delivered on and off the pitch in the best way possible.
The first game saw FSA Pro face a tough and physical Kearny United, a team from New Jersey, which had only conceded 2 goals in the whole of their season. However the Pro squad ran out 3 - 0 winners. After a fantastic start creating a number of chances inside the first 10 minutes it was Harry Sheffield who broke the dead lock and made it 1 - 0 to FSA Pro, however for the remainder of the half FSA took their foot of the gas and allowed Kearny back in to the game, half time came and it was still 1 - 0. FSA new that they must up their work rate and quality on the ball in the second half and that is exactly what they did and it was Jackson Parkin who netted a brace to secure a 3 - 0 win for FSA Pro.
Just 3 hours later it was time for our second game against Sporting NJ FC, fatigue could have played a part in this game but FSA had no excuses, as they put in a fantastic display to dispatch Sporting NJ FC 4 - 1. Once again Jackson Parkin got his name on the team sheet, as he headed home after a fantastic cross by Cory Holdom. Harry Sheffield then doubled the lead, followed by fantastic finish by Bakary Mass. Sporting NJ FC then hit FSA on the break and made it 3 - 1. But FSA hit straight back and Cory Holdom converted a penalty to make it 4 - 1.
Our third game took place the following day, after an exhausting first day FSA were hit with injuries, and went into the game against St Mary’s Soccer with a depleted squad, and could only name 14 players, however they knew a draw would crown them champions. We started on the front foot and went 2 - 0 up inside 7 minutes after Theo Sjoberg and Cory Holdom
opened the scoring. St Mary’s always looked dangerous on the break and on the 20 minute mark they got one back and made it 2 - 1. But FSA hit straight back and Theo Sjoberg doubled his goal tally and made it 3 - 1, but after a lapse in concentration from the FSA Goalkeeper, St Mary’s made it 3 - 2, closely followed by a third and at the half way point it was 3 - 3.
FSA knew one last push was needed to be crowned champions, the second half they gave everything up and down the pitch, in what was an end to end game. After creating some fantastic chances FSA just couldn’t convert, however they managed to hold out and the game ended 3 - 3, which gave FSA Pro the crown and they where the champions of the EDP Showcase Soccer Cup at the first time of asking.
Universities / Colleges
Since Competing in the Cup we have attracted a lot of attention from top Universities and Colleges in the USA, and have established a fantastic link between ourselves and EDP Soccer. This link will allow us to offer our players a pathway into the USA at all different standards ranging from DIV 1 - DIV 3 and give them the opportunity to gain full scholarships in the USA.
We would like to thank EDP Soccer for inviting us over, and allowing us to compete in such a fantastic event, and we look forward to working with you in the upcoming years.
Coaches Notes
I would firstly like to thank our founders Christian & Raluca Fuchs for the amazing opportunity they have supplied my squad, and all their support throughout the year. We have grown from strength to strength as an academy, and without you guys it wouldn’t be possible, so thank you.
Secondly I want to say thank you to every single player at our Academy, you have all been a pleasure to work with throughout the year and we have made some amazing memories together. Starting from our first trip to Lithuania, we have had great success winning the league and reaching the last 8 of the national cup, followed by a fantastic end of season trip to Malaga. Finally ending with conquering America and being crowned EDP Showcase Soccer Champions!! Thank You.
Finally I would like to welcome all our new scholars who will be joining us next year, they will be joining a fantastic group of lads / players and I am looking forward to more challenges for myself and new players throughout the year. I hope 2019 / 2020 brings us even more success on and off the pitch, and I can’t wait to get started!!
Trip Details and Facts
UK - USA
On the 7th June 2019, our FSA Pro squad travelled to the USA to compete in the EDP Showcase Cup. This amazing opportunity was given to them by our Founder Christian Fuchs, so they could showcase their talent in front of some of the best University’s / Colleges in the USA and for us to establish links throughout the whole of America for future students.
Atlantic City
The squad stayed in a hotel situated 10 mins from the Boardwalk of Atlantic City, where they got to experience a different culture and way of life. Including restaurants, stores and amazing views / Skyscrapers.
New York City
On the Final day the boys travelled from Atlantic City into New York (Manhattan) where they got to experience one of the biggest tourist attractions in New York .. Times Square!! Here the squad got to shop in 100s of different stores and experience different street acts in the heart of Times Square.
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment centre and neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City at the junction. It is also the hub of the Broadway Theater District and a major centre of the world’s entertainment industry. Times Square is one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually. Approximately 330,000 people pass through Times Square daily, many of them tourists, while over 460,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square on its busiest days.
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