The Bermuda National Academy players began with a tour of the University of Alabama-Huntsville campus and athletic facilities.
Returning to the tournament for the second consecutive year, the Bermuda contingent living in Huntsville, Alabama were eager to come out to the fields to support the teams. Last year the National Academy captured honors in the U16 Gold Division and the U14s reached the Quarter Finals in the Super Group.
The National Academy U14 select were matched against the Birmingham United Soccer Club elite team in their opening match. The opponent played with a high tempo that placed Bermuda under pressure from the start. This would pay early dividends for Birmingham as they went ahead 1-0 when Bermuda failed to clear the ball from the defensive line when under pressure.
Midway through the half Birmingham extended their lead to take a 2-0 lead into half time. Bermuda would settle in the second half and continued to grow in confidence in the game. Jaquari Paynter’s hard work was rewarded when he cut the deficit with a goal he headed in off an assist from Mical Hardtman.
Just as it looked Bermuda would try to salvage something from this match, Birmingham restored the two goal lead when they converted inside the box from a corner. Bermuda would attempt to make changes and increase pressure on the opposing defense, but were unable to create any more opportunities to score. The match would finish 3-1, with Bermuda now faced with a critical match on against Manderville Soccer Club to try and put them back in the reckoning to advance from their group.
The U16 National Academy select opened their Open Cup participation with a match against the Tupelo Futbol club from Mississippi. The players were focused with their warm-up and preparations and the coaching staff could sense they were ready to compete.
Bermuda controlled most of the possession and looked to attack TFC with the speed on the attack. TFC deployed a very effective off-side trap resulting in numerous calls against the Bermuda attacking lines. Coach Andrew Bascome made adjustments to the team’s shape that resulted in Judah Chapman opening the scoring with a shot from outside the box after some smart play by MacQuille Walker on the right side.
At half time the coaches encouraged more patience and build up with quick passing to stretch the opponent and exposes hole in the high defensive line. The smart possession play of Bermuda was paying dividends with numerous openings being created. Justin Bell would extend Bermuda’s lead when his shot from a rebound found the back of the net.
Ajai Daniels would maintain the clean sheet for Bermuda as the match finished 2-0.
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