July 5

Today we played SK Strakuhov at 10:30. We were back to the original location with a wider playing space. Both teams had difficulty establishing a hold on the game in the first half, and neither team had the majority of possession. But after about 10mins, FC United was able to settle down and start moving the ball around the pitch. The Predators made some headway down the flanks via the feet of wingers Brendon Weinhardt and Andrew Baggaley, but they were unable to connect with Trudnak and Schmid. Strakuhov liked to play the ball quickly on set pieces and were comfortable with passing around the back, and their hubris in the backfield would prove to be their downfall. Less than 10mins before the end of the half Mike Schmid took advantage of a bad touch by a Czech defender in the 18 yard box and slotted it past the goalie. 1-0 to the Predators and, like always, they kept pressing for more goals. But their hunger for a second goal was foiled by the referee's whistle, which ended the first half. Deciding to stay on the bench rather than return to the locker room for halftime, FC United knew that they must add to their lead. But the beginning of the second half saw a return to the calamitous pinball of the beginning 10 mins, and FC United were under some slight pressure. Luckily Strakuhov was unable to dangerously penetrate, and the Predators were able to flow back into the match. Mike Schmid struck his second of the match, and fourth of the tournament, to make the score 2-0 off of Leo Volz's cross. A slight slip up resulted in a Strakuhov goal nearly 10mins later. The defense and midfield were too far apart and an opposing header created a breakaway, which led to a chip over goalkeeper Orton, who had just punted the ball up the field. Simply a matter of miscommunication in pushing up the pitch, but FC United were determined to widen the gap again. Brendon Weinhardt scored with a deft left footed chip from 18 yards. 3-1, and one more would follow. Weinhardt turned provided about 5mins later, as he played Baggaley in on the right side of the 18. Baggaley faked a shot and cut the ball in to his left foot, then struck the ball past the Czech keeper into the net.

The game ended 4-1, a well played match all around. All the defenders; Dan Schelhorn, Devin Harrigan, Steve Rizzo, Andrew Fairchild, Brian Hunt, Myles Federico, and Sean Ellsworth were instrumental in keeping Strakuhov away from the goal, and the goal against was a fluke. Tireless running from Chris Clark and Victor prevented the defense from settling, and hard tackling from Alex Roth and Sam Hamilton made sure the midfield was United's.

FC United is tied for first place with ZCE Plzen. Tomorrow the Predators play their fellow American squad, the Clarence Stallions of western New York, at 1 in the afternoon. After the game is an awards ceremony, dinner, and then it is back on the bus for a 4 hour (hopefully) drive to Munich for our last night in Europe.