City Cup 2009: Recap

After a Spring filled with ugly weather on the weekends, Saturday was absolutely perfect. Sunny and warm with a light breeze combined for the optimum playing and watching environment. Unfortunately, I have not been able to solve the bumpy pitch problem, but it is on the radar. All in all, the level of competition at the tournament was higher than ever. There were multiple teams who were perfectly capable of winning it all. Like any tournament, the winner found the right combination of tactics, skill, opportunism, and luck.

Congratulations are in order for Villareal (team yellow) consisting of all first time winners. James Crowley, Jeff Pappas, and Jeremy Reitz are some of the most enthusiastic supporters and participants at City Cup, and now they are champions. The circumstances of their victory are eerily similar to those of last year's Cup: A yellow team loses a player (last year Connor, this year Brandon) during the knockout stage of the tournament. They are allowed to "draft" a player from one of the eliminated teams. The drafted player is able to step in and immediately provide leadership, organization, and timely goals. Last year it was Chad Mabey who stepped in and helped they yellows to victory, this year it was James.

There were other deserving teams involved. Red, Blue, Green, and Black all looked to be contenders to lift the trophy. In the end, Yellow came through and ensured that a third straight tournament at the Crowleys wouldn't go to Mr. Chad Mabey. (photos to come soon)