Crushing to State

"It was an early morning," says Daniel Forman, player for one of the Florida Crushers U-11 team. He was referring to the 3v3 tournament hosted at Brian Piccolo Park, by the Pompano Beach Hammerheads Soccer Club. This was the first time that all of the Crusher teams were together at one event. There was a U-6 team that got fourth in its division, a U-7 team that got second, two U-11 teams, one of which came in third, and the open team that won its division.

One U-11 player said, "It was a long day and we didn't do so good.” What he meant by that was that the team lost its first two games and tied the third. Then it met the other Crusher U-11 team who forfeited the game, giving them their first win. After losing the next game 10-0, they won another forfeit, and the U-11 team is qualified for the national championship at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex.

Some of the players said, “It’s an answer to prayer!” Others said, “It’s a miracle!” And yes, it was all of that and more.

The open team dominated their opponents, except the host Hammerheads, who won the fourth game by one goal. The Crushers met that same team in the Final and beta them 4-3 in a very exciting match. The reason that rivalry was so strong was because at least three of the Crusher open teams once played for the Hammerheads. As Coach Ralph, who played for the open team said, "I played to go to Disney!" So did they all. It was a great day for everyone: Players, coaches, and their families. They are looking forward to the next national qualifier this May in Miramar.