Manchester
27 Wins
2013 Soccer Championship
By Chanun Ong
The tenth annual Mr. T Cup kicked off
at 6:04 Pacific Time on the San Mateo high school complex. Manchester, let by
Wilmer Xcoey, struck first, with Wilmer himself scoring two goals in the first
half. Byron Bacajol tacked on the other one of the three goals that Manchester
scored. But it wasn’t just the offensive production that gave Manchester the
win. Their defense was as strong as their offense, with Erick Lopez stopping
four drives that would have been goals, and Alejandro Rodriguez’s sparkling
displays of defense with steals, blocks, and intercepted passes across the
board. Thanks to both the defense and the offense, Manchester went into the
half leading America 3-0. During halftime, I asked Coach Melvin Ong what he
thought about the outcome of the game. “It’s not over until the whistle blows,”
he said. “I really would like us to put up two, maybe three more goals. But as
of now, we haven’t won yet.”
He was
right. America struck back in the second half, and despite three great attempts
on goal by Abdellah Essaissi, Manchester would not score another goal in the
game. Meanwhile, America was back in the
game. Quickly retaliating with a goal, their second attempt was blocked by
Manchester goalkeeper Wilfredo Cano. Cano had suffered a kick to the knee in the
first half, and after getting on his feet, was amazing for the rest of the
game. But the tides had turned. Like the last game against America, Manchester
fell victim to the frustrating fouls. Two fouls were quickly committed in
succession, one of which resulted in a penalty kick. America was threatening to
come within a point, if this goal was made. The kick sailed towards the corner
and almost past the line…- No! Wilfredo’s hand shot out, fingertips scraping
the ball, and it bounced off the right-hand goalpost and rolled away out of
bounds. The America team stood in shock.
Wilfredo
Cano went on to save three goals in four America attempts. The single goal
would be the only blemish on Manchester’s defensive record. After the game, I
asked Wilmer Xcoey about the amazing game he played. “The ball just rolled our
way,” he said. But with four Room 27 championships in the past five years, I
think it’s beyond the ball rolling their way. It is pure skill.
When the
final whistle blew, the score put into the books, and the referee shaken hands
with, all the players stormed the coach, dumping water on him, dog-piling him.
It was one of the best celebrations I’ve seen! The owner, Juan Xico, was
ecstatic at the team’s victory. Xico was out of words with happiness. “I really
have no words,” he said. “I just can’t explain how it feels,”
The number
27 has been engraved on the Mr. T Cup four times. It’s time to look ahead to
next year. Can they do it again? Are they capable? Will they defend their
title? The answer to all those questions is YES. GO ROOM 27!!
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| Manchester 27 ecstatic over their win. |
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