After playing to a 0-0 tie in their first game on June 23, the Ambush won their next three games 2-0, 3-0, and 4-0.  All four games were very competitive and defensive through scoreless first halves, with play concentrated in the middle third of the field.  Facing St. Petersburg's premier team in the semi-final, the Ambush prevailed 2-0.  On June 28 they won the championship 1-0 against a team from Siberia. Seven players – Kurt Freemyer, Patrick Crowley, Brian Cahill, Alvaro Angulo, Chris Marquardt, Will Beckman, and Sydney Gutierrez – scored for the Ambush and at least seven players had assists:  Patrick Meagher, Will Beckman, David Kahan, Willi Johnston, Angulo, Crowley, and goalkeeper Scott Gamble.  Gamble led the defensive shutout with able support from defensive and midfield players Michael Alexander, Jack Blunden, Kyle King, Johnston and others.  Gamble was awarded the tournament’s Goalkeeper MVP and Angulo received the Midfielder MVP award.

Coach Yuri Bogdanov, a St. Petersburg native who emigrated to the U.S. eight years ago, organized the Ambush trip.  When not playing soccer, the boys toured Peterhof (Peter the Great’s summer home) and an Artillery Museum where they received a fascinating view into Russian history, saw the Russian circus and a professional Russian soccer game, and enjoyed a night-time “White Nights” bus tour of the city.  They have also paired up with a Russian boys team for a number of activities.  Additional highlights included visiting the Hermitage museum and a training session with Manchester United coaches before the team returned home on on July 3.

 

The Ambush won the NCSL Division 3 Championship in Spring 2003 with a 7-0-1 record.  The St. Petersburg tournament marked the Ambush's final games with Coach Bogdanov, who will coach Arlington's two U9 Challenge teams in the fall.  The Ambush will be coached by Curtis Wilson and will play in NCSL Division 2.

 

A full report of the Ambush's adventures in St. Petersburg can be found in the "Emails from St. Petersburg link at the left.