The team of 12-and-under strikers that went undefeated during regular season was the same group that dominated this week’s playoffs at the Hopwood Junior High School soccer field.
When it came down to the end, a first half goal from Amir Abes was all MP United needed to down Paire Football Club, 1-0 in Saturday’s finals.
“I told them (MPU) not to let them (Paire) score a goal. I told them not to let their defense down. Defense wins championships,” said MPU’s Coach Joel Jimenez, soaked by water from his players after the game.
Abes scored MPU’s lone point 18 minutes into the first half. He’d earlier failed four times and lost the ball to Paire’s Jesse Leon Guerrero midway through the field before taking the winning pass from Alex Park.
Paire forced MPU to fall back on an early-game surge but missed the net twice. John Auther nearly scored Paire’s first goal but sent the ball bouncing off the post and into MPU’s possession.
El Nathan Wong led the team in the second half and failed once more, causing a turnover.
Park later charged for the goal but was flanked by Wong and David James a few feet from the net.
MPU secured nine games during regular season and won three straight matches in the playoffs. They eliminated Matansa FC, 3-2 and reached the finals on a shutout 9-0 victory over Tan Holdings FC (girls 15U).
MPU’s roster also included Noel Cabrera, Gee Hahn, Sean Hong, Clayton Izuka, Eun Ki Kim, James Kim, Tae Kim, Kentaro Kitagawa, Bada Lee, Jesus Quitano, Colin Ramsey, Arthur Sondheim, Wataru Tajima, Sun Tenorio, and Moris Villanueva.
Lydia Tan joined Jimenez as assistant coach.
