Javanon teams head to nationals -- though you wouldn't know it!

(Published Evening News & Tribune, June 30 '09)


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Last Wednesday was important for United States soccer.

Beating Spain -- the number one ranked team in the world -- in the FIFA Confederations Cup by a 2-0 scoreline brought with it publicity not normally associated with the sport in this country. Spain had not lost a game in its last 35, so it was a big deal. Really.

And it became water cooler talk. Or toilet talk, depending on where you like to have your work conversations.

Then Team USA almost beat Brazil -- sure to become the new No. 1 nation in FIFA rankings -- in the final. Finding itself up 2-0 at the half, Bob Bradley’s boys succumbed to the mass yellow wave in the second 45 minutes, conceding three.

For those that don't know, the competition --- the eighth time it's been held -- is a dress rehearsal to the World Cup, held one year before the main event. It takes place in the World Cup host city -- in this case South Africa -- in preparation for the biggest and most widely viewed sports event on the planet (Yes, it is has more viewers than the Olympics.)

It comprises the current champion from each continent (or confederation), the hosts, and the current World Cup champion. Participating nations also welcome the opportunity to play in stadia being used in a year's time, not to mention acclimatizing to what will be unusual weather for this event, as it will take place during South Africa's winter.

So while the performances brought a timely boost to the squad and attracted attention from those normally oblivious to all matters soccer, it is getting a little ahead of ourselves to believe the US will be winning the 2010 World Cup.

What it has done, though, is give a confidence to the US, as well as show the world that the team is a force to be reckoned with.

On the same day, Javanon Soccer Club from Louisville won two US Youth Soccer Region II titles in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Altogether, some 212 teams from 13 states battled for a place at the national championships in Lancaster, Massachusetts from July 21-26.

You wouldn't have known it in the immediate aftermath, however, if you had been depending on the Derby City's broadcast and print media to provide you information on it.

While it had no problem jumping on the US/Confederations Cup bandwagon, it practically ignored the achievements of local youth soccer players. But the irony is that if the USA's performances get more people interested in the game -- and playing it -- then more people might want to know about achievements like Javanon's.

Both teams feature players from southern Indiana. Javanon '92, winning its second consecutive regional title, has amongst its ranks defender Trevor Bruner from Jeffersonville, while Javanon '91 includes Nathan Driggers, a graduate of New Albany High School and now playing college soccer with Ohio State.



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Javanon '92s final victory was a thriller. Facing the mighty Chicago Fire Juniors, the game remained scoreless for 90 minutes, but Javanon exploded in the fourth minute of overtime with a Dimitri DeChurch-Silva goal. However, Juniors equalized to take the game to penalties.

With the Illinois champion missing one early, and with Javanon’s first four spot kick takers all hitting the net, the stage was set for keeper Taylor Hafling to make himself a hero and he duly obliged when saving Chicago Fire’s final penalty.

On a nearby field, Javanon '91 was going for its first ever Midwest regional title in a final showdown with last year's finalist Scott Gallagher from St Louis, Missouri.

The game was scoreless after regulation time in a tight encounter, but the deadlock was broken by a 94th minute effort from Vincius Paiva and coach Graham Merryweather’s boys held on to make it a historic double for Javanon.

The squad, sicx time state champion, features a core of eight players who have been together since U-11. Driggers, normally deployed as a striker, has stepped in as Javanon's central attacking midfielder, a move which seems to have worked well.

Meanwhile, Javanon is appealing for donations to help with the huge expense that will be incurred traveling to Lancaster. If anyone can help, they can contact the club's development director, Kay Maum, at 502-299-3865.