2009 El Cerrito FC 7v7 Jamboree

This was the inaugural Memorial Day Weekend 7v7 Jamboree organized by ECFC and over a typically chilly East Bay weekend, 17 teams competed in four age categories for the right to call themselves “champions”.

U10 Girls

Four teams contested the youngest of the age groups, with a series of very closely contested games. Visiting team “the Storm” from WCCYSL gained valuable experience by playing up from their traditional U9 age bracket and did themselves proud despite a tough schedule against the older girls from El Cerrito and Berkeley. As it turned out the goal they scored against the ABSC Roaring Cheetahs proved decisive in what was an extremely tight group.

The Cheetahs, ECFC Bears and ABSC Bubbles all playing fantastic soccer, each won one and drew 2 games in the preliminary round. However the Storm’s goal meant the Cheetahs missed out on their “shut out bonus” and trailed the other two teams by one point, to finish third overall.

The Final – ECFC Bears V ABSC Bubbles

In the tightest and toughest final of the competition, both in terms of effort and commitment, the Jamboree’s youngest competitors battled for 40 minutes to break the deadlock. Just as in their group game, excellent defense and goalkeeping on both sides ensured 0-0 games that pulsated from end to end as parents and coaches on both teams lived every kick.  Having drawn the game and even on points, the final position was decided by goal difference. With one extra goal scored, the championship went the ladies from El Cerrito who’s collective scream of delight on hearing the news was a highlight of the weekend.   

Champions – ECFC Bears

Runners Up – ABSC Bubbles

3^rd Place – ABSC Roaring Cheetahs

4^th Place – WCCYSL Storm

U12 Girls Class 3

Continuing in the theme of closely contested groups, the girls in the U12 age group offered up some of the most exciting games of the weekend despite suffering the very worst of the weather conditions. With biting winds blowing from across the Bay, which forced parents to seek shelter in thick jackets and blankets, all the girls showed just how tough they are by flying into tackles and raining shots on goal, ensuring consistently blistering hot action on the pitch. 

WCCYSL Twilight, playing up from their usual class 4 status to ensure a full group, showed just how strong they were by scoring goals against all three class 3 teams. With vital lessons learnt and experienced gained, there is no doubt this excellent recreational side is ready to step up and compete at a higher level.

In the other group games, ECFC’s Grizzlies managed a clean sweep of victories to take themselves safely into the finals. However the race for second place was only just heating up.

ECFC Jaguars and ABSC Cool Cats played out a very tight 0-0 draw meaning results against other teams would be critical for deciding who gained that other final spot. In their last game of the group stage the Jaguars were drawn against strong favorites the Grizzlies and despite an heroic effort on their part they went down by just a solitary goal. They finished on 12 points.

Cool Cats now needed to not only victory in their last game but also to win by three clear goals in order to secure the 13 points they needed to progress. After a tight first half with the Twilight in which they were pegged back to only a 2-1 lead, Cool Cats fought, more like tigers, to secure the vital third and forth goals required. A final place was locked down in the most dramatic fashion possible!

The Final – ECFC Grizzlies v ABSC Cool Cats

As parents on both sides shook off the cold winds by providing massively vocal support, the ladies from Berkeley and El Cerrito battled hard to secure the glory. Pushing hard, the Cool Cats failed to break through the tight defensive lines thrown up by the Grizzles while at the other end some excellent finishing saw them pull away to finish with a 4-0 victory. More photo's from this final can be found here.

Champions – ECFC Grizzlies

Runners up – ABSC Cool Cats

3^rd Place – ECFC Jaguars

4^th Place – WCCYSL Twilight

U12 Boys Class 3

6 teams, split into two groups consistently delivered some of the most exciting and skillful matches of the weekend.

In the Orange group, El Cerrito’s brand new class 3 team the Leopards struggled to make an impact after drawing two of the competitions toughest teams in their first round of games. Despite heroic efforts which saw them score goals against both the ABSC Earthquakes and the competitions red hot favorites, the Richmond Tigers, they eventually went down to both. The Earthquakes, by winning that game ensured a second place draw in the semi final stages whilst the Tigers, as predicted, came out of the gates flying, scoring 15 goals in two games with some impressive attacking displays.

In the Green group visiting team Montclair Clippers and ABSC Barracudas played out a tight initial game that saw both teams defenses and goalies coming out on top. After twenty minutes of grueling end to end action the Barracudas held out 2-1 despite a late rally from the Clippers. In their next game the Clippers faced the ECFC United going down 4-1, but again showing their fighting spirit as they forced fine saves, narrow misses and even hit a post in a strong second half rally. To finish the group games, the team from El Cerrito started to show some of the movement and passing that would carry them far in the competition beating off the determined resistance from the Barracudas to end up top the group.

Semifinals

In the first of the semifinals the Montclair Clippers finally came good with a strong performance that saw them keep a clean sheet and run in four against the Leopards. This victory would prove critical ensuring a points lead over the Barracudas who went down in the next semifinal to the Tigers. In the final game of the semifinal stage ECFC United started to pour on the class, running in the single highest goal tally of the entire competition 12 – 2 verses the Earthquakes. Spectators started to salivate at the prospect of a Tigers v United final.

3rd Place Playoff - Maontclair Clippers v ABSC Earthquakes

With Clippers and Earthquakes split by just a single point after their set of games, organizers arranged for a playoff to decide who would collect the third place medals, preferring to let the players decide rather than the score cards. In an exciting finale for both teams, the Montclair boys were rewarded for their trip to Berkeley with medals and a victory that was celebrated long and loud.

The Final  - Richmond Tigers v ECFC United

Voted best game of the entire tournament and drawing both the largest and most vocal support for both teams, the Tigers and United showed all why this 7v7 format is such fun. As the ball pinged from end to end, expertly controlled and passed, the United’s superior off the ball movement started to make the difference as they got behind the Tigers defense again and again. After initially running in 5 quick goals including a spectacular headed corner, the Tigers came roaring back scoring one and going close on a number of occasions. In the second half the game ebbed and flowed as both teams started to get the measure of each other and despite a huge effort, the Tigers were held off as United ran out 7-1 winners.

Champions – ECFC United

Runners up – Richmond Tigers

3^rd Place – Montclair Clippers

4^th Place – ABSC Earthquakes

U14B Class 3

Three teams contested this, the smallest of the Jamboree's groups, with the Mersey Fire bravely batting the older boys from ABSC United and ABSC Warven. At this age, size does matter and despite showing the high skill level always associated with teams from this club, the Mersey boys were simply outpaced and out muscled by the lads from Berkeley.

With this now becoming a classic two horse race, the Warven and United boys group match was a classic high scoring end to end game, featuring eight goals as the United ran out 5-3 winners. This however was just the warm up to what would be a classic and very close final.

The Final - ABSC Warven v ABSC United

As the lads ran out, towering over many of the parents on the sidelines, one could feel that this, the last of the Jamborees games would be a classic. Played at a slower than expected pace, both teams seemed to put the emphasis on defense, perhaps understandable after the first meeting. Great goalkeeping on both sides also ensured this was a tight game and as they came in 0-0 after the first half one wondered who would break the deadlock.

However the second half opened up and each team scored one ensuring nail biting finish for all. With only minutes left to play the United boys grabbed their chance and knocked in the last of the competitions goals to finish with a 2-1 victory.

Champions – ABSC Berkeley United

Runners up – ABSC Warven

3^rd Place – Mersey Fire

Summary and Thanks

So over two classically chilly Bay Area days, some 200 kids, scored 144 goals during over 1,240 minutes of thrilling 7v7 soccer, cheered on by passionate parents and stressed out coaches. El Cerrito Futbol Club would like to thank every one of them for making this Jamboree a huge success and hope they will return to the action next year.

Most importantly of all, ECFC would like to thank the ACCYSL volunteers who helped us put this on, the referees (who did a fantastic job at keeping the games flowing and the emphasis on fun) and the El Cerrito volunteer parents who helped with field marshal and set up duties. Special thanks to Manish Doshi for all pre Jamboree administration and organization and Dick Reed, ECFC President, for being present on the day to ensure smooth running of the event.

We look forward to welcoming you all back next year for the 2010 event.