SHARKS ENDURES IN TEXAS AT NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP

Sharks FCA of Florida journeyed to Plano, Texas to compete in the prestigious National Amateur Cup. The Region 3 tournament is a grueling test for clubs looking to represent the Southeast in the National Finals. Sharks FCA traveled to the this tournament somewhat shorthanded but the club dominated the regular season of the Florida Gold Coast League going undefeated and drawing only one match. The club featured a plethora of local talent including Schmiliguen “Jhonny” Castin, Christensen Amos Couyoute, John Nalus, Kerlens Arthur and former Haitian National team player Romilaire “Pele” Ambroise. Romiliaire and Christensen are the League’s top scorers, Romilaire is in his second season and has finished top of the scorers table twice now however for Deerfield United in both instances, but for this tournament he is a Shark.

Sharks landed in Dallas Texas and proceeded to their first match against NPSL side Tulsa Athletic from Oklahoma who were favorites to win the Region. Tulsa led Sharks 3-0, however the club from Boynton Beach, Florida made a tremendous comeback drawing the match 4-4, Schimiliguen “Jhonny” Castin scored all 4 goals including a PK in the heroic comeback.

Going into day two Sharks had 2 matches, their 9am matchup against local side DFW United (Dallas-Fort Worth) ended in a 11-0 battering of the home team. This was a momentous shift for the Florida team with their eyes were glistening on the prospect of a National Championship. Later in the day Sharks took on Xolos PV of Laredo, TX in a more competitive match Sharks was feeling the effects of playing in their third match in 2 days with a 16 man roster. The match ended 5-3 in Sharks favor locking them into the semi-finals but left them with 4 injured players including their lone goalkeeper.

Unfortunately and to our dismay the final match of the group stage ended 5 mins early after the entirely Black Haitian Club based out of Boynton Beach, FL endured racist slurs on the field from the other team. While we want this to be known and handled appropriately we do not want this overshadow the accomplishment of this club and these young men.

Sharks went into the Semifinals on Day 3 against Tobacco Road FC of North Carolina. Taking them to Overtime at 1-1 having gone down to 10 men, Shark’s run ended after conceding 3 goals in over time. Tobacco Road would go onto to the final and won the Region 3 tournament defeating Tulsa Athletic in the Final Match.