Trinidad and Tobago's Crown Trace FC made a positive start to their second consecutive trip to the Disney International Soccer Cup in Orlando Florida when their under-17 squad registered a draw and a win in their first two matches.
Having clinched top spot in the Under-19 division last year, Crown Trace was invited back to participate in the Disney Cup's U-17 division, where they are grouped in Bracket 1 along with Florida's Orlando City Youth Soccer 98/99B White 11, Noreaster U-18 Boys South Kestrela of Massachusetts, Peru's Markham and the Association of Christian Youths (ACYS) Spirit United B1998 Elite 11, also of Florida.
Crown Trace opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Orlando City on Monday, with midfielder Jesse Joseph and guest player Luke Chapel of the USA, finding the back of the net for the T&T outfit. They followed up with a 1-0 win over Noreaster yesterday to occupy second position in the standings on four points. Orlando City whipped ACYS 3-0 and hold top spot, but only on goal difference, while Markham sits third on three points following their 3-1 defeat of Noreaster.
Next on Crown Trace FC's agenda is an 8.00 a.m. clash with Markham, tomorrow, before they close off their round robin fixture on Friday with another morning fixture, against ACYS.
Should Crown Trace top their group, they will face a semi-final encounter with the second-placed team from Bracket 2, which hosts Spain Soccer Factory Eurostars Madrid, Abril Club de Campo of Argentina, Puerto Rico's Ramey Soccer Club, Celtix of Colombia and the Florida-based duo of FKK 98 Florida Kraze and CD Fair Play USA.
Eurostars Madrid currently lead that group on six points following back-to-back victories.
Speaking about his team's participation in the tournament, coach Nicholas Griffith said it is always a pleasure to embark on these life changing journeys to provide exceptional opportunities for these youngsters.