PORT OF CALL: Members of the Princeton FC Porto ’08 U-17 boys’ soccer squad pose for a team shot this season. The team went 7-0-1 to win National Premier Leagues (NPL) Mid-Atlantic Division and reach the NPL National Finals which are slated for July 10-14 in Denver, Colo. Porto ’08 includes Christopher Cervantes (New Brunswick High), Cameron Olsen (Montgomery High), Christopher Duran (Monroe High), Lenny Garcia (Monroe), Luke Raghu (George School), Mario Radzicki (Hopewell Valley High), Michael Marinello (Allentown High), Osmar Galindo (New Brunswick), Ruben Mores (North Brunswick High), Sevastian Castilo (Wardlaw-Hartridge), Sidarth Goyal (Montgomery), Suneel Paladugu (WW/P-North), Yogi Mahant (Princeton High), Zander Nowicki (Council Rock North High), Karolis Bubulas (Pennsbury High), Orlangio Ramos (South River High), Aadit Tyagi (Montgomery), Logan Miller (Montgomery), Michael Perez (New Brunswick), Christian Truppi (Montgomery) and Lester Rosa Castenada (New Brunswick). It is coached by Craig Birtwistle. (Photo provided by Princeton FC)
By Bill Alden
Over the course of its regular season campaign in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Mid-Atlantic Division, the Princeton FC Porto ’08 U-17 boys’ soccer team displayed its dominance at both ends of the field.
The squad tallied 41 goals and yielded just eight in going 7-0-1, winning its league and qualifying for the NPL National Finals which are taking place from July 10-14 at the DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colo.
Porto head coach Craig Birtwistle credited his players with producing a special brand of soccer on the way to the title.
“What makes this achievement even more meaningful for the club is not just the result, but the way it was accomplished,” said Birtwistle, who has been guiding the team for three years. “Porto committed to a style of play that is both effective and enjoyable to watch. Their focus on disciplined, intelligent soccer has been evident throughout the season, and now they’ll have the chance to test themselves against the nation’s best.”
The Porto squad has developed a collective intelligence over the season. “The boys have done really well in creating and understanding in the defensive discipline that I was looking for,” said Birtwistle. “I like to give my teams a lot of creative freedom in the final third so my teams get a good understanding of what I need in the defensive and middle third to help build the opportunity to attack.”
In addition, the players have displayed a very good work ethic. “Their dedication to their craft is really exceptional,” said Birtwistle. “They are very good listeners. The core group has been helped a lot by being together for so long. They have a good understanding of how to play with each other.”
Across the pitch, some of the key players in the group include Christopher Duran and Sid Goyal at forward, Michael Perez and Osmar Galindo in the midfield, Logan Miller and Mario Radzicki on the back line along with Cameron Olsen and Suneel Paladugu in goal.
As Porto has trained for its appearance in the NPL Nationals, the players have shown their characteristic dedication.
“Our season could have ended in mid-June so we carried on with training,” said Birtwistle. “We scheduled some scrimmages against some other like-minded teams that are headed to tournaments. The boys are excited, they are also determined.”
In the view of Birtwistle, that determination should make a difference in the competition which features group play followed by a semifinal round and a final.
“There has never been a tournament that we have entered where our players didn’t have the approach of we can win this,” said Birtwistle. “It is not a sense of arrogance, it is more of a case that we know our strengths and we know our weaknesses. We know how to highlight our strengths and hide those weaknesses. We always go into it with the same mindset that they have to beat us. The keys to success will be to understand the defensive principles we have initiated all season with pressing from the front at the right, given moments.”
The trip to Denver will serve as a fitting finale for the Porto squad.
“I would just like to say how proud I am of the group more than anything,” said Birtwistle. “They have done such a great job. This group in its past has won state cups, it has competed at regional level and now they are getting a chance to go the nationals. Because some of these players may be moving on to new commitments in the next year, it is a good way of going full circle really.”