Grenada hoists first Champions of Champions Cup, edging St. Lucia 3-2

Ariel Jacob carried the Spice Boyz to the Champions of Champions Cup trophy with an 80^th minute tap-in after Grenada speedster Clive Murray and St. Lucia’s number 10 Bradley Nestor exchanged two goals apiece.

As presumed the FGSL's first Champions of Champions Cup game wasn’t a shy one. 20 fouls were committed, five cards were issued—one red—19 shots were taken, three penalties were called and the crowd was perhaps the loudest it’s been all season on Sunday evening at Old Boys High Athletic Complex in Brooklyn.

At the end of the day, the International FGSL champions got the best out of the Big 4 Supporters Cup champions as Grenada slimmed past St. Lucia 3-2, thanks to Ariel Jacob’s 80^th minute winner.

The 30-year-old was thrilled of scoring the decider of the Champions Cup.

“It feels great, bro,” the Grenadian said with a full grin lighting up his face. “It’s a great, great, a really good feeling.”

Grenada captain Clive Murray won the Champions Cup’s MVP award for scoring a double.

Grenada captain Clive Murray was nominated Champions of Champions Cup MVP. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images

Prior to the match, Murray touched on his side’s struggle to start games strong. Once again this season, the Spice Boyz didn’t kick things off right on the pitch.

Two minutes into the game, Kersan Marcellin pounced on a sloppy giveaway from the Grenadians in the middle of the pitch then hit a well measured though ball to Daran Fedee. Fedee paced at Marcellin’s pass and managed to steer a low shot but Grenada keeper Ken Searles bolted off his line to make a crucial block.

The Helen of the West Indies almost scored the opener again the following minute. K. Marcellin whipped a cross in from the right wing to an unmarked Daran Edde. Unfortunately for the St. Lucians, Edde couldn’t get a header in as K. Marcellin’s cross was a bit overhit.  

“We had a slow start,” Grenada’s Jacob admitted, “we had to bounce back and build some momentum going forward.”

Grenada slowly started to get in the game in the seventh minute. Marcus Julien drew a tough save from St. Lucia’s keeper Chad Phillip with a low hit from outside the box. Philip couldn’t hold on to Julien’s sizzling shot. Murray banged the rebound off the crossbar but it wouldn’t have counted anyway since the assistant referee waved his flag for offside.

The Spice Boyz penetrated down Lucia’s half again in the 10^th minute as 23-year-old Shavon John-Brown rolled an intelligent through ball to an open Julien. Keeper Philip charged off his line and tripped Julien, conceding the first penalty kick of the match.

Murray converted the spot kick, confidently beaming the ball to the left corner of the net.

The International FGSL champions extended their lead to two in the 22^nd minute with unarguably the best goal of the encounter. John-Brown skilled past a St. Lucia player down the right flank before unleashing the ball to Julien on the opposite wing. Julien bent in a pinpoint cross to Murray, who side-footed the ball in the net.

Seven minutes after the restart, the Piton found hope of a comeback as they were rewarded a penalty for keeper Searles’ foul on K. Marcellin.

Bradley Nestor beat Searles from 12 yards out to cut Grenada’s lead in half.

The St. Lucians almost put themselves leveled in the 54^th minute as K. Marcellin headed Nestor’s cross off the right post.

K. Marcellin freed himself from the Grenadian defenders again in the 59^th minute and was dangerously charging alone toward his opponents’ net. Searles came off his line once more to make another life-saving block.

Later in the 65^th minute the referee blew his whistle for another penalty in favor of St. Lucia as Grenada left back Ken Ganness raised his foot above knee-length to prevent Nestor from shooting.

Nestor picked the lower right corner of the net on the spot kick; Searles dove the right way but wasn’t able to get a hand on the ball.

Eight minutes after rallying back from a two-goal deficit, the Supporters Cup champions went down a man as John Perry was red-carded for a late tackle on Murray.

From the set piece Perry conceded, Julien missed a glorious scoring opportunity,  hitting Cudel Collins’ free kick past the right goal post from the six-yard box in the 75^th minute.

Nevertheless Grenada did win the game in the 80^th minute when Shane Rennie juked past a Lucia defender in the box before squaring the ball to Jacob, who coolly tapped the ball in the net.

Grenada player Ariel Jacob. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Jacob noted that his side’s tenacity is what inspired them to the victory of the expected fierce Champions Cup game.

“We’re accustomed to the physicality, you know, it’s not a problem,” he said. “As I said, the guys came on and gave their full hundred that’s how we got that win.”

Statistics

Grenada

Shots (on target): 10 (4)

Saves: 6 (keeper Ken Searles)

Fouls: 11

Yellow cards: 2 (Jason James, Ken Ganness)

Red cards: 0

Corners: 2

Offsides: 1

St. Lucia

Shots (on target): 9 (7)

Saves: 2 (Chap Phillip)

Fouls: 9

Yellow cards: 2 (Germal Valcin, Taj Marcellin)

Red cards: 1 (John Perry-- 73^rd min.)

Corners: 4

Offsides: 1

Grenada squares up with St. Lucia in first edition of Champions of Champions Cup

The first piece of silverware of the FGSL 2018 season will be fought this weekend as last year's International League champions Grenada will take on last season's International Big 4 Supporters Cup titlists St. Lucia in the first edition of the Champions of Champions Cup on Sunday May 20th at 5:30 p.m. at Old Boys High Athletic Field, Brooklyn, NY.

St. Lucia clinched the Champions of Champions Cup by edging Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1-0 in the Big 4 Supporters Cup final. The Saint Lucians rolled their terrific form from last year's Supporters' Cup into the 2018 International FGSL season, going undefeated in their first three matches with wins over Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis and a draw with Saint Vincent and Grenadines.

The Champions Cup will be an emotional one for the Lucians as they will be playing their first match since the passing of their former teammates Tafari Charlemagne. St. Lucia will honor Charlemagne, with a minute of silence before the match.

As for Grenada they reached the Champions of Champions Cup by narrowing past Guyana 1-0 in last year's epic International FGSL final, however they haven't started this season quite the way they wanted to, sitting fourth in the standings with two wins and two losses.

Grenada forward Clive Murray noted that one of the Spice Boyz flaws so far this season is their slow start of games and expressed how crucial it is for he and his players to begin the match on a high note versus the Big 4 Supporters Cup champions.

"It's very important that we get going off the bat," Murray said. "We tend to start a bit slow but we're working on that. The rest should play off once we get going early."

Grenada striker Clive Murray on the ball versus Saint Vincent and Grenadines last season. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images

The 27-year-old forward leads the league in scoring with seven goals. His compatriot Marcus Julien is second behind him with four goals. The two have scored 11 of Grenada's 12 goals.

Lucia owns the following two top scorers of the league: Daran Fedee and Bradley Nestor who both tallied three goals.

With the help of Fedee and Nestor, St. Lucia is the third best scoring team netting 2.6 goals per game. And as for defense, they haven't conceded a goal yet in three outings.

St. Lucia has the best defense in the International FGSL, not allowing a goal in three games. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images

In St. Lucia's last silverware-deciding game, the Big 4 Supporters Cup, as mentioned they held St. Vincent scoreless 1-0. It was The Piton's last game before the start of this season hence they will go into the Champions of Champions Cup on four consecutive clean sheets.

Grenada is the perfect match for St. Lucia's defensive prowess as they lead the league in scoring, tallying 12 goals in four matches.

2018 FGSL club season preview

Unity F.C captain Tyrone Harrison. 

Brooklyn's most prominent amateur soccer league FGSL (Football Goals Soccer League) will kick off its seventh club season on April 1st at Old Boys and Girls High School.

The FGSL's competitiveness and excitement is set to rise this upcoming season as the number of teams grew from seven to 12 from last year. The teams will be divided into two groups of seven with four playoffs spots available in each pools.

One of the most noteworthy news going into the season is that 2015 and 2016 champions Unity F.C. will make an iconic return to the competition after missing last season. Unity will look to become the first team to reach three FGSL titles on their comeback.

Two-time FGSL champions Unity F.C will make an anticipated return in the FGSL.

Unisoc F.C will put up a fight to outpace Unity to three FGSL trophies as they also own two domestic titles, winning the league in the inaugural season in 2012 and last year.

Unisoc conquered the FGSL last season under the leadership of former Jamaica international midfielder and ex-MLS player Jermaine Hue.

Unisoc F.C captain Jermaine Hue holding the 2017 FGSL club trophy.

Looking back at the past seasons, the most competent club that can crush Unisoc and Unity's dream of bagging three FGSL trophies is 509 F.C. 509 reached the final three times in the league's six seasons but never managed to collect a win. The Haitian club lost to GT Juniors in the 2013 final in penalties, fell to Unity 1-0 in 2016 and suffered another painful loss in the final to Unisoc 3-2 last season.

509 head coach Gregory Mervilus and his players will undoubtedly enter the season with a fervent desire to rack a first FGSL trophy after the three unsuccessful appearances in the final cited.

Immortal Sizzling is another power club that will be on a hunt for their first FGSL silverware. Sizzling's season was cut short in the semifinals by the eventual champions the past two years. Unity edged Sizzling 6-5 in PKs after a 0-0 draw in 2016 before Unisoc knocked them out in the semis as well last season.

Game shot of Unity F.C's match versus Immortal Sizzling in the semifinal in 2016. Photo by Devaughn Clasp

System 3 will also have a huge say in the 2018 FGSL club champions talk after their outstanding campaign last season in which they finished in second place during the regular season before losing to 509 in the semis.

On another note, F.C Revolt, a club mixed predominately of ex or current Brooklyn College players and Haitians will play its second season in the league. The Revolt players will battle to push the club to its first-ever playoff appearance after they heartbrokenly missed out on the post-season by just one point last year.

Second-year club F.C Revolt will be eager to make the playoffs this year after failing to qualify by one point last season.

The other regular clubs that will participate in the upcoming season are System's bloody rivals Chatex F.C, Expression, Nigeria United and Superstars.

Meanwhile Camdonia F.C, Brooklyn United will be playing their inaugural season in the FGSL.

Three must-watch games in the competitions' first three rounds are the season-opener between Canarsie F.C and Nigeria United at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Unity's first game back in the league versus System at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday as well and champions Unisoc's opening match of the season against Canarsie on April 7th at 5:30 p.m.

FGSL rewards fans with new tournament Supporters Cup

A game picture of the FGSL Supporters Cup Big Four inaugural game between Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Football Goals Soccer League added a new tournament to their arsenal: the FGSL Supporters Cup Big Four.

The FGSL started the Supporters Cup because there aren't any soccer competition in Brooklyn after Labor Day when soccer fans yearn for more games.

The new competition features the countries with the most fans throughout the International FGSL Championship, granting the supporters more opportunities to cheer for their nations and the players another shot at a prize money.

The first participants are: Int'l FGSL champions Grenada, finalists Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia.

The tournament started on Sept. 3rd with a 1-1 draw between Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent.

Each teams will play each other and the top two countries will battle for the title on Oct. 1st.

The most anticipated game of the new competition is the Int'l FGSL final's rematch between Grenada and Guyana on Sept. 24th.


FGSL Supporters Cup Big Four Schedule

September 3rd:  Saint Lucia 1-1 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

September 10th: Guyana vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 2:45 p.m.
                             Grenada vs Saint Lucia at 4:45 p.m.

September 17th: Grenada vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (time TBA)
                             Saint Lucia vs Guyana (time TBA)

September 24th: Grenada vs Guyana (time TBA)

October 1st: Final--1st place vs 2nd place (time TBA)


*All games will be played at Old Boys and Girls high school. 

Grenada wins the Int'l FGSL through Frederick's lone goal over Guyana

Denron Frederick posing with his jersey in his hand in front of his Grenada teammates and fans. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report

Grenada international striker Denron Frederick's 46th minute goal ushered his country to a third International FGSL title as they edged Guyana 1-0 on Sunday night in a nearly soldout Old Boys and Girls high school stadium in Brooklyn.

Grenada's goal started with a long ball from captain Etienne Richardson, which Clive Murray smoothly controlled before laying it to Frederick on top of the box. The striker one-timed a shot that was deflected off a Guyanese defender and made its way to the far right corner of the net. 

The Spice Boys now holds the record for the most Int'l FGSL titles, passing by Haiti who owns two.

Guyana had the first scoring opportunity of the final in the third minute when Trayon Bobb sent Clarence Huggins on goal with a neat through pass from the left wing. But fortunately for the Grenadians, their keeper, Josh Charles came off his line to snatch the ball from Huggins.

The Guyanese troubled Grenada's defense again two minutes later as Bobb hit a low shot on frame from Marlon "Billy" Benjamin's though ball. Keeper Charles was well positioned to make a routine save. 

Grenada bounced back with their first close scoring opportunity in the 19th minute when Murray paced to Ariel Jacob's through pass to hit a low shot. Guyana's keeper Jonathan Copland repeated his opposing keeper's heroism as he came off his line to make a crucial save.

The Grenadians knocked on The Golden Jaguars' door again three minutes later. Richardson faked Bobb down the right wing before bolting away from him to whip a sizzling shot across the goal. 

Frederick gave Grenada the lead five minutes inside the second half with a sweet deflected blast away from keeper Copland.

Bobb nearly equalized the game when he erupted down the right wing before beaming a strike that banged the cross bar three minutes after the hour mark. 

The Spice Boys almost made two in the 69th minute when Frederick controlled a long ball before hitting a low shot in a keeperless net as Copland was off his line. Guyana's center back Garry Gills sprinted back to the goal and was able to control the ball before it found its way in the net. 

Guyana's last major attempt to level the game was a magnificent semi bicycle kick by Huggins. Keeper Charles was once again well positioned to easily save Huggins' effort. 

Grenada's coach Carlyle Fraser clapping after the game. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images 

  

Player's voice: Denron Frederick (1 goal)

Grenada forward Denron Frederick, who came back from two ankle injuries in the semifinal, expressed that the 2017 International FGSL title was his most significant one in the U.S.

"In America, yeah this is my most memorable one. I'm going to really hold on to this one," Frederick said after the game. 

He previously states: "To be honest this is not my first championship but I feel really good because we had a lot of struggle in the camp with the team, players not coming to training and all of that. I was injured for most of the season. 

"But I did a lot therapy work with my ankles, I came back in the semifinal and now I just came and did it in the final. I'm very happy for the win."

The striker was pleased with his game-winning goal in the final.

"It's always a wonderful feeling to score, especially in a final," Frederick said with a big smile on his face. "I'm very proud of myself. My family really helped in terms of me getting back from my injury. I'm really, really happy to be honest." 

Four key notes

1. Int'l FGSL Kings Grenada: The Spice Boys own the most Int'l FGSL titles, winning the competition three times. They won the inaugural season in 2012, later in 2014 and the last campaign in 2017. 

2. Richardson vs Bobb: Former Grenada international midfielder Etienne Richardson and ex-Lithunian first division winger Trayon Bobb were going at it all night long. Richardson beat Bobb off the dribble once in the first half and tackled him on a couple of occasions.

Grenada captain Etienne Richardson next to Trayon Bobb. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


However Bobb finished the game with six shots and made two key crosses that were almost headed in the net.

3. Warrior James: Grenada defensive midfielder Jason James was a valuable component in his side's victory. James had a multitude of defensive headers and was a constant threat to the Guyanese attackers with his tackles. James was subbed out late in the game after picking up a injury.

Grenada defensive midfielder Jason James. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


4. The Golden Jaguars wanted that equalizer: Guyana recorded the most shots in a single game in the playoffs, shooting the ball 20 times.


Statistics

Grenada
Shots (on target): 13 (4)
Saves: 7
Fouls: 6
Yellow cards: Shane Rennie
Red cards: 0
Offside: 3
Corners: 1


Guyana
Shots (on target): 20 (9)
Saves: 2
Fouls: 11
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: Allon Alley
Offsides: 0
Corners: 5

Grenada and Guyana take their speed to each other in the Int'l FGSL final

Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Grenada star striker Clive Murray: "I guess the faster team wins."

The International FGSL will feature the most anticipated final in their seven years of existence on Sunday as Grenada clashes with Guyana at 7:30 p.m. at Old Boys and Girls high school.

This match will be the first ever final of a major amateur Brooklyn soccer tournament to be played under flood lights.

Another thrilling characteristic of the upcoming championship game is that it will display a battle between the two fastest teams of the tournament.

The Spice Boys has two forwards with uncontainable velocity: Grenada international forwards Clive Murray and Denron Frederick, who recently netted for Grenada's national team on April 29th against Trinidad and Tobago.

"We have two fast strikers," Murray said (talking about himself and Frederick), "as long as you get the ball to them, that's our game plan: counter attack."

The 26-year-old scored two magnificent goals of fast counter attacks in the semifinal against Jamaica.

"Yeah, they play a little bit rough," he said of the Jamaican's defense. "But you know, as you said, the speed, they can't control the speed."

Grenada forward Clive Murray on the ball against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


When asked about his side going against Guyana's speed on Sunday, the Grenadian said, laughing: "I guess the faster team wins."

The Golden Jaguars' swiftness, on the opposite end, consists of ex-Lithuanian first division player Trayon Bobb on the left wing and Dominique Babb on the right.

Bobb leads his country in scoring with nine goals and racked two assists in the playoffs using his dazzling speed and tremendous soccer IQ.

Guyana left winger Trayon Bobb. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Sunday's championship game will be Guyana's first ever appearance in the International FGSL final as opposed to Grenada who won the inaugural season in 2012 and later in 2014.

Guyana striker Clarence Huggins expressed how overjoyed he will be if his country bag their first Int'l FGSL title on Sunday.

"Really happy, really happy, in terms of creating history for our country," Huggins said. "We're bringing this home, we need to draw more supporters for next year, I believe in us."

Huggins and his two wingers, Bobb and Babb, will be going against an experienced Grenadian backline. The most notable member of the 2014 Int'l FGSL champions' back four is Damionne "Solo" Cyrus. Solo is a quick, intelligent center back who never loses his calm under pressure. 

Grenada center back Damionne "Solo" Cyrus in action against Jamaica. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images 


In front of Solo is ex-Grenada international midfielder, Etienne Richardson. Richardson is a hardworking captain with the remarkable faith that his country will down Guyana. 

"We can go all the way," Richardson said after his side's 2-1 win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the quarterfinals. "Yeah, we can go all the way. We just need to be a little more focused and a be little more together as a team. There's nothing impossible to do."

The 37-year-old will be going against Guyana's captain in the midfield, Marlon "Billy" Benjamin. Billy is coming off a stellar performance in the semifinal against Guinea, in which he scored a goal, provided an assist and led his side in shooting with five strikes. 

Shane Rennie is another player to keep an eye on in the final. Rennie leads Grenada in scoring with six goals.

Grenada squeezes past Jamaica 2-1 in the semis

Grenada striker Clive Murray attempting to run past Nico. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report 

Clive Murray's brace guided Grenada to a 2-1 win over Jamaica in the International FGSL's semifinal on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Kendan Anderson pulled one back for The Reggae Boys at the half hour mark. Jamaica pushed for an equalizer late in the game but Grenada's defense was impenetrable.

Guyana eased past Guinea 4-1 in the previous semifinal to set up a date with Grenada in the final on Sunday at Old Boys and Girls (time TBA).

Grenada took the lead in the sixth minute as Murray controlled Shane Rennie's inch perfect ball over the top before pacing his way through Jamaica's defense to roll a low shot past Rashawn Best.

Jamaica's captain Mark Alves attempted to equalize the game four minutes later as he hit a low-shot to the side-netting after cutting a Grenadian defender.

Mark Alves took Jamaica's first shot of the game. Brooklynn Soccer Life images


Murray broke free from Jamaica's defense again with his speed but keeper Best came to the rescue as he paced off his line to dispossess the forward.

The Spice Boys went up by two in the 36th minute with a speedy counter attack. Denron Frederick sprinted down the left wing then hit a through ball to Ariel Jacob. Jacob directed a square pass in the box to a running Murray, who capped off the play with a smooth finish beyond Best's reach.

Jamaica took advantage of a defensive mistake from Grenada to cut the lead in half. Damionne "Solo" Cyrus rushed up to Anderson but missed the tackle. Anderson swifted around keeper Josh Charles to hit the ball in an empty net.

Jamaica striker Kendan Anderson scored his side lone goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Spice Boys sat back for the remainder of the game. Jamaica still managed to direct a mass shooting at them (Jamaica took 16 shots in the game) but were unable to score.

As the Jamaicans were on attacking mode, Grenada created a couple of close opportunities on the counter.

One with 10 minutes to go when Murray blocked shot fell to Frederick, who rushed a strike on frame from the six-yard box. Best was quick on his hand to perform an unbelievable save. And another one the following minute when Frederick hit another shot from the six-yard box that Best made an outstanding save out of again.


Players' voice: Clive Murray (2 goals)

Grenada striker Clive Murray scored Grenada's two goals.

"That's nothing new to me, I've been scoring goals," Murray said about his double after the game. Murray also netted in the semifinal against Saint-Vincent and Grenadines.

The striker was content that his side reached the final.

"I'm happy that we went out there and finished the job," he said.


Two key notes

1. Grenada's strikers came to shoot: Murray took six shots for his country and his striking partner, Denron Frederick, took three-- all of Frederick's shots were on target.

2. Leaving with a handful: Jamaica's keeper Rashwan Best put up another breathtaking performance between the stick, performing six saves, which was the playoffs' best tally, and coming off his line on a couple of occasions to dispossess the Grenadian attackers.

Jamaica's keeper Rashwan Best. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Statistics

Jamaica
Shots (on target): 16 (6)
Saves: 6
Fouls: 7
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 2


Grenada
Shots (on target): 11 (9)
Saves: 5
Fouls: 9
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 4