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Tuesday, February 18, 2003
FIU, D.C. United entertain
817 fans in fund-raising exhibition
 t was a night for futbol as 817 fans
came out to support Florida International men's soccer in an
exhibition contest with Major League Soccer's D.C. United at
University Park on Tuesday. United defeated FIU, 3-0, in a match
that was played more for good will than competition as all proceeds
benefited the FIU men's soccer program.
"This game was important
to us because it showed how important soccer is to South Florida,"
said FIU head coach Karl Kremser. "The fan support was great,
and the officials even donated their paychecks from the game
to the Friends of FIU Soccer fund."
United's roster is comprised
of several players who represent or have represented their respective
national teams in international play. Most notable were Hristo
Stoitchkov - a member of Bulgaria's 1990 World Cup semifinal
squad - and the United States' Earnie Stewart.
Kremser knew his squad would
be overmatched but was hoping his players would gain valuable
experience in the match.
"We just wanted to got out
there and be competitive," he said. "I thought we played
well considering the caliber of United."
FIU had trouble adjusting to
the quick tempo of the professional game as United got on the
board in the 14th minute when Marco Etcheverry served a free
kick to the head of a racing Mike Petke, who knocked it past
FIU goalkeeper Shawn Crowe.
The Red-and-Black would add another
goal in the 26th minute when Dema Kovalenko took a pass from
Hristo Stoitchkov and pushed it past Crowe. Stoitchkov would
end the scoring in the 49th minute with a blast from the left
side of the penalty box that somehow found its way under the
body of a diving Crowe.
"It was an honor to get
to play with players on this level," said FIU sophomore
defender Bobby Boswell. "To be out there with the likes
of Stoitchkov and Etcheverry was a great experience." |