The Global Satellite Soccer Academy (Canada) won Waza FC Showcase tournament in Monroe Michigan. The boys in red and white gave an outstanding performance with a dominant showing on the weekend Oct 21 -23 in going unbeaten and winning the Championship.

After arriving at their Baymont Suites hotel in the wee hours of Saturday morning, the team arrived at the Munson Park field ready fo the battle that ensued. They were up against the host Waza FC and gave an indication of things to come with an inspiring exhibition of possession soccer. Led by 2 goals from midfielder Gavin Ramsay-McCormick including a spectacular diving header, GSSA controlled the game to win 4 – 0. Other scorers were Shemar Blair and Lukas Taxiarchis.

The second contest was against the Michigan Warriors FC. The Warriors presented GSSA with a skilled opponent who had a physical element to their game. The game was like a compelling movie, riveting enough to send the casual fan into an emotional roller coaster ride across the spectrum from deep sorrow to absolute bliss.  One defining moment was the tackle by a warrior which resulted in a severe bruising on the ankle of left wing back Nathaniel Howell. Though concerned by this overzealous physical approach, GSSA remained focus and precise in its dismantling of the opposition. GSSA scored four times on goals by Shemar Blair, Danny Lindo, August Walks-Kowalchuk and Gavin Ramsay-McCormack. The Warriors scored on a direct free kick.

It was obvious that GSSA was not taking any of the opposing teams for granted. Every game seemed very important and so they went into the game with a positve attitude and seemed prepared for another fight just as they had in the first two games. The message to the team was to put as much pressure on the opposition as possible very early in the game. GSSA certainly executed and by half time there were cruising 5 – 0. The second half was more of the same as they crushed AC Milan HSO 10-0. GSSA was led by Shemar Blair’s 4 goals and single strikes by Tomas Atkinson, Latauro Nores, Gavin Ramsay-McCormack, Romedi Llapi, Danny Lindo and August Walks-Kowalchuk. They won the Division and were now in the finals of the competition with the runners up, Michigan Warriors, looming large.

The final game kicked off at 4:45 pm at Munson Park. The Warriors seemingly did their homework and presented GSSA with a strategy that ensured minimum space in their half of the field while relying on a counter attacking offence. After 20 minutes,the Canadians made 3 substitutions (all 14 years of age) and countered with a false # 9 which allowed their striker Shemar Blair to drop deeper in midfield, receive the ball at his feet and became a creator. When one of their attacks led to a corner, one the young subs, Romedi Llapi, stepped up and bent his corner in the near corner of the net. 2 minutes later Shemar picked up the ball in midfield and his surgical pass met wide player Lukas Taxiarchis’ penetrating run. The lad calmly deposited the ball into the back of net. The contest was now over for all intents and purposes as GSSA controlled the run of play with devastating possession soccer. Romedi and Danny Lindo closed out the scoring in the second while the Warrior scored on a  penalty kick to end the match 4 – 1 for GSSA.

Top goal scorer of the tournament was GSSA’s Shemar Blair with 7 goals. The player with the most assists was GSSA’s Jalen Case with 5 assists. The top Goal Keeper of te tournament was Jefferey Sanni who gave up only 2 goals all tournament.

The beautiful championship trophy would soon be on its way, via the 401, to Toronto.