Joe Core with a Hat Trick vs. OK Energy FC Central (OK) in the 3-0 victory.

OVERLAND PARK, KS, July 24, 2019. BREAKING NEWS: The Arlington Soccer ’02 Boys Red Team (ARL) secured a victory on day two of the US Youth Soccer National Championships. With a 3-0 win, ARL sits atop of Pool B with 4 points. Today’s match featured a controlling possession game by ARL over OK Energy FC Central (OK) and a hat trick by Joe Core. ARL put 10 shots on goal while securing 7 corner kicks to 1 shot on goal and 1 corner for OK.

ARL dominated the second half and quickly led off the scoring at the 51:00-minute mark. Jose Alvarado placed a corner kick into the 18 and Joe Core finished with a header for his first of three goals. ARL maintained its pressure and three minutes later, Core headed in his second goal of the day off of a free-kick from Jonah Garufi.

For the remainder of the game, ARL continued its solid defense and maintained control of the pitch. Jonathan Lee was stellar in goal and made some critical plays throughout the game. With about 6 minutes remaining in the match, Core capped off the win with his 3rdgoal on an assist from Alvarado. 

While the first 45 ended in a scoreless half, ARL consistently pushed the pace of play. Early in the match ARL was aggressive on the offensive end but OK fought back and put pressure on ARL midway through the first half. Defender Garrett Ross made a terrific save of a ball in the box that kept the game scoreless. ARL closed the first 45 with several shots and regained control of the possession.

ARL will play its third and final game of pool play on Wednesday morning at 7am central time against Santa Clara Sporting 02 Green (SC). The current standings for Pool B: ARL – 4 points; OK – 3 points; Michigan Jaguars – 2 points; SC – 1 point. 

You can follow the action on Wednesday morning on Twitter by following @ArlingtonSoccer and watch LIVE here: http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/live/

Additional coverage of today's match:  usyouthsoccer.org website

(posted 7/24/19)