MPU clinches U18 crown

MP United Football Club’s Kaden Church goes for a header during the second half of their boys U18 division game against TanHoldings FC in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Friday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

MP United Football Club successfully defended its boys U18 title after nosing out TanHoldings, 2-1, in its penultimate game in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Friday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The close victory gave MP United a 7-0-0 win-draw-loss record with one game left (versus the CNMI Boys U15 National Team) in its schedule. The division championship is given to the team with the best record at the end of the double-round robin regular season and the Eric Abragan-coached squad is ahead by three wins against TanHoldings (4-0-3).

Going into the pivotal match, TanHoldings was hoping for a win to remain in the hunt for the division title. A goal from Mark Esalan off a rebound in the 43rd minute boosted TanHoldings’ bid for an upset. However, MP United delivered a pair of goals in a span of two minutes to frustrate TanHoldings and secure the crown early.

Joshua Abragan connected off a direct kick in the 66th minute with the ball rolling down to his left, avoiding four TanHoldings defenders who formed a wall, anticipating a loop from the MP United player, and catching goalie Jamin Elliot off guard.

Abragan’s equalizer would have been enough for MP United to bag the division crown, but still the back-to-back champions went for the kill and won the tightly contested game off Sunjoon Tenorio’s dagger.

Two minutes after Abragan knocked in the direct kick, Tenorio drilled the go-ahead. The MP United strike was left on a one-on-one play against Elliot after receiving a pass from Kaden Church. Elliot gambled on moving in, as he slid and partially deflected the ball after Tenorio’s kick. However, the leather, instead of moving out of the box, rolled closer and Tenorio leapt and avoided collision with Elliot, who was still down, and went for another shot to put MP United on top.

MP United hung on to the shaky lead, while TanHoldings attempted to equalize on several occasions, but failed to hit its target.

After getting its seventh win in as many games, MP United will go for another undefeated record on May 16 when it plays it last game of the season against the CNMI U15. MP United was unbeaten in the 2018 spring season after earning a 7-1-0 mark. TanHoldings, on the other hand, may have to settle for a runner-up finish for the second straight season provided it prevails against Matansa (3-0-3) on May 10.

CNMI U15 2, Matansa 0
The CNMI U15 avoided a winless season after outclassing Matansa in the other game in the division last Friday.

Jim Maniago and Brian Lubao scored the two goals for the CNMI U15, which dropped its first five games before downing Matansa. Maniago hit the board in the seventh minute, while Lubao had his goal in the 30th.

The CNMI U15 will have two more games, as it faces Kanoa on May 10 and MP United in a rescheduled match on May 16.

MP United Football Club’s Sunjoon Tenorio, left, jumps over TanHoldings goalie Jamin Elliot to score the go-ahead goal in the second half of their boys U18 division game in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Friday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)