'01 Boys White Shine In Prime Time Kick-Off Classic

The '01 Boys White team added another trophy to their collection with a second place finish in the Prime Time Kick-Off Classic on August 22. The boys battled a tough field and 104+ degree temperatures to advance to the semifinals where they defeated Dallas Texans South in penalty kicks. They proceeded to the championship game, where they fought hard, but lost to Solar Red 0 - 2.

by Molly Ludington

2000 Boys and Girls Make Classic League!

Congratulation to our 2000 boys and girls, for both making Classic league soccer! The boys made D1 in Dallas Chamber classic soccer. While the girls made D2 Lake Highland soccer.

The boys did Fantastic going 3 - 2 - 1 over Two weekdays to ensure a D1 spot! Well done to coach Frank and the boys!

The girls did great under coach Emma. Going 2 - 2 - 1.

With the extraordinarily heat over the two weekends! we are very proud of the players, parents, and coaches. The Academy tradition continues with teams doing well each year!

by Taz

Taz’s Crew Leaves Mark in CO

97’Girls White advances to Semi-Finals and leaves knowing it was all theirs, yet gains respect of 96/97 National Team Ranked #2 in CO.

It was gorgeous Denver weather with 5200 ft elevation that greeted FWFC ‘97G White on 5/28/10 as they prepared to play for the first time the Real Cup Soccer Tournament.

Fresh off winning DII LHGCL, the team was poised for another challenge. Players were still facing school finals, yet their energy and expectations were high and remained focused going into the start of the holiday matches.

With determination and strong will needed to battle in the high altitude, the ‘97’s defeated their first four opponents by a margin of 12 goals to 1. These teams were division leaders and represented the best CO had to offer. Seven different players scored for White and many other players had assists. The defense, especially the keeper, gave the midfielders and forwards good opportunities with excellent play. Coach Taz kept the team on their toes with terrific adjustments and timely substitutions that kept the pressure on the opposition.

On Sunday at 5:30 PM, White found out their semi-final opponent would be Real Colorado 96/97 National team, ranked second in CO. Monday morning brought clear blue skies, calm winds and perfect temperatures. Our eyes were opened by the beautiful complex of Dick’sSporting Goods Park. The snow covered Rocky Mountains shinning in the sun and the fresh lush green pitch called to the team as they went through warm-ups, match time was quickly approaching.

The team came out strong as did the much larger, quicker ‘96/’97 Real team. The battle began with play switching sides often and with White applying pressure early. The match played out in the middle of the pitch most of the game until the middle of the second half when Real would send a volley from 25yrds out that hit the bottom of the cross post, land on the line, spin outward and was ruled a goal much to the amazement of everyone including the Real Coach who commented “really”? FWFC immediately regained poise and gave it all they had narrowly missing opportunities till the very end. 1-0 was the final with the ’97 White giving it all they had. The coach of the Real team commented on how well coached our players were and how hard it was to adjust to the defense playing the off-sides and also the speed and accuracy of our players. “Texas teams always give us a good match” the coach said... Well done Coach Taz.

’97 White represented our city, state and club with pride and good sportsmanship. They also represented the strength and mantra that is FWFC. FWFC has developed this team to be technically and tactically proficient, with emphasis on shaping the players to become better athletes, better students and better persons. Well done, ladies!

Special thanks to our manager Tricia DeWitt for making all the arrangements including the trip to Idaho Springs (ele 7524ft). Also, for a very memorable wet and cold white water rafting ride by Clear Water Creek Rafting. And we couldn’t forget the best “mountain pie” (pizza) ever at Beau Jo’s. This is a travel tournament that will not be forgotten any time soon by any of us.

by Bob Parra

Let’s just call it; “the year of FWFC promotions”

The 98 Boys followed the lead of the 97 Boys and the 97 Girls by also being promoted this past season. The 98 Boys have done what few teams can do. They came from Arlington in one year as the bottom seed in D3 and shocked the whole table by securing the second spot in D3 and being awarded the D2 promotion in only 1 year in D3. The 98 Boys went 12-2-4 in their inaugural season in the Classic League and are now looking forward to their next challenge of doing the same thing in D2. Special thanks to Coach Taz, the parents and especially the boys for all of their hard work. It is paying off!

by Doug R. Watson

Operation Promotion, Part 2

The 2009/2010 Classic League season brought new and exciting opportunities for the 97 Boys. How would the team approach the challenge of playing eight new teams? Could they respond with winning football against a host of more difficult teams? Would the Boys handle potential adversity well?

The start of the season saw the boys answer all three questions. Despite playing good football, the 97s found themselves with only three points after three games; and down 0-2 at halftime of Game Four. At this point the Boys reached deep within and found the resolve necessary to overcome adversity by battling back to a stirring 3-2 victory! The win was the vehicle that drove the team to a six game winning streak; and first place on 21 points.

Having answered their questions coming into the Fall 2009 session the 97s were now the target of nine teams’ pursuit. The Spring 2010 session was a tight and upset-themed campaign for all teams. After 16 games the boys maintained their hold on first place. Game Day 17 was a promotion game. The Boys fought to a 1-0 victory in near constant gale-force winds. Promotion to Division 1 was secure!

Two weeks later the team played their last game of the season. It was a first place bragging rights fixture. The 97s battled to a thrilling 5-4 victory in what was one of the most exciting Division 2 matches for all of 2009/2010. It was indeed sweet satisfaction correcting last year’s second place finish!

Congratulations to the 97 Boys on back-to back promotions; and good luck in the upcoming 2010/2011 Classic League Division 1 season!

by Daniel Tapia

Fort Worth FC '94 Girls - Surf Cup Finalists

The 94' Girls returned to the 2010 San Diego Surf Cup, and kicked off the new season as a finalist in the Gold Bracket.

After a quick elimination in last years tournament, the girls returned with something to prove. They entered the 2009 Surf Cup, shortly after some hard fought battles to become the North Texas State Cup Champions, and several player injuries.

The first and only game of the day (Saturday), would prove to be a very exciting win against a small but quick team from Hawaii (KA’OI SC Express). The girls would dominated the ball in the first half of the game, managing to put up 2 goals on Hawaii. The top of the second half started a little slow, but after allowing Hawaii to score 1 goal, the momentum was regained, assuring them a 2-1 victory.

Great team work, and excellent ball movement in Sunday morning’s game, against Elk Grove Everton FC(CA), resulted in a 3-0 victory. Although the third game against Calgary Blizzard SC Threat, finished in a 2-1 loss, it did not reflect the skill and effort the girls played with against this team. The team started very strong, and but could not capitalize on several opportunity to put the ball in the net against Calgary.

They were able to score enough points to receive a wild card advancement to the Monday morning, semi-finals, to face the Chicago Fire Juniors Red. This game turned out to be a nail biter, when the girl found themselves down 2-0, with approximately twelve minutes left in the game. With a few position changes, and the girls digging deeper, they were able to tie the game, sending them into over-time. The result was a 3-2 victory, just five minutes into the over-time, and a trip to the finals.

The final was a match up against Arsenal FC-S Montgomery. Both teams fought very hard, but the girls gave up a goal late in the second half which would be the winning Surf Cup tournament goal for Arsenal.

Great job girls. Let the games begin!!

by STAFF

’01 Boys White at Puma Cup

The 2001 Boys White Team placed 2nd in the 2010 Puma Cup held in Arlington on July 16 – 18. The boys rebounded from an opening 0 – 2 loss to a strong Dallas Texan team, to outscore their remaining three opponents 12 – 3.

by Molly Ludington

’01 Boys White Team Win Club Classic Soccerfest

The ’01 Boys White Team won the championship of the Club Classic Soccerfest tournament held in Colleyville on May 22 and 23. The boys were a perfect 5 – 0, outscoring their opponents by a combined 17-4. They also finished with 2 shut-outs, including the 3 – 0 victory over FC Force in the championship game. Well done, boys!

by TAZ

97 Girls White Promoted to D1

Congratulations to 97 Girls White for being named Lake Highlands D2 champions and promoting to D1. Coach Taz and the girls started working together last summer with one goal in mind - to win D2 and promote. They started the fall season in 6th place and entered the spring season in 3rd. Their first game was against the #1 ranked opponent and they won with a shutout. By game 3, they had beaten the #2 team and changed the tone in the division. Their hard work has paid off as they went 12-3-1 this year and only allowed 1 goal during the last 10 league games. We couldn't be more proud of them - not for winning, but for the manner in which they accomplished this. Go FWFC 97 White!

by Tricia DeWitt

Twice as Nice!

The 97 Boys entered the 2010 Cowtown Classic Soccer tournament as defending champions. Expectations were high and the Boys (and parents) were eager to return to football after a nearly month long layoff. Texas weather added spice to the mix by bringing warm temperatures Friday, dry/cool/windy conditions on Saturday, and damp/cool/windy conditions to Sunday’s affairs.

The 97s began their title defense in group play by warding off inspired play from the first two opponents. The team hit a grove in Game Three. Although the score was only 3-1 at least four attempts on goal hit either the crossbar or side-posts! Having won all three games and securing 26 points the team qualified for the playoffs.

The semi-final was a nail-biting fixture to be sure. The Boys fell behind 0-1 early and then tied the game 1-1 at the 20 minute mark in the first half. In the second half the 97s began to exert themselves and gained control of the game. With approximately ten minutes remaining the Boys grabbed a lead 2-1 and never relinquished control to secure their place in the Finals!

The final was a rematch of last year’s final. The boys started strong against DFW Tejanos and kept possession in the attacking half for a majority of the game. Nevertheless, the game ended full-time 0-0; and two 10-minutes periods of extra time awaited the ever-wearying teams. Both teams fought through a grueling 20 minutes and still the score remained 0-0.

Penalty kicks (PK) next awaited the 97s. It was the first time the team had ever experienced the weight of this match-deciding method of play. The Boys came through like seasoned veterans winning 3-2 while using only four PK attempts!

Congratulations to the 97 Boys on back-to back titles; and a second consecutive Mother’s Day gift!

by Daniel Tapia