It was a great weekend for the FC Steel organization.
FC Steel, a youth soccer organization that is headquartered in Saucon Valley, had a host of teams who were in action over the weekend. Six of the 12 teams participated in one of two tournaments. The ’05 and ’06 Girls headed south for the Spirit United Kickoff Classic in Downingtown, Pa., while the ’06, ’07, ’08 and ’09 Boys were competing out in Gettysburg. When it was all said and done, Steel proved to be the real deal!
All but one of the FC Steel teams competing advanced to the semifinals. Of the four FC Steel teams who were able to advance to the Finals, three came away as champions!
The current state of FC Steel……
FC Steel Girls’
’02: Bye Week
- Coaches: Ray Canevari and Chris Bleam
’03: Bye Week
- Coaches: Ray Canevari and Chris Bleam
’04: Bye Week
- Coach: Ray Canevari
’05: Semifinalist! Spirit United Kickoff Classic (Aug. 25-26)
- Coach: Ray Canevari
’06: Spirit United Kickoff Classic (Aug. 25th & 26th)
- Coaches: Ray Canevari and Joe Petraglia
’09: Bye Week
- Coaches: Anders Isaksson and Cora Snyder
For Will Buck and his FC Steel teammates it was celebration time!
FC Steel Boys’
’06 Orange: Bye Week
- Coaches: Scott Cullen and Brandon Chambers
’06 Black: CHAMPIONS! Gettysburg Blast, Gettysburg, Pa. (Aug. 25-26)
- Coaches: Brandon Chambers and Scott Cullen
The ’06 Steelers advanced to the Finals at the Gettysburg Blast where they faced the PSA Spartans who attract their players from the York, Lancaster and Harrisburg area. FC Steel won this matchup by a score of 1-0. Abel “Bailey” Veltri scored the lone goal to lead the Steelers while goalkeeper, Will Buck, pitched a shutout. Buck was a perfect 6-0 with six shutouts. In preliminary action the ’06 Boys defeated North Union United Cannons, FC Dallastown Chaos, Barrens Thunder and the Potomac Brigade Cannons by a combined score of 17-0.
’07 Orange: Bye Week
- Coaches: Brandon Chambers and Scott Cullen
GOOoooooaaal!
’07 Black: FINALIST! Gettysburg Blast, Gettysburg, Pa. (Aug. 25-26)
- Coaches: Scott Cullen and Brandon Chambers
As part of a seven-team bracket, the ’07 Boys won all four games to make it to the Finals. The Steelers scored 12 goals and gave away nothing but shutouts along the way. FC Steel defeated FC Frederick Royals, GYSC Flash, Mason Dixon Tomahawks and Westminster Galaxy. In the Finals they had to once again do battle with the Royals who they had beaten 1-0 earlier in the tourney. The Royals, however, enacted a little revenge on a penalty kick to steal the championship with a 1-0 win of their own.
It was a hard-fought final for the FC Steel ’07 Boys.
’08: CHAMPIONS! Gettysburg Blast, Gettysburg, Pa. (Aug. 25-26)
- Coach: Scott Cullen
The ’08 FC Steel Black team kicked off its inaugural season by advancing to the finals of the Gettysburg Blast U11 bracket against the Potomac Brigade, who hail from West Virginia. Attempting to avenge a 4-3 round robin loss to the Brigade, the Steel came out early with a perfect shot from Cameron McIlvaine. After a Brigade equalizer, Alex Verdi drilled the last score of the game in the 15th minute. Defense and the goaltending of Maddox Bauz shut down the Brigade for the final 35 minutes to secure the championship with a 2-1 final tally.
The FC Steel ’08 Boys starting their long road of success.
’09: CHAMPIONS! Gettysburg Blast, Gettysburg, Pa. (Aug. 25-26)
- Coach: Brandon Chambers
The U10 FC Steel ’09 team went undefeated out in Gettysburg. After defeating Aston United, Keystone FC Aguero, GYSC Blast and Freedom Rebels by a combined score of 16-5, the U10 exploded in the playoff round winning 5-2 in a rematch against GYSC Blast in the semis and then 6-2 in the championship to the Central Carroll Strikers.
FC Steel’s Cain Wessner playing keep away with his opponent.
Good luck Steel, the Source is with you!
Bailey Veltri is one of many FC Steel 2018 Gettsyburg Battlefield Blast champions!