Soccer Club News
The Fairfield GAC FC Over 40 team was asked to participate in the USASA Over 40 National Cup based on our success 2 years ago in that competition. This year, USASA asked more teams to participate. In Region 1 (which includes all states from from Maine to Virginia) . The Over 40 competition included 12 teams this year including two from Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey, along 1 each from Massachusetts and Virginia. Fairfield GAC FC easily won it’s first game of the competition overwhelming SC Eintracht by a score of 8-0. The second game, against national power and Massachusetts state champion Safira FC, ended after both regulation and overtime in a 0-0 tie. Fairfield GAC FC was fortunate to win that game in penalties 4-3 after a great save by our goalkeeper Seth Cohen on their 4th kick.
Entering the regional semi-finals, Fairfield GAC FC drew state (and Irish club) rival Glastonbury Celtic. Dominating most of that game Fairfield GAC FC won rather easily 2-0 to advance to the regional final for the second consecutive year (there was no cup in 2020 because of Covid). In the regional final Fairfield GAC FC was slated to play Virginia state champion Renegades from Richmond Virginia. Renegades would prove to be a very tough test after their successful run in the cup having beaten national powers Christos from Maryland as well as two time defending Region 1 champion West Chester, PA. They also claimed over 10 former Division 1 soccer players as well as a couple of former MLS players as well. Despite this impressive pedigree, Fairfield GAC FC was the clear better team with much more possession and having created many more chances than Renegades during the game. Unfortunately, the game ended in yet another 0-0 tie after both regulation and overtime leading to yet another penalty kick shootout.
What ensued was rather remarkable (and the longest shootout I’ve ever encountered) with Fairfield GAC FC coming out on top by a score of 14-13 after 17 rounds of penalties (where again Seth Cohen came up huge saving 3 of their shots with their 4th hitting the crossbar giving us the win). So we hoist the Region 1 championship trophy for the first time in club history and head back to the Final Four. This year that will be hosted in Michigan on August 20 and 21.
On our road to the Region 1 crown, Fairfield GAC went 4-0, scored 10 goals in the run of play while giving up no goals, and beat the state champions from both Massachusetts and Virginia as well as perhaps the sweetest win was to beat Glastonbury Celtic from Connecticut. We are very excited to be representing our league and our state at the national finals, as well as of course, the Fairfield Gaelic American Club.
Here is the website for reference. (Results) While the Over 40 Soccer Club does not yet have an opponent for August 20th but are optimistic that we can continue our run and perhaps even win the national championship.