The games were played at the Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wisc. from July 17 through July 20. In the…
The S.S. Cosma and Damiano soccer club of Flushing reached the Under-23 National Cup final of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).
The games were played at the Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wisc. from July 17 through July 20. In the final game, the Italian American Soccer League of New York club lost to the Denver Kickers, 2-1.
The game began with the two teams playing cautiously. After 20 minutes, keeper Antonio Treglia made an outstanding save on a shot by Brian Lux.
S.S. Cosma and Damiano picked up its game and created two scoring chances when Mark Shkreli’s shot in the 32nd minute went inches wide of the post and Michael Walsh could not connect with the ball on a sliding attempt to deflect a Marco Hamilton pass in front of an empty goal mouth in the 38th minute.
The Flushing-based team controlled play but was unable to capitalize, and the Denver Kickers took the lead when Allen Prado scored on a breakaway with a diagonal shot that beat Treglia on the left side.
The reaction of the S.S. Cosma and Damiano was immediate and ferocious. Within three minutes Marco Hamilton scored the equalizer in the 75th minute with a beautiful strike, which beat his opposition.
Shkreli had the opportunity to put his team ahead and probably close the game but, after hesitating at the moment of shooting in the 81st minute, a Denver defender recovered on the goal line to clear out what should have been a sure goal.
After a lucky bounce Chris Palick found the ball between his feet in front of an empty net to score the winning goal.
“The numbers speak by themselves,” club president Settimio Petruccelli said. “I don’t have words for these boys and staff; they have been fantastic and have worked very hard and seriously from the first day of training.”
Mario Treglia, president of the Italian American League of New York and Italian American Junior Soccer League said, “A strong and unlucky S.S. Cosma and Damiano team. The team came out to play good soccer; it received the compliments of our opponents and was applauded by the numerous spectators during and after the game.
“These young players are all ready to make the jump to the next level. Many of them are playing Division I soccer in college and have been scouted by various coaches during our journey to the finals. We have done our job very well.”
In the semifinal, S.S. Cosma and Damiano defeated the Indiana Inferno, 1-0. The goal was scored by Daniel Brienza in the 68th minute.
The roster of the S.S. Cosma and Damiano under 23 is as follows: Goalies: Antonio Treglia and Vincent Treglia. Defenders: Frank Gizzo, Julio Nosta, Robert Tedesco, Edwin Vasquez, Andrew Whilby, James Whyte, Todd Moser and Adam Hack. Midfielders: Ryan Kitzen, Mark Shkreli, Antonio Nittoli, Michael Walsh, Roidan Sanabria, Daniel Brienza.
Forwards: Giovanni Treglia, Marco Hamilton, Jonathan Row, Jason Nardis and Mike Massa. Management: Settimio Petruccelli, president; and Mario Treglia, president IASL and IAJSL; Rosario Carimando and Orazio Gigli, coaches; Elena Treglia, general manager; John Biordi, trainer; Valentino Di Fava, administration; Benito Guglietta, technical manager; Petruccelli Group, official sponsor.
