Intense 2009 YMCA indoor soccer playoffs!

Chicago and Evanston, IL
Monday April 20 2009
The Soccer Times

Intense 2009 YMCA indoor soccer playoffs!

Wow! Intense playoffs! This past week was full of intense soccer starting with Chelsea eliminating Liverpool in Champions League semi final after a draw 4-4 and one of the best games in this tournament. However, there was nothing like the YMCA playoffs! Many thought that our favorite team, Joga Bonito, was in trouble after finding out that their goalie Mauricio was absent during the beginning of their first quarter final game. However, Captain Carlos Quintero (who by the way is also Joga Bonito's Manager, El Presidente, Owner, Waterboy and Chauffer) put the gloves on and took on the new role of second goalkeeper for Joga Bonito. He had no problem and gave the team plenty of confidence (he only had to goalkeep for a few minutes until Mau got ready). Here is the review of the playoffs:

Quarter Final 5pm: Joga Bonito vs YMCA1
YMCA 1 had no trouble defeating the People's Republic in the preliminary game 4-1 at 2pm. As a result, Joga Bonito had to face YMCA 1 at 5pm. They had comfronted once before in the regular season and the victory went to Joga Bonito 8-1. There was no surprise to see that JB dominated the game and with goals from the deadly Rolando (4), Pablo (2), Carlos (2) and Tony (1) defeated the YMCA 1 with a score of 9-0.

Semi Final 7pm: Joga Bonito vs Willard Warriors
Willard Warriors were the next opponents after they defeated the Purple Phreaks in a rough Quarter Final 3-1. Willard Warriors was one of the most defensive teams in the tournament as they have an outstanding goal keeper. They do not have good shooters but they do have an excellent defense system that only allowed 4 goals in the regular season same as JB. These teams had faced once before in the regular season and JB could only defeat WW with one goal 1-0. JB's dynamic duo Pablo and Rolando were very marked during the game and could not get the ball in. JB figured out that the strategy was to give the ball back to those who are not marked so they could shoot. JB's centerback, Keith, took action and ripped an 100mph shot which almost burned the net. Later on, defensive winger, Tony, gave a breath of relief to JB when he scored the second a final goal. JB won 2-0. JB was going to the final again!

Semi Final 8pm: Buckyballs vs Chupacabra
Yes, Chupacabra! Unbelievable. Everyone thought that Buckyballs would have gone to the final one more time. Buckyballs and Chupacabra faced in the regular season and BB won 7-1 with no problem. JB defeated Chupabra 10-0 in the regular season. However, this Chupacabra team in the playoffs was a completely different team. They were full of energy and hope. Buckyballs started defeating them 1-0, then Chupacabra ties. BB scored again to make it 2-1, then CC ties again to make it 2-2. BB finally scored a third which many thought would be the end, then with 30 seconds to go CC scores and the 3-3 game goes to penalty kicks. Everyone was shocked when BB missed two penalties and CC scored all 3. The final score was 3-1 in favor of Chupacabra!

Final 9pm: Joga Bonito vs Chupacabra
JB was probably happy to face CC at the final instead of BB. They probably thought this would be an easy final. Wrong! JB dominated most of the game and began winning 1-0 by the foot of Rolando. However, a minute before the end of second half CC has a breakthrough and scores the tie. Half time: 1-1. You can see the crowd biting their nails. JB's Rolando scores again and there is some relief, but not for long. CC has another breakthrough and ties the game 2-2! Was this the same team that lost 10-0 in the regular season? Not anymore! You can see JB frustrated! They calmed down and played their game. Tony finds the net and is 3-2 in JB's favor. They know that one goal advantage is not enough in indoor soccer. Pablo takes a kick in, Rolando fakes, the ball goes in! 4-2 JB winning! They feel a little better now. Finally, Captain Carlos receives a pass and rips one in the low bottom corner to make it 5-2. He screams: Yes! Joga Bonito has made history! Joga Bonito has won the YMCA tournament! Joga Bonito undefeated Champions!

"This is the best day of my life!" Yells an emotional Captain Carlos, "Willard Warriors and Chupabra were unbelievable opponents. They gave us such a hard time. But we did it! And it was fun! I am extremely proud of all my teammates. They are all outstanding players. They gave everything on the court yesterday. Joga Bonito 2009 Champions!"

Joga Bonito's 2009 amazing records include:
- Only undefeated team in the tournament with 11 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses.
- Best offense: 77 goals in favor in 11 games (7 goals per game in average!), Buckyballs were second with 47 goals in favor!
- Best defense: 6 goals against in 11 games, Willard Warriors were second with 7 goals against!

Joga Bonito's history:
- Founded in 2006 under the name of Chicago F.C. by Carlos Quintero
- Change name to Joga Bonito and eliminated in quarter finals in 2006.
- Lost the final in 2007.
- Eliminated in quarter finals in 2008.
- The only team members who have played all seasons are the brothers Mauricio and Ernesto Pumarejo.

The Soccer Times would like to congratulate Joga Bonito as 2009 YMCA champions. We would also like to thank all the readers for following this amazing tournament with us. Looking forward to the 2010 season!



Carlos Quintero
Joga Bonito Owner/El Presidente/Manager/Captain/Water Boy/Chauffer... and second goalkeeper!
The Soccer Times Reporter