Las Vegas. March 3
Two weeks ago, Olympique Montreux participated for the first time in the Silver Mug Budweiser Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada. That campaign produced mixed results and left management with many questions as the team prepares for the next league and Open Cup season in Utah.
The structure of the Bud Cup allows each participating team five group stage games with the top two teams in each group, or a total of 16 teams, advancing to the knockout stage.
With ranking in the Sweet 16 very important in this kind of competitions, to claim a top seed position, it is important to collect points, meaning not only winning games, but scoring a lot of goals and not conceding any. Teams earn extra points for each goal scored and for keeping a clean sheet or earning a shoot out.
OM finished second in its group with three wins, one loss and one tie. The side uncharacteristically failed to convert about one dozen clear scoring chances, granted the weather, a mix of high and twisting winds, freezing conditions, blinding dust and extremely poor pitches hindered the Olympians traditionally fluid ball movement.
The side bowed out in the semifinal game, losing 1-0 to a fine-tuned and spirited Durango, a team from California. Durango snatched its only goal early in the match in a whirlpool of dust.
OM reloaded, went after the equalizer, firing shots after shots on goal, but could not find the net.
Special Mention: MF Todd Miller distinguished himself with several fine performances despite playing injured. The Olympian was the victim of a vicious behind-the-back attack by Adis Alagic who intentionally and violently kicked Miller's ankle [off the ball] in an indoor match against Bosnia USA at the University of Utah on February 13. 2006.
Special Thanks. OM thanks Ben Hoerchel and Christopher Lamb, our guest players, for their contribution to the team in Las Vegas. Thanks also to Alexis de Montreux and Ivan Morales for helping with uniforms and equipment.
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