LAPD in White, Brit's in Blue, Referee's in Green
(Place your cursor on the above photo and double click to expand it.)
(Place your cursor on the above photo and double click to expand it.)
The LAPD Soccer Team continues to expand their relations with our counterparts throughout the globe. On September 13, 2010, a British Military Soccer Team was visiting the greater Los Angeles area and expressed an interest in playing the LAPD Soccer Team. They had heard that LAPD had a quality team that would give them a spirited game. LAPD accepted the challenge and the arrangements were made to play that evening at Cathedral High School.
The British Military Soccer Team is known as the Pilgrims Football Club. They are a dedicated group of active British Military personnel from their Special Forces Units abroad. The team Manager is Dave Whitson, an exceptional leader and coach for their team.
As the game started, each team probed the other trying to expose a weakness they could exploit. The Brits play more of a long ball approach, looking for a quick break-a-way, where LAPD plays more of a patient game of passing and working the whole team up to create a scoring opportunity.
Both teams played physical, but clean soccer, respecting the skills and determination of their opponents. Each team had several opportunities to score in the sea-saw battle of play. Various tactical changes to game were made to try and gain the upper hand in the match. This was all to no avail as neither team was able to score leaving it a 0-0.
The teams were very evenly matched in their tactics, skills, endurance and determination. At the conclusion, it was a spirited game that was fun and exciting and an honor to have participated in. Both teams acknowledged respect for each other and thoroughly enjoyed the match.
Three days later, the Brits were feeling their oats and wanted a re-match believing they could defeat the locals (LAPD). So a second game was hastily put together for September 16th, 2010 at Liechty Middle High School.
With such short notice, LAPD was strapped for players that were off-duty that could commit to playing. At the last minute, we were able to muster sufficient players for a game. Several of our “core” players were unavailable so the contest would be different than our first game.
It seems the Brits were a little long winded in their assumptions that they could beat the LAPD Soccer Team. At the end, the score told the story. LAPD-4, the Brits-1. The game was dominated by LAPD throughout the course of the match. The Brits were on their heels most of the game and were surprised at our team work and determination.
We wish to express our sincere appreciation and respect to the British Military Soccer Team, the Pilgrims, F.C. for the honor of playing them in the sport of kings.
I contacted the Brits team manager David Whitson upon their return to England and was advised that several of their players were immediately deployed to Afghanistan for Special Forces assignments. God Speed and keep them safe. These young men are a credit to all of us, fighting the fight abroad so we don’t have to fight on our own home turf.
