Champion's Cup
1st Place Winners - LAPD Soccer Team
LAPD Soccer Team - May 19, 2013
Annual LA Co
Sheriff’s 2013 Spring Soccer Cup Tournament
May 18th / 19th, 2013
Our first major soccer tournament of 2013 was hosted by the
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Athletic Association. LA County Sheriff Det/Sgt Ruben Nava is the
host/coordinator of this event. It is
one of the premier soccer tournaments pitting law enforcement and fire agencies
against one another in fierce competition for the bragging rights to be the top
soccer team in Los Angeles County.
Thirteen teams entered the competition this year with
8-teams in the open division, three in the 35 and older division and two
women’s teams.
The “Open” brackets were composed of the following teams:
LA County Sheriff's
LAPD United (Hugo)
LAPD Centurions
LA Koreans - The Olympians
LA City Fire
Long Beach PD
Orange Co Fire
The Gunners Club Team
LA County Sheriff's
LAPD United (Hugo)
LAPD Centurions
LA Koreans - The Olympians
LA City Fire
Long Beach PD
Orange Co Fire
The Gunners Club Team
In our first game we drew the LA Koreans. This is a young spirited group of players that was organized by one of our Olympic Area officers. They are comprised mostly of civilian & businessmen from the Korean community. The LA Koreans have good skills and used their speed to their advantage. It was a close game with both teams scoring goals. As time ran out, LAPD United prevailed.
In our second game of the day, we played Orange County Fire. They are a well-disciplined team with a very
high level of skill and exude confidence in their play. Both teams played a very skilled and physical
game with several shots on goal that were just wide of the mark. Our goalie,
Officer Luis INTERIANO was
stellar in his approach and confidence in the goal. He made several exceptional saves to help us
win the game.
Our third preliminary round game was against another new
team in the competition, the Gunners. A soccer
team composed of young, very fast and skilled players. The Gunners played a solid game using their
speed to their advantage and continually testing our defense. LAPD United stood strong on the defensive
line LAPD made several goals in this game allowing us to o advance to the
finals.
On to the finals. In the
gold medal round of this two day event,
LAPD played the LA Co. Sheriff’s in
an exciting but physically draining game.
This was for all the marbles and bragging rights as the best soccer team
in the County.
The sheriff’s always challenge us with their technical soccer
play, speed and skill level. But in
today’s match, LAPD was dominant. We moved
up the field using our proven tactics, challenging the sheriff’s when they
possessed the ball, causing them to turn it over. LAPD scored first. Goalies Detective
Jim ERWIN kept the Sheriff’s at bay, making several tremendous saves that
kept us in the lead. In the second half
of the game, Goalie Manny MANDIETA
took over the reins in goal. Manny felt
the pressure of a low scoring game and aggressively attacked every shot on
goal. He made several game saving stops
that helped us win 1-0 over the Sheriff’s.
LAPD United took first place and received the Gold Medal & Trophy
accordingly.
We wish to thank Det/Sgt Ruben Nava of the LA County
Sheriff’s and their athletic association LASAA for an exception
tournament. As always it was
professionally organized. It was a
pleasure to have participated in this exceptional athletic event.
Our next major soccer tournament will be at the United
States Police & Fire Championships, held in San Diego, CA the week of June
16 through the 23th, 2013.
Below are action photos taken by Det Don Barfield during the course of the tournament
To expand the image, double click on the photo.
