2001 Atlantic Alliance Cup

Head Coach: Gary Hill
Assistant Coach: Denis Ryan
Assistant Coach: Rich Mann
USAFL President: Paul O’Keeffe

Game 1
Opponent: Denmark
Location: United Kingdom
Date: 5 October 2001
Result: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
G.P G.P G.P G.P.T
Denmark 5.1 5.1 6.9 6.10.46
Revolution 0.1 3.1 3.1 5.4. 34
Goals:
Denmark: E.Krolmark (2), R.Rasmussen, L.Rothmann, F.Yde, M.Ollgaard.
Revolution: J,Baldwin, J.Battaglia, T.Ellis, J.Hunter, G.Narleski.
Best:
Denmark: R.Storgaard, J.Jakobsen, P.Ghazouani, M.Hansen, F.Schulin.
Revolution: J.Amstutz, J.Purcell, T.Ellis, J.Loring, D.Jones, J.Becker.

Account by player Greg Narleski: There was a gusting wind from right to left and we were kicking into the wind so we played a very defensive game to start. I was taken out to put in an extra defender five minutes into the first quarter. We engaged the Danish and they came away with five goals, they did not miss a shot at goal. I was back in for the second quarter, this time we had the wind in our favor. I took a mark and kicked the first goal for the team and everyone was pumped to get that first goal. We kicked two more goals that quarter and our players fought splendidly for the ball. Gary, the coach, challenged the team at half time to not give up another goal in the third quarter so we could utilize the wind in the fourth quarter to kick goals and go ahead. The defense held strong and gave up only one goal; the physical punishment our team was handing out wore down the Danes. They were rushing kicks and they kicked six or so behinds. Just as the third quarter was coming to a close the rain started to come down, not a good sign when you are down by twenty-four points. The rain started coming down so hard in the fourth quarter that the forwards could not look back up the field. We managed to kick two more goals but that was all we could muster. A bit of bad luck, but the team had done battle together and we were now truly a team.

Game 2
Opponent: Ireland
Location: United Kingdom
Date: 7 October 2001
Result: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
G.P G.P G.P G.P.T
Ireland 4.2 4.2 8.3 9.9.63
Revolution 2.0 2.3 4.3 4.5.29
Goals:
Ireland J.Cunnane (3), S.O'Laughlin (2), S.Brennan, A.Coomey, D.Cotter.
Revolution M.Dainauski (3), G.Narleski.
Best:
Ireland M.Johnston, D.Reedy, F.Bradshaw, J.Cunnane, D.Cotter.
Revolution none provided

Account by player Greg Narkleski: We came out hard and fast against the Irish and we each exchanged two goals, the game was on. The rain started to get heavy at the end of the first quarter and Ireland did a better job of getting the ball off of the ground and hand passing. Our guys went hard at the ball but we struggled to keep our feet and to keep spacing between players. We played hard for all four quarters and never gave up, but the Irish just kept running down the field in waves and scoring goals.

Game 3
Opponent: Great Britain
Location: United Kingdom
Date: 8 October 2001
Result: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
G.P G.P G.P G.P.T
Revolution 4.3 6.6 8.8 10.8.68
Great Britain 1.1 1.1 1.2 3.3.21
Goals:
Revolution M.Dainauski (4), J.Amstutz, D.Jones, John Loring, Josh Loring, G.Narleski, D.Thurmond.
Great Britain P.Chaplin, T.Hallam, B.Rees.
Best:
Revolution: T.Ellis, J.Hunter, J.Amstutz, R.Beyersdorf, B.Furr, D.Thurmond.
Great Britain none provided

Account by player Greg Narleski: Gary, the coach, gave us a pep talk in the showers before we ran onto the field. He spoke to us about winning respect for U.S. Footy and that we were playing for our clubs back home. Because we struggled with the rain the day before he had the team jump in the showers and get wet in our uniforms before going out for our warm-up. A few of the guys thought he may be kidding but when Gary jumped under the showers first, they realized how serious he was about the tactic. When we ran out of the clubhouse he then had us run and dive in the wet and muddy grass. This really helped the team forget about the field conditions and play some hard nosed footy. The team stuck to the goals and tactics we spoke of yesterday and we took it to the Brits. The team really worked together today. We kept spacing between players so we had options, we kept running, and going hard for the ball. The guys had so much desire and fight in them today; it felt great to come up with our first victory of the tournament.

Game 4
Opponent: Canadian Northwind
Location: Great Britain
Date: 9 October 2001
Result: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
G.P G.P G.P G.P.T
Revolution 4.3 4.7 6.9 8.9.57
Northwind 1.1 2.4 3.5 5.5. 35
Goals:
Revolution M.Dainauski (3), J.Baldwin, J.Becker, Josh Loring, R.Miller, D.Narleski.
Northwind D.Simnett (3), A.Korpela, M.McFarlane.
Best:
Revolution T.Ellis, J.Hunter, D.Thurmond, D.Jones, J.Becker, J.Amstutz.
Northwind none provided

Account by player Greg Narleski: Our final match was against the Canadians. They had not won a game so far but today will be different because this will be the battle for North American supremacy. The day was a perfect fall day; the air was crisp, the leaves starting to come off their branches and a blue sky with pillow like clouds. Gary had each player go into the changing room to receive his jumper. Gary asked each member what the jumper meant to him and what each of us would do against Canada today? There was some extra intensity today during warm-up; the team knew what was on the line. We started fast, the tap came down, two players touched it and we kicked a goal. Our guys in the middle did a fantastic job of roving the packs and pushing the ball forward. The defense held strong punching the ball from the Canadian forwards and delivering the ball to the U.S. midfielders. It was a great effort and the team looked forward to some time off after a long week of football.

On the flight back to the U.S., I was able to reflect on my experience. It is always wonderful how a group of unfamiliar people can come together for a common goal and end up having success. I think we accomplished something very special as a team and though our record was not the outcome we expected or strove to reach, the team had a successful trip to London. We came together as a unit in a very short time and we tested our footy skills against some pretty strong teams and we ended in second place. It was a very intense week of footy and every person learned something about themselves as footy players and as people and we made some new friends along the way. The players made the commitment and dedicated themselves to honor the tragic events of September 11 by representing our country in this event. It was a fantastic experience; one I will look back upon and I will remember the hours of hard work to reach this achievement with pride.