U.S.A. Revolution Retain the 49th Parallel Cup

Saturday, August 4 - Dublin, Ohio - The U.S.A. Revolution, the men’s All-Star Australian Football team from the United States, held off a determined Canadian Northwind in a tropical Dublin, Ohio last Saturday. 

The Revolution and Northwind play each other for the 49th Parallel Cup in each of the two years prior to an AFL International Cup year (the next is 2014) in what is becoming a very competitive rivalry.

The Northwind have only defeated the Revolution once, in Vancouver 2007, since the first game was played in Chicago in 1999. The two teams squared off in a very physical opening match of the 2011 AFL International Cup and the Revolution were very lucky to get away with a three point victory.

The Northwind were undoubtedly buoyed by this result, despite the loss, and certainly brought the same intensity with them to Ohio. 

The first quarter was a hard fought battle as both teams struggled to deal with the slippery conditions created by the high level of humidity. The Revolution created more opportunities than the Northwind but only kicked the one goal through Mat Kiefer. The Northwind kicked a goal of their own and, as a result, the Revolution went to the first break with only a 3-point advantage, 1.3.9 to 1.0.6.

The game opened up a little in the second quarter with both teams kicking two goals each. Again the Revolution created more opportunities however the combination of pressure from the Canadians and wasted chances resulted in the Revolution only extending their quarter time lead to seven points, 3.7.25 to 3.0.18. Bobby Sears and Eric “Sleepy” Floyd each kicked a goal for the Revolution.

The third quarter was a war of attrition as the heat and humidity started to take its toll on the players. The Northwind took the honors in this quarter kicking 1.1 and managing to keep the Revolution scoreless. Consequently scores were tied at three quarter time, 3.7.25 for the Revolution to 4.1.25 for the Northwind.

With several players cramping and many others looking out on their feet the Revolution coaching staff were forced to make several unexpected changes, particularly to the midfield. In what can only be considered a masterstroke (sigh of relief) the first tap by Bryan Dragus found its intended target Kevin Stanley who streamed out of the square to kick truly and put the Revolution in front.

The Northwind replied quickly to again level the scores however from there the Revolution took control of the game kicking another three unanswered goals. Bobby Sears added his second for the day and Bryan Dragus kicked his first despite enduring serious cramps. The final goal of the day came with a little luck with Minnesotan debutants Brent Fischer and Andrew Rotschafer linking up. Fischer fortuitously kicked the ball off the ground from deep in the right-hand pocket to the goal square and found Rotschafer who finished off the play and sealed the victory for the Revolution.

In the end the Revolution won the game by a comfortable margin, 7.12.54 to 5.1.31, however it is fair to say that they were never comfortable throughout the match. It took a massive effort by players such as MVP Chet Ridenour, who repelled many Northwind attacking opportunities and he was well supported by fellow backline players Andy Vanica, Ryan McGettigan, and Robert Strange.

“This victory is certainly up there with one of the best,” said Revolution Captain Dan Sarbacker. “We had to endure oppressive conditions and an intense Canadian team. This took a massive team effort and as a result I am incredibly proud of the way the team fought the entire game out.”

Earlier in the day the Revolution Development Squad played a Canadian Development Squad for only the second time.

The development squad concept is designed to give younger players, usually under the age of  25, the chance to play at the international level and to be possibly selected for the main squad at future events.

The game was played in a very competitive spirit and both teams are to be commended for their efforts as the U.S. team had no reserves and the Canadian team only two. In the end the U.S. team outlasted the Canadians to win the game by 39 points, 8.14.62 to 3.5.23.

“The U.S. Development Squad is to be congratulated for an outstanding effort,” said Revolution Head Coach Matt Bishop. “Several of the guys only had a handful of games to draw experience from and they all represented their country and respective clubs extremely well! Dan Sarbacker, newly appointed coach of the Development Squad is also to be congratulated for the way in which he managed the team.”

The team was well lead by Michael “Magic” Murphy and Bryan Caine and 2nd-gamer (literally his 2nd game of footy ever) Andrew Rotschafer of the Minnesota Freeze was the deserved MVP award winner.

Final scores for the tenth 49th Parallel Cup:

Revolution Goals: R. Sears (2), B. Dragus, K. Stanley, E. Floyd, M. Kiefer, A. Rotschafer

Revolution Best: C. Ridenour, A. Vanica, R. Strange, R. McGettigan, K. Stanley, J. Moyer

U.S.A. Revolution Squad:
Austin Crows: N. Jehangir, J. Leos;
Baltimore-Washington Eagles: J. Moyer, K. Stanley, R. Strange;
Chicago United: D. Sarbacker (C);
Columbus Jackaroos: C. Ridenour, R. Ward;
Denver Bulldogs: A. Vanica;
Etobicoke Roos (OAFL): R. Sears;
Golden Gate Roos: K. Johnson;
Houston Lonestars: Kevin Waden;
Los Angeles Dragons: Bryan Dragus;
Louisville Kings: Eric Floyd;
Kansas City Power: Mat Kiefer;
Minnesota Freeze: S. Fashant, D. Hansen, A. Werner (VC);
Nashville Kangaroos: Luke Nemeth;
Philadelphia Hawks: J. Loring, R. McGettigan;

Coach: Matt Bishop; Assistant Coaches: J. Becker. D.Ryan;
Manager: G. Borchardt; Trainer: S. Budrick.

Final scores for the development squad game:

U.S.A Development Squad Goals: A. Rotschafer (2), M. McClure, D. James, D. Livy, D. Dahlquist, S. Furlong, P. Norris

U.S.A Development Squad Best: A. Rotschafer, B. Fischer, S. Furlong, C. Simpson, R. McFarland

U.S.A. Development Squad:
Arizona Hawks: P. Norris; Cleveland Cannons: R. McFarland;
Columbus Jackaroos: S. Furlong; M. McClure, B. Minich, E. Politz, C. Simpson;
Denver Bulldogs: M. Eckstein;
Golden Gate Roos: K. Barnes, D. Dahlquist, R. Leumann, D. Livy;
Kansas City Power: T. Poythress;
Milwaukee Bombers: D. James;
Minnesota Freeze: B. Fischer, A. Rotschafer;
New York Magpies: B. Caine, M. Murphy (C);

Coach: D. Sarbacker; Assistant Coaches: J. Becker; M. Bishop; D. Ryan;
Manager: G. Borchardt; Trainer: S. Budrick.