West Pines United is proud to announce the accomplishments of the West Pines coached/sponsored team The Florida Fire FC at ESPN’s 3 v 3 National Championship Event held July 27-29 2010.  Mentored by our own Coach Arturo Acosta our Rising U11 Boys won all their games in Group Play before advancing on to the Round of Sixteen. Players George Acosta, Luigi Cubeddu, Ignacio Cubeddu, Nathan Haynes, Angelo Rubiano and Carlos Tellez stayed cool under the intense pressure and heat to advance to the quarter finals after winning their third game of the day in this exhausting Round of Sixteen. As if the prior day’s heat and number of games was not test enough, the final day of the 3 v 3 Challenge proved even tougher. By beating JIYSC (a team WPU may soon face again in the Atlanta Cup) 5-4 in the Quarter Finals, our team went on to face local rival Weston Arsenal in the Semi-Finals. After exchanging leads on three different occasions, this game staged itself for a climatic ending. At the sound of the whistle during regulation time, the game stood tied at 6-6. The first team to score (known in sudden death as the Golden Goal) wins the game and our boys did just that! From a tactical defensive take away and a one touch pass from Cubeddu, Haynes hammered the final goal home in full stride before collapsing in exhaustion and exhilaration in Coach Arturo’s arms. Teary eyed and all the while cheering West Pines, West Pines, this young team proved well conditioned, trained and nourished before heading into their final game with only minutes of rest and re-hydration. In this final, our team remained steadfast and technically ahead of their opponent the Florida Attack (formerly OP Dragons) throughout the game to win the title 8-2. Congratulations George, Luigi, Ignacio, Nate, Angelo and Carlos, you have accomplished a great feat not only for yourselves and families, but your fellow team members and club as well.