The Columbus School Middle School Boys Soccer team came third at the Disney Cup tournament July 8 -17 in Orlando Florida.

During the tournament they won 2 games, lost 2 games and tied once before reaching the semifinals, which they lost. The team rebounded from the loss to win their last game and achieve the third place.

“We were very positive about it,”  Luis Fernando Rodriguez, Middle School Boys Soccer Coach, said. “It’s the first tournament they haven’t won first place, but were happy about it.”

The team worked for more than one year to prepare for the cup after winning this year’s Colombian Binational Championship. According to Rodriguez, the team had a lot of work to build a winning mentality since they were representing all of Colombia instead of only the school. 

“Competing in this tournament was a challenge,:  said Rodriguez. “Very few schools participate in these competitions and the leagues that compete have very high skill levels.”

Despite the challenges, the team achieved success by sticking together. Standout players included 8th graders Camilo Montoya and Emilio Berdugo who were both crucial to the team’s success.

“Our team strategy was playing well,  holding the ball and attacking when an opportunity appeared,” Berdugo said.

Their technique and unity as a group were the factors that took them far, but their first game was a challenge as several key players were unable to make the trip.

“The team could have done better with the original goalkeepers and a better attitude during our first game,” said Berdugo.

Rodriguez said that when they got to the final block, it 

Reaching the semi-finals was their most important day since it took them so much closer to their dream. But even after losing, they lived and hung out together in the hotel and the parks. 

Because the Disney Cup is an international tournament, players had the opportunity to  interact with many people from every corner of the world while they enjoyed the competition and Disney Parks..

“We hope to return to Florida next July with a very similar team, but taking along all our best players,” Rodriguez said.