The “Morell” category competed as a four-team, round-robin or “jamboree” tournament with highest point tallies determining the winners. The Open team began their tournament with a physical and competitive “dos a cero” victory against the tournament hosts, Mexico. The scoring opened around the 15th minute of the first half when Dr. Mo Guba (IM) gathered a deflected ball at the top of the box. After a precise controlling touch, he unleashed a left footed curler into the far corner for a clinical finish. The second goal came later in the first half as newcomer Dr. Lindsey Williams (RAD) slotted home a cutback from fellow debutant Dr. Mahmood AbdelRazek (Neuro) after a successful dribble around the right flank. Adversity would come, however, starting around the 65th minute for the US Open team. First a red card for incidental contact and then a significant maxillofacial injury to goalkeeper, Dr. Stas Miaskowski (OB-Gyn), would test the squad’s mettle. Dr. Amir Orandi’s (Peds Rheum) spot reserve duty in goal and the team’s collective effort would ultimately preserve the opening game victory. The US Open team was now 1 – 0 but would lose their number one goalkeeper for the remainder of the tournament.
The US Open team started strong against a talented Columbia side with good ball possession and strong pressure on the opponent’s skill players. However, Columbia created organizational challenges for the back-up US goal keepers, netting twice on set pieces. A scissor kick to the far post in the first half and dangerous top of the box free kick laced on a rope to the top corner in the second half would give the US team its only loss of the tournament.
The final match for the Open team was against a mixed team composed of doctors from Canada, Mexico, and one US medical student. After a scoreless first half the Open team was able to break through in the 55th minute with a competitive header won by Dr. Miles Maassen (EM) after a cross from Dr. Mo Guba. The second goal would come from a nice combination play through the middle by Drs. Paul Al-Attar (Ortho) and Nebiyou Samuel (Anesth). “That’s how we SHOULD SCORE!” boasted the goal scorer affectionately known as “Neb”. The team play continued as the final goal would come from ageless veteran Dr. Mauricio Zapata (Path) ushering in an attempted volley by Dr. Ashkon Banihashemi (Peds) from the top of the box. Drs. James Kurtz (Gen S) and Amir Orandi would fill in for the injured #1 goalkeeper and managed to preserve the clean sheet for a 3-nil victory. The team finished the tournament with two wins and one loss. They did not concede a goal during the run of play, earning the silver medal. Columbia claimed 1st place after besting the Mexican team 1-0, also off a set-piece, in their final match.
The open team returns to action September 11-13 at the Ancient Ranger tournament in Minneapolis, MN where they will face non-physician teams in the over 30 age bracket as they continue their preparations for the World Medical Football Championships in Costa Rica this December.