A year after winning four Coastal "A" Cup championships, Richmond Youth Soccer Association's Metro Boys Program is flexing its muscles again.
Four Richmond United teams remain in the title hunt as the 60th edition of the playdowns have reached the semi-final stage.
U18 United overcame a 1-0 deficit to slip past Coquitlam Metro Ford Bayern 2-1 in penalty kicks in an entertaining affair last Sunday at Hugh Boyd. The visitors were doing their best to cling to a one goal lead when Arvin Nikeresht cut into the left edge of the penalty area in neatly curled a right-footed shot into the top hand corner. The hosts continued to press and were denied on a penalty thanks to a great diving stop by the Coquitlam goalkeeper.
Extra time couldn't determine the outcome and United finally prevailed in penalty kicks.
The locals will now host North Coquitlam United on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Boyd.
Following the U18s big win, U16 United followed with plenty of goals in its 3-2 victory over Central City Breakers Revolution. Richmond now takes on the Burnaby Selects this weekend.
Meanwhile, U15 United continued its fine season with a 2-0 victory over the North Vancouver Selects. The Metro League winners now meet defending Coastal Cup champion Port Moody AC Selects on Saturday (2: 30 p.m.) at Boyd.
U14 Richmond United made short work of North Vancouver (6-0) in its quarter-final tilt. Next up for Richmond is what should be a terrific semi-final encounter on the road against the Burnaby Selects. United is the defending Coastal Cup champion, while Burnaby went undefeated (14-0-4) in league play this season, including a pair of 2-1 wins over Richmond.
In girls "A" cup action, U15 Richmond Synergy moved one game closer to returning to the final for the second straight year with a 2-0 win over the Burnaby Selects. The Synergy meet Semiahmoo on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Boyd.
The U13 Richmond All-Stars continued their outstanding campaign with a 3-0 victory against Port Coquitlam.
The All-Stars will face Semiahmoo in the semi-finals on Sunday at 3 p.m.
The girls went 20-1-1 in the regular season and are coached by Clive Clarke who earlier won Coastal and Provincial Cup titles with Richmond Madrid and the Richmond Red Hot Selects.
In Coastal "B" Cup boys playdowns, Richmond '96 United remain in the hunt after a 4-2 victory over North Delta. United takes on the Vancouver Rangers in the semi-finals.
The Coastal Cup championship games will once again be hosted by Richmond - May 4-5.
