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Meet the USASA: Clearwater International FC Galactics
First-time participant comes with a healthy resume
 Clearwater International FC Galactics is one of two teams that will represent Region III in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2008, and though there are a debutante to the party, the level of success they have experienced this past year should not allow anyone to underestimate them.
The Galactics enter the competition having won the Florida Suncoast Soccer League (with a record of 15-0-1 and a goal margin of +96), 1st Division Florida State Soccer Association, and Florida National titles, and tacked on the USASA Region III championship after qualifying for the Open Cup. The club was founded in spring of 2006. 2008 was their first attempt at USOC qualification having been previously ineligible as a result of not playing in the first division of the FSSL.
The club’s Technical Director of Player Development is none other than Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama, former captain of the Colombia National Team and a veteran of Major League Soccer, spending time with the Colorado Rapids and the two non-defunct Florida franchises, the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Miami Fusion.
Amongst the playing roster for the club is a small collection of former MLS players and a host of college players and local talent. The biggest names in the side are former New York Metrostar Martin Klinger, Ronald Valderrama (brother of Carlos), and Andrew Restrepo who played for the Metrostars and Atlanta Silverbacks in previous years. The club is looking to turn pro in the future and with results such as these, it is safe to believe that they will be successful in that regard.
The Galactics went 2-0-1 in the Region III qualifying tournament, pipping Atlanta FC in the pivotal match of the pool 4-3. They went on to defeat ASC New Stars, the region’s other representative 2-1 in the Region III final.
The Galactics play the Charlotte Eagles of USL2 on June 10th in the first round. When asked about the match, the club’s manager, Cesar Robalino, told USOpenCup.com that "we think our chances are pretty good. We’re very confident." The team left Clearwater at 8am on Monday for the 12-hour trip to Charlotte, something that might bode well for them for the match.
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