Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010 31 PHOTOS BY ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER FRIENDS AND FOES: Monday night's soccer match between MCM Oakville and a team of Brazilian businessmen had both friendly and competitive moments. In left photo, Brazil's Luis Enrique Molinari (in green) is upended by John Steward's sliding tackle. Right, Molinari is congratulated for a goal by Oakville's Pedro Gonzalez. The Brazilian team won the friendly contest, 2-1. Local soccer team hosts its own international showdown By Daniel Perry SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER There was a special feeling in the air at Shell Park Monday evening. It was like the world was up for grabs in Oakville. The night started with fourteen members from Oakville's over-30 three-team MCM soccer team spread out on a field kicking balls around and laughing loudly. Their royal blue jerseys were difficult to see against the dark green trees that surround the field. The Halton Peel Senior Soccer League men's team arrived to the field long before its opponents. But even Oakville's fans were more excited to see the visiting team of Brazilian businessmen and their families show up. The Oakville players' wives and children prepared snacks and refreshment tables for their guests and decorated the area surrounding the field with balloons, Canadian and Brazilian flags and signs. MCM Oakville players and their families have traveled to England in 1995 and 1998 and Hungary in 2000 and 2002 to compete in international tournaments. The club's most recent trip was to Switzerland, where it went undefeated through five games against local men's teams. Now, it was Oakville's turn to host an international soccer match. "These guys love soccer and even own a competitive team in Brazil," said Joey Bilotta, head coach of a team in the Oakville MCM soccer club and co-owner of EduKick, a company formed to help young people get exposure to foreign language, culture and international soccer training abroad, of his See Brazilian page 32