The Sounders FC Academy U-16s and U-18s entered Day Two of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs group stage on top of their respective groups after a pair of excellent wins on Day One.
Sounders FC U-16 1, Sockers FC 0
The U-16s squared off against Sockers FC, the second-ranked team in the country. The boys put in a phenomenal collective display filled with thrilling attacking combinations and imperious defending but were unable to find the breakthrough goal.
That all changed in the 70th minute, when left back Connor Drought played a perfectly-weighted diagonal pass to Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez on the right flank. Ocampo-Chavez played a slide-rule pass behind the defense with his left foot to Azriel Gonzalez, who rounded the goalkeeper and found the back of the net.
“The 16s played well on day 2 and deserved their win,” said Academy Technical Director Marc Nicholls. “They created numerous chances and defended resolutely.”
Sounders FC U-18's 2, FC Dallas 3
Later that day, the Sounders U-18s took on reigning champions FC Dallas, and despite generating some quality chances going forward, the young Sounders found themselves 2-0 down at the break after conceding two goals against the run of play.
Head Coach Wade Webber shuffled the deck for the second half and sent the boys out in an attacking 3-4-3 formation. The Rave Green nearly pulled one back in the 53rd minute when winger Paul Rothrock was taken down in the box, but the referee immediately waved away any claims for a penalty. Dallas then grabbed another goal against the run of play in the 61st minute, seemingly putting the match out of reach.
But the young Sounders battled back. Striker Greg Sutton drew a penalty in the 65th minute, and Shandon Hopeau confidently dispatched the spot-kick to make it 3-1. The team defended resolutely as a collective and the pressure paid off ten minutes later. Sam Rogers won possession back in his own defensive third and found the feet of Hopeau around midfield. He drove past two defenders and slipped in Neil Boyal, who played a lovely first-time pass into the path of Sutton, and the No. 9 calmly finished off a fantastic team goal.
“Although the 18s lost 3-2, the comeback showed what they are capable of,” said Nicholls. “They are also well positioned as we head into the final day.”
The two second-half goals for the Sounders brought their goal differential back to zero, meaning thatall four teams in the group enter the final round tied on points and goal differential.
The full match for the U-16s can be found here, and you can stream the U-18s game here.
Day Two Results
- Sounders FC U-16 1 vs. Sockers FC U-16 0 (6/24/17)
- Sounders FC U-18 2 vs. FC Dallas U-18 3 (6/24/17)
Day Three Schedule - Monday, June 26
Sounders FC U-16s vs New York Red Bulls - 11:30AM
Sounders FC U-18s vs Beachside SC - 2:30PM
Advancement Scenarios
U-16
Currently two points ahead of their opponents entering the day, the U-16s will advance to finals week with a win or draw vs. NYRB.
U-18
With all four teams incredibly tied in the standings on points and goal differential, the Sounders will advance with a win over Beachside SC and a better goal difference than FC Dallas. Alternatively, they would advance with a draw if the FC Dallas vs New York Red Bulls match is also a draw and Seattle scores more goals.
