Sounders FC's U-18s are one win away from advancing out of the Group Stage while the U-16s dropped their opening match of the 2013 tournament.
It was a night of drama in Frisco, Texas, as the Sounders FC Academy teams both sought late-match heroics in the USSDA Playoffs at FC Dallas Sports Park. The U-18s would find that last-ditch equalizer while the U-16 squad suffered a close defeat as they continued the tournament that will close out their 2012-2013 seasons.
The U-18s traded first-half goals with Players Development Academy from New Jersey. PDA opened scoring, then David Olson netted the first-half equalizer on an assist from Duncan McCormick. Goalkeeper Paul Christensen made a great reaction save just after the hour mark, but PDA broke through with a go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute to go up 2-1 and putting Sounders FC up against the clock. As fulltime approached, Cody Crook scored with the final kick of the match to equalize at 2-2 and get Sounders FC the valuable point in the Group Stage. They are now 1-0-1 with one match left to play against IMG Academy with the winner clinching a spot in the next round. That match will be Thursday at 7 a.m. PT.
The U-16s, however, were not able to bounce back after allowing a goal about 10 minutes before halftime. Facing Real So Cal, Sounders FC held strong, but could not bounce back from the first-half goal and fell 1-0 in their first match of the tournament. They will face Orlando City SC at 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday before finishing the Group Stage on Friday against Crew Soccer Academy Wolves.
