Recent Results
U-18
- Sounders FC 5 at Santa Cruz Breakers Academy 0 (11/14/15)
- Sounders FC 1 at De Anza Force Academy 1 (11/15/15)
U-16
- Sounders FC 2 at Santa Cruz Breakers Academy 1 (11/14/15)
- Sounders FC 0 at De Anza Force Academy 0 (11/15/15)
U-15
- Sounders FC 4 vs. FC Alliance U-16 0 (11/14/15)
U-14
- Sounders FC 2 vs. FC Alliance U-15 0 (11/14/15)
Upcoming Matches
November 20th
- Sounders FC U-14 at Eastside FC U-15 (6:00 p.m. PT, Preston Park – Washington)
November 21st
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. PacNW U-16 (1:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
All four Seattle Sounders FC Academy teams were in action last weekend, with the U-16 and U-18 sides travelling to California for a pair of games in USSDA league play. Both sides played against Santa Cruz Breakers and De Anza Force and returned unbeaten across all four matches. Meanwhile, the youngest Sounders sides squared off against older opposition in the Far West Regional League and ran out winners by scoring a combined six goals and keeping two clean sheets.
The U-18’s had an offensive outpouring in their first game of the weekend against Santa Cruz. First half goals from Johnny Reynolds and Tyler Black gave the Rave Green a 2-0 lead going into half time. Reynolds’ strike against Breakers brings his goal tally to three in his last four league games. After the break Henry Baldwin grabbed a goal to put the game out of reach, before Connor Noblat came on in the 74th minute to round out the scoring with a late brace. The group went up against De Anza Force the next day, and ground out a 1-1 draw courtesy of an 87th minute equalizer from Kasey French. With the weekend’s results, the U-18 side remains unbeaten in their last five league matches.
The U-16 team continued their consistent and efficient run of form since returning from Colorado for the Generation Adidas Cup. The Rave Green displayed their potent attack at the MLS Academy tournament, but struggled to string together a complete performance. The coaching staff has worked closely with the group since then to take the game to their opponents and grind out results. Since then the group has won three and drawn two, taking them to third place in the Northwest Division of the Western conference.
In both of their games last weekend the U-16’s faced opposition who dropped off and put numbers behind the ball. The midfield three of Sam Rogers, Alex Zimmerman and Kei Tomozawa provided a blend of strength and creativity to break down their opponents. Rogers’ capability to win the ball and play quickly complimented Zimmerman’s intelligence on the ball helped the Sounders’ dominate possession in the other teams’ half. In an attacking midfield role, Tomozawa’s ability to change speed and maneuver and tight spaces proved vital in converting possession into chances.
The midfield three helped set up a number of chances for the strikers against Santa Cruz on Saturday. Cameron Martin, Alec Bradbury, and Sterling Russell all took turns running at the Breakers’ backline. Russell in particular proved a menace on the wing, constantly looking to take defenders one-v-one before taking a shot finding a teammate. His livewire attacking energy paid off for the second goal, when the midfield won back possession and quickly released Cameron Martin in the left channel. Martin beat his defender and drove toward the byline before lofting a cross to the back-post that Russell calmly headed home. The team will look to take their momentum over the past two months into the Florida showcase in December.
Coach’s Take
“We’re really happy with the performances going into the Florida showcase. We went into the season looking to improve our performances in terms of possession and pressuring the opponents. We’ve got some dynamic players up front help us find consistency in breaking teams down.” – Sounders FC U-16 Assistant Coach Shannon Murray
Standout Performers
Sterling Russell has been a constant threat for the U-16s in the past couple of weeks. His dynamic play on the wing has helped provide a different dimension to the Sounders’ attack. His ability to repeatedly take defenders on created pockets of space for his teammates to operate in.
Looking Forward
The U-16 and U-18 teams have the weekend off to prepare for the USSDA Winter Showcase in Florida in December. Both teams will look to maintain their momentum in league play for the big showcase containing the top US Soccer Development Academy sides.
