Academy Snapshot: Seattle Sounders youth teams put together solid weekend at Starfire Sports Complex

The young Seattle Sounders played their first home matches of 2019 this past weekend, with the three teams compiling a 3-2-1 record.

Recent Results

U-19

Sounders FC 1 vs. Sacramento Republic 4 | March 2

Sounders FC 2 vs. San Jose Earthquakes 3 | March 3

U-17

Sounders FC 2 vs. Sacramento Republic 2 | March 2

Sounders FC 2 vs. San Jose Earthquakes 1 | March 3

U-15

Sounders FC 2 vs. Sacramento Republic 0 | March 2

Sounders FC 2 vs. San Jose Earthquakes 1 | March 3

It was a bit of a mixed weekend for the U-19s, as the team struggled to secure points but still managed a few solid performances from an individual and team perspective. Tacoma Defiance striker Alec Diaz, 17, maintained his fine form in front of goal, scoring from the penalty spot against Sacramento.

In the U-17s’ match against Sacramento, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez scored the equalizer off an assist from Bryson Hankins in the 27^th minute before the visitors took the lead mere minutes into the second half. With a loss seeming likely, Sintayehu Clements provided some late-game heroics, scoring from a corner kick in the 92^nd minute. Facing San Jose the next day, striker Lomeri Torujo scored to make it 1-1 in the dying seconds of the first half, while left back Elias Katsaros secured three points for the Rave Green with a goal in the 78^th minute.

Finally, the U-15s compiled a perfect weekend in the results column. An Austin Brummett penalty kick and Sacramento own goal handed the Rave Green a 2-0 win over the Republic on Saturday. Squared off against a talented San Jose side, the U-15s raced out to an early lead as midfielder Antonio Herrera earned and then dispatched a penalty kick in the 6^th minute. The young prospect then completed his brace at the start of the second-half, scooping a close-range shot over the onrushing goalkeeper.

Lomeri Torujo celebrates a goal for the U-17s | Quinn Width

Upcoming Matches

March 16

Sounders FC U-15 at Portland Timbers U-15 | 1 p.m. PT, Eastside Timbers Soccer Complex – Field 1

Sounders FC U-17 at Portland Timbers U-17 | 3 p.m. PT, Eastside Timbers Soccer Complex – Field 1

Sounders FC U-19 at Portland Timbers U-19 | 5 p.m. PT, Eastside Timbers Soccer Complex – Field 1

The Future Is Now

The Tacoma Defiance’s 2019 USL Championship season kicks off on Friday, with the developmental side taking on Rio Grande Valley at Cheney Stadium. Of the players under contract with the Defiance, 11 came through the club’s youth system, while eight are still age eligible to compete in USSDA matches.

Standout Performers

While Herrera’s brace for the U-15s will deservedly get a lot of attention, Reed Baker-Whiting, a Seattle United and Sounders Discovery Program alum, put in a pair of promising performances in his new central attacking midfield role. Striker Lomeri Torujo put in a match-winning display against San Jose, tallying a goal and an assist.

Coach’s Take

“We played some tough matches this past weekend,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development and Academy Director Marc Nicholls. “Overall, the performance levels of the U-15s and U-17s were quite good, but the U-19s will be disappointed, as they let go of leads against both teams. It was a good learning lesson for the group, and we’re also managing minutes for the group because of the Tacoma Defiance match on Friday night.”