Winter weather can do quite the number on the Development Academy schedule, and while clubs in the West Conference have been chewing through fixtures at a steady rate, clubs in other parts of the nation have waited for the temperatures to heat up some before returning to the fold.

The third weekend in March features a heavy schedule of games including two fixtures on Friday night: Sporting Kansas City against Lonestar SC and Colorado Rapids taking on Classics Elite. The two Texas clubs switch opponents for the games on Sunday in a weekend full of travel. 

West

Continuing the theme of airplanes, trains, and automobiles, the two San Diego clubs make the long trek to the Pacific Northwest this weekend for games against Crossfire Premier and Vancouver Whitecaps. Neither Surf nor Nomads are enjoying a particularly strong season in the Academy. The San Diego clubs sit in the bottom two spots in the U18 Southwest Division. Surf’s U16 team has had some success with a 7-7-4 record, and could move into fourth place with a pair of wins this weekend. Bryce Flores’ nine goals lead the team in scoring.

Surf and Nomads are not the only Southern California teams making the trip to the Northwest. Pateadores and Strikers FC also are headed for the Emerald City. The Sounders host the Pateadores on Saturday while Strikers take on the Portland Timbers. The traveling clubs switch places on Sunday. Sounders U18 are undefeated in their last five and looking to extend their lead at the top of the division. Goalkeeper Connor Adkisson is also hoping to elongate a 180-minute shutout streak.

Central

Houston Texans SC take on division leader FC Dallas on Saturday. Eric Martinez has been the secret weapon for the Houston Texans U18 side with goals in the last two games. The two U18 teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the first meeting this season.

The other Houston club, Dynamo, is on the road this weekend with a game against Texas Rush. Houston Dynamo sits in second place in both age groups. Recent Homegrown signing Bryan Salazar leads the U18 team in scoring with nine goals in 15 games.

In the Mid-America Division, Vardar SC Freiburg returns to action this weekend after a long break since December. The Michigan club makes the trek to Indiana Fire Academy’s home field at IUPUI. Vardar is in second place in the U16 age group with a 9-2-4 record. Nathan McLean’s eight goals on the season leads the squad in scoring.

East

D.C. United, the top team in the U16 bracket for the Atlantic Division, takes on Match Fit Academy FC on Sunday. D.C. United U16 (12-1-2) split its games since returning to play at the start of this month. Gerson Umana leads the team in scoring with 12 goals to his name.

New York Red Bulls U18 put their undefeated season on the line on Saturday against FC Bolts Celtic. Red Bulls won the first meeting of the season 4-1 thanks to goals from Vincent Brunetti, Kyle Goodwin, Erik Sa, and Ismar Tandir.