No matter what direction a team or player is headed in, it always makes for good soccer in the U.S. Development Academy.

 Some notes and highlights from the most recent games:

U15/16

•    Chase Hauser gave the Irvine Strikers a lift, controlling the box during a 2-0 shutout win over Real So Cal on Saturday. It was his first of the year and helped the Strikers stop a two-game slide. Sean Dhillon and Mats Bjurman netted goals for Irvine in the win.

•    De Anza Force improved to 8-3-0 with a 2-0 victory over Mustang SC on Saturday. Hector Herrera gave the squad an early lead in the 26th minute while Paul Blanchette put the match away with a score in the second half.

•    Alex Swanger earned Empire United a 1-1 draw with a goal in the 80th minute to steal a potential victory from Albertson SC. After allowing a score from Albertson SC’s Thomas Burrei in the 10th minute, keeper Andrew Coughlin held firm keeping his team in the match long enough to preserve the draw.

•    On the verge of their four-month layoff that will begin following this Sunday’s match with McLean Youth Soccer, Concorde Fire (Atlanta) is closing strong. The Fire eked out a 1-0 win over Birmingham United Sunday and the team has not lost since November. The Fire own just two defeats on the year and eight ties, speaking to their ability to compete and consistently earn points.

U17/18

•    Kevin Huezo scored twice including the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to lift the Irvine Strikers to a 3-2 victory over Real So Cal on Saturday. Real had tied the game in the 81st courtesy of Samuel Ball but the Strikers quickly answered back to earn the win. Alec Sundly also scored for the Strikers.

•    The always dangerous Pablo Cruz exploded for a hat trick as LAFC Chelsea cruised to a 4-2 win over Washington Premier. Cruz and LAFC recorded all of their scoring in the eventful first half.

•    Birmingham United’s Alex Clay put in four goals in two contests this weekend. His team’s leading scorer, Clay had two apiece in Birmingham’s win over AFC Lightning and loss to Concorde Fire.

•    The L.A. Galaxy won their first game in a month and a half, a 2-1 win against Pateadores. The win is notable for the Galaxy because their roster looks different than it did the last time they played with players shifting around, including the absence of talented attacker Miles Byass.