Ask coaches about the most important factor in winning big games, and after pure talent, it’s a sense of urgency. Confidence. A winning attitude.

And as the race to the U16 Academy playoffs begins, some teams in the East Conference displayed these qualities better than others.  

Empire crumbling: Empire United stumbled this weekend, and was perhaps guilty of overlooking a hungry South Central Premier team because of their low position in the standings.

Empire did not look sharp losing 2-1 Saturday to fourth-place South Central, lacking the sense of urgency required at this late point in the season.

Alex Swanger scored first and Empire’s defense did their best to stave off the South Central attack, but the dynamic duo of Zachary Zurita and Abraham Bartoah were impossible to contain, and each scored a goal to earn South Central the victory.

Empire looked better on Sunday, but was unlucky not to finish several chances on goal. Goalkeeper Andrew Coughlin – replacing injured star Alexander Bono – and Ben Swanger performed admirably, but were forced to settle for the scoreless draw.

Empire United will need better performances over the next several weeks, when they face rivals New England Revolution and FC Greater Boston, if they hope to maintain their grasp on the coveted second-place division ranking.

Their playoff hopes just might depend on it.
 
Gottschee gotcha: Division-leading B/W Gottschee was nipped by FC DELCO on Sunday, losing 1-0 in a high quality, attack-minded shootout.

Gottschee generated chances behind the wizardry of central midfielder David Amiranashvili, but fortune was not on their side, as they had shots hit the crossbar or post on at least three occasions.

Forward Alexander Fernandez was also unlucky to miss an open FC DELCO goal from close range.

And despite the strong effort of Gottschee defenders Mark Kramarchuk and Jean Gagne, FC DELCO stole the victory behind outstanding play from central midfielders Mike Gonzalez and James McLaughlin, who scored the game’s only goal.  

B/W Gottschee is now in a tie with Albertson SC (13 points each) for first place in the Liberty Division of the East Conference.

Young United: D.C. United stayed atop the Mid-Atlantic Division of the East conference after beating FC Westchester and losing to Albertson SC.

Playing without standouts Jalen Robinson and Jordan Manley, United fielded a young squad Saturday and beat Westchester 2-0 behind a pair of goals from Marcus Salandy-Defour and a solid all-around effort from Collin Martin, who recently returned from injury.

Sunday, though, injuries and youth caught up to D.C. United and they settled for a 2-1 loss against a strong Albertson side. Still, Cody Albrecht scored and continued his torrid play of late, while Michel Russo and youngster Kennedy O’Shea shined as well.

D.C. United (13 points) remains ahead of FC DELCO (10 points) to lead the Mid-Atlantic division.

With the race to the playoffs kicking into high gear, each of these teams will need to step on the gas pedal in the month of May.

Only the top two teams in each division are guaranteed a playoff berth, and none of the current leaders wants to end up fighting for a wild-card spot.

Until then, stay with us.