USYS National League enters third week

USYS National League enters third week
March 1, 2009

MARIETTA, Ga.  – Kicking off the third weekend of play for the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 Boys in the US Youth Soccer National League, games continued to display the intense and evenly-matched competition of the League. Heavy rains added a challenging element to the field of play. Games are being played at McEachern High School and Harrison High School in Powder Spring and Keenesaw, Ga., suburbs of Atlanta.

“Even though we would like to pass and play a pretty game most of the time, it’s very difficult when it’s really wet outside. We try to play a little simpler, and we might not pass the ball as much as we can, but our ultimate goal is just to finish in the top two in this League to go to the Nations (US Youth Soccer National Championships,” said Adrian Solca, coach of Solar Red Under-15 Boys.


The League’s Under-16 Boys champion will be crowned this weekend and the Under-17 Boys may crown a champion as well. The National League title also provides teams with their ticket to the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 21-26 in Lancaster, Mass.  

The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation's top teams in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 boys and girls age groups, consisting of a total of eight teams per gender age group. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches in meaningful matches.  
 
Throughout the season, teams play a seven-game schedule facing each team within its age group one time. The League consists of six weekends of play, with the first two being held in conjunction with the Men's and Women's NCAA College Cups and the third with Disney’s Soccer Showcase.

The top two teams, from each age group, advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, and the top four teams, from each age group, secure a spot to return to the National League the following season.

Under-15
The Baltimore Casa Mia Bays 94 (MD) entered this weekend holding the top spot in the Under-15 Boys age group, and after today’s shutout over TFC 94 (NTX), they are still at the top. The Bays' Michael Gamble netted two shots in the first half for the early lead with Matthew Shinsky adding a third goal in the 58th. Gamble capped off his hat trick and the 4:0 victory in the 71st.

Today’s match up between Solar Red 94 (NTX) and SCSA 93 Gold (NC) held some weight as both teams were sitting at seven points for the season. Solar’s Chandler Crosswait opened the scoring with an 11th minute shot. Roland Minogue knocked in an SCSA 53rd minute goal to tie the game, but Solar finished on top when Brian Nguyen found the back of the net in the 67th. The 2:1 win moved Solar into second place in the Under-15 Boys age group.

Under-16
In the GSA 93 Phoenix Red (GA) and KCFC Rangers 92-93 (KS) game, it was an own goal that gave GSA the 1:0 victory and the right to remain at the top of the Under-16 Boys age group with 11 points. Tomorrow GSA will go head-to-head with the Dallas Texans Red 93 who also have 11 points.

Spirit United Coppa 82 (EPA) and Chicago Fire Jrs. (IL) had one of the closest games of the night. Chicago opened with a Jon Rosenbaum goal in the 16th, but Spirit followed up with two goals of their own in the 48th and 70th minutes. Chicago fought the Coppa advantage with an 80th minute Keegan Balle goal. Though several attempts were made by both teams to take the lead, the game ended in a 2:2 draw.
 
Nearly two-thirds of the games this season have ended in a draw or with a one goal difference, leaving some teams with numerous ties, but no true victories. Tonight, Blast FC Red (OH-S) marked their first win of the season over FC Delco (EPA). A Tyler Sfchoener 38th minute goal gave Blast the early upper-hand, and teammate Greg Highley, netted one in the 64th to extend the lead to 2:0. Delco’s Michael Gonzalez knocked one past the keeper in the 78th, but it wasn’t enough. Blast won 2:1.

The Dallas Texans Red 93 (NTX) had back-to-back goals from Cody Keyes and William Elliott in the 5th minute against 92 CASL Elite (NC). After the Texans took the 2:0 lead, neither team was able to find the back of the net, and the Texans walked away with the victory.

Under-17
Entering tonight’s game, the Dallas Texans – Houston Division (STX) had a perfect League record, but the steep competition from YMS Xplosion (EPA) added a draw to the team’s 4-0 record. YMS had an early goal in the first half and held the Texans scoreless until Anderson McDaniel hit the Texan’s equalizer in the 90th. The Texans lead the Under-17 Boys age group with 13 points.

Lower Merion Velez (EPA) shook Cobb FC (GA) in a 3:1 upset. Voltaire Escalona (4:00) and Daniel Lovitz (27:00) put two on the board for Velez, and Cobb hit their single goal of the match in the 35th for a 2:1 score at the half. Velez prevailed when Kevin Israel knocked one past the keeper for a 75th minute goal and the 3:1 victory.

National League action continues Saturday, February 28, at McEachern High School and Harrison High School with games at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. For a complete schedule of games and and up-to-date listing of scores, visit the US Youth Soccer National League Center at http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/national_league/index.asp.


US Youth Soccer National League Results

Under-15 Results:
Baltimore Casa Mia Bays 94 (MD) 4, TFC 94 (NTX) 0

Goal Scorers: Baltimore: BAY - Michael Gamble (18:00) (31:00) (71:00), Matthew Shinsky (56:00)
 
Solar Red 94 (NTX) 2, SCSA 93 Gold (NC) 1
Goal Scorers: Solar: Chandler Crosswait (11:00), Brian Nguyen (67:00)
SCSA: Roland Minogue (53:00)

Under-16 Results:
GSA 93 Phoenix Red (GA) 1, KCFC Rangers 92-93 (KS) 0

Goal Scorers: GSA: Own Goal (71:00)

Spirit United Coppa 82 (EPA) 2, Chicago Fire Jrs. (IL) 2
Goal Scorers: Spirit: Unknown (48:00), Unknown (70:00)
Chicago: Jon Rosenbaum (16:00), Keegan Balle (80:00)

FC Delco (EPA) 1, Blast FC Red (OH-S) 2
Goal Scorers: Delco: Michael Gonzalez (78:00)
Blast: Tyler Sfchoener (38:00), Greg Highley (64:00)

92 CASL Elite (NC) 0, Dallas Texans Red 93 (NTX) 2
Goal Scorers: Texans: Cody Keyes (5:00), William Elliott (5:00)
 
Under-17 Results:
Dallas Texans-Houston Division 92 Red (STX) 1, YMS Xplosion (EPA) 1
Goal Scorers: Texans: Anderson McDaniel (90:00)
YMS: Unknown
 
Lower Merion Velez (EPA) 3, Cobb FC (GA) 1
Goal Scorers: Velez: Voltaire Escalona (4:00), Daniel Lovitz (27:00), Kevin Israel (75:00)
Cobb: Al Hagi Toure (35:00)

Trending Videos
 
IMG Academy Top 150 Rankings
see full ranking:
Boys Girls