Coaches find good combo at U18 camp

Coaches are always searching for lineup combinations that work well. And during the second day of scrimmages at the U18 Men’s National Camp on Tuesday, Mike Matkovich and his staff found a good one.

Led by forwards Justin Watson and Eder Arreola along with midfielder Pablito Cruz, the team in white put on an offensive clinic in a 4-0 scrimmage at Home Depot Center in Carson, California, that could’ve easily produced even more goals.

The team played quickly and decisively while displaying an intangible that’s difficult to come by during a one-week gathering.

Chemistry.

“Our coach gave us new drills today that involved quick touching,” Watson explained. “He did it to get our minds together and help us look for players faster. It really helped us out. If you noticed on the field we connected with each other well.”

It was impossible not to notice.

Watson was the team’s spark plug, scoring the opening goal and adding an assist in the second half. At 5-foot-7, the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, native used his speed to outlet for passes and blow by defenders, usually leaving his long hair blowing behind him.

Watson’s speed and activity drew heavy attention from the opposing defense, and he had a second goal questionably called off because of an offside.

“I was mad about that,” he said. “I think the ref probably thought, ‘how did that kid get up there so fast?’ ”

Not that Watson’s team needed the extra score as they created plenty of fireworks.

Cruz, of Los Angeles Football Club, sparkled, and is quickly establishing a reputation as a great playmaker. Cruz added a goal and showed off superb ball skills.

“I love playing with that guy,” Watson said. “We combined really well. Being the only guy here from South Carolina I didn’t really know anyone, but I really like this group.”

Cruz weaved the ball through the defense to teammates like Martin Ontiveros and Zach Kupfer as the white team stayed on the attack.

All the while, centerback Kofi Sarkodie kept the team on its toes by barking instruction and encouragement throughout.

Sarkodie, from Huber Heights, Ohio and a member of our All-Rookie team after a solid freshman season at Akron, plays with every bit of his 5-foot-7 frame and displayed special leadership on the defensive side.

His teammates seemed to respond to him, and Watson in particular, didn’t cheat on the defensive end and battled players for the ball.
 
Red team goalies Michael D’Arrigo and Zach MacMath stayed engaged and positive despite being continually peppered with shots on goal.

The red offense didn’t create a lot of chances, but a few individuals managed to display their skills despite limited touches.

Antonio Benitez, of Azusa, California, did a good job preserving positions and was relentless in trying to probe the defense. And Los Angeles Galaxy forward David Valezquez also stood out with strong play.

Six-foot forward Ryan Bauer came on and picked up where the white offense had left off in the second half. Strong and sturdy, Bauer managed to play within the teeth of the defense without turning the ball over.

He was just one more strong point for a squad that jelled well.

Under-18 Men’s National Team Mega-Camp Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (6): Rafael Diaz (Rockaway, N.J; PDA), Michael D’Arrigo (Tucscon, Ariz.; Tuscon Rush), Alex Long (Cary, N.C.; CASL), Justin Luthy (Dublin, Ohio; Premier Soccer Academy), Zac MacMath (St. Petersburg, Fla.; Maryland), Brendan Roslund (Denver; Colorado Rapids)

DEFENDERS (19): Gale Agbossoumonde (Syracuse, N.Y.; IMG Academy), Chad Barson (Lewis Center, Ohio; Columbus Crew Juniors), Ian Christianson (Belvedere, Ill.; Chicago Fire), Paolo DelPiccolo (Lakewood, Colo.; Colorado Rush), Will Donovan (Jamaica Plains, Mass.; FC Greater Boston), Jesus Gonzales (Chino Hills, Calif.; FC Barcelona), Alex Herrerra (Arlington, Va.; D.C. United), Sacir Hot (Fairlawn, N.J.; New York Red Bulls), Alex Hussein (Haverhill, Mass.; Seacoast United), Nick Millington (Raleigh, N.C.; Wake Forest), Cesar Morales (St. Charles, Ill.; Sockers FC), Trey Perry (Ocoee, Fla.; South Florida), CJ Phelps (Boynton Beach, Fla.; Schulz Academy), Andrew Quintana (Miami, Fla.; Miami FC), Jossimar Sanchez (Patterson, N.J.; PDA), Brady Valashinas (Manhattan Beach, CA.; LAFC Chelsea), Zarek Valentin (Lancaster, Pa.; PA Classics), Korey Veeder (St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clearwater Chargers), London Woodberry (McKinney, Texas; FC Dallas Juniors)

MIDFIELDERS (32): Latif Alashe (Northville, Mich.; Vardar), Jose Altamirano (San Diego, Calif.; Del Mar Sharks), Eder Arreola (Chino Hills, Calif.; UCLA), Antonio Benitez (Azusa, Calif.; LAFC), Miles Byass (San Bernardino, Calif.; Arsenal), Scott Caldwell (Braintree, Mass.; New England Revolution Academy), Alejandro Cobarubias (Cudahy, Calif.; LA Galaxy), Pablo Cruz (Azusa, Calif.; LAFC), Kadeem Dacres (Rosedale, N.Y; Met Oval), Bryan Dominguez (Atlanta, Ga.; UCSB), Paul Islas (Fresno, Calif.; Cal Odyssey), Will Mayhew (Concord, N.C.; North Meck), Thomas McNamara (West Nyack, N.Y.; FC Westchester), Dylan Mencia (Honedale, Pa.; New York Red Bulls Academy), Chris Ortega (Chula Vista, Calif.; Arsenal), Patrick Otte (Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Middlesborough Academy), Steve Palumbo (Kingston, N.H.; Seacoast United), Harrison Petts (Zionsville, Ind.; Carmel United), Travis Pittman (Manassas, Va.; D.C. United), Scott Prozeller (Sudbury, Mass.; FC Greater Boston), Ryan Reichmann (Hicksville, N.Y.; Albertson), Giovanni Rollie (Los Angeles, Calif.; LAFC), Michael Roman (Oxnard, Calif.; Real So Cal), Carl Rumph (South Hampton, N.Y.; Met Oval), Nicholas Ryan (San Jose, Calif.; Central Valley United), Anthony Salciccia (San Jose, Calif.; De Anza Force), Sito Sasieta (Overland, Mo.; Scott Gallagher), Wesley Sever (Belleair, Fla.; Clearwater Chargers), Alex Tuch (Tampa, Fla.; Clearwater Chargers), Justin Watson (Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Bridge FA), Cameron Wilder (Kennesaw, Ga.; Concorde Fire)

FORWARDS (15): Adedoja Akinsanya (Sacramento, Calif.; San Juan Lightning), Will Bates (Chester, Va.; Richmond Strikers), Ryan Bauer (O’Fallen, Mo.; Scott Gallagher), Orr Baroush (Reseda, Calif.; Chivas USA Academy), Marquis Brooks (Chula Vista, Calif.; LA Galaxy Academy), Zach Foxhoven (Littleton, Colo.; Colorado Rush), Chris Hegngi (Silver Spring, Md.; D.C. United), Adam Jahn (El Macero, Calif.; San Juan Lightning), Zach Kupfer (North Bellmore, N.Y.; Albertson), Andrew Lubahn (Erie, Pa.; Premier Soccer Academy), Josue Madueno (Castroville, Calif.; Santa Cruz Breakers), Martin Ontiveros (Austin, Texas; Lonestar), Hasani Sinclair (Coral Springs, Fla.; Schulz Academy)