Academy Playoffs: U16s jump into action

Academy Playoffs: U16s jump into action
by Josh Ellis
June 25, 2014

 

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Day two of the Development Academy Showcase came with a splash as the U16s kicked off their tournament and the U18s continued to impress with their high-powered attacks. Despite a clear and cozy set of morning games, a downpour pushed the mid afternoon games back an hour, as weather impacted the area.

Here’s a look at today’s most intriguing games. 

Players Development Academy (U18) 3-2 De Anza Force (U18)

PDA was able to bounce back from Monday’s draw against Crew Soccer Academy with a come from behind win against De Anza Force 3-2. PDA rallied back from a 2-0 halftime deficit thanks to Duke recruit Brain White’s hat trick.

PDA was able to sneak in a quick goal just as the first half was ending, giving them much needed momentum going into the second half, cutting the deficit to 2-1. In the 55th minute, Jake Areman’s corner kick connected with White for the game-tying goal.

Nick Carroll of De Anza later earned himself a second yellow and was ejected from the game, only aiding PDA’s cause. With the Force a man down in the second half with a tie game, PDA was bound to make something happen.

MORE: Day 1 playoff recap | Day 1 top performers | Day 2 top performers

And something did happen. A controversial call in the 90th minute saw De Anza pick up another red card for a foul committed in the box, though PDA had finished the sequence off and scored, only for the goal to be called back for the penalty kick. Luckily for PDA, White sunk the penalty kick to win the game. 

PDA and Real So Cal both lead Group C with four points apiece after two days at the showcase. 

Real Salt Lake AZ (U18) 4-3 Concorde Fire (U18)

After a degrading 9-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders Monday, Concorde looked to bounce back with a win against Real Salt Lake to put them back into contention. However, their day did not go as planned as they fell short of a three goal comeback.

Eric Carbajal struck the back of the net just two minutes into the game, setting the tone early for Real Salt Lake. Concorde answered quickly as Cameron Moseley tied the game up just two minutes later.

Real Salt Lake then began to run away with the game after two more goals from Carbajal and one from Sam Gleadle. Salt Lake held a convincing 4-1 lead at the half, but that didn’t faze the Fire.

Concorde began to heat up late in the second half, scoring two goals in the final 20 minutes, eventually coming up short.

Real Salt Lake held on to win 4-3, placing them second in Group H with four points behind the Seattle’s six points. The two will face each other Thursday. 

Weston FC (U16) 2-0 Houston Dynamo (U16)

The U16 sides jumped into action in Indy on Tuesday, battling through the elements as serious storms descended aroudn the fields. Weston FC was one club that got its week started right, defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-0.

It wasn’t until the 39th minute that the first goal was on the board for Weston, and it took over an hour for the next goal to come. Halftime was extended to over an hour break due to harsh weather in the area.

Weston FC got a step ahead as they made it a 2-0 midway through the second half, and the Dynamo couldn’t come up with an answer.

The Florida club will play at 2 p.m. Wednesday against Match Fit Academy and Houston Dynamo will look to rebound from Tuesday’s loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Crew Soccer Academy Wolves (U16) 3-1 Bethesda-Olney (U16)

The showers cleared over before Bethesda-Olney and CSA began their new start time at 6 p.m., giving those in attendance a chance to put down their umbrellas and come out from under the concessions.

The Crew Soccer Academy started off their tournament play on the right foot as they triumphed over Bethesda-Olney 3-1. The Wolves attacked early and got off to a quick 1-0 lead via Benjamin Snider’s opening goal.

Bethesda-Olney returned the favor with a goal of its own just ten minutes after, tying the game at 1-1.

The Wolves scored two goals in the opening minutes of the second half, creating a comfortable 3-1 lead that they would hold on to the rest of the way.

Bethesda-Olney will face the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and the Crew Soccer Academy will have an early 10 a.m. start against Lonestar SC Academy.

 

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