SARASOTA, FLORIDA – There’s so much happening at the US Soccer Development Academy Spring Showcase, it’s hard to know where to start reporting. Between the games on the field and the meetings off of it, there’s a lot to talk about.

However the news value of the off-field material, including a very interesting presentation from new US Soccer Technical Director Claudio Reyna to the assembled directors of coaching at most of the Academy clubs, is such that I want to take a little extra time to process the information (plus we get to talk with Claudio one-on-one Monday). There was also a panel discussion with head or assistant coaches of youth national teams from 5 age groups, again with some very interesting things said. We’ll be sharing that with you through the week.

There was some good soccer played during the day, although to be honest, the heat and it being the third day of matches (although each team has a day off built into their schedule here) slowed them down a good bit.

Probably the best thing I saw on the field Sunday was the FC Dallas U18 team against CASL Chelsea. The Texas team, coached by Oscar Pareja, won 3-1 but there was some good attacking soccer both ways.

Ruben Luna opened the scoring for FC Dallas. Last year’s player of the year is rumored to be close to securing a professional deal with the parent MLS club. CASL’s John Pace equalized in the 2nd half with a good finish from a pretty setup by JP Rafferty. Chipper Root was active in the CASL attack while Eric Steber and Jared Girard made solid contributions as well. The North Carolinians are missing midfielder Ryan Metts after a nasty collision in a recent match.

FC Dallas' approach to the game is to attack and keep attacking. Bradlee Baladez put the team up 2-1 on an assist from Luna, and Jael Barrera scored the final goal to make it 3-1. Jose Perez was very good on the ball for the Dallas team.

Watch video highlights from the day’s matches.

Click here for more coverage.

Sunday Results

U16
Charlotte SA 1, Santa Cruz County Breakers 1
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro 0, Arsenal FC 0
Texas Rush 2, Irvine Strikers 1
LA Galaxy 1, NJSA 0
Colorado Rapids 4, IMG Soccer Academy 0
FC Westchester 0, Colorado Rush 0
PDA 1, South Carolina United 0
Indiana United 3, Seacoast United 2
Albertson SC 0, FC Milwaukee 0
Potomac 1, Sockers FC 1
New York Red Bulls 2, Andromeda 1
Mclean Youth Soccer 1, Solar SC 1
Weston FC 6, Met Oval 0
Ohio Elite 3, Clearwater Chargers 0
Internationals 1, Nomads 1
Oakwood SC 0, Real Colorado 0
Baltimore Bays Chelsea 3, De Anza Force 0
FC Greater Boston 2, FC Dallas 0
CASL Chelsea 3, Academy Select 0

U18
IMG Soccer Academy 0, Colorado Rapids 0
Colorado Rush 7, FC Westchester 0
PDA 1, South Carolina United 1
Seacoast United 3, Indiana United 2
FC Milwaukee 2, Albertson SC 1
Sockers FC 1, Potomac SA 1
Andromeda SC 2, New York Red Bulls 1
Mclean Youth Soccer 1, Solar SC 0
Weston SC 1, Met Oval 1
Internatinals 3, Nomads 0
LAFC 2, FC DELCO 1
Real Colorado 1, Oakwood SC 0
Baltimore Bays Chelsea 4, De Anza Force 1
FC Dallas 3, CASL Chelsea 1
Charlotte SA 2, Santa Cruz County Breakers 1
Arsenal FC 5, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro 2
Irvine Strikers 2, Texas Rush 1