Development Academy Preview March 10-11

Development Academy Preview March 10-11
March 8, 2012

It’s a new stretch of the season for the U.S. Soccer Federation Development Academy as several teams across the country are heading into action for the first time in several months.

While high school seasons are kicking off in some parts, other teams no longer deal with the schedule overlap and are ready to jump into the meat of their Development Academy schedule.

One of those teams is FC Delco, who head back into action by hosting Empire United and Seacoast United. The latter match in particular is an enticing one for the FC Delco U16 coach Alan Mezger.

boys club soccer player brandon allenBrandon Allen, NY Red Bulls
“I like playing them because I know the ball’s going to be on the ground, I know we’re going to get a chance to possess and they’re going to possess. It’ll be a bit of a chess match,” he said.

Central Conference:

Inter-conference play begins in the Great Lakes Division, as the Crew Soccer Academy hosts Indiana United Fire. Both Crew teams have yet to lose at either the U16 or U18 age groups, boasting identical 4-0-1 records. The Crew’s U18s are lead by center back Andrew Souders of the U.S. U17 National Team. Indiana United faces a quick turnaround, welcoming Vardar to town on Sunday as well.

Down in Texas, U18 Texas Division leaders FC Dallas – who boast an impressive Division record of 13-1-1 – look to pad its lead against Classics Elite, with Daniel Garcia looking to add to his prolific tally of 17 goals. Second-place Texans SC face Andromeda as they look to keep pace.

East Conference:

Action picks up for nearly every East Conference team, although most games are non-divisional matchups. Starting in the Northeast of the country, New York Red Bulls travel up to Connecticut to face Oakwood Soccer Club and South Central Premier. U18 forward Brandon Allen looks to close out his Academy career with a bang before he departs for Georgetown in the fall.

D.C. United is another MLS setup heading back into action in the Mid-Atlantic. Both the U18 and U16 sides should be competitive, with the former boasting the likes of midfielders Collin Martin, Jalen Robinson and defender Patrick Foss, while the latter calls on Ian Harkes and Rafael Fagundo. D.C. faces MLS counterparts New England Revolution and FC Greater Boston this weekend.

South Conference:

The Carolina teams of the Atlantic Division head into action this weekend, all with the goal of chasing down the Virginia teams who’ve completed most of their schedule at this point. Most of this weekend’s action is non-divisional, with Southeast Division clubs making the trip up.

CASL Chelsea faces Weston FC and Kendall SC, while the North Carolina Fusion also facing those two out-of-town clubs. North Meck SC also welcomes another club from Florida, taking on the Clearwater Chargers on Saturday, while Charlotte Soccer Academy faces Clearwater Sunday.

West Conference:

While most teams are getting started out east, things scale back this weekend on west. One of the biggest matches of the weekend sees Chivas USA host Strikers FC. A win for the U18s would extend Chivas’ lead over the LA Galaxy, while the U16s need points to climb up the division standings.
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