Passing through the fire last season may have proved to refine the Potomac SC squad for this year.

Bryan Davis’s U18 Development Academy squad finished at the bottom of the table in the Mid-Atlantic Division last year, but is enjoying an undefeated start to the campaign this season. Davis said the group has learned a lot of things.

“Last year was such a transition year for us. We didn’t know what we were getting into, the Academy was so knew and we had different lines of information,” Davis said. “My U16 team was one of the best in the country but we lost six players to DC United the day the Academy was announced. We just weren’t prepared to do it right, but now we’re getting more to where we need to be. We’re focusing on the kids who have come through with us and improving the depth of the group.”

Davis said that newfound depth is making a difference in his team’s play so far.

“This weekend we played everybody on the roster and still came out with two results. This starts with our concerted effort to make sure we have a deep and committed talent pool. We’re forthright about our expectations and our three training days per week. How we do things has really paid off well for us.”

He added that the psychological element from last season isn’t hurting his squad’s play either.

“We have nine or ten guys who went through a tough year. They’ve got a little bit of a chip on their shoulder. They have a lot to prove. Plus you mix all the 2010 graduates plus Nat Eggleston, who is an up-and-coming 2011, and it’s a dangerous group. They are pretty unique.”

Davis noted that players’ commitment to practice attendance is among the best he’s seen.

Starting in the back, the team boasts a talented goalkeeper tandem in Brown-bound Sam Kernan-Schloss and junior Alex Stopa. Center backs Jamie LaFleur and Ben Norton hold down the back line along with left back Chase Nichols and right back Max Rutherford.

In midfield, George Washington signing Mattia Melillo and Andy Riemer are in the middle of the field, while Yale signing Frank Shaw is on the left and Cal Poly recruit Michael Hocker is on the right. Maryland recruits Kevin Dansky and John Stertzer start at forward.
 
Davis knows the Academy season is a marathon, but he is optimistic about what he’s seen so far.

“We have a monster division but with this format of 32 teams making it to the playoffs there is a chance,” he said. “If we can get there, we’re capable of making a run.”

Photos by Ray Wertheim