While the Sounders Academy U-16s and U-18s began preparation for the upcoming U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs -- both of the older squads qualified for the end-of-year tournament for the second season in a row -- the youngest members of the Rave Green youth system participated in a series of friendlies.
Recent Results
U-15
- Sounders FC 1 vs. Seattle United U-18 2 (6/10/17)
U-14
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Seattle United U-16 1 (6/10/17)
U-13
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Portland Timbers 2 (6/10/17)
U-12
- Sounders FC 4 vs. Portland Timbers 1 (6/10/17)
Although the U-15s suffered a disappointing loss to a Seattle United squad three-years their senior, it served as a good learning experience for the boys as the prepare for moving up to the U-16s next season. Seattle United opened the scoring against the run of play in the 32nd minute before second-half substitute Jesus Jeronimo levelled in the 61st minute, shortly after entering the match. Despite the loss against an older opponent, midfielder Mitchell Hutter stole the show with his all-action display in the middle of the park.
Later that same day, the U-14s squared off against the Seattle United U-16s. Striker Alphonso Ocampo-Chavez, who trained with the first team this week in the build-up to the U.S. Open Cup clash with Portland Timbers, found the back of the net in the 30th minute.
Winger Andrew Tran rose highest to get on the end of Thai Wichienwitdhtaya’s set-piece service and nodded it back across goal for Ocampo-Chavez to hammer home. Midfielder Ray Serrano, fresh off of his first U.S. Youth National Team call-up, doubled the lead two-minutes later when he latched onto fellow USYNT midfielder Josh Atencio’s through ball and calmly dispatched his shot past the onrushing goalkeeper.
The youngest members of the Sounders youth system, the U-12 Sounders Discovery Program squad, collected a comfortable win over their Cascadia Rivals, the Portland Timbers. Striker Jake Faul and left back Cameron Cruz dominated proceedings, with both players contributing two goals and an assist.
Upcoming Fixtures
June 22
- Sounders FC U-16 vs. BW Gottschee Academy U-16 (2:30 p.m. PT, Grand Park Field #25 - Westfield, IN) | USSDA Playoffs
- Sounders FC U-18 vs. New York Red Bulls U-18 (5:30 p.m. PT, Grand Park Field #29 - Westfield, IN) | USSDA Playoffs
June 24
- SoundersFC U-16 vs. Sockers FC U-16 (2:30 p.m. PT, Grand Park Field #10, Westfield, IN) | USSDA Playoffs
- SoundersFC U-18 vs. FC Dallas U-18 (5:30 p.m. PT, Grand Park Field #1 - Westfield, IN) | USSDA Playoffs
June 26
- Sounders FC U-16 vs. New York Red Bulls U-16 (2:30 p.m. PT, Grand Park Field #28, Westfield, IN) | USSDA Playoffs
- Sounders FC U-18 vs. Beachside Soccer Club U-18 (5:30 p.m. PT, Grand Park Field #23 - Westfield, IN) | USSDA Playoffs
Standout Performers
Sounders Discovery Program U-13 striker Oscar Rincon earned man-of-the-match honors for his two-goal performance against the Timbers. The young striker confounded defenders all evening with his clever movement away from the ball. He scored his first by pressing the opposing center back into a mistake and finishing coolly, while the second came from a towering header off a cross by Charlie Holmes, who recently received his first USYNT call-up.
Moving On Up
Sounders Academy U-18 captain Sam Rogersofficially signed with Sounders FC 2 this week. Rogers, 18, made his name in the Academy as an intelligent defensive midfielder but has since developed into the starting center back for S2.
Looking Forward
Both the U-16s and U-18s begin USSDA playoff action next weekend in Westfield, Indiana. A ten-match unbeaten run to end the season led to a second-place finish in the Northwest Division for the U-18s, finishing ahead of fellow Washington academy, Crossfire Premier. Meanwhile, the U-16s claimed third spot in the conference with a number of guys consistently playing up from the U-14s and U-15s.
