All three Seattle Sounders Academy squads returned to USSDA league action the past couple of weeks, stringing together a record of 4-2-1 with a +11 goal differential. Entering the business end of the season ahead of the playoffs, the U-19s and U-17s are in pole position for automatic qualification, as the two sides are ranked 17th and 3rd in the nation, respectively.
Although there is no U-15 division of the USSDA playoffs, the young Sounders sit 16th in the nation in points per game, despite being unable to field a consistent team in recent months, with a number of players receiving youth national team call-ups and several others playing up on the U-17 squad.
Recent Results
U-19
- Sounders FC 1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 | April 28
- Sounders FC 1 at Real So Cal 2 | May 5
- Sounders FC 2 at Arsenal FC 0 | May 6
U-17
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 | April 28
- Sounders FC 7 at Real So Cal 1 | May 5
- Sounders FC 4 at Arsenal FC 1 | May 6
U-15
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 2 | April 28
In a series of Cascadia derby matches against the Whitecaps, the young Sounders shared the spoils with their rivals, compiling a record of 1-1-1. The U-17s, facing Vancouver’s high press, routinely played through the pressure and generated numerous high-quality chances. That commitment to progressive soccer paid off as midfielder Josh Atencio and captain Leo Burney bagged a pair of goals.
The U-17s carried their fantastic form into their California road trip the next weekend, dismantling Real So Cal and Arsenal FC by a combined score of 11-2.
The U-19s bounced back from a pair of disappointing losses to Vancouver and Real So Cal with a commanding 2-0 win over Arsenal FC. Despite missing four key starters, who were all playing up with S2 against Sacramento Republic, the U-19s secured an important three points. Finn Hoffman opened the scoring in the 56th minute, while substitute Rudy Stretch added a decisive second goal just seven minutes after entering the match.
In a battle between the top two sides in the USSDA Northwest Division, the U-15s overcame a one-goal deficit against the Whitecaps with an equalizer in the final minute.
U.S. youth national team mainstay Sota Kitahara opened the scoring in the 18th minute as he intercepted a pass in midfield, slalomed through four defenders and smashed his shot to the near post. Vancouver scored two unanswered goals, only for Charlie Holmes to steal a point in second-half stoppage time with a composed, well-placed finish to the far post.
Upcoming Fixtures
May 12
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. Crossfire Premier U-15 | 10:30 a.m. PT, Marymoor Park - Field 4
- Sounders FC U-17 vs. Crossfire Premier U-17 | 12:30 p.m. PT, Marymoor Park - Field 4
- Sounders FC U-19 vs. Crossfire Premier U-19 | 3:00 p.m. PT, Marymoor Park - Field 4
Sounders U-17 forward Alec Diaz | Quinn Width
Goals Galore For Diaz
U-17 striker Alec Diaz, who signed with the club two years ago from youth affiliate Pac NW, has been tearing up opposing defenses all season. Since scoring the game-winning goal in the Generation adidas Cup Premier Division final, the dynamic No. 9 has scored five goals in five games. Across all competitions this season, Diaz has found the back of the net 22 times, averaging one goal every 70.4 minutes.
Coach’s Take
“This weekend was a bit difficult,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development and Technical Director Marc Nicholls. “Ten-12 of the boys took the SAT Saturday morning. We played our first game in the heat, and then we drove 2.5 hours to get to the game the next day. It was quite a difficult weekend, but the U-17s coped very well. The U-19s had four boys with S2, and one with the national team, so it wasn’t quite as smooth. But all in all, it was a very good weekend for the Academy.”
