Seattle Sounders FC Academy completed a four-match sweep at Starfire Sports over the weekend, scoring eleven goals en route to the convincing victories.
Recent Results
U-18
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Portland Timbers 1 | October 1, 2016
U-16
- Sounders FC 3 vs. Portland Timbers 2 | October 1, 2016
U-15
- Sounders FC 3 vs. Eastside FC U-16 1 | October 1, 2016
U-14
- Sounders FC 3 vs. Eastside FC U-15 2 | October 1, 2016
For several players on the U-18 squad, the match served as their first taste of the rivalry with Portland. The match contained everything you’d expect between Cascadia opponents: crunching tackles, sprawling saves, high-octane defending and memorable goals.
The first 60 minutes served as a tale of two keepers, with both team’s No. 1’s producing moments of magic to keep the score level. New signing Shandon Hopeau turned the tie on its head after an exquisite interchange with Kei Tomozawa in the 66th minute led to a long range goal. Hopeau then killed off the game in the 88th minute with another goal from distance on an assist from Paul Rothrock.
Not to be outdone, the U-16s battled the Timbers to an exciting 3-2 win with a fantastic all-around performance from goalkeeper Sam Fowler. The young keeper was imperious in the air, claiming several crosses throughout, and even managed to record a pair of assists.
The first came on a quickly taken goal kick that found striker Azriel Gonzalez 1v1 with the defender up field, and he duly slotted home with a left-footed volley. The Timbers equalized soon after, but Dylan Teves restored the lead for Sounders in the 52nd minute. Keeton Heggerness wrapped up the scoring with a goal off the bench for the second match running.
U-15 striker Jourdan Furukawa scored his fourth goal in three matches in the 3-2 win over the Eastside U-16s. Captain Ethan O’Brien scored the game winner just two minutes later, giving the young Sounders a comfortable lead with only a quarter of the match played. Midfielder JoeJoe Richardson scored the third and final goal off of a brilliant pass from Dylan Chavez.
Lastly, the U-14s defeated Eastside FC U-15s with another three-goal performance. Midfielder Ray Serrano recorded a brace for the second-match running with PK and powerful shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. With several key players missing due to call-ups to the older squads, the youngest members of the Academy did well to grind out a result.
Upcoming Matches
October 8
- Sounders FC U-14 at Seattle United U-15 (1:00 p.m. PT, Magnuson Park Field 7)
- Sounders FC U-15 at Seattle United U-16 (2:45 p.m. PT, Magnuson Park Field 7)
Moving on Up
A pair of standouts from the U-14 squad – midfielder Josh Atencio and center back Elias Kitsaros – started for the U-16s in the match against Portland. Despite his young age, Atencio provided a calming presence in midfield and enabled the Sounders to build possession through the middle of the field.
Standout Performers
New signing Shandon Hopeau is proving to be a truly exciting prospect for the Rave Green. After joining the club from Hawaii Rush, Hopeau has gone on to score a brace against both Crossfire and Timbers.
One to Watch
Striker Azriel Gonzalez followed up his goal on his U-18 debut with a composed finish for the U-16s to hand Seattle the lead over Portland. His off the ball movement and ability to link play caused problems for the Timbers' back line all afternoon.
