All four Sounders Academy squads were in action at Starfire Sports over the weekend. The U-14s and U-15s both faced older teams from PacNW, while the U16s and U-18s played a pair of matches against academy squads from California.
Recent Results
U-18
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Strikers FC 1 (9/24/16)
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Pateadores 2 (9/25/16)
U-16
- Sounders FC 0 vs. Strikers FC 0 (9/24/16)
- Sounders FC 1 vs. Pateadores 1 (9/25/16)
U-15
- Sounders FC 3 vs. PacNW U-16 1 (9/24/16)
U-14
- Sounders FC 3 vs. PacNW U-15 1 (9/24/16)
The U-18s continued their unbeaten start to the 2016-17 campaign with a win and a draw against Strikers FC and Pateadores, respectively. A combination of heroic goalkeeping from Trey Muse and a pair of late goals courtesy of Jamie Dimitroff and captain Sam Rogers handed the Rave Green all three points against Strikers. In the next match against Pateadores, the young Sounders showed their mettle once again to erase a one-goal deficit either side of half time. Another late goal from attacking midfielder Dimitroff gave Seattle a share of the spoils.
A number of younger players earned minutes in the U-16’s nil-nil draw with Strikers FC. Three members of the U-14 squad – Elias Katsaros, Josh Atencio and Danny Robles – all made positive contributions in the match. Goalkeeper Sam Fowler did well to save a penalty kick in the 15th minute to preserve the clean sheet.
Atencio impressed once again in the next match against Pateadores with his ability to unbalance the opposition. Meanwhile, midfielder Keeton Heggerness came off the bench to score the equalizing goal in the 75th minute.
For the U-15s, Marlon Vargas entered the match at half time and turned the tie on its head. A goal and two assists in a 45-minute cameo ensured the young Sounders a comfortable win.
A man-of-the-match performance from captain Ray Serrano led the U-14s to a 3-1 comeback victory over PacNW. After falling behind in the 12th minute, Serrano set up Thai Wichienwitdhtaya’s equalizer just four minutes later. Serrano wasn’t done just yet. A brace in twelve minutes rounded out the scoring for Seattle, which ensured a comfortable second half performance from the young Sounders.
Upcoming Matches
Oct. 1
- Sounders FC U-18 vs. Portland Timbers U-18 (1:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-16 vs. Portland Timbers U-16 (3:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-14 vs. Eastside FC U-15 (9:00 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. Eastside FC U-16 (10:30 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
Looking Forward
The U-16s and U-18s will play their first Cascadia matches of the year this weekend with a doubleheader against Portland Timbers. Supporters are encouraged to attend the match and cheer on the young Sounders in the rivalry games.
Standout Performers
Fresh off of a stint in camp with the United States U-16s Azriel Gonzalez made played up an age group for the U-18s against Pateadores. The 15-year old striker impressed in his debut by scoring with a lovely first time finish to the far post in the 33rd minute.
Coach’s Take
“It was another successful weekend with the academy perhaps highlighted by the potential of our younger players. We were delighted to see U-15 Azriel Gonzalez score on his debut for the U-18s and the impact of several U-14’s on the U-16’s squad meant that they also enjoyed an unbeaten weekend. Meanwhile our youngest teams played some very entertaining games versus our neighbors at PacNW.” – Academy Director Marc Nicholls
