Sounders FC Academy enjoyed a fantastic weekend of results, as three squads travelled to Northern California for USSDA league games and the U-16s took on a pair of older squads in Far West Regional League action. The young Sounders compiled a sterling record with seven wins and one draw, registering a +19 goal differential.
Recent Results
U-19
- Sounders FC 3 at Silicon Valley Soccer Academy 1 | October 14
- Sounders FC 2 at San Jose Earthquakes 1 | October 15
U-17
- Sounders FC 3 at Silicon Valley Soccer Academy 0 | October 14
- Sounders FC 7 at San Jose Earthquakes 1 | October 15
U-16
- Sounders FC 5 vs. Greater Seattle Surf U-17 1 | October 14
- Sounders FC 1 at Washington Rush Soccer Club U-17 0 | October 15
U-15
- Sounders FC 3 at Silicon Valley Soccer Academy 1 | October 14
- Sounders FC 1 at San Jose Earthquakes 1 | October 15
The U-19s started off the weekend with a commanding win over Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, with all three goals coming from set pieces. The young Sounders opened the scoring in the 4th minute when Dylan Teves’ free-kick was headed down by Khai Brisco and Bobby Stoyanov, with left back Sam Catherall providing the finishing touch. In the 45th minute, Catherall turned provider when he served a cross for Stoyanov to head home. Midfielder Cam Martin put the tie to bed in the 84th minute, drawing a penalty kick that RJ Stretch calmly dispatched.
On Sunday, the U-19s took on MLS youth-side San Jose Earthquakes and clawed their way to a 2-1 win. Entering halftime down 1-0, Head Coach Wade Webber made a tactical switch, moving captain Khai Brisco, a center back, to the No. 9 role, and it paid dividends. In the 60th minute, Brisco provided the assist for Stretch’s equalizing goal, drawing in two defenders before slipping a clever pass to the attacking midfielder, who powered his shot into the top corner. Two minutes later, Brisco stole the ball off the Earthquakes goalkeeper and finished into an empty net.
The U-17s continued their blistering start to the 2017-18 USSDA season with a pair of wins over the weekend, bringing their win streak to seven matches in league play. In the first match of the weekend against Silicon Valley, the young Sounders lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation and took the match to hosts from the opening whistle. Leo Burney, Alec Diaz and Ray Serrano grabbed the goals while midfielder Danny Leyva, a 2003 playing two years up, contributed two assists.
In the match against San Jose Earthquakes the next day, the Rave Green put on an offensive clinic, with Diaz, Serrano (2), Danny Robles, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez and Peter Kingston all getting on the scoresheet.
Upcoming Matches
October 28
Sounders FC U-15 vs. Santa Cruz Breakers U-15 | 10:00 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports, Field 11
Sounders FC U-17 vs. Santa Cruz Breakers U-17 | 12:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports, Field 11
Sounders FC U-19 vs. Santa Cruz Breakers U-19 | 3:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports, Field 11
October 29
Sounders FC U-17 vs. De Anza Force U-17 | 12:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports, Field 11
Sounders FC U-15 vs. De Anza Force U-15 | 3:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports, Field 2
Sounders FC U-19 vs. De Anza Force U-19 | 3:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports, Field 11
Tactical Focus
As a pipeline to the professional ranks, it’s important for the young Sounders to have a holistic understanding of tactics, making them capable of playing in a variety of systems. Last weekend, the U-16s started out in a 4-3-3 in their win over Greater Seattle Surf, with a special emphasis on underlapping runs from the outside backs and midfield rotations. At halftime, Head Coach Michael Morris swapped that out for a 3-4-3 to help the center backs deal with Surf sending out two central strikers. This level of tactical variance, especially for young players, is indicative of their expansive soccer education.
Moving on Up
One of the newest additions to the Academy, 2003 midfielder Danny Leyva, signed with the club from Las Vegas prior to the 2017-18 season. After impressing in a few starts for the U-15s, Leyva, who plays as either a No. 8 or a No. 10, has appeared in four of the last five matches for the U-17s, contributing a goal and two assists during that run. The young midfielder blends technical proficiency with creativity and an eye for a clever pass.
Looking Forward
The Academy will enjoy a weekend before league play resumes on October 28. They will face a series of home matches for the first time since September 9 after spending the last month on the road.
