The Sounders FC Academy U-16s and U-18s were California dreaming last weekend after going unbeaten on the road against Nomads SC and San Diego Surf.
Recent Results
U-18
- Sounders FC 1 at Nomads SC 1 | Nov. 12, 2016
- Sounders FC 2 at San Diego Surf 1 | Nov. 13, 2016
U-16
- Sounders FC 2 at Nomads SC 1 | Nov. 12, 2016
- Sounders FC 4 at San Diego Surf 0 | Nov. 13, 2016
U-15
- Sounders FC 1 vs. PacNW U-16 0 | Nov. 12, 2016
In the first match of the road trip, the U-18s battled back to earn a 1-1 draw with Nomads. Goalkeeper Akili Asim came up big in the 30th minute when he produced a stunning point-blank save to keep the game scoreless. The Southern Californians pulled ahead in the 68th minute before the young Sounders leveled in the 85th. A pair of substitutes, Jamie Dimitroff and Lucas Meek, combined to force a Nomads defender to redirect a cross past his own goalkeeper.
The squad came from behind once again the next day in a 2-1 victory over San Diego Surf. After falling behind in the 29th minute, the Rave Green drew level through the feet of new signing Shandon Hopeau. A dynamic winger signed from Homegrown territory Hawaii, Hopeau found the back of the net for his sixth goal in just six matches since joining the Sounders. A late goal in the 83rd minute from Gregory Sutton secured all three points for the U-18s
After a participating in the Val-De-Marne Tournament with the U.S. U-16s, forward Azriel Gonzalez returned to the Sounders in barnstorming fashion. The young striker scored a brace in a 2-1 victory over Nomads SC with a goal either side of half time. In addition to the goals, his link up play and movement off the ball posed problems for the Nomads’ backline all afternoon.
In the next match against Surf, Gonzalez pitched in with a goal an assist. Winger Marlon Vargas opened the scoring in the 19th minute on an assist from attacking midfielder Ray Serrano. Gonzalez added the second in the 30th minute before setting up Dylan Teves for the third in the 58th. Midfielder Gabe Threadgold came off the bench to score the fourth and final goal in the 71st minute.
Moving On Up
U-14 attacking midfielder Ray Serrano started in the No. 10 role for the U-16s against Surf at the weekend. Serrano was called up after contributing six goals and two assists in three matches against Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and Sacramento Republic at a U.S. Soccer showcase two weeks ago.
In the Standings
After going undefeated on the road in California, both the U-16s and U-18s find themselves in third place of the Northwest division of USSDA rankings.
Off the Field
The U-18s were missing three key players for the road trip due to national team call-ups. Goalkeeper Trey Muse received his first international invitation to attend a U.S. U-18 camp alongside left back Jake Morris. Meanwhile midfielder Habib Barry travelled to Chula Vista, Calif., to link up with Brad Friedel’s U-19 squad for the final training camp of 2016.
