Last week, the Sounders Academy U-17s won the club’s first ever U.S. Soccer Development Academy national championships, dismantling the reigning champs, Atlanta United, 5-1 in the final.
It was an incredible achievement for the young Sounders. Throughout the playoffs, the team scored 27 goals in just six games. In total, four professionals and eight players with U.S. Youth National Teams helped guide Seattle to its first national title, with two players from the 2003 class, midfielders Sota Kitahara and Danny Leyva, playing significant roles.
This success, which could soon be the new norm for Sounders Academy, didn’t happen in a vacuum. Rather, it was the product of years of painstaking, deliberate initiatives aimed increasing the quality of youth development throughout the state of Washington.
The U-17s have experienced immense success this season, but a couple years ago they were scattered in over a dozen different youth clubs | Quinn Width
“The success of this group has been a few years in the making,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development and Academy Director Marc Nicholls. “It’s taken a lot of hard work from lots of different people, so it’s really nice to see everybody enjoy the rewards from it.”
Between Sounders Discovery Program, Club Partnerships and an increased allocation of resources for youth scouting, the roster was composed of players who hailed from 13 different youth clubs. As the Sounders’ first DA Championship, it was also the product of plenty of good work in the youth development scene from clubs throughout the region.
With so many clubs contributing toward this title run, the Sounders’ first national championship is the product of a collective effort from numerous youth coaches and local clubs.
“This championship has paved a model of what can be achieved when we have access to the best players in Washington,” said Nicholls, “and a few players specially chosen from beyond.”
Below is a list of players who played for the U-17s throughout the playoffs, as well their corresponding youth clubs.
CM Josh Atencio⁺ (Crossfire Premier)
CB Leo Burney* (Seattle United)
ST Alec Diaz* (Pac NW)
LB Connor Drought* (Washington Rush)
ST Azriel Gonzalez⁺ (Heat FC)
RB Bryson Hankins⁺ (Central California Aztecs)
GK Bobby Harraka (AC Brea)
CB Elias Katsaros* (Pac NW)
GK Conrad Lee (Seacoast United)
MF Daniel Leyva⁺ (Barcelona Revolution FC)
RB Enrique Montana (Crossfire Premier)
CB Blake Malone (Las Vegas Soccer Club)
CM Peter Kingston* (FC Alliance)
CM Sota Kitahara⁺ (Seattle United)
ST Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez⁺ (Merced Atlas Soccer Academy)
CAM Danny Robles⁺ (Pac NW)
RW Ray Serrano⁺ (Spokane Sounders)
RW Andrew Tran (Pac NW)
LW Marlon Vargas (Central California Aztecs)
* Sounders Discovery Program alum͐
⁺ U.S. Youth National Team experience
