Recent Results
U-18
- Sounders FC 1 at Crossfire Premier 0 (5/21/16)
U-16
- Sounders FC 1 at Crossfire Premier 0 (5/21/16)
U-15
- Sounders FC 5 v Washington Premier 0 (5/22/16)
Upcoming Matches
May 28
- Sounders FC U-18 at Real So Cal U-18 (11:00 a.m. PT, Oak Park High School Stadium – California)
- Sounders FC U-16 at Real So Cal U-16 (1:30 p.m. PT, Oak Park High School Stadium – California)
- Sounders FC U-14 at Portland Timbers FC U-14 (3:00 p.m. PT, Tualatin Hills Recreation Center—Beaverton, OR)
- Sounders FC U-15 at Portland Timbers FC U-15 (5:00 p.m. PT, Tualatin Hills Recreation Center—Beaverton, OR)
May 29
- Sounders FC U-18 at Arsenal FC U-18 (10:00 a.m. PT, Norco College Stadium Field – California)
- Sounders FC U-16 at Arsenal FC U-16 (12:30 p.m. PT, Norco College Stadium Field – California)
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. San Jose Earthquakes FC U-15 (1:00 p.m. PT, Tualatin Hills Recreation Center—Beaverton, OR)
- Sounders FC U-14 vs. San Francisco Elite U-14 (3:00 p.m. PT, Tualatin Hills Recreation Center—Beaverton, OR)
Seattle Sounders FC Academy continued their impressive run of form over the past few weeks with a pair of 1-0 wins over Crossfire Premier. The cramped and narrow playing field led to some hectic play at times but both Sounders teams maintained their defensive discipline and energy. With the wins, both squads are unbeaten in their last three matches. The U-18s have now won four games on the bounce and have not conceded a goal since April 16.
The oldest members of the Sounders youth system kicked off the weekend with a performance packed with grit and guts. With both Seattle and Crossfire up for a heated affair, the opening stages of the match were marked by heavy challenges and dangerous set pieces. Playing on a narrow and short field, Crossfire seemed intent on adopting a strategy similar to Stoke City circa 2012: Strong in the tackle and taking any opportunity [long punts, throws, set-pieces, goal kicks] to launch the ball into the box.
The young Sounders’ demonstrated their growing resilience and took the lead through a set-piece of their own; a stunning free kick from left back Nick Hinds. As Crossfire chased the game in the second-half they began playing even more direct in search of an equalizer. Goalkeeper Tor Saunders was up for the challenge, and his aerial dominance in the 18 helped Seattle see off several waves of pressure from Crossfire in the closing stages.
The U-16s achieved the same result in the second match of the afternoon, albeit in a somewhat different type of match. With Crossfire opting for a 4-4-2 diamond, the trio of Kei Tomozawa, Alec Zimmerman and Sam Rogers dictated the tempo of the match by dominating possession in midfield. Given their man advantage in the middle third, attacking midfielder Kei Tomozawa was freed up to cover every blade of grass and pull the strings for the Rave Green. Meanwhile, striker Wilson Harris’ frighteningly intelligent movement off the ball proved a massive headache for the Crossfire back line. Seattle found the winner through winger Stirling Russell when he followed up a strike from Harris in the box.
Russell’s 48th minute strike proved enough for the three points as Seattle managed the remainder of the match well despite the direct play of Crossfire. Much like the U-18s, Crossfire resorted to launching the ball forward and fighting for every first and second ball. Holding midfielder Sam Rogers provided a calming influence with his aerial prowess and composure in possession as Crossfire chased the game. With the result, the U-16s have defeated both of their PNW rivals in consecutive matches registering three goals and collecting a pair of clean sheets.
Coach’s Take
“Our U-16s and U-18s both achieved positive results with disciplined performances this weekend. We got what we expected from Crossfire and their direct play so it was nice to keep 2 clean sheets. If I had to be critical of our groups I would say that we should have won by a bigger margin and shown a bit more quality on the final third to kill the game off. However, dealing with the stress of a one goal margin and the chaos that ensued is also good for development!” – Sounders Academy Technical Director Marc Nicholls
Standout Performers
Nick Hinds put in an excellent two-way shift in a heated affair against Crossfire. The ultra dynamic left back demonstrated a growing ability to pick his moments to burst forward in support of the attack.
Looking Forward
Both the U-16s and U-18s will travel to California this weekend for matches against Real So Cal and Arsenal FC. With only two more weeks remaining in the USSDA regular season, both sides will look to maintain the momentum they have built over the past few weeks. The U-14 and U-15 squads will travel to Portland to compete in the 2016 Timbers Friendship Cup.
