Recent Results
U-18
U-16
U-14
- Sounders FC 2 at Central Washington Soccer Academy 0 (May 9)
Upcoming Matches
May 16
- Sounders FC U-18 vs. Portland Timbers (1:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Stadium)
- Sounders FC U-16 vs. Portland Timbers (3:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Stadium)
U-14 International Tour
- Sounders FC at Breidablik (Reykjavik, Iceland)
- Sounders FC at La Garenne Columbes (Paris, France)
- Sounders FC vs. F.C. Villefranche (Neuville Sur Saone Tournoi International)
- Sounders FC vs. G. Bordeaux (Neuville Sur Saone Tournoi International)
- Sounders FC vs. Servette G.F.C. (Neuville Sur Saone Tournoi International)
- Sounders FC vs. Stade de Reims (Neuville Sur Saone Tournoi International)
What You Missed
With a pair of road wins, the U-18s remain at the top of the Northwest Division. The team started the weekend with a hard fought 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, with Sean Bowman opening the scoring in the 37th minute when Ryan Schaefer sent a perfectly weighted entry pass in behind for Bowman to finish. Though the squad had a number of quality chances to build the lead, San Jose would keep the game close with a tying tally in the 60th minute. However, Sounders FC roared back with Schaefer netting the game-winner in the 69th after an exquisite through ball from John Magnus, to make the final score 2-1. The U-18s would build upon their momentum with a decisive 3-0 win over Juventus SC the following day with Connor Noblat, Ryan Schaefer and Kasey French each contributing a goal.
The U-16s continue to live on the edge of playoff contention after suffering a disappointing 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes. Both sides produced some quality chances early but ultimately went 0-0 into halftime. San Jose opened the scoring in the 56’ with a free kick against the run of play. San Jose would then add to their lead in the 63’. Joe Hafferty earned one back to get the team within one, but it proved too little too late. The following day the squad fought from behind to earn a gritty win against Juventus SC. In the 57’ minute Tyler Black evened up the match with a 25-yard blast and Alex Bradbury contributed both the equalizing goal in the 68th minute and game-winner in the 78th to earn a 3-2 victory.
The U-18s and U-16s return to home action against the Portland Timbers this weekend at Starfire Sports. Both squads face significant challenges going into this Cascadia match-up, as the U-18s try to remain atop the table while the U-16s continue to vie for the final playoff spot.
The U-14s are set to embark on the Academy’s first international tour with destinations in both Iceland and France. The squad will represent Sounders FC in the Neuville Sur Saone Tournoi International (Lyon, France), a prestigious international competition that features clubs such as Olympic Lyon, Marseilles and Newcastle United. The U-14s will face a difficult test in group play with matches against French Ligue 1 Academy clubs Bordeaux and Stade de Reims as well as Swiss outfit Servette GFC and local side FC Villefranche. Prior to the tournament, the team will first play an International match in Reykjavik, Iceland against Breidablik, the National Champions of Iceland. After the brief Icelandic trip the boys head to Paris for a tune-up match against La Garenne Columbes before the event in Lyon.
In the Standings
- U-18s are currently first in the Northwest Division with 60 points (19-5-3)
- U-16s are currently fourth in the Northwest Division with 41 points (12-10-5)
- U-14s finished second in the U-15 Far West Regional League Northwest Division with 15 points (5-1-0)
Coach’s Take
“These are exciting times for our academy and its players. We have our first international trip to Iceland and France, meaningful rivalry matches versus Portland Timbers and our players banging on the door of S2. With the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game next week, we anticipate that some of our Academy boys may get the chance to make the squad for S2 versus Kitsap Pumas in the Second Round of the Open Cup. With the First Team having the incredible record of five Open Cup finals in six years, including winning it four times, we all know the significance of the event!” – Sounders FC Academy Technical Director Marc Nicholls
Off the Field
Last week the Academy held tryouts for the 2001 age group, as coaches evaluated over 160 attendees over the course of three training sessions. A total of 18 players and a development pool were selected to join the full-time U-14 squad for the 2015-2016 season. The Academy will hold tryouts for the 2002 and 2003 Sounders Discovery Program on June 1 and 2 at 4:30 p.m. PT on Starfire Sports field 11. Interested players can register here.
