Development Academy: Winter Showcase wraps up
By Jimmy LaRoue
The Development Academy’s 2012 Winter Showcase has wrapped up after five days of action among the 80 clubs that traveled to Florida to take part.
While there were some top goals (such as these):
Players and coaches also talked about their decision to play on academy teams now that there’s a 10-month schedule:
Baltimore Bays Chelsea’s U-18s came away with three wins in three matches at the showcase, while Virginia Rush U-18 Robert Kerby had a dominant, eight goal showcase. He wasn’t the only Rush player to shine during the showcase, as U-16s Cole Smith and Thaller Usonis each had hat tricks in a 7-0 win over Met Oval Juventus.
D.C. United’s U-16s continued their roll of strong play, dominating North Carolina Fusion in a 6-1 win, defeating FC Dallas 1-0 and playing Chivas USA to a 2-2 draw on the final day of the showcase. United have yet to lose in starting the academy season 11-0-2.
Orlando City U-16s picked up three wins in three matches during the showcase, defeating Met Oval Juventus, South Central Premier and Match Fit Chelsea. Richard Prestridge had a hat trick for Orlando City in the 4-2 win over Match Fit Chelsea.
The New York Red Bulls U-16s lost for the first time all season during the showcase, falling to Weston FC 1-0. The Red Bulls also played a scoreless tie against FC Dallas, and came away with a 2-1 win against the LA Galaxy on the final day of the showcase. Right behind the Red Bulls in the Northeast Division standings, Oakwood Soccer Club scored two wins and a tie in the showcase.
Georgia United U-16s played three draws at the showcase–0-0 against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy, 2-2 against Real Colorado and 1-1 against FC Westchester–though it is still without a loss at 5-0-5 on the season.
Real Salt Lake AZ U-16s lost for the first time as well, falling 2-0 to Mid-America Division leaders Crew Soccer Academy Wolves. Still RSL AZ picked up a 5-3 win over Montreal Impact and 3-1 over Sporting Kansas City.
In U-18 play, Indiana Fire Academy, at the top of the Mid-America Division along with Chicago Magic PSG, won twice and picked up a draw during the showcase. That was also the case with Players Development Academy, who is tied for second in the Atlantic Division with D.C. United; both trail Baltimore Bays Chelsea by three points in the standings.
The Red Bulls U-18s came away with two wins and a tie in three matches, tying FC Dallas 1-1 in the opener, but picking up a 4-2 win over Weston FC and a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy, who hold down first place in the Southwest Division and picked up wins in their first two showcase games–4-1 over Crew Soccer Academy Wolves and 2-0 over Colorado Rapids.
[ + Development Academy U-18 standings ]
[ + Development Academy U-16 standings ]
[ + Development Academy results ]
