Around the U.S. Soccer Development Academy: Week 20
See below for a look at some of the top headlines from around the U.S. Soccer Development Academy this week, along with an update on the league leaders and top match-ups coming up this weekend.
+Read: U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Conference Recap: Week 19
Headlines
Running Mates: Becher, Nuhiu lead dominant Oakwood attack
Oakwood SC forwards Simon Becher and Kamer Nuhiu have propelled the most prolific offense in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Northeast Division at the U-15/16 level. Their bond on and off the field has helped fuel the success of the scoring duo, which has combined for 24 of the team’s division-leading 38 goals so far this season, and they are showing no signs of slowing down.
FC Boston Bolts hire former MLS midfielder Andy Dorman
Andy Dorman will work with the U-12 Development Academy team with Director Dan Colwell in addition to working with the older age groups during the season. He played four years at Boston University, and the New England Revolution picked him with the 58th overall selection in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. He’s made 324 professional appearances.
Programs combine to form Jacksonville Armada Football Club Youth Academy
Jacksonville Armada FC and Jacksonville FC, a current member of the development academy, announced their merge Wednesday into what will be known as Jacksonville Armada Football Club Youth Academy. Jacksonville FC is currently the fourth-largest Florida youth soccer club.
Everton FC Westchester U-14s dominate USSF Futsal Showcase
After breaking up into two squads, the program combined for seven wins and one tie competing in the Northeast Division of the United States Soccer Federation’s Futsal Showcase. Both teams also won its playoff games. Everton FC Westchester spent the weekend defeating fellow Academy squads, which included New England Revolution, Empire United, Beachside and Met Oval.
Alcocer selected Bolivian Soccer Federation National Camp
Paolo Alcocer, a member of the South Carolina Battery U-16 team, will have a chance to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and play for the Bolivian National team. After he was called up with 40 players to the National Team camp, he made the initial 28-player roster. That number will shrink to 23 for the South American Championships from Nov. 21 – Dec. 5 in Columbia. Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Brazil round out Bolivia’s group.
Sporting KC Academy sweeps Colorado Rapids on the road
On a day Sporting Kansas City and the Swope Park Rangers resumed their impressive starts to the 2016 season away from home, the Sporting Kansas City Academy enjoyed a successful road trip of their own.
League Leaders
U15/16
FC Dallas (17-2-0)
Aside from back-to-back losses at the Winter Showcase in early December, FC Dallas has rolled through its schedule en route to the Development Academy’s No. 1 ranking. It has scored 52 goals and allowed 14, good for one of the highest goal differentials in the USSDA. Several players have stepped on offense, but none have done more in the final third than Jesus Ferreira, whose 15 goals are tied for the eight-highest in the U-15/16 division. FC Dallas’ lone losses came in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, as it lost to Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Real Salt Lake AZ, both of whom are playoff teams at the moment.
Top Five
1) FC Dallas (17-2-0), 52 goals for, 14 goals against
2) Weston FC (18-2-4), 64 goals for, 18 goals against
3) New York Red Bulls (12-1-4), 54 goals for, 14 goals against
4) Vancouver Whitecaps FC (18-4-3), 66 goals for, 24 goals against
5) LA Galaxy (19-5-2), 75 goals for, 30 goals against
U17/18
BW Gottschee Academy (18-1-0)
Head coach Dennis McGowan’s team has dominated the Development Academy this season behind the strength of its defense, which has allowed six goals in 19 games to go along with 14 shutouts. During an 11-match stretch spanning about five months (Oct. 11 to March 13), its opponent did not score a goal. Sean McGowan (12 goals) and Zaire Bartley (7 goals) carry an offense that does enough to support its smothering defense. BW Gottschee’s only blemish was a 1-0 loss to PA Classics on March 19.
Top Five
1) BW Gottschee Academy (18-1-0), 45 goals for, six goals against
2) Chicago Magic PSG (11-2-1), 36 goals for, 18 goals against
3) Houston Dynamo (13-2-4), 45 goals for, 20 goals against
4) FC Dallas (13-3-3), 38 goals for, 10 goals against
5) Crew SC Academy Wolves (11-4-0), 34 goals for, 13 goals against
Top Match-Ups This Weekend (U15/16)
Real So Cal (15-10-3) @ Pateadores (14-8-8) – Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Seattle Sounder FC (12-7-4) @ Real Salt Lake AZ (14-8-5) – Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
LA Galaxy (19-5-2) @ Strikers FC (16-8-4) – Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Crew SC Academy Wolves (10-2-3) @ Chicago Fire (8-5-1) – Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
LA Galaxy (19-5-2) @ FC Golden State (17-4-6) – Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Georgia United (11-10-2) @ Orlando City SC (13-7-3) – Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
PA Classics (9-6-3) @ Oakwood Soccer Club (11-3-6) – Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Top Match-Ups This Weekend (U17/18)
Vardar (11-3-2) @ Indiana Fire Academy (5-2-7) – Saturday at 10 a.m.
Seattle Sounders (11-5-7) @ Real Salt Lake AZ (16-5-6) – Saturday at 10 a.m.
Crossfire Premier (9-6-7) @ Sacramento Republic FC (15-5-5) – Saturday at 10 a.m.
Players Development Academy (11-3-5) @ Richmond United (11-6-4) – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Crew SC Academy Wolves (11-4-0) @ Chicago Fire (8-2-4) – Sunday at 10 a.m.
Georgia United (12-8-3) @ Orlando City SC (14-2-7) – Sunday at 10 a.m.
