Around the U.S. Soccer Development Academy: Week 24

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 23

Headlines

Montreal Impact FC partners with other clubs

On Thursday, Montreal Impact FC announced it was partnering with CS Longueuil, CS Mont-Royal Outremont, Hull, the Québec Regional Soccer Association and the Soccer New Brunswick provincial association. Under this relationship, the partners have access to Academy coaches for training sessions and feedback. Players between U-8 and U-14 from these clubs can also compete with Academy players through friendlies.

Portland Timbers add youth partner club

Earlier this week, Portland Timbers added Boise Nationals Soccer Club, the oldest soccer club in Idaho, as part of the “adidas Timbers Alliance.” Renamed Boise Nationals Timbers, this club will have access to various resources within the Timbers organization. The coaches will be able to work with the Timbers coaching staff, and the players will have the chance to showcase their skills with the possibility of joining Timbers Academy teams. Boise National Timbers is the eighth club in the adidas Timbers Alliance.

Six Academy team competing in Cayman U15 Youth Football Cup

LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo, D.C. United, Seattle Sounders FC, Orlando City SC and IMG Academy are participating in the Cayman Airways U-15 Invitational Youth Football Cup, which runs from May 10-5 on Grand Cayman Island. So far, Seattle Sounders beat IMG Academy and Orlando City SC played to a draw with LA Galaxy in matches between Academy teams. Last year, Chicago Fire U-14 won the title after defeating IMG Academy.

Seventeen USSDA clubs represented on U-17 Men’s National Team roster

U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team coach John Hackworth has named a 23-player roster for the upcoming AIFF Youth Cup in India. A total of 17 Development Academy clubs are represented on the roster by 22 of the 23 players. Kendall FC, LA Galaxy Academy, San Jose Earthquakes Academy, New York Red Bull Academy, Sporting Kansas City Academy, Philadelphia Union Academy, Beachside SC, FC Golden State, D.C. United Academy, Weston FC, Solar Chelsea SC, Portland Timbers Academy, Toronto FC Academy, Georgia United, De Anza Force, New York SC and St. Louis Scott Gallagher – Missouri each have players on the roster.

Top Match-Ups (U-15/16)

Orlando City SC (15-8-5) @ Weston FC (19-2-6) – Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

This weekend provides Orlando City SC with a chance to notch a significant home win against a division foe. Weston FC currently sits atop the Southeast Division and holds the fourth playoff spot. Coach Victor Pastora’s team has not lost since Dec. 7, and its +51 goal differential is one of the best in the Development Academy. In the teams’ first meeting Sept. 26, George Acosta, Carlos Dulcey and Alfred Perez scored in Weston FC’s 3-0 win. If Orlando City SC hopes to pull the upset, it’ll likely have to contain Acosta and Perez, who have combined to score 27 goals this season.

Montreal Impact FC (12-4-5) @ Philadelphia Union (15-3-5) – Sunday at 1 p.m.

Philadelphia Union has been one of the hottest teams in the Development Academy this part of the year, as it boasts a 6-2-0 record since the spring season began. Its last loss came Dec. 5 against LA Galaxy, which currently holds the No. 5 spot in the postseason. Sunday, the Union play Montreal Impact FC, one of the top squads in the Northeast Division. Despite falling to Oakwood Soccer Club, 2-1, last weekend, the Impact are a clear playoff team that features a strong defense. In 21 games, coach Nicolas Gagnon‘s side has given up just 12 goals.

Other Top Match-ups This Weekend (U-15/16)
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri (9-8-3) @ Chicago Magic PSG (10-5-6) – Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Strikers FC (18-9-5) @ Real So Cal (16-12-3) – Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
IMG Academy (13-11-5) @ Kendall SC (12-9-7) – Saturday at 4 p.m.
LA Galaxy (22-6-3) @ Real Salt Lake AZ (17-10-5) – Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Texas Rush (10-8-6) @ FC Dallas (20-2-0) – Sunday at 2 p.m.

Top Match-Ups (U-17/18)

Montreal Impact FC (11-4-6) @ Philadelphia Union (16-3-4) – Sunday at 11 a.m.

Philadelphia Union enters its match with Montreal Impact FC on an eight-game winning streak. The Union’s recent performance has catapulted it to the top of the Atlantic Division and into the fourth position in the postseason. Philadelphia will face a stiff test from Badreddine Boulajoul and the Impact, which are second in its respective division. Boulajoul leads the team with 13 goals, while Jimmy-Shammar Sanon has netted nine.

Top Match-Ups This Weekend (U17/18)
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro (8-7-4) @ Sockers FC (14-5-3) – Saturday at 10 a.m.
Nomads SC (15-5-10) @ Pateadores (18-9-7) – Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
LA Galaxy (18-5-8) @ Real Salt Lake AZ (20-5-7) – Sunday at 10 a.m.
PA Classics (10-8-4) @ Beachside SC (11-8-2) – Sunday at 10 a.m.
Texas Rush (17-5-2) @ FC Dallas (16-3-3) – Sunday at 12 p.m.

League Leaders