Development Academy Finals Week: One round of games in the books
DEADLOCK IN GROUP 1; SLSG MISSOURI TAKES GROUP 2 LEAD: After one round of games in the U-15/16 age group, there is a deadlock atop Group 1 as both the New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire registered 3-1 wins. The two squads, playing on fields parallel to each other, even scored each of their opening goals within the first 30 seconds of their respective matches. Chicago claimed the fastest goal, scoring in 19 seconds, while New York followed suit with a goal 28 seconds into its match against Pateadores. The two MLS-affiliated clubs square off against each other Thursday (a day after the first teams meet in MLS action). In Group 2, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri earned a 3-0 shutout against PA Classics, while Crew Soccer Academy Wolves scored an 80th-minute equalizer against D.C. United to escape with a share of the spoils.
U-17/18s POTENTIAL OF PLACEMENT SHAKE OUT: On Wednesday, the U-17/18 clubs hit the field for the second round of group matches with the potential for some spots in the placement games to be decided with the right combination of results. In Group 1, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1-0-0, 3 points) can clinch a spot in the U-17/18 championship final with a win against De Anza Force (0-0-1, 1 point) and a draw between the Colorado Rapids (0-0-1, 1 point) and North Carolina Fusion (0-1-0, 0 points). The same scenario is true for Solar Chelsea SC in Group 2. If Solar Chelsea SC (1-0-0, 3 points) defeats Chivas USA (0-0-1, 1 point), then Baltimore Bays Chelsea (0-1-0, 0 points) must draw with FC Dallas (0-0-1, 1 point) for Solar Chelsea SC to earn a spot in the championship tonight.
FINALS WEEK SCHEDULE (home team listed first; times CT)
All games at Houston Amateur Sports Park
MONDAY’S RESULTS
U- 17/18 age group:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4, North Carolina Fusion 1 – Match Report
De Anza Force 2, Colorado Rapids 2 – Match Report
FC Dallas 1, Chivas USA 1 – Match Report
Solar Chelsea SC 2, Baltimore Bays Chelsea 0 – Match Report
TUESDAY’S RESULTS:
U-15/16 age group:
New York Red Bulls 3, Pateadores 1 – Match Report
Chicago Fire 3, Charlotte Soccer Academy 1 – Match Report
Crew Soccer Academy Wolves 1, D.C. United 1 – Match Report
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 3, PA Classics 0 – Match Report
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES:
U-17/18 age group:
Chivas USA vs. Solar Chelsea SC, 8 p.m.
Baltimore Bays Chelsea vs. FC Dallas, 8 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. De Anza Force, 9 p.m.
Colorado Rapids vs. North Carolina Fusion, 9 p.m.
THURSDAY’S GAMES:
U-15/16 age group:
D.C. United vs. PA Classics, 8 p.m.
St. Louis Scott Gallagher vs. Crew Soccer Academy Wolves, 8 p.m.
Pateadores vs. Charlotte Soccer Academy, 9 p.m.
Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls, 9 p.m.
