Match-ups announced for U.S. Soccer Development Academy quarterfinals

WESTFIELD, Indiana (Via U.S. Soccer) – The quarterfinal match-ups of the 2017 Development Academy Playoffs were set following Monday’s final round of the group stage at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana. Eight teams remain alive in both the U-15/16 Playoffs and the U-17/18 Playoffs with the quarterfinals scheduled for July 6-7 at sites across the country.

The U-15/16 quarterfinals will take place on Thursday, July 6. If extra time is necessary, the format will be two 10-minute periods followed by penalty kicks. In the U-17/18 age group the quarterfinals will be played on Friday, July 7, with the extra time format to be composed of two 15-minute periods followed by penalty kicks.

Three MLS programs advanced to both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 quarterfinals: Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake AZ.

After playing three games in five days against elite level competition at the 2017 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs, the eight group winners from each age group were evaluated by the Academy to determine who they would face in the quarterfinals. Matchups and host sites for the quarterfinals are determined by the Academy staff and Technical staff based on a number of factors that include (but are not limited to): final seed, geography (to reduce travel and prioritize player wellness), competitive integrity, and scheduling logistics.

By earning a higher overall seed in the regular season, determined by a club’s average points-per-game, higher seeds were given priority to host a match.

U-15/16 CLUB NOTES

• In their first year with a U-15/16academy program, Atlanta United FC advances to the quarterfinals as the second highest remaining seed. U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team and Atlanta forward Zyen Jones, who scored for the USA at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, notched three goals across three Academy playoff games and will look to continue that streak on July 6.
• Reaching the Academy quarterfinals for the first time at this age level, Bethesda SC will aim to continue their run in the Knockout Round.
• After upsetting Crossfire Premier 2-1 in their opening Academy playoff game and drawing FC Golden State in their second, Colorado Rapids defeated Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth in their final Group B game to finish on top of the group and advance as the lowest seed remaining in the U-15/16 age group. After both its age groups missed the Playoffs at the end of the 2016 season, Colorado’s U-15/16s and U-17/18s qualified in 2017 under the direction of first year Academy coach Chris Martinez.
• As the only number one overall seed remaining, FC Dallas will look to continue their championship ways and strive to capture their third straight U-15/16 title in 2017.
• Real Salt Lake AZ will try to return to the Academy Championship game for the first time since hoisting the U-15/16 trophy during the 2012-2013 season. RSL enters the quarterfinals after winning their first two Group G games and drawing their third to ensure advancement.
• The former home club of U.S. Men’s National Team players Jordan Morris and DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders FC advanced to the Knockout Round in both age groups.
• Needing a win or tie in their final Playoff game vs. Weston FC, Sporting Kansas City got the job done with a 2-2 tie, ensuring their first appearance in the U-15/16 quarterfinals.
• With all four Group C teams still alive on the final day of playoff competition, the Vancouver Whitecaps got the 3-2 win they needed vs. LA Galaxy and advanced from the all-MLS group at the expense of Houston Dynamo based on goal differential.

U-17/18 CLUB NOTES

• Colorado Rapids took Group F by storm, winning all three of their Academy playoff games. The Rapids advance to the U-17/18 quarterfinals after missing the playoffs last year.
• Crossfire Premier hopes to make their second U-17/18 National Championship appearance since the 2009-10 season. Kelyn Rowe assisted on Crossfire’s lone goal before Vardar came from behind to nab their first Academy Championship. Rowe was recently named to the official 23-man U.S. Men’s National Team Gold Cup roster.
• Perhaps the biggest group upset of 2017, not only was LA Galaxy the last team to qualify for the Playoffs, but they were also the lowest overall seed at number 32.
• Under first year Academy Director David Longwell, Orlando City SC advance to their first-ever quarterfinals after taking all nine points from Group G play, including a final game thriller on the last day of the competition played on the stadium field in front of more than 1,000 fans.
• Qualifying to the U-17/18 quarterfinals has been a consistent theme for Real Salt Lake AZ, which join their U-15/16’s quest to win the Academy Championship as the last Real Salt Lake Academy teams training in Casa Grande, Ariz. U.S. U-17 midfielder Taylor Booth, who helped the USA qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, will continue to lead the RSL midfield’s charge.
• Real So Cal advances to the Knockout Round for the second straight year.
• Qualifying for the quarterfinals along with their U-15/16 counterparts, Seattle Sounders FC advance from a very difficult Group C that included 2015-2016 Academy Champions FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls and Beachside Soccer Club.
• Texans SC Houston are one of only two teams in the Academy Playoffs to win all three games and advance to the quarterfinals after an impressive run through Group D.

Quarterfinal winners from both age groups advance to the Academy Championships set to take place at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif., beginning Friday, July 14. Championship games are scheduled for Sunday, July 16.