Mixed weekend for D.C.-area Dev. Academy teams
By Jimmy LaRoue
Baltimore Bays Chelsea’s Under-16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team lost its first two division games of the season last weekend, falling 2-0 to NJSA 04 and 3-2 to Match Fit Chelsea.
However, Bays Chelsea’s U-18 academy side picked up a 2-0 win over NJSA 04 Saturday, getting two goals in the 90th minute from Michael Gamble and Ishmaiah Calwrie, and played to a scoreless tie with Match Fit Chelsea.
D.C. United’s academy sides had better success over the weekend, going 3-0-1 against the same two clubs.
United’s U-16s won both matches, picking up a 1-0 win over Match Fit Chelsea on a goal from Jimmy Doll in the 73rd minute, heading in a long throw-in from Christian Kershaw. United played the last 30 minutes down a man after Lars Eckenrode received a red card.
Continuing the strong play over the weekend, the U-16s scored a 3-0 win over NJSA 04 Sunday. Michael Seaton scored first after a clearance from Dolu Oyewole. Seaton had the assist on United’s second goal, while Chike Nwakezeapu scored United’s third in the second half.
The wins put United’s U-16s atop the Mid-Atlantic Division standings.
“We were extremely happy with the mentality of the group in both matches,” United U-16 coach Tom Torres told the club’s website. “They could have crumbled in the first [match] going down a man, but instead played some of their finest soccer. In the second, they started and finished with the right mindset to have another solid performance versus a quality NJSA side. They have earned a break this weekend, but will have to regain their focus shortly to finish the season positively.”
The U-18s played a scoreless tie against Match Fit Chelsea Saturday, and then pitched another shutout Sunday in a 2-0 win over NJSA 04. In their first match with the U-18s, U-16 players Michael Sauers and Josh Golob had strong showings, with Sauers scoring United’s first goal against NJSA 04 on a penalty. Midfielder Kevin Jimenez scored United’s second goal on a 25-yard volley.
“Although the U-18’s strong play didn’t lead to maximum points this weekend, we are pleased with many aspects of the team’s performance and particularly impressed with U-16 players, [Michael] Sauers and [Josh] Golob,” United U-18 Head Coach Nolan Sheldon said in a club press release. “It is always gratifying when we see players play up within the Academy system and still make a strong impact on the match. It is a testament to our commitment to individual player development.”
Potomac’s U-16s and U-18s went winless on the weekend, falling to both PA Classics and FC Delco.
[ +Development Academy schedule/results ]
[ +U-16 Standings ]
[ +U-18 Standings ]
