U.S. Soccer Boys Development Academy 2018 Semifinals Recap

Four teams earned semifinal victories on Sunday in the U.S. Soccer Boys Development Academy U-16/17 and U-18/19 age groups, securing their places in Tuesday’s championship matches at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City.

Atlanta United FC has reached its second straight Development Academy final, following a 3-2 victory over Montreal Impact in the first U-16/17 semifinal. A penalty kick earned and converted by substitute Jordan Matthews in stoppage time provided Atlanta with a thrilling game-winner, breaking a 2-2 deadlock. [+Match Recap]

"I believed. And so did my team."

Wasswa Robbins breaks down @AcademyATLUTD's U-16/17 semifinal win. Recap » https://t.co/JcvR52EZE0 pic.twitter.com/jK4Un1YAAd

— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) July 9, 2018

Seattle Sounders FC U-16/17 will meet Atlanta United in Tuesday’s title match, after securing a 4-1 win over Barca Academy. The Northwest Division champs netted three second half goals after heading into the intermission tied at 1-1. Four different players – Alec Diaz, Blake Malone, Marlon Vargas and Alfonso Ocampo Chavez – found the net for Seattle in the lopsided victory. [+Match Recap]

New York City FC Academy claimed its spot in the U-18/19 final with a hard-fought 1-0 result against Crew SC Academy. Justin Haak netted the lone goal off a corner kick sent in by James Sands in the 84th minute, providing more late heroics on an exciting day of semifinal matches in Kansas City. [+Match Recap]

Another MLS academy, LA Galaxy, earned its way into the U-18/19 final with a 2-0 shutout of Vancouver Whitecaps. U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team midfielder Alex Mendez netted the game-winner on a free kick in extra time, vaulting LA into the title match for a second straight year. The Galaxy found the net twice in extra time following a scoreless 90 minutes of regulation. [+Match Recap]

On cloud nine! @LAGalaxyAcademy's extra time win has Alex Mendez feeling extra confident about Tuesday's final vs. @NYCFC. ? pic.twitter.com/fBvddL2ZKJ

— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) July 9, 2018

WATCH LIVE: 2018 Development Academy Championships

U-16/17 SEMIFINALS RESULTS
July 8, 2018

Atlanta United FC 3, Montreal Impact 2
Seattle Sounders FC 4, Barca Academy 1

U-16/17 FINAL
July 10, 2018 | 5:00 p.m. CT

Atlanta United FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC

U-18/19 SEMIFINALS RESULTS
July 8, 2018

New York City FC 1, Crew SC Academy 0
LA Galaxy 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 0

U-18/19 FINAL
July 10, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. CT

New York City FC vs. LA Galaxy