U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Conference Recap: Week 13
Among several clubs to finish out the USSDA’s first half of the season on a high note this weekend was D.C. United Academy, which saw its U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 squads each earn wins over Richmond United.
Match Recaps
U13/14
D.C. United 5, Richmond United 0
Behind a hat trick from Kyle Davis and two scores from Iker Bustamante, D.C. United cruised to its third straight win Saturday afternoon. Bustamante opened the scoring in the 20th minute, while Davis added two goals later in the period to give D.C. United a comfortable advantage at intermission. The duo produced the lone offensive production in the second half, too, as D.C. United handed Richmond United its fifth loss of the year.
U15/16
Philadelphia Union 6, Continental FC DELCO 1
Philadelphia Union, which entered this match-up as one of the stingiest back lines in the Eastern Conference, endured an offensive explosion Saturday at YSC Sports in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Issa Rayyan and Byron Josue Monge scored in the 17th and 20th minute, respectively, helping the Union surge to the early advantage. And while James Simpson scored just the 10th goal in 12 games against the Union in the 30th minute, Justin McMaster and Rayyan found the back netting before halftime to put Continental FC DELCO in a 4-1 hole. Kalil ElMedkhar, meanwhile, provided picked up the scoring load in the second half — he scored in the 58th and 70th minute — after coming on late in the opening period.
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D.C. United 3, Richmond United 2
In a game that featured four first-half goals, D.C. United defeated Richmond United using Gareth Greene’s strike in the 80th minute. Richmond United went up a goal twice in the first half but couldn’t hold the lead. Colin Brezniak answered Martin Ngoh’s goal to give Richmond United the lead in the second minute, and Nelson Blanco did the same in response to Randy Jr. Arnold’s tally. The contest was scoreless for nearly the next 40 minutes until Greene put home what proved to be the game-winner.
U17/18
D.C. United 2, Richmond United 1
While D.C. United entered Saturday’s match leading the Atlantic Division in goals, it couldn’t break through Richmond’s defensive third for much of the match. But coach Tom Torres’ team kept attacking and eventually drew even with Lucas Mendes’ goal in the 76th minute. Reserve Avionne Flanagan who entered in the second half, scored two minutes later in the eventual one-goal victory.
[player_box id=43830 leftright=right]“We had several opportunities, but the goals were really good quality combinations,” Torres said. “So not that we didn’t have chances before, but I think that we just had enough chances that one was bound to go in.”
Richmond started this contest on the front foot, as Travis Cooke put his team on the board in the 16th minute.
[player_box id=56438 leftright=right]Torres said the goal occurred largely because his team allowed Richmond United to switch the point of attack to the weak side. Goalkeeper Lance DaSilva got his hand on the shot — it headed toward the back post after a cross into the box — but couldn’t avoid the ball from piercing the back netting.
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[player_box id=43228 leftright=right]D.C. United, which entered the game 7-2-3, entered intermission in a hole. Torres said his team had plenty of scoring chances, but it wasn’t until he made a lineup adjustment that his team began clicking offensively.
After the break, Torres inserted Flanagan and Carson Jeffris, both of whom Torres said provided a spark working with Mendes and midfielder Jose Carranza. The offensive unit broke through for two goals late to earn the win, which moves D.C. United into third place in the division standings.
D.C. United has displayed an explosive attack throughout the first half of the season, but Torres said his team needs to be more efficient in the offensive third. He expects their 2.62 goals per game average to increase moving forward.
“We’re leaving a lot of goals out there,” Torres said. “Goalkeepers are making saves or we’re missing the target or we’re hitting the post. That’s been kind of the story of the fall for us. We’ve haven’t been scoring as much as we’d like to.”
Chargers Soccer Club 1, Charlotte Soccer Academy 1
While Chargers Soccer Club entered this weekend at with eight wins in 10 matches, it returned home from its two-game road trip with a pair of draws, the second of which came Sunday morning against Charlotte Soccer Academy. Chargers Soccer Club couldn’t replicate the type of offensive success they’ve had this season, as Robert McCoy scored the lone goal this weekend in the 10th minute. The scoring woes put Chargers Soccer club in a tight match, but it seemed it’d still pull ou the win. That was until Oliver Leo found the back netting in the 85 minute, though, securing Chargers Soccer Club’s second straight winless result.
Other Match-Ups
U13/14
Metro Division
Philadelphia Union 5, Continental FC DELCO 1
North Atlantic Division
Prince William Courage 3, Lehigh Valley United 2
D.C. United 5, Richmond United 0
Northeast Division
No games
South Atlantic Division
South Carolina Battery Academy 3, Concorde Fire 1
Sunshine Division
IMG Academy @ Orlando City SC
Tampa Bay United 4, Kendall SC 2
Chargers Soccer Club 0, Jacksonville FC 0
U15/16
Atlantic Division
Philadelphia Union 6, Continental FC DELCO 1
D.C. United 3, Richmond United 2
Northeast Division
Baltimore Armour @ Everton FC Westchester
Southeast Division
Boca United Football 4, Kendall SC 1
Carolina Rapids 2, Chargers Soccer Club 1
IMG Academy @ Charlotte Soccer Academy
South Carolina Battery Academy 3, Concorde Fire 1
IMG Academy @ Carolina Rapids
Chargers Soccer Club @ Charlotte Soccer Academy
U17/18
Atlantic Division
Continental FC DELCO 1, Philadelphia Union 1
Northeast Division
Everton FC Westchester 5, Baltimore Armour 2
Southeast Division
Kendall SC 10, Boca United Football 1
Chargers Soccer Club 0, Carolina Rapids 0
Charlotte Soccer Academy 3, IMG Academy 1
South Carolina Battery Academy 1, Concorde Fire 1
IMG Academy @ Carolina Rapids
