U.S. Soccer Development Academy end-of-season awards announced

CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – With the 2015-16 season coming to a close this past weekend, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy named its conference award winners for Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Additional accolades include a Starting XI for each conference at each age group, as well as a club Community award and an administrative award.

Emanuel Perez was named Player of the Year in the East Conference for the Under-15/16s after his superb season with Capital Area RailHawks Academy – CASL. Perez, a wide midfielder, was his team’s leader in creating goal-scoring chances, and he was called into one Youth National Team camp during the 2015-16 season.

Colorado Rush’s Griffin Dorsey won the award in the Central Conference for the 2015-16 campaign, a year that saw him called up to five YNT camps. The forward split time at the U-15/16 and U-17/18 age groups and was a regular goal-scoring threat, slotting home 14 goals on the season.

+Read: FC Dallas Academy tops LA Galaxy 2-0 to win USSDA U-15/16 title

Andrew Paoli from San Jose Earthquakes was named the Conference Player of the Year in the West and was also a regular with the U-18 Youth National Team (4 call-ups). Paoli played as a defensive midfielder for San Jose, consistently controlling the midfield while adding four goals on the season.

For the U-15/16 Coach of the Year honors, Victor Pastora (Weston FC, USSF “A” & Academy Director’s License) was the winner in the East Conference.

Paul Holocher (San Jose Earthquakes, USSF “B” License) earned the award in the West.

David Richardson (Sockers FC, USSF “A” & Academy Director’s License) was the COY recipient in the Central Conference – his third such honor (2008-09, 2013-14).

For the Under-17/18s, the Players of the Year were Isaiah Young of Players Development Academy in the East, Elijah Rice with Real Salt Lake AZ in the West, and Weston McKennie from FC Dallas in the Central. Young had a phenomenal season for PDA as a primary attacking threat, scoring 14 goals on the season, leading PDA to a third-place finish, and being called into four Youth National Team camps. Rice proved to be one of the most potent goal scorers in the country, netting 27 goals during RSL AZ’s 2015-16 campaign. McKennie, a goal scorer in last year’s final, was again vital for FC Dallas’ championship season. The central midfielder and YNT regular (6 call-ups in 2015-16) scored 12 goals during the regular season and recently signed a professional contract with Germany’s FC Schalke 04.

John Bradford (Capital Area RailHawks Academy – CASL, USSF “A” License) was the Coach of the Year in the East, with Lars Richter (Crew SC Academy Wolves, USSF “A” License) and Benjamin Ziemer (Sacramento Republic FC, USSF “A” License) winning the award in the Central and West, respectively.

In the Under-13/14 age group, the Development Academy awards are solely focused on the Coach of the Year award. Christian Gonzalez (New York Soccer Club, USSF “A” License) took home honors in the East Conference, with Chris Hayden (FC Dallas, USSF Academy Director’s License) and Jimmy Nordberg (FC Golden State, USSF “A” License) garnering the honors in the Central and West Conferences, respectively.

+Read: FC Dallas Academy U-17/18s win USSDA National Championship

The Community Award is given to clubs that serve as leaders in their community, are a resource to smaller nearby clubs, develop cooperative relationships with clubs in their market, and embrace the Academy philosophy. The Community Award winners were Jacksonville FC (East), St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro (Central), and Merced Atlas Soccer Academy (West).

The Administration award recognizes the individual that supports the coaching and leadership staff in all non-technical aspects and plays an integral role in the improving the player experience. These individuals are the main contact for communication with the Development Academy office and embrace the Academy standards and expectations. The winners of this year’s Administrators of the Year were Dion Daniels (IMG Academy, East Conference), Karen Read (Vardar, Central Conference), and Gary Whitehouse (Crossfire Premier, West Conference).

The following is a list of all award winners, including the Starting XI for each conference and age division.

Under-13/14 (2000-01) Awards

East
COACH OF THE YEAR: Christian Gonzalez (New York Soccer Club)

Central
COACH OF THE YEAR: Chris Hayden (FC Dallas)

West
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jimmy Nordberg (FC Golden State)

Under-15/16 (1998-99) Awards

East Conference
GOALKEEPER: Trey Miller (New England Revolution)
DEFENDERS: Wilhelm Jacques (FC Boston Bolts), Rayshaun McGann (Philadelphia Union), Jake Morris (Weston FC), Jake Walker (Weston FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Raul Aguilera (Orlando City SC), Josue Monge (Philadelphia Union), Jose Carranza (D.C. United)
FORWARDS: Emanuel Perez (Capital Area RailHawks – CASL), Simon Becher (Oakwood SC), Justin Rennicks (New England Revolution)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Emanuel Perez (Capital Area RailHawks – CASL)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Victor Pastora (Weston FC)

Central Conference
GOALKEEPER: Alex Fetterly (Texas Rush)
DEFENDERS: Griffin DeBolt (Crew SC Academy), Jose Bencomo (Colorado Rapids), Aedan Stanley (St. Louis Scott Gallagher-Missouri), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS: Damen Marcu (Real Colorado), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas), Brandon Servania (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS: Griffin Dorsey (Colorado Rush), Rhys De Sota (Real Colorado), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Griffin Dorsey (Colorado Rush)
COACH OF THE YEAR: David Richardson (Sockers FC)

West Conference
GOALKEEPER: Trey Muse (Seattle Sounders FC)
DEFENDERS: Christopher Grey (San Jose Earthquakes), Jake Arteaga (LA Galaxy), Carson Vom Steeg (Real So Cal), Glademir Mendoza (Real Salt Lake AZ)
MIDFIELDERS: Andrew Paoli (San Jose Earthquakes), Christian Soto Rincon (Crossfire Premier), Jonathan Estrada (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS: Kyle Holcomb (Pateadores), Kevin Negrete (LA Galaxy), Arda Bulut (San Jose Earthquakes)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Andrew Paoli (San Jose Earthquakes)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Paul Holocher (San Jose Earthquakes)

Under-17/18 (1996-97) Awards

East Conference
GOALKEEPER: Andrew Verdi (Philadelphia Union)
DEFENDERS: Sean O’Hearn (PA Classics), Benjamin Issroff (BW Gottschee Academy), Dylan Chain (Capital Area RailHawks – CASL), Jeremy Kelly (Capital Area RailHawks – CASL)
MIDFIELDERS: Conor McGlynn (BW Gottschee Academy), Danny Griffin (Oakwood SC), Abdulkadir Haji (Seacoast United)
FORWARDS: Isaiah Young (Players Development Academy), Patrick Okonkwo (Georgia United), John Denis (Beachside SC)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Isaiah Young (Players Development Academy)
COACH OF THE YEAR: John Bradford (Capital Area RailHawks – CASL)

Central Conference
GOALKEEPER: Ben Hale (FC Dallas)
DEFENDERS: Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire), Hector Montalvo (FC Dallas), Reginald Cannon (FC Dallas), Spencer Glass (Indiana Fire)
MIDFIELDERS: Suniel Veerakone (Crew SC Academy Wolves), Djordje Mihalovic (Chicago Fire), Weston McKennie (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS: Brandon Guhl (Texas Rush), Devin Vega (FC Dallas), Emmanuel Sabbi (Chicago Magic PSG)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Weston McKennie (FC Dallas)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Lars Richter (Crew SC Academy Wolves)

West Conference
GOALKEEPER: Cameron Douglas (Sacramento Republic FC)
DEFENDERS: Nabilai Kibunguchy (Sacramento Republic FC), Marco Farfan (Portland Timbers), Alex Knox (Real Salt Lake AZ), Erick Gallinar (LA Galaxy)
MIDFIELDERS: AJ Vergara (LA Galaxy), Alec Felix (Real Salt Lake AZ), Handwalla Bwana (Seattle Sounders FC)
FORWARDS: Ethan Zubak (LA Galaxy), Augustine Williams (Nomads SC), Elijah Rice (Real Salt Lake AZ)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Elijah Rice (Real Salt Lake AZ)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Benjamin Ziemer (Real Salt Lake AZ)

Club Awards

Community Awards

Administrator of the Year