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En Route: MLS academies highlight U-16 Finals Week
Los Angeles Galaxy, RSL-AZ, and Seattle Sounders vie for national title.
Jul 5, 2011 12:05:00 PM
By J.R. Eskilson
J.R. Eskilson
Last July, Victor Pineda led Chicago Fire U-16 to the first Development Academy championship for an MLS program. The midfielder was rewarded shortly after the event with a professional contract with the Fire’s full team and a few call-ups to the U.S. U-18 national team.
With a trio of MLS academies qualifying for the event this year, the attention to turns to whether another Pineda will emerge from the event. Or will one of the non-MLS Development Academies steal the show?
Here is a breakdown of the eight teams left and some of the difference makers for each side:
Group 1
Dallas Texans (11-6-8)
Texans knocked off #2 overall seed Concorde Fire on the first day of playoffs two weeks ago at Pizza Hut Park. The local squad finished off the group with a draw against Albertson and a commanding victory against Vardar to seal a place at Finals Week. The Dallas club is one of two to send both age groups to Finals Week this year, which speaks to the strength of the club in continuously producing top-notch talent.
Notable players: Vernon ‘Bubba’ Bailey, James ‘Brody’ Hickey, Andre Reyes
Los Angeles Galaxy (23-5-3)
“We finally have everybody,” head coach Kenny Arena told Goal.com after the final weekend of the regular season play for the MLS academy. Arena was referring to the point that Galaxy had been shuffling younger players up to the U-18 team throughout the season. With his first-choice players back on the age appropriate team, Arena’s side has rattled off six wins in the last seven games. As one of the most complete teams in all of the Development Academy, this team is full of potential future professional players.
Notable players: Justin Dhillon, Eric Gonzalez, Willie Raygoza
Real So Cal (17-7-7)
Real So Cal had some rough stretches this season including a month-long losing streak, but it all pales in comparison to the events the team had to deal with off the field. In late April, Real So Cal lost a player on the team, Alex Romero, to a tragic hit and run accident. Team captain Brandon Vincent told U.S. Soccer last week that the players were using Romero’s memory as motivation to keep this season alive. With no local teams at the event, Real So Cal could emerge as the neutral favorite, as they look to extend an unforgettable post-season run.
Notable players: Daniel Dannas, Steve Manios, Brandon Vincent
Seattle Sounders (21-3-4)
Sounders had their welcome to the Development Academy moment on October 23 at the Home Depot Center. LA Galaxy handily defeated the new team in the league 3-0, but Seattle would benefit more from the result in the long run. The green-clad boys went undefeated on the road for the rest of the season and enter Finals Week as the top seeded team in Group 1. With a fluid attack and knack for long-range goals, Sounders offense is dynamic and constantly challenging even for the best defenses.
Notable players: Jacob Beck, Jesse Klug, Austin Sweeney
Group 2:
CASL Chelsea FC Academy (18-6-4)
Led by newly minted UNC head coach Carlos Somoano, CASL U-16 go into Finals Week looking to improve on last year’s seventh place finish. Highlighted by an impressive defense, CASL will prove to be a difficult team for any of its opponents to break down on the fields in Milwaukee. The club from North Carolina also joins Dallas Texans as the other club to send both age groups to Finals Week this year.
Notable players: Fernando Castellanos, Eric O’Brien, Alexander Olofson
North Carolina Fusion (17-5-6)
After losing the first game of the playoffs last week, the pressure was on the Fusion to win out for a chance to keep its season alive. Head coach Chris Little’s side responded with two wins against difficult competition and clinched a spot at Finals Week. Now at the big stage, Fusion will take on rival CASL in group play for what could amount to more than state bragging rights. Fusion won the first meeting this season and the two teams drew 2-2 in the rematch later in the year.
Notable players: Warren Marshall, Adam Storm, Marco Sunol
PA Classics (19-7-4)
The Philadelphia Union affiliate is led by 2010 U-18 Development Academy Coach of the Year Stephen Klein. The award-winning tactician’s side went undefeated at the playoffs with two wins and a draw to see its path to Finals Week. However, it was not easy. Classics trailed late in the final playoff game against North Meck, but strikes from Connor Maloney and Christian Kaschak in the final four minutes overcame the deficit and won the group.
Notable players: Brent Arnold, Zachary Herstek, Christian Kaschak
RSL-AZ (18-8-5)
Real Salt Lake’s residential academy has shown well in its debut season in the Development Academy. The Arizona club clinched the second automatic berth from the So-Cal Division to enter the playoffs, and ended that event with a resounding plus ten-goal differential to keep the season alive. That high-octane offense will face a daunting challenge against stiff defenses in Group 2 at Finals Week.
Notable players: Isaias Juarez, Dylan Kelly, Ben Spencer
Play starts on Sunday for the U-16 age bracket at Finals Week. Make sure to check back with Goal.com throughout the week to keep up with the latest from Milwaukee.
Follow J.R. ESKILSON on
With a trio of MLS academies qualifying for the event this year, the attention to turns to whether another Pineda will emerge from the event. Or will one of the non-MLS Development Academies steal the show?
Here is a breakdown of the eight teams left and some of the difference makers for each side:
Group 1
Dallas Texans (11-6-8)
Texans knocked off #2 overall seed Concorde Fire on the first day of playoffs two weeks ago at Pizza Hut Park. The local squad finished off the group with a draw against Albertson and a commanding victory against Vardar to seal a place at Finals Week. The Dallas club is one of two to send both age groups to Finals Week this year, which speaks to the strength of the club in continuously producing top-notch talent.
Notable players: Vernon ‘Bubba’ Bailey, James ‘Brody’ Hickey, Andre Reyes
Los Angeles Galaxy (23-5-3)
“We finally have everybody,” head coach Kenny Arena told Goal.com after the final weekend of the regular season play for the MLS academy. Arena was referring to the point that Galaxy had been shuffling younger players up to the U-18 team throughout the season. With his first-choice players back on the age appropriate team, Arena’s side has rattled off six wins in the last seven games. As one of the most complete teams in all of the Development Academy, this team is full of potential future professional players.
Notable players: Justin Dhillon, Eric Gonzalez, Willie Raygoza
Real So Cal (17-7-7)
Real So Cal had some rough stretches this season including a month-long losing streak, but it all pales in comparison to the events the team had to deal with off the field. In late April, Real So Cal lost a player on the team, Alex Romero, to a tragic hit and run accident. Team captain Brandon Vincent told U.S. Soccer last week that the players were using Romero’s memory as motivation to keep this season alive. With no local teams at the event, Real So Cal could emerge as the neutral favorite, as they look to extend an unforgettable post-season run.
Notable players: Daniel Dannas, Steve Manios, Brandon Vincent
Seattle Sounders (21-3-4)
Sounders had their welcome to the Development Academy moment on October 23 at the Home Depot Center. LA Galaxy handily defeated the new team in the league 3-0, but Seattle would benefit more from the result in the long run. The green-clad boys went undefeated on the road for the rest of the season and enter Finals Week as the top seeded team in Group 1. With a fluid attack and knack for long-range goals, Sounders offense is dynamic and constantly challenging even for the best defenses.
Notable players: Jacob Beck, Jesse Klug, Austin Sweeney
Group 2:
CASL Chelsea FC Academy (18-6-4)
Led by newly minted UNC head coach Carlos Somoano, CASL U-16 go into Finals Week looking to improve on last year’s seventh place finish. Highlighted by an impressive defense, CASL will prove to be a difficult team for any of its opponents to break down on the fields in Milwaukee. The club from North Carolina also joins Dallas Texans as the other club to send both age groups to Finals Week this year.
Notable players: Fernando Castellanos, Eric O’Brien, Alexander Olofson
North Carolina Fusion (17-5-6)
After losing the first game of the playoffs last week, the pressure was on the Fusion to win out for a chance to keep its season alive. Head coach Chris Little’s side responded with two wins against difficult competition and clinched a spot at Finals Week. Now at the big stage, Fusion will take on rival CASL in group play for what could amount to more than state bragging rights. Fusion won the first meeting this season and the two teams drew 2-2 in the rematch later in the year.
Notable players: Warren Marshall, Adam Storm, Marco Sunol
PA Classics (19-7-4)
The Philadelphia Union affiliate is led by 2010 U-18 Development Academy Coach of the Year Stephen Klein. The award-winning tactician’s side went undefeated at the playoffs with two wins and a draw to see its path to Finals Week. However, it was not easy. Classics trailed late in the final playoff game against North Meck, but strikes from Connor Maloney and Christian Kaschak in the final four minutes overcame the deficit and won the group.
Notable players: Brent Arnold, Zachary Herstek, Christian Kaschak
RSL-AZ (18-8-5)
Real Salt Lake’s residential academy has shown well in its debut season in the Development Academy. The Arizona club clinched the second automatic berth from the So-Cal Division to enter the playoffs, and ended that event with a resounding plus ten-goal differential to keep the season alive. That high-octane offense will face a daunting challenge against stiff defenses in Group 2 at Finals Week.
Notable players: Isaias Juarez, Dylan Kelly, Ben Spencer
Play starts on Sunday for the U-16 age bracket at Finals Week. Make sure to check back with Goal.com throughout the week to keep up with the latest from Milwaukee.
Follow J.R. ESKILSON on
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