All three Sounders Academy USSDA squads return to league action this weekend with a slate of home matches against Sacramento Republic. And after spending the last two weeks participating in preseason with the First Team, the quartet of Azriel Gonzalez, Dylan Teves, Ray Serrano and Khai Brisco will all be available for selection.
With no matches last weekend, the young Sounders have spent the last couple of weeks scouting Sacramento Republic, an academy for its expansive attacking philosophy, and devising individualized strategies for their matches. The Sounders Academy squads, all ranked in the USSDA Top 10 nationally, enter the weekend feeling well prepared and focused on executing their tactical gameplans.
Saturday will also mark the first match for Michael Morris, who spent the last two years in charge of the U-16s, as the new Head Coach for the U-19 squad, taking over for Wade Webber, who was recently appointed as the assistant coach for Sounders FC 2.
February 10
Sounders FC U-15 vs. Sacramento Republic U-15 | 10:00 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports Field 11
Sounders FC U-17 vs. Sacramento Republic U-17 | 12:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports Field 11
Sounders FC U-19 vs. Sacramento Republic U-19 | 3:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports Field 11
Here are three things to watch for in Saturday’s matches.
Build from the Back
“We’ve been working on establishing possession and build-out play. [Goalkeeper] Sam Fowler, another one of our guys who has been involved with S2 and the First Team, will initiate how we build from the back. So not only is he important as a shot-stopper, but his ability to be the first line in our attack is crucial.” -- U-19 Head Coach Michael Morris
If You’re Good Enough, You’re Old Enough
Midfielder Danny Leyva, 14, will play for the U-17s against Sacramento on Saturday. Leyva, a creative box-to-box midfielder, has earned time with the older squad after a series of dominant performances with the U-15s and a strong display at the USYNT Summit Camp.
New Signing for the U-15s
“We just signed Juan Alveraz, a 2004 from Pac NW, who was part of our SDP program. He was at the 2004 National Team camp and he was definitely ready to come in full-time with Sounders Academy. He’s a left-footed No. 10, and he’ll get his first start as an attacking midfielder this weekend.” -- U-15 Head Coach Sean Henderson
