Recent Results
U-18
Sounders FC 3 vs. Football Federation Australian National Training Centre – Canberra U-17 2 (10/12/15)
Sounders FC 2 vs. S2 4 (10/17/15)
U-16
Sounders FC 4 vs. Real Salt Lake 5 (10/9/15)
Sounders FC 2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 2, LA win 5-4 on PKs (10/11/15)
Sounders FC 1 vs. Portland Timbers FC 3 (10/12/15)
Upcoming Matches
October 24th
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. Washington Premier FC U-16 (9:00 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-14 vs. Washington Premier FC U-15 (11:00 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-18 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 (1:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-16 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 (4:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
While the U-16 squad participated in the first round of qualifying for the Generation Adidas Cup, the U-18’s used their time off to prepare for the return of USSDA league play. After an intensive week of training, the eldest Sounders Academy side played a pair of scrimmages against Football Federation Australian National Training Centre – Canberra and Sounders FC 2. The coaching staff used these matches as an opportunity to rotate the squad, as well as help build match fitness before a crucial match against Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps.
Striker Malik Cooper headlined an excellent team performance against Canberra in the first match. With Cooper leading the line, the U-18’s took a 1-0 lead against their Oceana opposition. Every time the Australians pegged one back, the Sounders responded well and found another goal. Against a team that kept the ball and looked to break them down, the Rave Green stayed organized and dictated the tempo of the game.
Cooper continued his good run of form in a scrimmage against S2. Midfielder Harrison Kurtz struck the crossbar with a rasping shot, and Cooper was on hand to fire home the rebound. A strong performance in the first half saw the Academy side take a 1-0 into halftime against their older counterparts. The U-18’s had goalkeeper Tor Saunders to thank for their lead at the interval, as the shot-stopper produced a series of phenomenal saves to maintain the clean sheet. S2 would end up winning 4-2, with U-18 midfielder Burke Furling provided the second goal as the Sounders look to take this momentum into their match against Vancouver at the weekend.
COACH’S TAKE
“With the match against S2 it was great to play against a team that was bigger, faster and stronger. It was a good opportunity for the boys to learn from the pros.”- Sounders FC U-18 Head Coach Dick McCormick.
MOVING ON UP
Nicholas Hinds made his return to the Academy after a spell with the USMNT U-20’s in Germany. Hinds lined up alongside Sounders FC Homegrown player Victor Mansaray in the starting XI for the first match against Germany.
LOOKING FORWARD
The U-16 and U-18 teams return to USSDA league play this weekend with matches against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Both sides demonstrated their offensive firepower over the past couple of weeks, and will look to take that momentum into their matches against their rivals from north of the border.
