Both the U-16 and U-18 Sounders Academy squads wrapped up their 2016-17 USSDA regular season campaigns last week with a pair of matches against Vancouver Whitecaps. The young Sounders split results with their Cascadia rivals and have qualified for the upcoming Academy playoffs.
Recent Results
U-18
- Sounders FC 1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 0 (5/31/17)
U-16
- Sounders FC 0 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (5/31/17)
U-15
- Sounders FC 5 at San Francisco Elite Academy U-17 1 (5/27/17)
- Sounders FC 4 at Portland Timbers 1 (5/28/17)
- Sounders FC 3 vs. San Joaquin Valley U-17 0 (6/3/17)
U-14
- Sounders FC 3 vs. Manchester City 2 (5/25/17)
- Sounders FC 5 vs. Pateadores 0 (5/26/17)
- Sounders FC 4 vs. Club America 4, 6-5 loss on PKs (5/28/17)
- Sounders FC 2 vs. Tottenham Hotspur 2. 5-3 win on PKs (5/29/17)
In early April, the U-18s faced off against in-state rivals Crossfire Premier and suffered a heartbreaking defeat by surrendering a goal in the 91st-minute set piece. After dropping three points in dramatic fashion, the Rave Green found themselves outside the playoff spots, leaving qualification in jeopardy. Since that disappointing defeat, the young Sounders have gone ten straight matches unbeaten, culminating in consecutive shutout victories over Crossfire and division-leading Vancouver Whitecaps the last two weeks.
With automatic qualification for the playoffs on the line, Sakari Carter (U-16) and center-back partner Jackson Ragan led a resilient defensive effort. On the rare occasions when the Whitecaps normally potent attackers managed to break through, goalkeeper Trey Muse was on hand to produce several stunning 1v1 saves to preserve the clean sheet.
The match looked like it would end in a 0-0 draw until midfielder Jamie Dimitroff broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute with a perfectly-struck free kick from 20-yards out that arrowed into the top corner.
The U-15s wrapped up Far West Regional League play back in the Fall. In search of meaningful matches to further player development, the squad participated in a tournament featuring elite Academy sides. With several months of intensive training and strategic ‘friendly’ matches under Head Coach Michael Morris, the young Sounders didn’t miss a beat and dismantled both sides they faced.
In the first match against San Francisco Elite Academy, the Rave Green shipped five goals past the opponent in an exciting affair. Tied 1-1 at the interval, second-half substitute Camilo Santiago flipped the match on its head with a pair of goals shortly after coming on. Fellow substitutes Jesus Jeronimo and Sam Catherall rounded out the score sheet.
With a win over SF Elite in the bag, the young Sounders wrapped up a successful weekend with a huge 4-1 win over bitter rival Portland Timbers. In the 34th minute, midfielder Brady Minor drove to the byline and pulled the ball back to Jourdan Furukawa, and the No. 9 rifled a first-time shot from outside the 18-yard box that flew into the top corner. Winger Marlon Vargas handed Seattle the lead with a composed finish just ten minutes later, while second-half strikes from Furukawa and Santiago ensured a comfortable victory.
Upcoming Matches
June 10
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. Seattle United U-18 (2:00 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
Moving On Up
The U-18s’ renaissance in recent months has been spurred on, in part, by the promotion of several players from the U-16 squad, namely center back Sakari Carter. A tough, physical presence, Carter has played every single minute of the unbeaten run for the U-18s, garnering a stellar 0.6 goals-against-average.
Standout Performers
Camilo Santiago, U-15, is in a rich vein of form. The crafty attacker was rewarded for his three goals against SF Elite and Portland Timbers with his first appearance for the U-18s in the win over Whitecaps. Buoyed by his call-up, Santiago pitched in a goal and an assist in the U-15s 3-0 friendly win over San Joaquin Valley at the weekend.
One To Watch
Goalkeeper Trey Muse earned man-of-the-match honors in his final appearance for Sounders Academy against Vancouver. The United States U-18 Men’s National Team starter, who trained regularly for the first team and S2 in recent months, has joined up with the Indiana University Men’s Soccer for preseason ahead of his Freshman campaign.
