Soccer News: Intense Matchups Kick-Off Youth Soccer National League
The 2014-15 US Youth Soccer National League Boys season is in full swing after two days of play at the Gillette Athletic Complex and Rocky Mount Sports Complex in North Carolina. The season is shaping up to be a long fight for the divisional titles and automatic entries to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, and Saturday’s games should play a big role in separating some teams in the standings.
Just 11 teams have managed to record wins in each of their first two games, and half of the 10 divisions have ties at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, just one of the four defending US Youth Soccer National Champions — U17 Baltimore Celtic 97/98 (MD) — remains undefeated, as the Maryland side has earned a pair of one-goal victories.
In the U16 age group, defending US Youth Soccer Region II Champions Michigan Wolves 99 (MI) dropped a close 2-1 decision to Delaware Rush 98 (DE). Following a narrow defeat on Thursday, along with some one-goal losses at the 2014 National Championships, Delaware coach Andy Vanover said it was good to come out on top against one of the several strong opponents his team will face this season.
“It’s tremendous to get the win. After dropping yesterday’s game, coming back with the win today gets us in good spirits,” Vanover said. “The competition is extremely competitive. You want to play with some of the best teams across the country, and we’re honored to represent Delaware and our club here in the National League.”
Aside from the confidence and momentum that comes with the win, Vanover’s team secured an important three points in the standings. With many of the teams in the field being so evenly matched, the Rush coach stressed the significance of each positive result.
“Each game we want to get as many points as we possibly can because our goal is to finish in the top two to get to Nationals in Oklahoma in July,” Vanover said. “Every point along the way is a big deal.”
Highlights From Thursday’s Matches:
U14
In their first National League game, Loudoun 00 Red (VA) and Tampa Bay United (FL) provided some late excitement in their U14 Blue Division matchup. After a scoreless opening hour of play, Tampa Bay’s Philip Spengler struck twice to give his side a two-goal advantage with just five minutes to play. However, Loudoun responded with goals from Xavier Barreda and Mason Sergi in the final few minutes to force a 2-2 draw, as the teams each earned a point in the standings.
Another tight U14 Blue Division game saw BRYC 00 Elite (VA) and GSA 01 Premier (GA) play to a 1-1 tie. BRYC grabbed an 18th-minute lead when Elias Guevara sent a corner kick to the back post, where Nicholas Andersen headed it home. That advantage lasted until the 47th minute, when GSA equalized on a Liam Butts strike. Neither side managed to generate a winner in the final 20 minutes, as the teams settled for the opening-day draw.
Half of the teams in the U14 Red Division came away with victories. Baltimore Celtic Dynasty (MD), Sparta 01 JK (UT), SCU/MP 00 Elite (SC) and LFSC Geerling White (MO) each recorded two-goal wins, setting up some key games the rest of the week for teams to create separation in the standings.
U15
Arlington Eagles Red (VA) is off to an encouraging start after defeating Chicago Fire Raiders Elite (IL), 3-1, to begin Under-15 Red Division play. Matthew Leach opened the scoring in the 35th minute to give the Virginia side a 1-0 lead at half. Nelson Flores Blanco doubled Arlington’s advantage in the 51st minute, but Martin Lamas scored shortly after to pull Raiders within a goal. In the 76th minute, Flores Blanco hit a penalty kick off the inside of the right post and into the net to wrap up the 3-1 victory for Arlington.
A back-and-forth game in the U15 Blue Division resulted in a 2-1 win for Dallas Texans 00 Red (TX-N) over BRYC 99 Elite (VA). Just eight minutes into the game, Calum Sutherland put Dallas in front when he found the back of the net. Juan Benavides responded for BRYC in the 58th minute, as he beat the keeper to level the score. However, Aryan Bhatnagar registered a game-winner in the final minutes to help the Texans come away with the 2-1 victory.
U16
In the U16 Red Division, Albion SC White (CA-S) started strong with a 1-0 win over Solar Chelsea Red 99 (TX-N). Albion, which clinched a division title on the final day of last season, had its hands full with the Region III Champions, as each team was held in check during the first hour of play. However, Albion’s Alfred Barnes broke though in the 70th minute to help the Cal South side record the shutout victory and earn three points in the standings.
In the Under-16 Blue Division, SDFC Rangers (NJ) holds a narrow lead atop the standings thanks to a 2-0 win on Thursday. The New Jersey side’s victory came in the only game in the group to be decided by more than one goal.
U17
The defending National Champion, Baltimore Celtic 97/98 (MD), got off to a good start with a narrow 1-0 win against Dix Hills Elite (NY-E) in U17 Red Division action. Sean Clarke was able to put the Maryland side up in the 19th minute, as he broke through against a stout Dix Hills defense. The New York side, which didn’t allow a single goal last season en route to a division title, couldn’t find an equalizer Thursday against Baltimore, as Celtic hung on for the 1-0 win.
In an entertaining U17 Blue Division matchup, FC Alliance 98 Black (TN) and FC Golden State Platinum (CA-S) played to a 2-2 draw. Golden State controlled the first half and gained a two-goal advantage thanks to a pair of strikes from Anthony Lopez. It was a different story in the second half, as Lucas Altman pulled Alliance within one with a 61st minute goal. Damilola Omitaomu followed with a tally in the 70th minute that leveled the score, as the teams each earned a point with the tie.
U18
A couple of experienced sides matched up in U18 Red Division play, as FC Dallas 97 Premier (TX-N) held off Fullerton Rangers 96 White (CA-S) for a 2-1 win. Fullerton jumped ahead in the seventh minute on a Ronaldo Pineda goal, but Sergio Lara equalized for Dallas midway through the first half. After a Jose Benitez goal put Dallas in front, Fullerton created some dangerous chances as it pushed for an equalizer. Pineda had a pair of well-struck free kicks each ring off the post in the 78th and 80th minutes, and Dallas managed to come away with a hard-fought 2-1 win.
A 4-2 win in its first game has NASA 15 Elite (GA) atop the U18 Blue Division standings after a day of play. CUP Gold 96/97 (OH-S) and Century V (PA-W) also earned three points on Thursday, as they each posted 2-1 victories.
Highlights from Friday’s Matches:
U14
Two close wins have helped Downtown LVSC 01 Academy (NV) climb to the top of the U-14 Blue Division after two days of play. Region III Champion GSA 01 Premier (GA) is close behind after a 3-0 win on Friday, and each team in the division has at least one point after two games.
In the Under-14 Red Division, Baltimore Celtic Dynasty (MD) and SCU/MP 00 Elite (SC) have each recorded two wins in their first two games. Tomorrow’s results will be important, as Baltimore and SCU/MP meet on Sunday to wrap up play in North Carolina.
U15
After dropping its first game of the season, Sporting KC Academy (KS) responded in a big way with a win over CSA 00 Lobos Rush Premier (TN). Sporting KC came out firing, as Roman Knox, Mike Keon and Cameron Duke each scored in the opening 15 minutes. The Kansas side kept pushing and added a Braeden Vermillion tally before halftime to open up a big lead. Abdu Kikhia added a pair of second-half insurance goals to help Sporting KC to a 6-0 win that gets it back in the thick of the Under-15 Blue Division race.
In the U15 Red Division, Concorde Fire 99/00 (GA) has used strong defensive play to position itself near the top of the group after two days of play. The Georgia side has yet to concede a goal but couldn’t find the back of the net Friday against FRAM Lawson (CA-S), as the teams finished the game in a scoreless draw. The tie helps Concorde stay in a tie for second with four points in the standings, while FRAM will need a strong finish over the weekend to climb toward the top of the group.
U16
Delaware Rush 98 (DE) earned its first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Michigan Wolves 99 (MI) in U16 Red Division action. Delaware started quick and took a 10th-minute lead when Brady Simon found the back of the net. Michigan responded shortly after halftime, as Vladimir Zoksimovski received a pass behind the defense and calmly slid his shot inside the right post to tie the game. The Wolves’ keeper did well to deny a great Delaware scoring opportunity late in the contest. But on the ensuing corner kick, Gavin Ford hit a low shot through traffic that trickled over the goal line for the game-winner in Delaware’s 2-1 victory.
A 2-1 win over Loudoun 98 Red (VA) on Friday has Santa Clara Sporting 98 Green (CA-N) sitting just behind the leaders in the U16 Blue Division. The Virginia side jumped ahead in the fourth minute when Jacob Labovitz found the back of the net. Santa Clara responded in the 19th minute, as Raul Rangel beat the keeper for an equalizer. After a Santa Clara player was brought down in the box in the 77th minute, Victorino Bernal converted a penalty kick inside the right post to give the Cal North side the victory.
U17
A decisive second half performance by Dix Hills Elite (NY-E) helped it come away with a 3-0 win over Chicago Magic PSG Preacademy (IL). Both U17 Red Division teams exchanged chances in the first half — with Dix Hills hitting the post — but the game went to halftime scoreless. The New York side made sure to capitalize on its second-half chances, as James Contino and Christopher McAuliff each scored shortly after the break to give Dix Hills a 2-0 edge. Spencer Manus added a late insurance goal to help Dix Hills get on the winning track after a close loss on the first day of play.
An entertaining back-and-forth match in the U17 Blue Division resulted in a come-from-behind win for FC Golden State Platinum (CA-S) over Houstonians FC 98 Red (TX-S). The Cal South side jumped in front in the third minute on a Manuel Chavez strike, but Giovanni Sanchez came right back to equalize for Houstonians. The South Texas side added goals from Matthew Alvarenga and Elmer Nunez before Golden State’s Rene Collazos placed a free kick over the wall and past the diving keeper to cut the Houstonians’ lead to 3-2 at halftime. Golden State kept the momentum going and tied the game in the 56th minute on a Jesus Garcia tally, and Eduardo Sanchez followed with a game-winner in the final minutes to give Golden State a 4-3 victory.
U18
There is little separation in the U18 Blue Division, where Eastside FC 96 Red (WA) defeated CUP Gold 96/97 (OH-S), 2-1, on Friday. The Washington side grabbed an early lead when Logan Wood found the back of the net in the third minute. CUP responded with a strike from Luke Treadway to level the score, but Eastside immediately regained the lead thanks to a Jacob Tower goal just before halftime. Neither side managed to break through in the second half, as Eastside hung on to earn the three points with the win.
Classics Eagles 96/97 Red (OH-S) is near the top of the U18 Red Division standings after a 3-1 win Friday against KSC Academy 96/97 (DE). The Ohio side came out strong in the first half and went ahead in the 16th minute on a goal from Abdirizak Mohamed. Donny Deep doubled the lead in the 23rd minute and Sheldon Gordon added a third Eagles goal before halftime to give his side a 3-0 advantage. Sam Jester pulled KSC within a two with a goal in the 65th minute, but that’s as close as it got, as Classics Eagles held on for the 3-1 win.
National League action will continue Saturday, December 13, as the teams play their third game of the season. Complete standings, scores and schedules, including goal scorers and match information, can be found at the results page here.
