Surf SC 05s Shine Bright at DA Region Showcase – Winning Every Game
The 2018-19 Development Academy (DA) season Fall Regional Showcases are now over. For three consecutive weekends, many of the best youth players in America competed in a series of major DA events.
The goal of this Development Academy showcase was to bring together youth soccer clubs from all around their respective regions for highly-competitive matches. These games were hand-selected and, ideally, were designed to test elite player development success.
These three showcases covered the Central, East and West Regions and a total of 268 teams competed.
According to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, “For three consecutive weekends, top U-13 and U-14 Boys’ teams will gather to face off against the country’s best at their age.”
The West Regional Showcase was held Nov. 2 – 5 at SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside, California and teams from Colorado, Southern and Northern California, Oregon, and, Washington competed.
In the 2005 DA bracket, the Surf Soccer Club team coached by Head Coach Benoit David and Assistant Coach Giulio Gnaulati earned one triumphant success after another.
“It was a fantastic performance from start to finish from the boys,” said Coach Benoit.
Surf SC 05 DA West Region Showcase Recap:
Surf SC 05 DA team beat the La Galaxy Academy 3-0 in the last game. Earlier in the DA event, they beat the San Jose Earthquake Academy 3-0, Seattle United 3-1, and De Anza Force 8-1.
“I’m very proud of this team,” said Benoit. “Our Surf SC 05s played games against quite a few MLS academies and shutout both the LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes. LAFC has been our best game last season, outside of playing Athletic Bilbao at the MIC Cup.” (Mediterranean International Cup.)
The Surf SC 06s, coached by Evan Fuhs, also competed in this DA West Region Showcase and were undefeated.
Next Youth Soccer Challenge for Surf 05:
“We’re going to Copa Rayados in 2 weeks and I’m looking forward to the competition,” said Benoit. “We will be playing against both professional Mexican and MLS academies. Surf SC 2004s will also be joining us at this competition.”
The Super Group for the 2005s / U14 age group includes teams from CF Monterrey Rayados, Chivas Guadalajara, Atletico Monarcas Morelia, Gallos Blancos de Queretaro, Sporting KC, Houston Dynamo DA, San Antonio FC DA, RGV Toros, ST Louis FC DA, Cincinnati United Premier DA, San Diego Surf DA, and Solar SC DA.
What the Surf SC Directors of Coaching say:
“The 05s are a group of young men who have played at our club for a number of years and earned every success through their strong commitment to training,” said Josh Henderson, VP – Soccer Operations, Senior Director of Coaching at Surf SC.
“We are very proud of how well our 05 DA team represents Surf SC,” said Henderson.
“It is so important that players come to Surf SC in their formative years, if possible,” said Henderson. “When young players start training with great coaches in the early years and learn how Surf SC plays, great development happens.”
“We are extremely excited about the progress of the 05s,” said Cody Worden, Director of Coaching -Boys at Surf SC. “It wasn’t the scoreline that was was exciting, it was the way in which the team presented themselves.”
“Culturally, at Surf SC, we place a massive emphasis on family,” said Worden.
“Representing the Surf brand is an honor. Technically and tactically, the team displayed discipline but also the ability to problem solve and be creative. Coach Benoit David and the boys are the embodiment of the Surf process and the Surf way.”
Surf SC is well recognized for high-level, elite player development and this year, the club earned its 11th National Championship title.
