U18's slide continues in California as U16's surrender a season-high goals.
Orange County, Calif. — Sounders FC Academy U18 and U16 traveled to Southern California this weekend and came home winless against non-divisional opponents Strikers FC and Pateadores. Saturday’s games against the Irvine-based Strikers were played at Orange Coast College, while the games Sunday against Pateadores were played at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. Jordan Schweitzer and Ike Crook scored for the U18’s, while Miguel Medina and Jacob Hauser-Ramsey each converted a goal for the U16’s.
The U18’s (8-9-3, 6-4-1 NW Division) led off Saturday with a narrow 2-1 loss to the Irvine-based Strikers FC. After falling down 2-0 early in the second half, Sounders responded quickly with Schweitzer’s goal assisted by Dom Dismuke. Despite continual pressure the rest of the game, the Rave Green were unable to equalize. The U18’s lost on Sunday 4-1, the lone goal coming late from Crook.
The U16’s (13-5-2, 8-2-1 NW Division) lost 4-0 to the Strikers on Saturday—all goals coming after halftime—and played most of the second half a man down after Ryan Harbor picked up a red card on an off ball foul. On Sunday, two second half goals were the difference as Pateadores won 4-2. First half goals from Miguel Medina and Jacob Hauser-Ramsey sent the teams into halftime tied 2-2 before the home squad was able to separate.
The U18’s have now lost five of their last six, but remain second in the Northwest Division. The U16’s still sit atop the Northwest Division, but before this weekend had not surrendered four goals in a match all season.
Both teams return to action April 14-15 when they host the San Jose Earthquakes and Cal Odyssey at Starfire Sports Complex.
