While the Seattle Sounders Academy U-15s enjoyed a weekend off, the U-17s and U-19s traveled north for a pair of matches against one of their Cascadia rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps. Entering the weekend ranked third in the USSDA Northwest Division, the U-19s secured three points from their in-conference clash, which saw them leapfrog Vancouver into second place.
Recent Results
U-19
- Sounders FC 2 at Vancouver Whitecaps 1 | March 10
U-17
- Sounders FC 2 at Vancouver Whitecaps 0 | March 10
In the first game of the weekend, the U-17s went toe-to-toe with the hosts from the opening whistle but entered the break scoreless. Winger Marlon Vargas broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, settling a cross off his chest before guiding his volley into the top-left corner of the goal. Five minutes later, striker Alec Diaz doubled Seattle’s advantage, heading home a set piece from the lefthand side of the pitch.
Later that day, the U-19s came back from 1-0 down to collect a win against their bitter rivals. The hosts opened the scoring just three minutes into the match, when goalkeeper Sam Fowler produced a diving save, but Vancouver pounced on the rebound. Midfielder Cam Martin dragged the young Sounders back into the match when he smashed home a a deflected cross in the 21st minute. Striker Gabe Threadgold, who subbed in the 65th minute, grabbed the winner just three minutes after entering the match. Dylan Teves lofted an inch-perfect pass over Vancouver’s center back, as Threadgold rushed in behind, settled the pass and calmly slid his shot underneath the onrushing goalkeeper.
Upcoming Matches
March 17
- Sounders FC U-17 vs. Portland Timbers U-17 | 1 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports Field 11
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. Portland Timbers U-15 | 3:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports Field 2
- Sounders FC U-19 vs. Portland Timbers U-19 | 3:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports Field 11
Cascadia Weekend
Sounders FC 2 opens the 2018 USL campaign at Cheney Stadium against Portland Timbers 2, while all three Academy squads are in action at Starfire against the Timbers youth teams. The young Sounders faced Portland away three weeks ago, with the two clubs battling to a 1-1-1 record.
The Future Is Now
With just 13 players on the roster, S2 is likely to lean heavily on current Academy players throughout the season. Here is Part I and Part II of a series on the Sounders Academy players to watch for the USL side in 2018.
Goal of the Weekend
A beauty, courtesy of Marlon Vargas.
