The Sounders Academy U-16s and U-18s traveled to Portland, Ore., over the weekend for a pair of Cascadia clashes with the Timbers. Both squads collected all three points, but more importantly they put in impressive showings despite missing key players.
Recent Results
U-18
- Sounders FC 3 at Portland Timbers 2 (4/29/17)
U-16
- Sounders FC 3 at Portland Timbers 1 (4/29/17)
Up against a talented Portland side, the U-18s overturned a two-goal deficit at halftime and eventually left 3-2 winners courtesy of late-game heroics from midfielder Kei Tomozawa. Due to S2 and the first team playing matches at the weekend, the Starting XI for the U-18s featured three standouts from the U-16 squad, and they did not disappoint.
Paul Rothrock lined up in the No. 10 role just underneath striker Greg Sutton and provided the impetus for Seattle’s attack in the second half. Rothrock, who’s spent extensive time training with S2 this season, clawed the Sounders back into the game with two goals in the first 15 minutes of the second period. Tomozawa came off the bench to steal all three points with a fantastic solo effort, driving toward the edge of the box and unleashing a left-footed strike that arrowed past the goalkeeper.
Not to be outdone, the U-16s put in a commanding display against the Rave Green’s bitter rivals.
Winger Marlon Vargas opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he drove the length of the field, cut up his defender with a bit of skill and fired home from just inside the box. Portland pulled one back in the 23rd minute, only for Alec Diaz to restore the squad’s advantage nine minutes later, rounding off an excellent team build-up with a composed finish. He then grabbed a brace 120 seconds later with an audacious shot from a tight-angle to the near post.
Upcoming Matches
May 6
- Sounders FC U-16 vs. Real So Cal U-16 (9 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-18 vs. Real So Cal U-18 (11:30 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
May 7
- Sounders FC U-16 vs. Arsenal FC U-16 (10 a.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
- Sounders FC U-18 vs. Arsenal FC U-18 (12:30 p.m. PT, Starfire sports
- Sounders FC U-15 vs. Eastside FC U-17 (5:30 p.m. PT, Starfire Sports)
Moving On Up
With the first team and S2 playing at the weekend, the Academy staff took the opportunity to play some of the brightest prospects in the club up an age group.
Three key contributors for the U-16s — attacking midfielder Dylan Teves, center back Khai Brisco and forward Azriel Gonzalez — started the match for the U-18s. Teves and Brisco were particularly impressive, with the latter arguably the best player on the pitch not named Paul Rothrock, winning nearly all of his defensive duels against older opposition.
The U-16s, who consistently pull up guys from the 2002 and ’03 age groups, featured five guys from younger squads. One player in particular, defensive midfielder Sota Kitahara, continues to break into the squad after turning plenty of heads at GA Cup. Kitahara, a Seattle United and Sounders Discovery Program product, is eligible to play for the U-13s but made his fourth appearance for the U-16s.
Standout Performers
While Diaz certainly put in an imposing shift for the U16s against the Timbers with his two tallies, Vargas stole the show with his creativity going forward. Starting nominally on the left, the attacker signed from youth affiliate Central California Aztecs chopped up the Timbers back line with a goal and two assists, taking his tally to 15 goals and 10 assists on the season.
Coach’s Take
“We were particularly pleased with the U-18s because they were 2-0 down, so they had to show great character in coming back,” said Sounders Academy Technical Director Marc Nicholls. “We also had five players from the U-16s playing up with the U-18s, so it was a really important test that they passed. It’s crucial to play young players up in testing environments. So to come away with two very good performances and victories away to Portland is a credit to the boys.”
