Recent Results
U-18
Sounders FC 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 1 (January 24)
U-16
Sounders FC 1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 3 (January 24)
U-14
Sounders FC 0 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (January 24)
Upcoming Matches
January 31
Sounders FC U-18 vs. De Anza Force U-18 (10:30 a.m. PST, Starfire Stadium)
Sounders FC U-16 vs. De Anza Force U-16 (1:00 p.m. PST, Starfire Stadium)
Sounders FC U-14 vs. Central Washington Soccer Academy U-15 (3:00 p.m. PST, Starfire Stadium)
February 1
Sounders FC U-18 vs. Santa Cruz U-18 (11:30 a.m. PST, Starfire Stadium)
Sounders FC U-16 vs. Santa Cruz U-16 (2:00 p.m. PST, Starfire Stadium)
All three Academy teams were in action last weekend against Cascadia rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The U-18s earned their 12th win on the season, defeating the Northwest Division leaders 2-1, bringing the Rave Green within two points of first place. The squad went up early in the ninth minute when Ryan Schaefer sent a free kick from the flank into the six yard box and found defender Macarthur Clarke, who beat his mark to head it home. Seattle held off the Whitecaps’ pressure until conceding a goal in the 76’ from a top of the box strike aided by a costly deflection from close range. The U-18s resilience paid off in the 84th minute when U-16 call-up Joseph Hafferty’s pressure forced a Whitecap turnover inside the box. Victor Mansaray picked up the turnover, beat two defenders off the dribble and picked out Sean Bowman for the tap in.
The U-16s suffered a 3-1 loss to the Northwest Divisional leaders with Alex Kirtsov scoring the lone goal of the afternoon. The U-14s held off a very impressive U-14 Vancouver Whitecap side 0-0 at the half and battled well but were ultimately defeated 2-0.
All three Academy teams will continue home action this weekend at Starfire Sports. The U-16s and U-18s will each take on the De Anza Force on Saturday, January 31. The U-14s will play the U-15 Central Washington Soccer Academy after the conclusion of the U-16 match. The U-16 and U-18 teams will have a quick turnaround and face the Santa Cruz Breakers on Sunday.
In the Standings
- U-18s are currently second in the Northwest Division with 37 points (12-4-1)
- U-16s are currently fourth in the Northwest Division with 24 points (7-7-3)
- U-14s are currently first in the U-15 Far West Regional League with 9 points (3-0-0)
Standout Performers
U-18 Saif Kerawala played exceptionally in goal for the U-18s, making several crucial saves including a vital stop in the dying minutes of the match.
U-16 Cameron Martin created an assist and took up key positions to make himself available in the match. The U-14 player continues to grow and develop with the older squad.
U-14 Peter Kingston provided a fine all-round performance and provided a moment of real quality as his free kick unfortunately bounced back off the crossbar.
Play of the Week
U-16 Striker Alex Kirtsov provided the goal of the weekend with a brilliant strike from 20 yards out. The play began when defender Henry Baldwin stepped up to intercept a pass at midfield and found midfielder Cameron Martin. Martin found time and space and slipped in a first-time pass behind the Vancouver backline to the on-running Alex Kirtsov. Kirtsov’s first-time blast went just above the keeper’s outstretched glove and pinged off the underside of the crossbar into the goal.
Moving on Up
U-16 Midfielder Joseph Hafferty and Defender Ivory Randle will participate with the U-18s this weekend after both had solid defensive performances with the U-18s against Whitecaps FC. U-14 Cameron Martin has been added to the U-16 roster for the remainder of the season.
Coach’s Take
“It was a great day of soccer against Vancouver this past Saturday. They brought down some quality teams and the games were very competitive. I was particularly pleased with the way our U-18s approached the match. We showed a great mentality.”
-Dick McCormick, Sounders FC U-18 Head Coach
Looking Forward
The U-14s aim to remain atop of the table in Far West Regional League play when they face PAC NW U-15 on Wednesday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. PST. The U-16s will compete in the Second Leg of the Generation Adidas Cup February 12- 16 in Carson, California.
Off the Field
On Wednesday, February 4 ten U-18 Academy players will sign their National Letters of Intent to NCAA Division 1 programs.
