In the final competitive matches of 2015, the U-16 and U-18 Sounders C Academy teams traveled to Florida for the annual USSDA Winter Showcase.
While the U-16s narrowly lost 1-0 in the opening match against a strong Chicago Fire side, the offense progressively improved through each match. By the final game, the Rave Green attack was firing on all cylinders, and the team found the back of the net three times against an impressive IMG Academy squad.
Alec Zimmerman and Alex Bradbury each scored two goals during the showcase. Bradbury put in a man of the match performance against IMG, grabbing a brace before being subbed off in the 74th minute.
The U-18s had an especially impressive showing, winning all three games despite a number of injuries and personnel changes over the course of the weekend. Every member of the squad started at least one match and a number of players performed admirably when fielded out of position. Not only did the team score eight goals across three games, but they also defended well in tough situations and were able to close out each match against some of the top MLS Academy teams.
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U-18 Head Coach Dick McCormick was understandably enthused about the performances of the young Sounders against some of the top teams in North America.
“It’s credit to the way the kids have trained the past month—our sessions have been really high quality and intense, and it paid off with the performances in Florida,” McCormick said.
In their first match against the Chicago Fire, the formidable strike partnership of Connor Noblat and Homegrown player Victor Mansaray overwhelmed the opposition's defense. Mansaray, who has experience playing for both S2 and the Sounders' first team, demonstrated his poacher’s instincts when he found himself in the right place to apply the finishing touch at the end of an excellent spell of possession for Seattle.
Midfielder Tobi Jnohope added a second, and Noblat once again was at the heart of Seattle’s attack as he rounded out the scoring with the game-winning goal.
Against a very physical and athletic Montreal side, the Rave Green were once again able to hold on to a narrow lead and grab all three points. USMNT U-20 left-back Nicholas Hinds put in an excellent, two-way shift against the Canadians. The standout defender was a commanding presence in Seattle’s backline, and carefully chose his moments to push-up the field to join the attack.
His dynamic play paid off in the 7th minute when he scored the opening goal, rounding off some excellent team build-up with a smart finish. Striker Maliq Cooper scored the eventual game winner in the 26th minute with a clever finish. Defender Habib Barry, playing out of position in midfield, sat in front of the back four and led a resilient defensive effort as Seattle defeated Montreal.
In the final match of the weekend against the Capital Area RailHawks, Mansaray and Noblat combined well once again, further demonstrating their budding partnership. Johnny Reynolds continued his excellent run of form in recent months when he fired home in the 24th minute to open the scoring for the Sounders. Mansaray grabbed his first goal soon after, when he once again applied the final touch to Seattle’s excellent build-up play. Noblat and Mansaray combined, albeit indirectly, for the final goal when Noblat drew a penalty kick that Mansaray subsequently slotted past the RailHawks ‘keeper.
The Sounders Academy will look to take their excellent form from 2015 into the new year, and will be back in action with a pair of matches against FC Golden State on Jan. 16th.
