SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Earthquakes’ U-18 and U-16 Academy teams enter another week of training following 3-0 and 3-1 wins respectively against the Santa Cruz Breakers Academy over the weekend.
“I thought overall both our teams did a good job of collectively possessing to attack while at the same time preparing for the direct attacks from the Breakers,” Head Coach Paul Holocher said. “It’s early days and like all teams, there is still a lot we can improve on, especially defensively, both individually and collectively.”
Improvements can always be made, but goal-scoring seems to be with the Quakes youth teams early this year, as both the 18s and 16s have now scored the most goals in their Northwest region so far this season.
“We could have scored a few more goals in each game with a little more concentration on our finishing,” said Holocher. “But it was really good to see the boys creating chances."
Quakes U-18s looks to keep pushing forward following dominant victory
The 18s kept a clean sheet against the Breakers with their 3-0 win. The first half saw two Quakes goals; The first, a direct free kick from Rudy Castro, the second from Johnathan Navarro. In the second half, Theo Huxham showed his individual skill by flicking the ball over the defender’s head and slipping it past the keeper.
Quakes goalkeeper Drake Callender, who has committed to U.C. Berkeley for his college soccer, recorded the 18’s first shutout of the season in his first appearance back from a hand injury.
“We want to give up less chances and concede fewer goals, while still playing attacking soccer,” said Holocher. “Part of this is learning how we can better take care of the ball and play more in the opponents' half of the field.“
“We did an especially good job of [creating chances] in the second half with the man advantage, holding more than 70% of the possession,” he added. “So we limited the chances against us well.”
It seems the 18s did just that. The 3-0 victory is a step in the right direction and gets them even at a 2-2-0 record going into a weekend free of league matches.
Weekend Standouts (18s): Marcus Simmons, Diego Alonso-Rodriguez & John Austin-Ricks.
Next Match: Saturday, October 17th vs. De Anza Force U-18 at 11:00 a.m. at De Anza College.
U-16s head to the Mile-High City for upcoming tournament
The 16s got the job done against the Breakers with a 3-1 victory on the same day as the 18s. Two goals from Adolfo Trujillo, and a penalty kick goal from Arda Bulut secured the victory at Spartan Stadium.
The Quakes controlled the tempo and possession for the majority of the game, even hitting the crossbar twice in the first half.
Despite allowing one goal, goalkeeper Dominic Peters made a fantastic save early in the second half to prevent the Breakers from getting back into the contest.
The successful result, that also brought them to .500 (2-2-0) in league play, will be used as a good measuring stick heading into a jam-packed tournament schedule.
This weekend, the Quakes 16s travel to Denver for MLS’ annual U-17 elite tournament, where they will start off with three matches against the Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake’s academy teams.
“Nothing changes in how we want to prepare,” Holocher said of their mindset entering the tough regional clashes. “With each day being an opportunity to get better.”
The next league match for the 16s will be Saturday, October 17 at De Anza College against De Anza Force Academy.
“We’ll continue to train well each day in preparation for what is always a very competitive local derby match,” added Holocher.
Weekend Standouts (16s): JJ Foe Nuphaus, Chris Grey & Andrew Paoli
Next Match: October 10th vs (WHO, WHERE, WHEN)
Quakes U-14s to face EBU Bay Oaks
The Earthquakes’ U-14 academy team takes on EBU Bay Oaks this Saturday, October 10th at 12:30 p.m. at Alameda College on the stadium field.
