Soccer is a blast when you rarely lose -- the Earthquakes’ Academy teams can attest to that.
The under-18, under-16 and under-14 teams will enter Saturday’s De Anza Derby with a combined record of 19-1-3 in all competitions, and players are hitting their stride in the fast-emerging Quakes' program.
Saturday’s action will showcase local rivals: The U-18 and U-16 teams will face strong De Anza Force squads at the Earthquakes Training Facility, with the U-18s at 11 a.m. and the U16s at 1:30 p.m. The U-14s will meet De Anza at John MisePark in San Jose at 5:30 p.m.
So, enterprising fans can take in all of the action.
“It’s always an important game for the boys because they know all of the boys on other teams,” academy coach Stephen Wondolowski said of facing De Anza. “They’ve grown up together on club teams, playing with and against each other, so it’s the familiarity that makes it more of a derby match.”
While the Quakes U-14s did not play last week, the U-16s and U-18s were thriving in the Pacific Northwest, going 3-0-1 combined. Overall, the Quakes doubled their fun as three players – the U-16s Theo Huxham and the U-18s Yousef Diyab and Philip Hausen – each had two-goal outputs.
The team efforts were capped by a historic sweep of the Seattle Sounders at Starfire Sports Complex, marking the first time the Quakes have achieved the feat.
The U-16s beat Seattle 2-0 as Huxham scored in the 36and 55minutes, the first coming off an Armon Ojuola assist and the second on a well-hit free kick into the upper corner. The U-18s took a 2-1 win over Seattle. Dyab struck in the 13th and 21st minutes off assists from Jamal Bernardez and Jonathan Partida, who curved in a free kick for a nifty header finish.
The Quakes opened the trip north on Saturday at the Portland Timbers Training Facility. The U-18s notched a 3-0 victory on goals by Hausen in the fifth an eighth minutes, and a goal by Zach Penner in the 52minute. Partida, who had a big weekend as a playmaker, had two assists, and Miguel Ruiz had one.
The U-16s drew 0-0 with Portland and got typically strong play in net from keeper Jose Elizondo.
With terrific organization in the back, both the U-18s and U-16s have allowed just five goals total, the fewest surrendered in their conferences. The U-18s are second in the Northwest Division of the West Conference with a 6-0-1 mark, trailing only Vancouver(9-0-0). The U-16s are also second behind Vancouver with a 5-1-1 record.
As for the U-14 team, things are good. The Quakes (7-0) have three shutouts and have not allowed more than one goal in a game. Coach Jeff Jenkins marvels at his young team’s mature approach.
“I’ve been impressed with the way that the boys have handled the transition from club to the academy,” Jenkins said. “I’ve been impressed with their attitude in training, their professionalism as young players, and the seriousness they bring to each and every event. It’s good. We have been a change for them. I know not every kid can do that.”
Jenkins said that in club teams play five games on weekends, and it’s just “chaotic,” and not every game is meaningful.
“Now, we transition to meaningful academy games and each one matters, with U.S. soccer scouts watching our kids at games, and they’ve taken to that very well. I’ve been happy with that,” Jenkins said.
Oscar Govea has been in great form, sharing the U-14 team lead in scoring with Adonis Diaz, each with six goals.
“He’s been impressive in figuring out what we want him to do in his role,” Jenkins said of Govea. “He’s crafty, super-technical, a natural goal-scorer.”
J.J. Foe Nuphaus has also excelled, along with Kenny Amaral and youngster Mario Rocha, the team’s only 2001 player.
“He’s brought a little leadership, even though he’s the youngest guy out there,” Jenkins said of Rocha, a right back who has pushed up for three goals. “He’s actually impressive along with Diaz. He’s been good.”
In another positive sign for the Quakes, the club’s 01 PDA team, playing up in the U-15 division, and 03 Pre-Academy team earned championships in the Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup.
