Don’t look now, but the San Jose Earthquakes U-16 Academy team is turning heads at the prestigious Generation adidas Cup in Dallas, Texas.
Featured in the tournament’s Premier Division, the Quakes finished atop Group C with an undefeated record, defeating MLS side Columbus Crew SC 1-0 on April 7, Liga MX power Chivas Guadalajara 1-0 on April 9 and preserving a 0-0 shutout against Orlando City SC on April 11.
Next up, head coach Paul Holocher and his side will face New York City FC Thursday afternoon in the tournament’s semifinal inside Toyota Stadium, the home of FC Dallas’ first team.
“It’s been going really well down here,” Holocher said Tuesday afternoon. "The team has played very well each game. We started out the tournament against Columbus. We had bunch of great possession a great build-up. We attacked well. The best thing about the first game was how collective we were with our defending.
"The second game we played Chivas. Again, we were really organized. We had around 8 to 10 good chances in the game and we got a fantastic goal from Will Richmond, a right winger, and held on for a gritty, 1-0 win. On Tuesday, we got another nice shutout. It’s been good to see a group like this come together on such a big stage.”
Similar to the Quakes, the club’s semifinal opponent, NYCFC, did not concede a goal in group play, blanking Seattle Sounders FC, Pumas UNAM and Saprissa in comfortable fashion. Despite both team’s defensive prowess, Holocher expects the match to be exciting in the final third.
"It’s going to be a great game,” Holocher explained. "Both teams have been playing in a 4-3-3. Both have intent to possess and create in the attack. Neither team will sit back and I think it’ll be a very entertaining game for the fans to watch.”
The pressure that comes along with performing at such a big stage has been combatted by the comradery built amongst the players. Not only have they created trust on the field, but off the field as well, creating a brotherhood that has helped them perform so well in the Lone Star State.
“It’s just really special. It’s 10 days together and we spend every waking hour together,” Holocher said. "Obviously, we’re together doing the tactical and recovery stuff, but last night we went to see a movie as a team, so these guys become brothers out here.
"They take it very seriously. They’ve been very professional about their preparation and it teaches them what the game is like the next level. This tournament also serves as a benchmark with other academies across the world and it’s great that we can play with them.”
Tomorrow’s highly anticipated semifinal will be streamed on MLSSoccer.com starting at 11:15 a.m. PT from Toyota Stadium.
So what can we expect to see from this semifinal match?
"This is a young group. You’re getting a look at some fantastic young players on display,” Holocher said. "Undoubtedly, there will be players in these games that will be in MLS one day.”
