CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, December 6, 2012) – The LA Galaxy U-16 and U-18 Academy teams have officially started their winter breaks after returning from the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase in Florida. The Galaxy U-18’s continued their early season success at the showcase, though they did suffer their first loss of the season during their trip, heading home with a 2-1-0 record form their three games in Florida. The U-16’s were unbeaten in three straight before heading to Florida, but they were unable to earn a victory during their trip, going 0-2-1 in their three games.
The Galaxy U-18’s opened the Showcase with a convincing 4-1 win over the Crew Soccer Academy on Nov. 30. Defender Oscar Sorto put the Galaxy up in the third minute with his third goal of the season and his teammates did not let up the rest of the game. After the Crew got their equalizer in the 47th minute, midfielder Drew Murphy put his team ahead again in the 50th minute and midfielder Raul Mendiola made it 3-1 at the 78-minute mark. With three minutes left in the game, second half substitute Martin Arrieta put the finishing touches on this one with his first goal of the season.
Back in action for their second game the following day, the U-18’s relied on their defense and goalkeeping to shutout out the Colorado Rapids, 2-0. Goalkeepers Daniil Slepukhin and Vincent Morales combined for the shutout while forwards Sebastian Velasquez, who scored the game-winner in the 19th minute, and Martin Arrieta each got on the score sheet as LA extending their unbeaten streak to nine games. However, that streak would be snapped two days later when the Galaxy suffered their first loss of the season, losing 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls Academy. Forward Paul Arriola gave LA a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, but New York forward Alex Muyl tallied a pair of second half goals to give his team the win.
The Galaxy U-16’s faced the same three teams as their U-18 counterparts but were unable to match their results. Despite falling behind just seven minutes into the game, the Galaxy came back to earn a 1-1 draw with Columbus in their opener. Hugo Gutierrez scored the equalizer for LA in that one, tying the score in the 70th minute with his first goal of the season.
However, that would be the only point that the Galaxy would be able to claim during their stay in the Southeast, losing 3-0 to Colorado the following day, snapping a four-game unbeaten streak, before falling 2-1 to New York in their third and final game. Forward Christian Chavez put LA up early in the 12th minute of that game, but New York answered back with a goal from Brandon Tetro 14 minutes later. New York went in front 2-1 early in the second half behind a 46th minute goal from Derrick Etienne and made that lead stand up, handing LA their second straight defeat.
Following their three games in Florida, the Galaxy U-18’s are now 8-1-1 on the season while the U-16’s are now 2-4-4. Both teams will now receive almost two full months away from game action before returning to the field on January 27 at home against Pateadores.
THREE PLAYERS ON THE U-16 TEAM PARTICIPATE IN WINTER SHOWCASE SELECT GAME: LA Galaxy U-16 players Christian Chavez, Steve Martinez and Alex Ramos took part in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase Select Game. All three helped the Red Team to a 4-1 win over the Blue Team. Martinez scored the Red Team’s fourth goal in the 66th minute and also helped set up another one in 52nd minute. Chavez provided the assist on the team’s first goal in the 6th minute. The full highlights of this game are available on USSoccer.com by clicking here.
FINAL ACADEMY GAMES OF THE YEAR: The LA Galaxy U-13’s will play two games in the Southern California Soccer Development League this Saturday in Mission Viejo. These will be the final two matches for the Galaxy Academy during the 2012 calendar year.
The U-13’s will play a pair of games on Saturday, facing Pateadores San Diego at 1 p.m. before taking on United FC Black at 3:30 p.m. Both games will be played on Field #5 at Mission Viejo Riding Park.
After those games, the Galaxy Academy will go on hiatus until Monday, January 7, 2013, when all teams are scheduled to return to training.
SOUTH BAY AND ORANGE COUNTY WINTER ID CAMP DATES SET: The LA Galaxy will be hosting three-day identification camps in the South Bay and Orange County from January 2-4. Players, ages 8-14, will have the opportunity to be coached and evaluated by the Galaxy Academy staff during camps, which will be held at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach and Cox Sports Park in Ladera Ranch. The coaching staff will use these camps to identify future players for the Galaxy Academy. The cost for registration is $150. To register for the camps or for more information, please visit www.lagalaxy.com/camps/winterid.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
LA Galaxy U-13 vs. Pateadores San Diego Saturday, Dec. 8
Game will be played at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park # 5 at 1 p.m.
LA Galaxy U-13 vs. United FC Black Saturday, Dec. 8
Game will be played at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park # 5 at 3:30 p.m.
Times and locations for all games are correct as of Thursday, Dec. 6. Click here for a complete schedule of games in the Southern California Development Soccer League and U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which includes the Galaxy Academy’s U-16 and U-18 teams.
