CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, December 2, 2010) – The LA Galaxy U-16 and U-18 Youth Academy teams will travel to Phoenix tomorrow for the start of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase. Both teams will play three games at the Reach 11 Sports Complex, bringing to a close the first half of the 2010/11 Development Academy season.
Both the U-16 and U-18 teams will face Dallas-based club Andromeda, South Carolina United FC and Alabama’s Birmingham United during the four-day Showcase, which brings together all 78 of the clubs that compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Scores from all games will be posted on the official website of the Winter Showcase, which can be found here.
The Galaxy will open their schedule against Andromeda on Saturday, December 4, with the U-18’s playing at 9 a.m. and the U-16’s following at 11:15 a.m. They will be back in action two days later on Monday, December 6 when they face South Carolina United FC at 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. The Galaxy will then round out their Showcase schedule a day later on Tuesday, December 7 with both teams taking on Birmingham United at 9 a.m.
The Galaxy U-18’s enter the Winter Showcase on a four game winning streak with a record of 5-2-1 on the season. Under the direction of head coach Matt Mennell, the Galaxy U-18’s are looking to return to the Development Academy Playoffs for the second consecutive season. Juan Gutierrez leads the team with four goals on the season, while Neil Ignacio and Eric Verso each have three and Riley Wolfe has two.
The Galaxy U-16’s have been even better so far this season, tallying a 7-0-1 record through their first eight games of the season. The U-16’s will be coached by Mike Stauber at the Showcase while their usual head coach, Kenny Arena, remains with his college team, UCLA, where he is an assistant coach, for the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Galaxy have outscored opponents 22-6 on the season so far, with Jack McBean scoring a team-high six goals. Drew Murphy is close behind with five goals while Sean Dhillon has added four.
This is the third consecutive year in which the Galaxy Academy teams have participated in the Winter Showcase with the 2009 Showcase also being held in Phoenix at the Reach 11 Sports Complex. The U-16’s are 4-1-1 all-time at the Winter Showcase, going a perfect 3-0-0 in 2008 and 1-1-1 last season. The U-18’s are 2-1-3 all-time at the Winter Showcase, going 1-0-2 in 2008 and 1-1-1 in 2009. Both teams have also participated in a pair of Spring Showcases, which take place each May in Florida, with the U-16’s going 4-1-1 and the U-18’s going 3-1-2.
LA Galaxy U-16
Roster for the U.S. Soccer Development
Academy Winter Showcase
GOALKEEPERS (2) – Grayson Cornwell, Josh McNeely
DEFENDERS (6) – Chris Antunez, Steve Copley, Cole Dimond, Sagar Jambusaria, Vincent Reyes, Ludwing Vargas
MIDFIELDERS (8) – Jose Avila, Sean Dhillon, Grady Howe, Kevin Labastida, Francisco Magallon, Axel Mendez, Drew Murphy, Ivan Vasquez
FORWARDS (3) – Justin Dhillon, Jack McBean, Willie Raygoza
COACHES – Mike Stauber, Adam Reeves
LA Galaxy U-18
Roster for the U.S. Soccer Development
Academy Winter Showcase
GOALKEEPERS (2) – Vince Paldino, Adam Zepeda
DEFENDERS (7) – Mathias Cuadrado, Ricardo Hernandez, Justin Kim, Jake LaPorte, Matt Mardesich, Gabriel Rivera, Derek Vog
MIDFIELDERS (7) – Angel Ayala, Brian Blumenfeld, Eric Gonzalez, Juan Mendoza, Nati Schnitman, Eric Verso, Riley Wolfe
FORWARDS (4) – Neil Ignacio, Dylan Seedman, Cameron Souri, Dyllan Stevens
COACHES – Matt Mennell, Todd Dunivant, Sal Diaz
--- LA Galaxy Youth Academy presented by adidas ---
