CARSON, Calif.– The Academy teams close out the regular season this Saturday at The Home Depot Center with games against Nomads SC at 10 a.m. (U-18’s) and 12:30 p.m. (U-16’s). The U-16’s claimed the SoCal Division crown last weekend and the U-18’s can wrap up its own title with a victory on Saturday.
The Galaxy U-16’s (16-3-7 overall, 10-1-4 SoCal Division) clinched the SoCal Division title and top seed in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs with a 2-2 draw against Arsenal FC this past weekend. The point moved the Galaxy into a tie for first place in the standings, joining Real Salt Lake-Arizona (17-6-4 overall, 11-4-1 SoCal Division) at the top of the table with 34 points. However, the Galaxy have the better goal-differential, and hold a game in hand, while Real Salt Lake has already played out their schedule, leaving the team from Arizona with no chance of catching up to U-16 head coach Craig Harrington’s side.
The Galaxy U-18’s (19-4-3 overall, 11-3-1 SoCal Division) used a commanding 5-1 victory over Arsenal FC on Saturday to move into first place in the SoCal Division as well as clinch a spot in the U.S Soccer Development Academy playoffs. The club is currently one point ahead of rival Chivas USA (16-6-4 overall, 10-2-3 SoCal Division) in the standings, but each team has one more game to play. The Galaxy control their own destiny and can clinch the division title and a top seed in the playoffs with a win on the final weekend. A loss or draw leaves the SoCal Division title up to Chivas, which plays Arsenal this week. A Galaxy draw would mean Chivas could take the title with only a win, but a Galaxy loss would open the possibility for a tie at the top if Chivas drew their final game.
If the Galaxy U-18 team wins their division, this would be the first time in club history both teams would win the SoCal Division in the same season.
COPA LA: The LA Galaxy Academy teams placed all four of its teams in the finals of the 11th annual Copa LA Youth Soccer Tournament, presented by La Curacao, this Memorial Day weekend. Three of the teams, U-11, U-12 and U-14, took home the Championship trophy and medals, while the U-13 squad, came up just short losing to Deportivo Huira in the finals. Copa LA is one of the largest unaffiliated tournaments in Southern California, more than 110 teams, from as far away as Arizona, Nevada, Northern California and Mexicali, Mexico, came to the Ab Brown Soccer Complex in Riverside, Calif., to take part in the tournament. VIEW PHOTOS
ACADEMY PLAYERS TO SEE RESERVE LEAGUE ACTION: Forward Mario Rodriguez and defenders Oscar Sorto and Javan Torre will travel to Portland with the LA Galaxy reserve team this weekend. The Galaxy will be in the Rose City to take on the Portland Timbers in an MLS Reserve League match on Saturday, June 2 at 7 p.m. While this is the first time Rodriguez and Torre have been called up by the reserve team, Sorto has already played in one MLS Reserve League game this season. Sorto came off the bench to play three minutes during the club’s 1-0 win against the Seattle Sounders on May 8. Other Academy players that have donned the Galaxy shirt for an MLS Reserve League match are Raul Mendiola (two games and one assist in 23 minutes), Also, defender Nathan Smith suited up for the club’s Reserve League game against the San Jose Earthquakes on Nay 8, but did not play.
MATCH RECAPS
LA Galaxy U-16’s 2, Arsenal FC 2
Saturday, May 26
Home Depot Center – Field 5
A 2-2 draw to Arsenal was enough to give the Galaxy the SoCal Division title. The draw runs the U-16’s unbeaten streak to 17 games, dating back to January. LA jumped on top early, going up 2-0 in the first 14 minutes on goals from Matthew Perez and Martin Arrieta. Daniil Slepuhkin was shown a red card in the 43rd minute for a hand ball that denied a goal scoring chance. Playing with a man advantage, Arsenal tied things up with two second-half goals to split the points.
LA Galaxy U-18’s 5, Arsenal FC 1
Saturday, May 26
Home Depot Center – Field 5
The Galaxy U-18's scored early and often en route to a 5-1 victory over Arsenal that vaulted them into first place in the SoCal Division. Mario Rodriquez kicked off the scoring with a goal in the 12th minute and Drew Murphy doubled the Galaxy lead in the 28th minute with his first of two goals. Arsenal drew one goal back, but LA added another before halftime through Jaime Villarreal in the 44th minute. After the break, Oscar Sorto and Murphy added to the lead with a goal each. Murphy’s two goals brought his team-leading total to 11.
THE WEEK AHEAD
LA Galaxy U-16 vs. Nomads SC
Saturday, June 2
Game will be played at The Home Depot Center – Field 5 at 12:30 p.m.
LA Galaxy U-18 vs. Nomads SC
Saturday, June 2
Game will be played at The Home Depot Center – Field 5 at 10 a.m.
Times and locations for all games are correct as of Tuesday, May 29. Click here for a complete schedule of games in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which includes the Galaxy Academy’s U-16 and U-18 teams.
