CARSON, Calif. (Friday, September 21, 2012) – Two weeks after opening the 2012/13 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, the LA Galaxy Academy U-16 and U-18 teams will be back in action this weekend against rival Arsenal FC.
Following a pair draws against Portland and Seattle in their opening weekend, the Galaxy U-16’s will be looking to get their first win of the season when they take on Arsenal FC at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Riverside Community College. For Arsenal, who have produced current MLS players like the Galaxy’s Hector Jimenez, San Jose’s Rafael Baca, Seattle’s Servando Carrasco and Real Salt Lake’s Luis Gil among others, the game is their first of the season.
The Galaxy U-18’s will be looking to improve on their 1-0-1 record and keep up with in the standings with Chivas USA and Strikers FC, each of who opened their seasons with matching 2-0-0 records.
U.S. U-18 forward Paul Arriola was scheduled to make his Galaxy Academy debut this weekend against Arsenal, but an injury he picked while on international duty could delay his start another week. Arriola returned to the U.S. this week after taking part in a training camp U.S. U-18’s in Holland. The U.S. played four games during their 11 days in Europe and won three of them, including an impressive 4-1 win over the Dutch U-18 national team. Arriola, who was unavailable for the season opener two weeks ago because of the trip, played in two of the four games.
The U-18’s kick off the day’s doubleheader at 11 a.m. at Riverside Community College. The games are open to the public and fans are welcomed to attend.
In the younger divisions, the U-12 will try to build on last week’s 4-1 win over CZ Elite, which included a hat trick from Jonah Lipel and goal from Chase Marion, when they face Santa Barbara SC on Saturday at North Torrance High School at 10:25 a.m. The game is one of three LA Galaxy Academy games being played at North Torrance High on Saturday with the U-13’s and U-14’s also playing there.
After starting the season with a loss, the U-13’s rebounded last week with a 3-1 win over Pateadores. On Saturday, they host Beach FC in the second of three games on the day at North Torrance High with kickoff scheduled for 11:50 a.m. Jose Ortiz and Jose Sosa will look to duplicate last week’s performance in which each scored a goal and helped set up another, Sergio Flores also scored one from the penalty spot.
The U-14’s will look to continue their hot start this Saturday against Legends FC (1-1-1, 4 pts.) at 4:35 p.m. at North Torrance High. The Galaxy (2-0-0, 6 pts.) are one of four teams to have started the season with two wins. Following Saturday’s game against Legends, LA will face one of those four undefeated teams when they take on Arsenal FC, on October 6 at 2:40 p.m. at El Segundo High School.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
Game Date
LA Galaxy U-12 vs. Santa Barbara SC U-12 Saturday, September 22
Game will be played at North Torrance High School at 10:25 a.m.
LA Galaxy U-13 vs. Beach FC U-13 Saturday, September 22
Game will be played at North Torrance High School at 11:50 p.m.
LA Galaxy U-14 vs. Legends FC U-14 Saturday, September 22
Game will be played at North Torrance High School at 4:35 p.m.
LA Galaxy U-16 vs. Arsenal FC U-16 Saturday, September 22
Game will be played at Riverside Community College at 1:30 p.m.
LA Galaxy U-18 vs. Arsenal FC U-18 Saturday, September 22
Game will be played at Riverside Community College at 11:00 a.m.
Times and locations for all games are correct as of Thursday, September 20. 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.
