RSL-Arizona Academy Squads Finish Undefeated at 2010 US Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase in Phoenix
The RSL-Arizona Academy Program shined last weekend, as its U15/U16 and U17/U18 teams both went undefeated during the 2010 US Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, which took place in their backyard at the Reach 11 Soccer Complex in Phoenix.
The RSL-Arizona Academy U18 team went an impressive 2-0-1 during the event, beginning on Saturday when Provo native Maikon Orellana scored four goals during RSL-AZ’s 7-0 victory over IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL). Play continued Sunday when the U18s tied their Dallas Texans (Dallas, TX) counterparts 2-2 before finishing up on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Texas Rush AJ Auxerre (The Woodlands, TX).
The RSL-AZ U16s also gave an impressive effort during the showcase, scrapping its way to an undefeated 1-0-2 record. Following 1-1 draws on Saturday and Sunday with IMG Academy and Dallas Texans, the team squandered a 2-0 lead before rallying back for a 3-2 victory over Texas Rush AJ Auxerre to finish the event on a winning note on Tuesday.
In addition, the RSL-Arizona Academy had a player featured in both the U18 and U16 Academy Select matches on Saturday, which were played in front of more than 300 college and U.S. National Team coaches and scouts on hand in Phoenix. FW Ricardo Velasco (Tucson, AZ) would play the second 45 minutes for the Blue squad in an even half that wound down a 0-3 defeat to their Red counterparts in the U18 age group feature, while DF Julio Alarcon (El Paso, TX) would go the distance in the U16 age group match for the Blues in a 1-2 loss against the Red squad.
Velasco will be eligible to compete for U.S. Under-20 Head Coach Thomas Rongen in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship next April in Guatemala and the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup beginning in late July. Alarcon will be available to play for U.S. Under-17 boss Wilmer Cabrera’s side that will take part in February’s 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Jamaica and the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in June/July.
All 78 clubs that comprise the US Soccer Development Academy were represented at the tournament, including U15/U16 and U17/U18 teams representing 14 Major League Soccer sides. Click here or visit USSoccer.com for the complete wrap up of the 2010 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase.
Both the RSL-AZ Academy U16’s and U18’s will continue play in the SoCal Division (Western Conference) of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2010/11 season in early February at their home base of the Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona. For more information on Grande Sports World, visit the start-of-the-art training facility’s website and Facebook fan page.
RSL-Arizona Academy Game Summaries – U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase
RSL –AZ U18s
Saturday: 7-0 win over IMG Academy
Sunday: 2-2 draw with Dallas Texans
Tuesday: 2-1 win over Texas Rush AJ Auxerre
RSL-AZ U16s
Saturday: 1-1 draw with IMG Academy
Sunday: 1-1 draw with Dallas Texans
Tuesday: 3-2 win over Texas Rush AJ Auxerre