Thursday, July 29, 2010

Two Academy Teams in Tournament Play

The LA Galaxy U-17's concluded their run at the annual U-17 SUM Cup, where they finished with a 0-1-3 record in their four games. LA lost their first game 2-1 to Kansas City, with the Wizards scoring the game-winning goal with the game's final kick.

The Galaxy then lost each of their next two group games on penalties, playing to 1-1 draws against eventual tournament runner-up Real Salt Lake and New York to finish in fourth place in Group D. The Galaxy played one more game against Toronto on Tuesday to round out the tournament, again falling on penalties.

While the U-17's were wrapping up in Houston, the Galaxy U-20's were opening their quest for their first Super-20 championship in Rockford, Ill.

After winning the Pacific Southern California Division, the Galaxy were one of 11 teams to qualify for the USL Super-20 Championships. They were placed into Group C along with the Brooklyn Knights, Cincinnati United Premier and Triangle FC.

The Galaxy opened group play on Thursday morning with a 3-2 win over Brooklyn and will now take on Triangle FC on Friday, before concluding group play on Saturday morning against Cincinnati.

Thanks to their win over Brooklyn on Thursday, which saw goals from Eder Arreola, Evan Raynr and Andre Turoldo, the Galaxy sit atop their group with three points, while Triangle FC and Cincinnati each have one point following their 1-1 draw this morning.

If LA finishes as the Group C winner, or the best second place team, they will move on to the semifinals, which will be played on Saturday evening ahead of Sunday morning's Final.

MLS Academy teams have won each of the last two Super-20 Finals, with Chicago claiming the crown in 2008 and New York winning the title in 2009.

1 comment:

charlesj27 said...

I truly hope that our LA Galaxy wil continue to let in and promote more stellar, agressive, and natural talents that are there in the academy system to come into 1st team stature. I am already so happy with the quality of Michael Stephens and Tristan Bowen. I wish all of the parents and players all the best in their future and their playing. Keep at it, guys - keep at it. There is opportunity out there; but, only for the practiced and the professional.