Both Academy teams traveled to Greensboro last week for the US soccer Development Academy playoffs. The U18’s, while undermanned, played well, but failed to win any of their three matches. Julio Castillo’s U16’s came as close as a team can get to advancing to the Academy finals. One goal separated them from a trip to Carson beginning next week.

The U16’s won two and tied one match, gathering seven points. They defeated the Chicago Sockers and North Meck, while drawing a tie with eventual bracket winners PDA. Had RSC scored one more goal in any of the three matches, they would be playing next week instead of PDA. The absence of forward Victor Chavez, who was on duty with the U17 MNT, obviously was a factor in the results. The team missed him, but everyone was happy that Victor got a chance to make the U17 MNT. It was great to see Victor playing in a national team jersey!

It is time to take a break. The U18’s move on, most of the players head off to college, places like CSUN, Ohio State, UCLA, UCSB. This is the end of a cycle for RSC’s AB Bru and his three-time National Championship squad. What a great run. The U16’s will rest, some will travel to Ireland for the Milk Cup, Surf Cup looms large in eary August.

The US Soccer Development Academy finals occur July 10-17 at the Home Depot Center. Go down and check out the matches. Some very good soccer will be played every day.

The club congratulates both Academy teams on their success this past year.