Academy update - U-16

This past weekend the U-16 Academy ended their season with a 1-0 win over PDA in Zeraphath, New Jersey.

Although the U-16’s were slow to find a rhythm in its eventual 1-0 victory, a formation adjustment saw the squad control more possession and put PDA on its heels. In the 34th minute, Gerson Umana (Lorton, Va.) beat a defender and crossed the ball to the back post where a leaping Julian Cummings (Fredericksburg, Va.) headed it down into the net past the diving PDA goalkeeper. It was Cummings’ 5th goal of the season, good for third-best on the team behind Umana (9) and Jean-Christophe Koffi (6; Potomac, Md.). United continued to dominate play after the interval, but a fast-paced final 10 minutes saw both sides create several chances. Black-and-Red netminder Arie Ammann (Round Hill, Va.) made a couple of crucial saves to preserve the shutout and help his team grab three points.

“This was certainly a difficult test versus a quality opponent for the boys, and they responded very well,” said Head Coach Tom Torres. “While the match showed that there is still plenty of work to be done on both sides of the ball before Bradenton, the group is confident, competing and playing quality soccer.”

The U-16’s went unbeaten in the autumn, averaging a League-best 2.80 points per game and posting a 9-0-1 mark in the process.

They will play at the Development Academy Winter Showcase, which is taking place between November 30 and December 4 in Bradenton, Florida.