CHICAGO (Friday, April 11) – A clash of first place teams highlight this weekend’s Under-15/16 Academy action as the SoCal Conference leaders Pateadores SC (Mission Viejo, Calif.) will host Crossfire Premier SC (Kirkland, Wash.), tops in the West Conference, on Saturday, April 12.

The Pateadores are coming off two straight shutouts against the San Diego Surf Soccer (San Diego, Calif.) and the Chivas USA (Carson, Calif.), and will be looking to continue their streak against Crossfire Premier. With a diverse attack, the Pateadores have compiled a 10-4-3 record with 35 goals scored.

“I would say the strength of the team is their versatility,” said Pateadores Director Mike Ditta. “We’ve played a variety of formations and a system of play for players to play both offense and defense. I feel that it’s been an overwhelming strength.”

During the season, defender Bryan Ponce has lead the back line while Steven Birnbaum has powered the offense.

“Steven Birnbaum’s one of those versatile players that has been able to play key positions,” said Ditta. “Bryan Ponce’s been the anchor in the center of the defense that has been able to lead the group, organize and really execute against our conference teams.”

With a season record of 9-1-0, Crossfire returns from their two-game winning streak opposite Arsenal FC (Alta Loma, Calif.) and the Colorado Rapids (Commerce City, Co.). With only one loss this season, which came against cross-conference opponent Real So Cal (Calabasa, Calif.), Crossfire holds a conference-best of 32 goals for and seven goals against.

In the only match this season between the two first-placed teams, Crossfire seeks to keep up their streak of three undefeated home games at the Starfire Sports Complex.

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Under-17/18 South Charlotte SA (Matthews, N.C.) has a chance to capture the top spot in the Atlantic Conference with a win at home this weekend against their conference rivals CASL (Raleigh, N.C.). South Charlotte (11-2-4) is in second place with 37 points, while CASL (12-1-2) holds a slim lead with 38 points.

Taking over CASL’s hold on first place won’t be easy as the club is on a six-game winning streak and has only dropped one match this whole year. Their only loss came against cross-conference rivals, Arsenal SC (Alta Loma, Calif.), and both ties came in their opening games of the season. Overall, CASL has amassed a total of seven shutouts while scoring 33 goals.

“It’s going to be a game between us and them to win the league,” said South Charlotte executive director Brad Wylde. “It’s going to come down to the wire to win the game.”

Returning from a 4-0 win against cross-town rivals, North Meck SC (Cornelius, N.C.), South Charlotte has scored 34 goals and allowed 14, with a strong attacking line and a solid defense.

“We have a good team concept within the squad,” said South Charlotte head coach Derrick Leeson. “The intensity and the defensive capabilities are very strong. Throughout the season, it has been a team effort and not really one individual that has carried the team.”

CASL and South Charlotte competed two weeks ago with CASL stealing a 2-0 win from their conference rivals. South Charlotte hopes to come away from this weekend’s game with a win to make up for their last meeting.

“We had a good win last Friday, so we’re really excited,” said Leeson. “We’re looking forward to having a chance to redeem ourselves.”

U-15/16 AGE GROUP

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Home vs. Away
Baltimore Bays vs. PDA
Chicago Fire vs. FC Milwaukee
Chicago Magic vs. Sockers FC
Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC
Colorado Rush vs. Chivas USA
Crossfire vs. Pateadores
DC United vs. FC Delco
Empire United vs. North Meck
FC Greater Boston vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
FC Portland vs. Irvine Strikers
FC Westchester vs. B/W Gottschee
Met Oval vs. Albertson Soccer Club
Miami FC Kendall vs. IMG Soccer Academy
New York Red Bulls vs. Match Fit Academy
Nomads Soccer Club vs. Arsenal FC
Potomac vs. PA Classics
Real So Cal vs. San Diego Surf Soccer
Seacoast United vs. South Central Premier
South Charlotte SA vs. CASL
U.S. Youth National Team vs. Scott Gallagher

Sunday, April 13, 2008
Home vs. Away
Clearwater Chargers SC vs. Scott Gallagher
Colorado Rapids vs. Chivas USA
Colorado Rush vs. LAFC
Crossfire vs. Irvine Strikers
DC United vs. PA Classics
Empire United vs. Michigan Wolves
FC Greater Boston vs. South Central Premier
FC Portland vs. Pateadores
FC Westchester vs. Albertson Soccer Club
Met Oval vs. B/W Gottschee
Real So Cal vs. Arsenal FC
Seacoast United vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
U.S. Youth National Team vs. Metro United

For the complete Academy U-15/16 match schedule, including venues and kick-off times visit:
http://www.t7sports.com:8080/2005/k122631.htm

U-17/18 AGE GROUP

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Home vs. Away
Baltimore Bays vs. PDA
Chicago Magic vs. Sockers FC
Chicago Fire vs. FC Milwaukee
Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC
Colorado Rush vs. Chivas USA
Crossfire vs. Pateadores
DC United vs. FC Delco
Empire United vs. North Meck
FC Greater Boston vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
FC Portland vs. Irvine Strikers
FC Westchester vs. B/W Gottschee
Met Oval vs. Albertson Soccer club
Miami FC Kendall vs. IMG Soccer Academy
New York Red Bulls vs. Match Fit Academy
Nomads Soccer Club vs. Arsenal FCC
Potomac vs. PA Classics
Real So Cal vs. San Diego Surf Soccer
Seacoast United vs. South Central Premier
South Charlotte SA vs. CASL
U.S. Youth National Team vs. Scott Gallagher

Sunday, April 13, 2008
Home vs. Away
U.S. Youth National Team vs. Metro United
Clearwater Chargers SC vs. Scott Gallagher
Colorado Rapids vs. Chivas USA
Colorado Rush vs. LAFC
Crossfire vs. Irvine Strikers
Empire United vs. Michigan Wolves
FC Greater Boston vs. South Central Premier
FC Portland vs. Pateadores
FC Westchester vs. Albertson Soccer Club
DC United vs. PA Classics
Met Oval vs. B/W Gottschee
Real So Cal vs. Arsenal FC
Seacoast United vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
U.S. Youth National Team vs. Metro United

For the complete Academy U-17/18 match schedule, including venues and kick-off times visit:
http://www.t7sports.com:8080/2005/k122682.htm