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2012 Development Academy Finals Week – Day 5

After two match days in the U-15/16 age group of Academy Finals Week, the New York Red Bulls and St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri have ground out results and taken the lead in their respective groups.

July 20, 2012

IN THE IMAGE: The 2012 Development Academy Finals Week enters its fifth day with the U-17/18 age group's "Dallas Derby" between Solar Chelsea SC and FC Dallas highlighting Friday's slate of games at the Houston Amateur Sports Park.

U.S. Soccer Development Academy
2011-12 Finals Week
Houston Amateur Sports Park; BBVA Compass Stadium
July 20, 2012

NEW YORK RED BULLS, SLSG MISSOURI IN U-15/16 DRIVER’S SEAT: After two match days in the U-15/16 age group, the New York Red Bulls and St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri have ground out results and taken the lead in their respective groups. In a clash of MLS Academy clubs, the Red Bulls benefitted from a 48th-minute goal in a 1-0 win against the Chicago Fire to put some distance between themselves, the Fire and Pateadores in Group 1. Pats pulled out a 3-1 victory against Charlotte Soccer Academy on the strength of a Brian Pacheco hat trick. Chicago squares off against Pateadores on Saturday needing a win and a Red Bulls loss for any chance at clinching a berth in the championship match, and the same scenario holds true for Pateadores. In Group 2, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri holds a three-point lead and plus-8 goal differential over second-place PA Classics and is in strong position to advance to the U-15/16 championship match following a 4-1 win against Crew Soccer Academy Wolves on Thursday.

DALLAS DERBY SET TO DECIDE BERTH IN U-17/18 FINAL: The final day of group play in the U-17/18 age group is set for Friday with a “Dallas Derby” as the headliner of the evening. With a berth in the Development Academy championship match on the line, Dallas-based squads Solar Chelsea SC and FC Dallas square off at 9 p.m. CT at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. Sitting two points clear, Solar needs only a draw to reach the final. For FC Dallas, who are desperate to get another crack at the title after finishing as runners up last year, only a victory will be sufficient. During the regular season the two Texas Division foes went toe-to-toe three times, with FC Dallas winning all three games by a combined score of 10-0. As is common with most derbies, however, go ahead and throw the record book out the window.

IN THE ACADEMY: PLAYING UP – In the first episode of ussoccer.com’s “In the Academy,” players and coaches discuss the concept of “Playing Up”, where young players can challenge themselves by playing up in older age groups and set themselves up for more success as they look to build their careers. U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann speaks about how “Playing Up” can benefit a young player, while coaches and players in the Development Academy talk about the benefits they have seen on the field. Watch the video here.

DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES TO BE STREAMED LIVE ON USSOCCER.COM: The 2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week championship matches on July 22 and 23 in Houston will be streamed live on ussoccer.com, giving fans the opportunity to view the most elite youth soccer games in the United States at the club level. The U-17/18 championship takes place at 8 p.m. CT on Sunday, July 22, and the U-15/16 championship kicks off at 8 p.m. CT on Monday, July 23. Both title matches will be held at BBVA Compass Stadium, the new home of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo.

DYNAMO DEFENDER SARKODIE IMPARTS PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE: Houston Dynamo defender Kofi Sarkodie spoke to players from the U-17/18 age group on Thursday afternoon. The 21-year-old Sarkodie talked about his path to becoming a professional soccer player, his time with the U-17 Residency program in Bradenton, Fla., and subsequent trip to the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. An NCAA College Cup champion in 2010, he also provided advice to the future college athletes about how to adjust to life as a player and a student. Read the full story at The YNT Blog.

TECHNICAL ADVISORS USE VIDEO TO PROVIDE PRO-LEVEL SCOUTING: Video analysis is an integral part of Development Academy Finals Week and the coaches and teams involved in the end-of-season event in Houston. Technical advisors are providing a professional-level scouting service, analyzing each match, providing video clips to show key plays and other critical areas, then present their findings to the coaching staffs. Read the full story at The YNT Blog.

FINALS WEEK GOALS: Be sure to check out the goals from the Development Academy Finals Week:
Day 1 | Day 2 |Day 3 | Day 4

FINALS WEEK SCHEDULE (home team listed first; times CT)
All games at Houston Amateur Sports Park

MONDAY'S RESULTS
U- 17/18 age group:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4, North Carolina Fusion 1 - Match Report
De Anza Force 2, Colorado Rapids 2 - Match Report
FC Dallas 1, Chivas USA 1 - Match Report
Solar Chelsea SC 2, Baltimore Bays Chelsea 0 - Match Report

TUESDAY'S RESULTS:
U-15/16 age group:
New York Red Bulls 3, Pateadores 1 - Match Report
Chicago Fire 3, Charlotte Soccer Academy 1 - Match Report
Crew Soccer Academy Wolves 1, D.C. United 1 - Match Report
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 3, PA Classics 0 - Match Report

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS:
U-17/18 age group:
Solar Chelsea SC 2, Chivas USA 0 - Match Report
FC Dallas 2, Baltimore Bays Chelsea 1 - Match Report
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4, De Anza Force 2 - Match Report
North Carolina Fusion 4, Colorado Rapids 2 - Match Report

THURSDAY'S RESULTS:
U-15/16 age group:
PA Classics 2, D.C. United 1 - Match Report
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 4, Crew Soccer Academy Wolves 1 - Match Report
Pateadores 3, Charlotte Soccer Academy 1 - Match Report
New York Red Bulls 1, Chicago Fire 0 - Match Report

FRIDAY’S GAMES:
U-17/18 age group:
North Carolina Fusion vs. De Anza Force, 8 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 8 p.m.
FC Dallas vs. Solar Chelsea SC, 9 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Baltimore Bays Chelsea, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY’S GAMES:
U-15/16 age group:
New York Red Bulls vs. Charlotte Soccer Academy, 8 p.m.
Pateadores vs. Chicago Fire, 8 p.m.
Crew Soccer Academy vs. PA Classics, 9 p.m.
D.C. United vs. St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri, 9 p.m.

FIVE ACADEMY PLAYERS HIGHLIGHT U.S. U-20 MILK CUP ROSTER: Showcasing the progress in the development of a strong relationship between the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the U.S. Youth National Teams, five Academy players earned a spot on the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team that traveled to Northern Ireland on Monday in preparation for the Milk Cup. The U.S. faces Denmark (July 21) and Turkey (July 23) before a final placement game on July 26. ( The YNT Blog)

2011-12 ACADEMY FINALS WEEK IN FOCUS: In the days leading up to Finals Week, the 16 participating teams (eight in each age group) were featured on ussoccer.com:

FINALS WEEK HISTORY: Entering the fifth anniversary edition of Finals Week, relive the previous championship matches with a run-down of Finals Week history and a primer on the tournament's format.

Academy Finals Week Rewind 2007-2011 | Finals Week Tournament Format

SOCIAL CONNECTION: Follow the U.S. Soccer Development Academy on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Facebook page, Twitter@ussoccer_ynt and The YNT Blog.

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