Three MLS teams advanced to the semifinals of the 2014-15 US Soccer Development Academy season at the U-18 level after quarterfinal wins on Tuesday, with the U-16 quarterfinals set for Wednesday. The semifinals and final in each age group will be held July 16-18 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
The U-18 drama started Tuesday afternoon in Casa Grande, Arizona, as Real Salt Lake scored two goals in the last 25 minutes, including a 30-yard strike from Edgar Duran in stoppage time, to beat Minnesota-based prep school Shattuck-St. Mary's 2-1. Duran had scored the tying goal as well, and deep into stoppage time he let fly with his weaker left foot to send his team to the semifinals and himself onto SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays countdown at No. 7 (see above).
There was also a wild contest in Houston, where U-18 internationals Cam Lindley and Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire) and Christian Lucatero (Houston Dynamo) squared off. Lucatero (Oregon State commit) netted twice on penalty kicks, Lindley (North Carolina) had a goal and an assist and both teams suffered red cards. In the end, a hat trick and a stoppage-time winner from Chicago's Ryan Sierakowski (Michigan State) proved decisive in a 4-3 thriller.
Even No. 1 overall seed Montreal Impact faced some drama, falling behind in the second minute against Real So Cal, only to rally for a 3-1 win. Nevello Yoseke and Badreddine Boulajoul each scored in the first half to give the Impact the lead, and Jimmy Sanon wrapped it up late in the second half.
Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes shut out defending champions PDA (N.J.) 3-0 behind goals from Rory Birse on a penalty kick, US U-18 international Amir Bashti (Stanford) and Yousef Diyab (Cal State-East Bay) and a shutout from US U-18 international goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski (Georgetown).
The U-18 level is for players born in 1996 or later, with the U-16 level for players born in 1998 or later, as the age designations are made at the start of the season (fall 2014). Last year's winners were PDA (U-18) and LA Galaxy (U-16). MLS teams have won the last five U-16 titles but just one U-18 crown in the league's first seven seasons.
U-18 quarterfinals (home team listed first)
Montreal Impact 3, Real So Cal 1 - MTL recap
Real Salt Lake 2, Shattuck-St. Mary's (Minn.) 1 - RSL recap
Houston Dynamo 3, Chicago Fire 4 - CHI recap
San Jose Earthquakes 3, PDA (N.J.) 0 - SJ recap
U-16 quarterfinals - July 8 (home team listed first)
New York Red Bulls 4, Chivas USA 2 - RBNY recap
Philadelphia Union 5, New England Revolution 3, OT - PHI recap
FC Dallas 6, Beachside (Conn.) 0 - FCD recap
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (4). Georgia United 2 (5), OT/SO - VAN recap | VAN column
