Antonio Meza guided the U-16s this season, and though the team struggled to find the consistency necessary to produce results on a regular basis, there were numerous bright spots for the young and talented side.
Over the first third of the season, the Red Bulls posted a 5-3-2 record. After winning their opening match, the team dropped three in a row. The U-16s began to gel and show the resiliency Coach Meza was looking for, coming back from 0-2 down to post a 3-2 win over Potomac, recovering from a 0-1 deficit to tie PA Classics, and producing a hard-fought, 1-0, win over FC Delco (all on the road), before having an excellent game in a 3-1 win vs. DC United at home. The Red Bulls did show inconsistent play, allowing Match Fit to twice come back from one goal deficits to take a 2-2 tie in a game that the U-16s could have secured a win.
"As a professional Academy our expectations are high, but at the same time we know we are working with young players that will need time to adjust to the standards," Meza stated. "At the beginning of season, it took time to find a good cohesion in the group, with some players returning from the last year's U-16s and some of our U-15s moving up. We had to put a young team together in a short period time to play a high level of competition."
Game of the Season I: The 3-1 victory vs. DC United on April 5.
The second third of the season saw the Red Bulls' up-and-down season continue, compiling a 2-4-4 record. The group continued to put forth inconsistent performances, playing a good game followed by a poor performance. The best weekend of the second third of the season saw the Red Bulls travel to DC. Against DC United, the U-16s managed the game with a new mentality and desire to win, but unfortunately the effort did not reflect the result in a 1-1 tie. The next day the result was much better, defeating the Baltimore Bays, 2-0. The game saw the team working defensively and offensively in a perfect balance and making the right decisions on the ball.
"Over the course of the season we had ups and downs with some inconsistency, which is normal in young players," Meza noted. "With the addition of Mark Brode and the improvement of players like Sacir Hot, Dylan Mencia, David Najem, and Oscar Gonzalez, and the good performance of some of the youngest players, like Christian Battistesa, Cliford Lyle, Victor Manosalva, and Samuel Adjei, we start showing progress and finding a style of play."
Game of the Season II: The 2-0 victory at Baltimore Bays on May 11.
The final third of the season saw the U-16s begin to put together a string of results, posting a 5-3-2 record. The Red Bulls competed in the Spring Showcase in Chicago, facing the US National Team in the first game. Despite the result, the U-16s battled and created chances to score, but could not overcome the more talented side. The next day The Red Bulls produced a 2-0 win over Empire United in a physical game against a difficult team that challenged them with long balls and a physical game. According to Coach Meza, one of the best games of the season that the U-16s played was against FC Kendall. The Red Bulls went a man down at the 35th minute, but held on for a 1-1 tie with a tremendous effort against one of the best teams of the country.
Finishing up the season, the U-16s traveled to North Carolina to participate in the Summer Showcase where the team had the best performances of the season. The Red Bulls defeated De Anza Force, 3-1, with an excellent collective performance. The next game the Red Bulls downed FC Milwaukee, 1-0, showing some of the maturity and teamwork that the team developed during the season, as the side found a way to score and win the game by playing their game, moving the ball, and trying to find the right moment to get a goal.
The team completed the season third in their conference with a record of 12-10-8. The conference winner, PDA, advanced to the national final before dropping a 1-0 decision to Carmel United.
"It was nice to see how a young team played against the US National team and became a team that received good comments from National Team Scouts and college coaches," Meza stated. "I wish good luck to Sacir Hot, Mark Brode, Dylan Mencia and all the players that are moving up to the U18s and also to the ones that will stay playing for the U-16 this coming season. It was a great experience for me to go through the season working with the team."
Games of the Season III: The match vs. the US National Team, the 1-1 draw vs. FC Kendal, the 3-1 victory vs. DeAnza Force, and the match vs. Columbus Crew.
Some individual players highlights from Coach Meza:
1. Sacir Hot, Defender
US Soccer Development Academy Mid-Atlantic Division Starting XI.
Made 28 starts, 2179 minutes on the field, four goals and one assist.
2. Dylan Mencia, Midfielder
US Soccer Development Academy Mid-Atlantic Division Starting XI
Made 19 starts, 1622 minutes on the field, one goal and seven assists.
3. Oscar Gonzalez, Forward
US National Pool player: Under 15
Made 17 starts, 1575 minutes on the field, led the team with eight goals, adding three assists.
4. David Najem, Midfielder
Made 21 starts, 1604 minutes on the field, two goals and four assists.
5. Mark Brode, Midfielder
Made 15 starts, 1411 minutes on the field, four goals and one assist.
6. Travis Ives, Goalkeeper
Made 19 starts, 1421 minutes on the field.
7. Samuel Adjei, Forward
Made 14 starts, 1207 minutes on the field, four goals and four assists.
8. Cliford Lyle, Midfielder
Made nine starts, 1153 minutes on the field, three goals and three assists.
