May 12, 2012

© Robin Nordlund/U.S. Soccer

IN THE IMAGE: U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Pia Sundhage

Because of the short time between cycles for the World Cup and Olympics in international women’s soccer, it is no surprise that there tends to be a high level of consistency and continuity in the rosters for both tournaments.

That’s not to say there haven’t been changes, especially due to the reduced roster size of the Olympic Team as compared to the World Cup Team, as well as injuries, a change of roles and of course the current form of the players. So as history has shown, there could be some changes to the U.S. roster between the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and the upcoming 2012 London Olympics.

The USA is continuing its preparations for the Olympics with a May training camp in Princeton, N.J., and is in search of its third straight Olympic gold medal and fourth overall. The competition for the 18 rosters spots is fierce.

The bulk of the 2011 Women’s World Cup roster is expected to be in place for the Olympics, though based on recent competitions, there likely will be some role changes.

Forward Alex Morgan, for example, is proving her worth as a starter paired alongside Abby Wambach. During the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Morgan appeared five times – all off the bench. Also, since defender Ali Kreiger’s knee injury during the second match of Olympic qualifying against the Dominican Republic likely ended her Olympic chances, Sundhage has gone with several different defensive options to try to find the right mix on the back line.

Here is a look back at some of the previous changes during the USA’s one-year cycle from the Women’s World Cup to the Olympics:

1999 Women’s World Cup/2000 Olympics:
Number of players on 1999 Women’s World Cup roster: 20
Number of players on 2000 Olympics roster: 18
Players OUT from WWC – 6: Michelle Akers, M; Tracy Ducar, GK; Danielle Fotopoulos, F; Tiffany Roberts, M; Tisha Venturini, M; Saskia Webber, GK
Players IN for Olympics – 4: Michelle French, M; Siri Mullinix, GK; Nikki Serlenga, M; Danielle Slaton, D

U.S. legend Michelle Akers, at that time well into her battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, was nevertheless a key 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup where she played in every match. Akers made it to the historic Women’s World Cup final against China, but then took a knock on the head from U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry as she tried to punch a ball clear, and had to leave the game. It turned out to be the last major match for the then-33-year-old Akers. She tried to make a run at the 2000 Olympic Team as new head coach April Heinrichs named her to the roster. But between the long-time battle with CFS and other assorted injuries, Akers made the difficult decision to announce her retirement on Aug. 24, 2000, just weeks before the Olympics. Midfielder/defender Michelle French – a former captain of the U.S. U-21 team – was selected to replace Akers on the roster.

The other significant change in this cycle was goalkeeper Siri Mullinix getting the starting nod in goal during the Olympics. Women’s World Cup hero Scurry, who memorably came up with an iconic save during the shootout against China that led to the USA’s second World Cup crown, fell out of favor after the World Cup and could not quite make up the distance before Sydney. She served as the backup to Mullinix and did not play in the tournament.

2003 Women’s World Cup/2004 Olympics:
Number of players on 2003 Women’s World Cup roster: 20
Number of players on 2004 Olympics roster: 18
Players OUT from WWC – 6: Kylie Bivens, D; Shannon MacMillan, F; Tiffeny Milbrett, F; Siri Mullinix, GK; Tiffany Roberts, M; Danielle Slaton, D
Players IN for Olympics – 4: Kristin Luckenbill, GK; Heather Mitts, D; Heather O’Reilly, F; Lindsay Tarpley, M

The 2004 Olympics was the swan song for legends Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Brandi Chastain and this cycle turned out to be the quartet’s last set of international tournaments. With the famed 91ers still on board, the U.S. would take third at the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup and win the gold in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

There were some minor changes between the two rosters, most notably the addition of 19-year-old forward Heather O’Reilly to the Olympic roster for her first world championship at the senior level. She was on track to participate in the 2003 World Cup, but she broke her leg in an exhibition match three months before the tournament and could not quite make it back to full fitness in time. This cycle also featured a goalkeeping roster decision with Heinrichs returning Scurry to the nets and she helped lead the USA to Olympic glory while 2002 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year Kristin Luckenbill was the backup.

Of course, the Women’s World Cup and the Olympics were breakout tournaments for Abby Wambach, who led the USA in scoring at both events, setting the tone for a torrid scoring pace that she has kept up her entire career.

The 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup was the last world championship for U.S. legends Shannon MacMillan and Tiffeny Milbrett who combined for 165 career international goals. MacMillan never quite recovered from ACL surgery, despite her near-miraculous comeback to make the 2003 WWC squad and Milbrett stepped away from the international game for the Olympics after a brilliant career.

2007 Women’s World Cup/2008 Olympics:
Number of players on 2007 World Cup roster: 21
Number of players on 2008 Olympics roster: 18
Players OUT from WWC – 8: Marian Dalmy, D; Tina Ellertson, D; Marci Jobson, M; Kristine Lilly, M; D; Leslie Osborne, M; Briana Scurry, GK; Abby Wambach, F; Cat Whitehill, D
Players IN for Olympics – 5: Rachel Buehler, D; Lauren Cheney, F; Tobin Heath, M; Heather Mitts, D; Amy Rodriguez, F

Sundhage took the coaching helm at the end of 2007 after the Women’s World Cup, so she was working with, what was for her, an entirely new set of players. There was quite a bit of turnover from 2007 to 2008, which could have been partly due to a new coach, but injuries, retirements and pregnancies also played a part.

Following a third place-finish in at the Women’s World Cup in China, the Beijing Olympics was Sundhage’s first world championship competition as head coach for the United States. She went with Hope Solo and Nicole Barnhart as the goalkeeping tandem, and Scurry, at 36 years old, was the team’s alternate goalkeeper for the tournament.

Several noteworthy roster changes occurred from the 2007 Women’s World Cup as this World Cup-Olympics transition marked the most player movement in U.S. Women’s history. Eight 2007 World Cup players did not make the Olympic team, and five new Olympians joined the fray after not earning a World Cup roster spot the previous year.

Midfielder Kristine Lilly bowed out of the Olympics because of a pregnancy with her first daughter. Forward Abby Wambach broke her leg in the final match before Beijing and missed the 2008 Olympics. Leslie Osborne and Cat Whitehill also suffered injuries that knocked them out of contention for a spot on the roster. On a more positive note, defender Heather Mitts returned to the Olympics roster after missing the 2007 Women’s World Cup because of a knee injury and the Olympics marked the first world championship at the senior level for current stalwarts Rachel Buehler, Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath and Amy Rodriguez.

One of the worst weekends of my predictions is finally over, after promising 3-0 Wednesday, Saturday was brutal and ended 2-6.

After perfect Wednesday, weekend games damaged everything and ended with  5-6  10th week of  my MLS Predictions. 

May 11, 2012

© CONCACAF

IN THE IMAGE: U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team forward Toni Payne (19) has two of the team’s 25 goals during the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship.

U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team vs. Canada
2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship
Estadio Cementos Progreso; Guatemala City, Guatemala
May 12, 2012

U.S. U-17 WNT MEETS CANADA FOR TITLE ON SATURDAY:
The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team took care of business on Thursday with a 7-0 victory against Panama in the semifinal match of the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship that clinched a spot in the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan. Now, the U.S. team wants to accomplish its next goal when it faces Canada in the tournament’s title match at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 12. Canada edged Mexico 1-0 in the other semifinal. Canada and the U.S. will represent the CONCACAF region in Azerbaijan with Saturday’s third-place game winner – Mexico or Panama – also qualifying. All the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship matches are being played on an artificial surface at Estadio Cementos Progreso. The final and the third-place match will be broadcast live on CONCACAF.com. Fans can also follow the U.S. U-17 championship match on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer_ynt. For a full tournament schedule and results, visit the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship tournament page on ussoccer.com.

GREEN’S HAT TRICK PROPELS U.S U-17S TO WOMEN’S WORLD CUP:
At the center of the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team’s domination of Panama in the semifinals of the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship was forward Summer Green. She tallied her third hat trick of the tournament – the first U.S. player ever to record three hat tricks in one tournament – and broke the previous CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship record of nine goals set by the USA’s Lindsey Horan at the 2010 qualifying tournament in Costa Rica. Green has 12 goals in the competition – the most scored by a U.S. player in a single tournament at any level. She had five goals against the Bahamas, one against Trinidad Tobago and three goals against Mexico in Group B play.

2012 U.S. U-17 WNT CONCACAF Championship Schedule and Results

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION – Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): 1-Jane Campbell (Concorde Fire South; Kennesaw, Ga.), 18-Cassie Miller (Sereno FC; Cave Creek, Ariz.)
DEFENDERS (6): 3-Brittany Basinger (FC Virginia; Purcellville, Va.), 5-Maddie Bauer (Slammers FC; Newport Beach, Calif.), 16-Mandy Freeman (Lady Renegades SC; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), 6-Gabbi Miranda (Colorado Rush; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), 2-Lizzy Raben (Colorado Rush; Greenwood, Colo.), 20-Morgan Reid (Chelsea Ladies; Cary, N.C.)
MIDFIELDERS (5): 10-Morgan Andrews (FC Stars of Mass.; Milford, N.H.), 12-Joanna Boyles (Chelsea Ladies; Raleigh, N.C), 14-Lauren Kaskie (Heat FC; Las Vegas, Nev.), 17-Sarah Robinson (MVLA Lightning; Los Altos, Calif.), 11-Morgan Stanton (Colorado Rush; Lakewood, Colo.)
FORWARDS (7): 9-Emily Bruder (Utah Avalanche; Sandy, Utah), 8-Summer Green (Michigan Hawks; Milford, Mich.), 13-Darian Jenkins (Sparta SC; Riverton, Utah), 4-Amber Munerlyn (So Cal Blues; Corona, Calif.), 19-Toni Payne (Concorde Fire; Birmingham, Ala.), 15-Margaret Purce (Freestate Soccer; Olney, Md.), 7-Andi Sullivan (Bethesda SC; Lorton, Va.)

ON USSOCCER.COM
Article: The Green Machine
Article: She’s No Plain Jane
Article: Maddie ‘Mad Dog’ Bauer’ Leads U-17 Defense
Article: Downhill Forward
Article: 11 Questions with Midge Purce
Article: U-17 WNT Defeats Panama 7-0 to Qualify for 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Article: U-17 WNT Defeats Mexico, Wins Group B at CONCACAF Women’s Championship
Article: U-17 WNT Beats Trinidad, Advances to Semifinals of CONCACAF Women’s Championship
Article: U-17 WNT Opens WCQ with Convincing Win Against Bahamas
Podcast: U-17 WNT Head Coach Albertin Montoya on World Cup Qualifying
Post-Match Quote Sheet: U-17 WNT 3, Mexico 0
Post-Match Quote Sheet: U-17 WNT 5, Trinidad Tobago 0
Post-Match Quote Sheet: U-17 WNT 10, Bahamas 0
Studio 90: U.S. U-17s Arrive in Guatemala City
The YNT Blog: Meet the Top Top Girl
The YNT Blog: Hello Azerbaijan!
The YNT Blog: An Afternoon at the Mall
The YNT Blog: What’s on Gabbi’s Backpack?
The YNT Blog: Before the Game…
The YNT Blog: Cassie Loves Cows
The YNT Blog: Morgan to the Third Power
Video: U-17 WNT vs. Panama Reaction, May 10
Video: U-17 WNT vs. Panama Highlights, May 10
Video: U-17 WNT vs. Mexico Highlights, May 7
Video: U-17 WNT vs. Trinidad Tobago Highlights, May 5
Video: U-17 WNT vs. Trinidad Tobago Reaction, May 5
Video: U-17 WNT vs. Bahamas Highlights, May 3
Video: U-17 WNT vs. Bahamas Reaction, May 3
Video: Gabbi Miranda – The USA’s Mockingjay
Video: Piñata Party at Practice

U.S. ROSTER NOTES

• Nine different U.S. players have scored the 25 goals for the U.S. team in this tournament: Summer Green (12), Margaret Purce (3), Andi Sullivan (2), Emily Bruder (2), Toni Payne (2), Morgan Andrews, Joanna Boyles, Darian Jenkins and Sarah Robinson.
• Thirteen different players have assists: Green (3), Robinson (3), Andrews (2), Gabbi Miranda (2), Payne (2), Maddie Bauer, Boyles, Bruder, Jane Campbell, Jenkins, Purce, Morgan Stanton and Sullivan.
• The USA has out-shot its opponents 121-12 over the four games.
• The U.S. offense had its only scoreless half of the tournament during the team’s 3-0 win against Mexico to win Group B on Monday as neither team could find the net during the final 45 minutes. The U.S. U-17s have scored a combined 13 second-half goals in the other three games.
• U-17 goalkeeper Campbell has made six saves for four shutout victories in the tournament. Opposing goalkeepers have combined for 35 saves against the USA’s sturdy offense, but have let in 25 goals.
• Nineteen of the USA’s 20 players have seen action so far in the tournament with only backup goalkeeper Cassie Miller yet to see the field.

USA VS. CANADA SERIES

• The U.S. and Canada have met one time in this tournament at the U-17 level and that came two years ago during the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship in Costa Rica. With only two berths available to the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad Tobago, the USA and Canada met in one semifinal. The Americans controlled the match, but could not break down a feisty and committed Canadian defense over 120 minutes. The match went to penalty kicks and the USA fell 5-4, becoming the first U.S. Women’s team ever to miss out on a FIFA Women’s world Cup.

BY THE NUMBERS
1: Goal allowed by the U.S. U-17 WNT in 13 matches this year
1: Game in which the USA has been shut out this year (0-0 draw with China U-20 WNT)
3: Assists by Summer Green and Sarah Robinson to lead the U.S. U-17 WNT in World Cup Qualifying
3.14: Goals per game by the U.S. U-17 WNT this year
7: Number of teams, out of 13, that the U.S. U-17 WNT has played this year that were made up of players in an older age group; the USA is 5-0-2 in those games
12: Goals by Summer Green in World Cup Qualifying matches (eclipsing Lindsey Horan’s 2010 WCQ mark)
13: Goals by Summer Green to lead the team in 2012
25: Goals scored by the U.S. U-17 WNT in four World Cup Qualifying matches
25: Number of U.S. U-17 players to see action in a game this year
40: Goals scored by the U.S. U-17 WNT this year
870: Minutes played by Maddie Bauer this year in international competition, the most on the team

IN FOCUS: CANADA
Canadian Soccer Association
Founded: 1912 (Joined FIFA in 1912)
Head Coach: Bryan Rosenfeld

CANADA ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (2): 1-Kailen Sheridan, 18-Taylor Bucklin
DEFENDERS (8): 2-Lindsay Agnew, 3-Madeline Iozzi, 12-Kadeisha Buchanan, 14-Rebecca Pongetti, 15-Victoria Pickett, 16-Carley Radomski, 19-Nicole Loncar, 20-Larisa Staub
MIDFIELDERS (4): 5-Rebecca Quinn, 6-Sabrina Santarossa, 7-Ashley Lawrence, 8-Jasmin Dhanda
FORWARDS (6): 4-Summer Clarke, 9-Amandine Pierre-Louis, 10-Valerie Sanderson, 11-Nichelle Prince, 13-Elissa Neff, 17-Kajal Parmar

CANADA ROSTER NOTES

• Canada won Group A with three victories while scoring 15 goals and allowing just one. Canada won its Group A opener against Panama 6-0 and followed that up with a 4-0 victory against Jamaica and a 6-1 victory against Guatemala to earn a berth to the semifinal.
• Canada defeated Mexico 1-0 in the semifinal to earn a berth to the U-17 Women’s World Cup as Valerie Sanderson scored the game’s lone goal in the 13th minute.
• Canada advanced to the finals as an automatic North American qualifier.

• This is the third appearance for Canada in the CONCACAF U-17 finals (2008: third place; 2010: first place, defeated Mexico 1-0 in final).
• Canada’s all-time record in CONCACAF U-17 finals is 11-2-1 (36 GF, 10 GA).
• Team captain Ashley Lawrence, at 15 years old, played for Canada at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad Tobago.

LAST TIME
On the field for the USA:
May 10, 2012 – Estadio Cementos Progreso – Guatemala City, Guatemala
2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship – Semifinal

USA   7   Payne 9; Green 17, 31, 36; Andrews 50; Jenkins 54; Bruder 77
PAN   0

Lineups:
USA: 1-Jane Campbell; 3-Brittany Basinger, 5-Maddie Bauer, 16-Mandy Freeman, 6-Gabbi Miranda (2-Lizzy Raben, 78); 10-Morgan Andrews (capt.) (12-Joanna Boyles, 66), 19-Toni Payne, 11-Morgan Stanton, 13-Darian Jenkins, 8-Summer Green (7-Andi Sullivan, 59), 9-Emily Bruder
Subs Not Used: 4-Amber Munerlyn, 15-Margaret Purce, 18-Cassie Miller, 20-Morgan Reid
Not Available: 14-Lauren Kaskie, 17-Sarah Robinson
Head Coach: Albertin Montoya

PAN: 1-Karen Chavarria, 2-Yerenis De Leon, 3-Yomira Sanford, 4-Astrid Diaz (18-Katherine Gonzalez, 46), 6-Laurie Batista (capt.), 8-Yanis Sanjur, 9-Karla Riley, 10-Marta Cox, 11-Kenia Rangel (14-Schiandra Gonzalez, 56), 16-Astrid Gonzalez, 20-Yassiel Franco (15-Genesis Samuels, 62)
Subs Not Used: 5-Katherine Castillo, 12-Joselyn Quintero 13-Karla De La Rosa, 17-Meiby Saavedra
Not Available: 7-Yaniska Garcia, 19-Nicole Medianero
Head Coach: Luis Alberto Tejada

On the field for Canada:
May 10, 2012 – Estadio Cementos Progreso – Guatemala City, Guatemala
2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship – Semifinal

Canada   1   Valerie Sanderson 13
Mexico    0

Lineups:
CAN: 1-Kailen Sheridan; 12-Kadeisha Buchanan, 2-Lindsay Agnew, 3-Madeline Iozzi, 19-Nicole Loncar, 14-Rebecca Pongetti, 7-Ashley Lawrence, 5-Rebecca Quinn, 4-Summer Clarke (15-Victoria Pickett, 88), 9-Amandine Pierre-Louis (11-Nichelle Prince, 76), 10-Valerie Sanderson (8-Jasmin Dhanda, 67)
Head Coach: Bryan Rosenfeld

MEX: 1-Gabriela Paz, 4-Greta Espinoza, 2-Jaquelina Rodriguez (15-Natalie Rivas, 73), 5-Paulina Solis, 3-Jessica Valadez, 6-Michelle Gonzalez (10-Jenny Chiu, 76), 8-Karla Nieto, 20-Cynthia Pineda, 7-Taylor Alvarado, 11-Hallie Hernandez (16-Mariana Cadena, 67), 9-Luz Duarte
Head Coach: Leonardo Cuellar

May 11, 2012

© Jose L. Argueta/isiphotos.com

IN THE IMAGE: U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team head coach Richie Williams

HOUSTON (May 10, 2011) – Ahinga Selemani netted two goals and Tyler Turner added a tally as the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team defeated the Houston Dynamo U-17/18 Academy team 3-0 on Thursday in the soft opening of BBVA Compass Stadium in downtown Houston.

The U.S. broke through in the 32nd minute. Selemani picked up the ball on the right flank and used a combination of speed and force to get past left back Christian Gonzalez. With a step past his defender, Selemani placed the ball past a lunging Fernando Piña. Selemani scored his second of the match in the 49th minute, dribbling past three defenders before hammering the ball past Piña.

The U.S. U-17s capped off their scoring in the 49th minute on Turner’s header off of a Cameron Lindley assist to take a 3-0 lead.

- U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Game Report –

Match: U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team vs. Houston Dynamo Academy
Date: May 10, 2012
Competition: BBVA Compass Stadium Soft Opening
Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 8,611
Weather: windy, 75 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
U.S. U-17              1 2 3
Dynamo Academy  0 0 0

U.S. U-17 – Ahinga Selemani 32nd minute
U.S. U-17 – Ahinga Selemani 49
U.S. U-17 – Tyler Turner (Cameron Lindley) 53

Lineups:
U.S. U-17 – Paul Christensen (Evan Louro, 46), Shaquell Moore (Elijah Martin, 60), John Requejo Jr. (Adonis Amaya, 60), Tyler Turner, Kevin Politz (Jorge Miranda, 60), Cameron Lindley, Corey Baird (Mukwelle Akale, 60), Angel Heredia (Aaron Meyer, 60), Ahinga Selemani (Wesley Wade, 60), Junior Flores (Christopher Lema, 60), Rubio Rubin (Bradford Jamieson, 60)

Dynamo Academy – Fernando Piña (Leopoldo Castillo, 83); Samuel Omondi (Alex Ochoa, 50), Bradley Bourgeois, Erik Tello (Manuel Chavez, 77), Christian Gonzalez; Martin Agredo (Christian Diaz, 50), Jorge Andrade (Bryan Salazar, 50), Juan Lopez (Raymundo Marquez, 61), Jorge Contreras (Jose Rodriguez, 61); Alan Arellano, Glen Reid (Elochukwu Ozumba, 72)

Stats Summary: HOU / U.S.
Shots: 14 / 14
Shots on Goal: 3 / 4
Saves: 4 / 1
Fouls: 10 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 4
Offside: 2 / 3

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Kyle Phillips
Referee’s Assistants: Greg Boles; Midge Van Es
Fourth Official: Enea Zhonga

U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Head Coach RICHIE WILLIAMS
On the match:
“I thought it was great. It was an excellent experience for our players, and the same for the Houston players. It’s not often that young players get to play in a stadium in front of a big crowd and it’s something they will remember for the rest of their careers. We were very happy to get invited.”

On Ahinga Selemani’s performance:
“Ahinga has come on nicely. He just got with us in January. He has adapted well, improving every week and scoring goals. He is big and strong with some pace, but he can also hold the ball up. If he can do this every time he gets out on the field he can be great for our team.”

On the progress of the Academy system:
“The Academy system is progressing along nicely. I still think we have some work to do but I think it’s great to be able to see the Dynamo U-18s come out and be very competitive. We just need to keep developing our academies and keep developing our young kids and hopefully it will help improve soccer in our country.”

On the stadium:
“It’s beautiful. The Houston fans are great and they are going to come out and support the Dynamo. It’s great for MLS and for soccer in the United States. I wish the Dynamo the best of luck in their new venue.”

U.S. U-17 Forward AHINGA SELEMANI
On the match:
“I thought it was a good match. The Houston Dynamo came out strong and our team was able to match their intensity. I think we played well and just showed the crowd what we can do.”

Thoughts on the stadium:
“I really like the ground. The ball rolled nicely and enabled us to play our game.”

Dynamo Director of Youth Development JAMES CLARKSON
Thoughts on the match:
“It was a fantastic experience for the players. The atmosphere and the stadium are just incredible.”

What your players will take away from the match:
“I hope this match inspires our players. I was a little disappointed that we had 11 shots and didn’t score a goal. Hopefully, they learn from it, and if they do it will be worthwhile. I think it’s a great night for those guys and hopefully we can push on and continue to improve.”

Thoughts on the U.S. U-17s:
“I thought the U-17s were very good. They have some real talent on their team. They play a nice system, moving the ball around. They have another year before qualifying starts so the future looks really bright.”

May 10, 2012

• 
  USA to Face Canada for CONCACAF Title on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. ET 
• 
  Summer Green’s 12 Goals in Qualifying Break CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship Record and are Most-Ever by a U.S. Women’s Player in a Single Tournament 
• 
  Toni Payne, Darian Jenkins Each Contribute a Goal and Assist as U.S. Advances to Second FIFA U-17 World Cup

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (May 10, 2012) – The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team, led by forward Summer Green’s record-breaking performance, earned a berth to the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a dominant 7-0 victory against Panama in the first semifinal at the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship.

The USA will meet Canada – a 1-0 winner of the second semifinal against Mexico – for the Confederation championship at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 12, at Estadio Cementos Progresso. Fans can watch the final live on CONCACAF.com and follow the action on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer_ynt.

“I’m very excited for the team and I think they put on an excellent performance out there today,” said U.S. head coach Albertin Montoya. “But I don’t think (qualifying for the World Cup) has hit me yet, because I am already thinking about the final. I’ve already started preparing for it in my mind, who is going to play and how we are going to set up, but I am very happy for this team. They played their hearts out and they deserve it, but we have one more game.”

With her third hat trick of the tournament, Green broke the previous CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship record of nine goals set by the USA’s Lindsey Horan at the 2010 qualifying tournament in Costa Rica. Green now has 12 goals in the competition, the most scored by a U.S. player in a single tournament at any level. She also becomes the first U.S. player ever to score three hat tricks in one tournament, following her five-goal performance against the Bahamas in the first game and her three-goal output against Mexico in the group finale. She has scored in all four matches so far as she also added a single goal against Trinidad Tobago.

Her record-breaking 10th goal of the tournament came in the 44th minute on a looping shot from the right of the penalty area that dropped into the goal at the upper left corner to give the USA a 2-0 lead. Green added another shortly after in second half stoppage time when Toni Payne raced into the penalty area from the left side and found her open in the middle of the box. Green’s shot ricocheted off the left post and crossed the goal line for a 3-0 halftime lead.

Payne made her first start of the tournament in the center midfield along with Morgan Stanton, who had an excellent game on both sides of the ball, and the slick midfielder opened up the U.S. scoring with a ninth-minute goal. U.S. left back Gabbi Miranda showcased her usual precise long-distance passing with a perfect ball to Green over the top of the defense down the right side. Green managed to cross just before the ball rolled over the end line and found a wide open Payne in the middle. She easily swept the ball into the open net for her second goal of the tournament.

The young U.S. players struggled early on to beat Panama’s high defensive line, getting flagged for several offside calls while hitting numerous through balls with way too much pace on the fast artificial surface. The Americans kept their composure and kept pressing the attack, which eventually led to five goals in about 22 minutes, starting with Green’s two tallies to end the half.

The USA could have likely approached double-figures at halftime had it not seen three point-blank chances saved well by Panama goalkeeper Karen Chavarria. The Americans also hit the crossbar twice before the break.

Forward Darian Jenkins, who got her first start of the tournament, and Green, were both thwarted by Chavarria, in the 15th and 18th minutes respectively, despite having possession inside the six-yard box with no one to beat but the goalkeeper.

The U.S. opened the second half with the same momentum as it closed out the first 45 minutes. In the 50th minute, captain Morgan Andrews stood over a free kick just outside the penalty area to the right. She then smashed her shot on a line past Panama’s defensive wall and Chavarria for a 4-0 lead.

Green made it 5-0 and completed her hat trick with an easy tap-in goal in the 54th minute off a cross from Emily Bruder, who also got the start at forward after sitting out the USA’s final group match to rest.

With the World Cup berth secure, Montoya brought on Andi Sullivan for Green in the 59th minute.

Jenkins, appearing for just the second time in the tournament, was an active presence who missed several scoring chances throughout the match but scored spectacularly in the 66th minute. U.S. center-back Maddie Bauer won a ball and continued up the field before playing a pass into the right side of the penalty area for Jenkins. She cut back into the middle past Panama defender Yomira Sanford and blasted a shot with her left into the net the near right post.

The USA capped off the scoring with a strong individual effort from Bruder in the 77th minute. The powerful forward lost several Panamanian defenders as she dribbled across the penalty area from right to left and buried her chance to complete the scoring. The Americans also hit the woodwork twice in the second half as Bauer saw her drive from distance clip the top of the crossbar while substitute Joanna Boyles met a corner kick solidly, but sent her header off the bar as well.

Panama never created an impact on its offensive side, launching just two total shots and failing to register a shot on goal. Panama did create some danger inside the U.S. penalty area on several sets plays, but the American defenders managed to clear away each time.

Montoya sent on Lizzy Raben for Gabbi Miranda in the 78th minute, giving the tall defender her first minutes of the tournament. Every player on the U.S. roster but back-up goalkeeper Cassie Miller has seen action so far.

The U.S. has outscored its opponents 25-0 during the tournament with eight different players registering goals.

Following the championship match, the USA will begin to focus on the third FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This year’s tournament will be staged in Azerbaijan from Sept. 22 to Oct. 13. The USA joins Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria from Africa, China PR, Japan and Korea DPR from Asia (defending championship Korea Republic did not qualify), New Zealand from Oceania and Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay from South America. The 16-team field also includes host Azerbaijan with the remaining two teams from Europe still to be determined.

- U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team Match Report -

Match: United States U-17 Women’s National Team vs. Panama U-17 WNT
Date: May 10, 2012
Competition: 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship – Semifinal
Venue: Estadio Cementos Progreso; Guatemala City, Guatemala
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. MT (3:30 p.m. ET)
Attendance: 100
Weather: 80 degrees, hot

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

USA                        3 4 7
PAN                        0 0 0

USA – Toni Payne (Summer Green)          9th minute
USA – Summer Green (Morgan Stanton)    44
USA – Summer Green (Toni Payne)           45+1
USA – Morgan Andrews                           50
USA – Summer Green (Darian Jenkins)      54
USA – Darian Jenkins (Maddie Bauer)        66
USA – Emily Bruder (Andi Sullivan)           77

Lineups:
USA: 1-Jane Campbell; 3-Brittany Basinger, 5-Maddie Bauer, 16-Mandy Freeman, 6-Gabbi Miranda (2-Lizzy Raben, 78); 10-Morgan Andrews (capt.) (12-Joanna Boyles, 66), 19-Toni Payne, 11-Morgan Stanton, 13-Darian Jenkins, 8-Summer Green (7-Andi Sullivan, 59), 9-Emily Bruder
Subs not used: 4-Amber Munerlyn, 15-Margaret Purce, 18-Cassie Miller, 20-Morgan Reid
Not Available: 14-Lauren Kaskie, 17-Sarah Robinson
Head Coach: Albertin Montoya

PAN: 1-Karen Chavarria, 2-Yerenis De Leon, 3-Yomira Sanford, 4-Astrid Diaz (18-Katherine Gonzalez, 46), 6-Laurie Batista (capt.), 8-Yanis Sanjur, 9-Karla Riley, 10-Marta Cox, 11-Kenia Rangel (14-Schiandra Gonzalez, 56), 16-Astrid Gonzalez, 20-Yassiel Franco (15-Genesis Samuels, 62)
Subs not used: 5-Katherine Castillo, 12-Joselyn Quintero 13-Karla De La Rosa, 17-Meiby Saavedra
Not Available: 7-Yaniska Garcia, 19-Nicole Medianero
Head Coach: Luis Alberto Tejada

Stats Summary: USA / PAN
Shots: 28 / 2
Shots on Goal: 15 / 0
Saves: 0 / 7
Corner Kicks: 8 / 0
Fouls: 8 / 15
Offside: 7 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
PAN – Katherine Gonzalez (caution)   49th minute
PAN – Laurie Batista (caution)           79

Officials:
Referee: Gillian Martindale (BRB)
Assistant Referee: Kimberly Moreira (CRC)
Assistant Referee: Marisol Salazar (GUA)
Fourth Official: Irasema Aguilera (CUB)

ussoccer.com Woman of the Match: Morgan Stanton

May 10, 2012

© U.S. Soccer

One player on U.S. Futsal National Team head coach Keith Tozer’s roster late last year clearly stood out within the pack. He was just old enough to get his driver’s license and he had roomed with someone who was old enough to be his father during his first training camp.

That player is Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Soccer Academy 17-year-old midfielder Lucas Stauffer, who was 16 when he joined the U.S. Futsal Team in October of 2011. Since playing at the Futsal Grand Prix in Manaus, Brazil, Stauffer has continued to be a part of Tozer’s roster pool and is training with the team in California in preparation for the 2012 CONCACAF Futsal Championship in Guatemala in early July.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Stauffer said. “Every time I get called into a training camp, I have a chance to take my game to the next level. I’ve been able to face international competition in Brazil – some of the best competition. I get to train with older guys and for Coach Tozer. I get to develop as a futsal player and also take that to my outdoor game. It’s been absolutely terrific.”

Stauffer became the youngest U.S. Futsal player in the program’s history when Tozer brought him into the U.S. roster for the Grand Prix, and the longtime futsal and Milwaukee Wave head coach thinks highly of where Stauffer can take his game.

“I think he’s the prototype for what a U.S. Futsal player is like for the future,” Tozer said. “He’s been woven into youth futsal programs. And immediately you see the qualities he has, working well in tight spaces and with defenders up close. He’s just a soccer guy – any form of soccer.”

“It’s an honor to have somebody such as Keith Tozer say that about you. It’s amazing,” Stauffer said. “To have him giving you directions and telling you need to do this and you need to do that can only make you a better player if you’re willing to put the time and effort into it. He’s easily one of the best coaches I’ve played for and gets you motivated that much more to play harder.”

Stauffer joined the team through an identification camp in mid-September last year in Torrance, Calif. The Owensboro, Ky., native, who attends Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minn., and plays for its Development Academy team, decided to make the trek out west to give Tozer and the coaching staff a look at his play.

“It started off following a lot of my friends on the U-17 World Cup roster, and I came across the U.S. Futsal Team having an ID camp,” Stauffer said. “My dad has been doing futsal since 2002 – started as a tennis court and now it’s a full warehouse facility. He’s big into it. So I was like, ‘Dad, what do you think?’ He said, ‘Well, we have to get you out of school, so we’ll see.’

“I came out to the ID camp and surprisingly did really well,” Stauffer said. “I was not expecting to get called in at all. But I just felt like I had something to prove to everyone. Even though I’m young, I felt I could still play with the highest level in the country.”

Following the ID camp, Stauffer was given a chance to play about a month later at the Grand Prix against teams such as Iran and Uruguay. A bulk of the U.S. group featured players from the ID camp, but there was some veteran leadership on the team including midfielder Matthew Stewart – the lone 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup member on that roster.

“Matt has definitely been a huge influence on me since he’s been doing this for so long,” Stauffer said. “When we went down to Brazil, he was constantly telling me how to get better. He’s been there and done it in the World Cup.”

In the third game of the tournament, Stauffer netted his first U.S. Futsal goal against Belgium on Oct. 20 last year.

“It’s the highlight of my career,” Stauffer said. “I didn’t know what to do after it. One of our backs, Jeff Hughes, played a through ball to Kraig Chiles, who scored four goals in that game. He crossed it, the goalie tipped it and I really just smacked it as hard as I could in front of the goal. I honestly went nuts. It was the best feeling.”

While Stauffer is a boy among men within the futsal team, he says that the return to the SSMS Academy club is seamless and doesn’t include a heavy wave of storytelling and perspective. The task and focus remain the same.

“When I go back with the club, I don’t expect anything to be different,” Stauffer said. “I’m just one of the guys working hard for the team and sharing that camaraderie.”

Stauffer’s focus on the futsal side now is driven toward securing a spot to represent the U.S. at the CONCACAF Futsal Championship.

“Me being the youngest player, I have to work twice as hard as any other player on the team,” Stauffer said. “If I do get picked up to represent the country in Guatemala, I have to be two times fitter, I have to get bigger to compete physically, which our conditioning coach has taken my body fat up a little bit higher. And I definitely need to be fitter and quicker with the ball if I want to stick around.”

“I think he’s the present and the future for the futsal program, and as of right now he has held his own,” Tozer said. “Not only with the veteran players who are in camp now, but also the prior camp, and that has made him become a better player. He’s been able to continue to grow.”

May 10, 2012

© U.S. Soccer

WHAT’S AHEAD:
Academy Announces Finals Week in Houston: The 2012 Development Academy Finals Week will be held July 16-23 in Houston, with the Under-15/16 and U-17/18 championship matches taking place at BBVA Compass Stadium, the new home for Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo. The U-17/18 championship takes place July 22 and the U-15/16 title match kicks off July 23. BBVA Compass Stadium’s soft opening features the Houston Dynamo U-17/18 Academy team playing the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 10.

Stauffer, U.S. Futsal Train in California: The U.S. Futsal National Team opened a training camp from May 6-11 in Torrance, Calif., in early preparation for the 2012 CONCACAF Futsal Championship on July 2-8. One person on the 22-player roster is midfielder Lucas Stauffer, who plays for the Shattuck-St. Mary’s Soccer Academy U-15/16 team. Stauffer played for the U.S. Futsal squad in October of 2011 at the Futsal Grand Prix in Brazil, scoring his first goal against Belgium. Stauffer spoke with ussoccer.com about his young U.S. Futsal tenure.

San Juan, Orlando City Join in 2012-13: The San Juan Soccer Club and Orlando City Youth Soccer Club have been selected to join the Development Academy for the 2012-13 season as both organizations met all of the technical and administrative criteria for admission to the Academy. San Juan joins the Northwest Division of the West Conference and Orlando City will play in the Southeast Division of the East Conference.

U-14 Boys’ National Team Meets for May Camp: U.S. U-14 Boys’ National Team head coach Hugo Perez named a 36-player roster that will train May 13-20 in Carson, Calif. The roster features 10 currently registered Development Academy players, including two representatives from Players Development Academy (Daniel Barbir, Kevin Silva), Nomads SC (Lucas De La Torre, Joe Gallardo) and FC Dallas (Weston McKennie, Alejandro Zendejas).

LAST WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Central Conference:

• The FC Dallas U-15/16 team posted a 2-1 win against the Dallas Texans, who are leading the Texas Division. It was only the second loss of the season for the Texans as FC Dallas benefited from an own goal and then took a 2-0 lead on Antonio Aguilar’s 68th-minute tally, which proved to be the game-winner. In the older fixture on Saturday, the FC Dallas U-17/18 team’s Jose de la Tejera, Jonathan Top, Nicholas Rochowski and Flavio Guzman each netted a goal during a well-rounded 4-1 victory against the Dallas Texans.
• The Chicago Fire Academy teams now lead both Great Lakes Divisions following the U-15/16 team’s 1-0 victory against the Crew Soccer Academy Wolves on Saturday. Marcus Epps scored a 24th-minute goal for the Fire to hand the Wolves their first loss of the season on Saturday and take a one-point division lead. The Chicago Fire U-17/18 team built its Great Lakes Division lead to seven points following a 4-1 win against Crew Soccer Academy Wolves and a 6-2 victory against Vardar SC Freiburg.

East Conference:

• Anthony Rozzano helped the Empire United U-17/18 team move into first place in the Northeast Division following a 2-1 lead against FC Greater Boston on Sunday. Outside of the division, Empire United also topped the New England Revolution U-17/18 team 4-1 on Saturday. Rozzano provided the big highlight during Empire United’s win against FC Greater Boston with a 90th-minute, game-winning goal. The team is now 2-0-0 in the Northeast Division and 12-4-2 overall.

South Conference:

• Climbing the standings, CASL Chelsea FC Academy’s U-15/16 team moved into third place in the Atlantic Division following a 2-1 victory against North Meck SC last Sunday. Dakota Brinkman scored the go-ahead goal in the 64th minute as CASL Chelsea improved to 6-0-1 in the division. The CASL Chelsea FC Academy U-17/18 team earned a 3-0 victory against North Meck SC and has allowed only four goals in seven Atlantic Division games.

West Conference:

• Real Salt Lake AZ’s U-17/18 team garnered a win and the U-15/16 team had a hard fought draw against Seattle Sounders FC. In the U-15/16 match, Real Salt Lake AZ’s Michael Gray scored an equalizer in the 80th minute to help his side salvage a point against the Academy Playoff-bound Seattle team. The U-17/18 Real Salt Lake team improved to 13-7-5 overall following its non-division game against Seattle, but over the weekend Chivas USA took over first place in the SoCal Division.

PEAK PERFORMERS
Week 32 Player of the Week: Miguel Alves, Midfielder, Players Development Academy
Miguel Alves played up for the Players Development Academy U-17/18 team and scored the game-winning goal in the 31rst minute during PDA’s 1-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls last Saturday. Alves went the full 90 minutes in his seventh match with the U-17/18 team this season. With the U-15/16 team, Alves has played in and started in 12 of the team’s 17 games. He has recently been called into U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team camps.

Referee of the Week: Lance Vanhaitsma
Lance Vanhaitsma earns Referee of the Week honors for his performance during this past weekend’s U-17/18 match between Kendall SC and the Clearwater Chargers. The 29-year-old referee from Florida has worked approximately 20 Academy matches since 2008 and attended the 2011 Winter Showcase. He also works MLS preseason, USL, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, NASL and Youth National Team matches.

ACADEMY AND ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES:
Hamid Returns to D.C. Lineup, Shuts Out Toronto: Former D.C. United Academy goalkeeper Bill Hamid returned to the D.C. United starting lineup and had four saves during the team’s 2-0 shutout victory against Toronto FC in MLS play last weekend. (The YNT Blog )

ACADEMY IN THE NEWS:

• Shane O’Neill Turning Heads at Developmental Level – Denver Post
• Joey Calistri Sparks Chicago Fire Academy’s Second-Half Rally – ESPN RISE
• Development Academy Recap – ESPN RISE
• Development Academy Recap – Top Drawer Soccer
• Fire Expand Fully-Funded Academy Program – Chicago-Fire.com
• Sounders Academy Catches Tough Breaks in Arizona – SoundersFC.com

Related Topics
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Development Academy

May 10, 2012

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (May 10, 2012) – With a dominating 7-0 victory against Panama in the first semifinal at the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship, the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team earned a berth to the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

- U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team Match Report -

Match: United States U-17 Women’s National Team vs. Panama U-17 WNT
Date: May 10, 2012
Competition: 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship – Group B
Venue: Estadio Cementos Progreso; Guatemala City, Guatemala
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. MT (3:30 p.m. ET)
Attendance:  
Weather: 80 degrees, hot

Scoring Summary:    1          2        F
USA                            3          4        7
PAN                            0          0        0

USA – Toni Payne (Summer Green)            9th minute
USA – Summer Green (Morgan Stanton)     44
USA – Summer Green (Toni Payne)            45+1
USA – Morgan Andrews                             50
USA – Summer Green (Darian Jenkins)        54
USA – Darian Jenkins (Maddie Bauer)          66
USA – Emily Bruder                                   77

Lineups:

USA: 1-Jane Campbell; 3-Brittany Basinger, 5-Maddie Bauer, 16-Mandy Freeman, 6-Gabbi Miranda (2-Lizzy Raben, 78); 10-Morgan Andrews (capt.) (12-Joanna Boyles, 66), 19-Toni Payne, 11-Morgan Stanton, 13-Darian Jenkins, 8-Summer Green (7-Andi Sullivan, 59), 9-Emily Bruder
Subs not used: 4-Amber Munerlyn, 15-Margaret Purce, 18-Cassie Miller, 20-Morgan Reid
Not Available: 14-Lauren Kaskie, 17-Sarah Robinson
Head Coach: Albertin Montoya

PAN:  1-Karen Chavarria, 2-Yerenis De Leon, 3-Yomira Sanford, 4-Astrid Diaz (18-Katherine Gonzalez, 46), 6-Laurie Batista (capt.), 8-Yanis Sanjur, 9-Karla Riley, 10-Marta Cox, 11-Kenia Rangel (14-Schiandra Gonzalez, 56), 16-Astrid Gonzalez, 20-Yassiel Franco (15-Genesis Samuels, 62)
Subs not used: 5-Katherine Castillo, 12-Joselyn Quintero 13-Karla De La Rosa, 17-Meiby Saavedra
Not Available: 7-Yaniska Garcia, 19-Nicole Medianero
Head Coach: Luis Alberto Tejada

Misconduct Summary:
PAN – Katherine Gonzalez (caution)   49th minute
PAN – Laurie Batista (caution)           79

Officials:
Referee: Gillian Martindale (BRB)
Assistant Referee: Kimberly Moreira (CRC)
Assistant Referee: Marisol Salazar (GUA)
Fourth Official: Irasema Aguilera (CUB) 

May 10, 2012

© U.S. Soccer

U-15/16 and U-17/18 Championship Matches to be Held July 22 and 23 at Houston Dynamo’s New BBVA Compass Stadium

CHICAGO (May 10, 2012) – The 2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week will be held from July 16-23 in Houston, with the Under-15/16 and U-17/18 championship matches taking place at BBVA Compass Stadium, the new home for Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo.

The Under-17/18 title match will be at 8 p.m. CT on Sunday, July 22, and the U-15/16 title game at 8 p.m. CT on Monday, July 23.

Finals Week consists of 16 teams – eight from each age group – and 32 games over an eight-day stretch from Monday, July 16, to Monday, July 23. Outside of the two championship matches, all games are held at the Houston Amateur Sports Park (HASP), the Dynamo’s permanent training home and multi-field soccer facility located approximately 10 miles south of the team’s new downtown stadium. Kickoff times for the first six days are either 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. CT.

“The Development Academy is looking forward to holding Finals Week at a beautiful facility in BBVA Compass Stadium and the Houston Amateur Sports Park,” U.S. Development Academy Director of Scouting Tony Lepore said. “This environment will only add to the quality caliber of play from the Academy teams and players competing in Houston.”

The 2012 Development Academy Finals Week features eight teams in each age group divided into two groups of four and will play a round-robin format during the first six days. In accordance with the Development Academy Best Practices, teams will alternate game days with a day of recovery. The tournament concludes with placement matches, culminating with the U-17/18 championship game on July 22 and the U-15/16 championship match on July 23.

In July 2011, Pateadores topped FC Dallas to take the U-17/18 title and the LA Galaxy earned the U-15/16 championship over PA Classics in Milwaukee, Wis.

U.S. Soccer Technical Advisors and national team coaches will be in attendance to evaluate each game during the eight days. All matches are filmed in high definition by HiPod, with DVDs available to teams for technical evaluation and long-term performance evaluation by ProZone.

The teams that qualify for Finals Week are the group winners that have advanced from the Development Academy Playoffs, which features 96 games (48 for each age group) from June 25-29 at FC Dallas Sports Park in Frisco, Texas. The playoff event includes the top 32 teams at each age level broken into eight groups, with the winner of each group advancing to Finals Week hosted by the Houston Dynamo.

“The Dynamo are extremely honored to be hosting the Academy Finals and will be able to provide an amazing experience for all the players and teams involved,” Houston Dynamo Academy Director James Clarkson said. “HASP is an outstanding facility, and to have the Finals in the new BBVA Compass Stadium is what soccer at the highest level is all about.”

The soft opening of BBVA Compass Stadium takes place Thursday, May 10, when the Houston Dynamo U-17/18 Academy team faces the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team at 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET). The grand opening of BBVA Compass Stadium takes place on Saturday, May 12, when the Houston Dynamo hosts D.C. United.

BBVA Compass Stadium is MLS’s 11th soccer-specific venue, dating back to the 1999 debut of Columbus Crew Stadium in Ohio. The Dynamo’s state-of-the-art, open-air stadium seats 22,000 and will be the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS located in a city’s downtown district.

Since its launch in the fall of 2007, the Development Academy has improved the training environment and provided high-level matches on a consistent basis, increasing the level and efficiency of scouting for the national teams to provide players, coaches and referees with structured programming.

The Development Academy is moving to a 10-month season starting in 2012-13. The schedule, which runs from September through June (or July based on postseason play), creates a format that is similar to those followed by the elite soccer nations around the world as the Development Academy and U.S. Soccer continue their goal of closing the performance gap with the top nations.

2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week Schedule

Related Topics
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Development Academy

May 9, 2012

YEVPATORIA, Ukraine (May 9, 2012) – The U.S. Paralympic National Team defeated Australia 5-0 to close out the Ukraine International Tournament.

Rene Rentería and Josh McKinney each scored twice in the match, with Gavin Sibayan also contributing to the final score. Midfielder Marthell Vazquez assisted on both of Renteria’s goals.

The team will return to the U.S. before heading back to Europe for the BT World Cup in Manchester, England, from May 19-27.

- U.S. Paralympic National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. Paralympic National Team vs. Australia
Date: May 9, 2012
Competition: Ukraine International Tournament
Venue: Yevpatoriya, Ukraine

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                        2 3 5
AUS                        0 0 0

USA – Rene Renteria (Marthell Vazquez) 6th minute
USA – Josh McKinney                           30
USA – Rene Renteria (Marthell Vazquez) 37
USA – Gavin Sibayan                            40
USA – Josh McKinney

Lineups:
USA: 1-Keith Johnson (18-Alex Hendricks, 49); 9-Josh McKinney, 2-Gavin Sibayan; 8-Dylan Brown (5-Bryce Boarman, 38), 10-Marthell Vazquez, 4-Chad Jones (14-Jerreme Wade, 44); 16-Rene Renteria (12-Charlie Howard, 52)
Subs not used: 11-Tyler Bennett, 7-Adam Ballou
Head Coach: Jay Hoffman

Stats Summary: USA / AUS
Shots: 22 / 4
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1
Fouls: 2 / 3

Misconduct Summary:
none