CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013) – Four different players scored goals for the LA Galaxy Academy Under-18’s as the club beat Arsenal FC 4-1 Saturday at Riverside Community College. The Galaxy, which is averaging 3.2 goals a game, are tied for sixth in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and tied for second in the Western Conference with 23 goals on the season.
On Saturday, however, they gave up the first goal of the game in the 31st minute. The early deficit didn’t faze the Galaxy as they responded with four unanswered goals to get the win, including three in the second half. Defender Jeffrey Quezada started the scoring parade in the first half with the game equalizing goal at the 42nd minute.
In the second half, forward Adonis Amaya (pictured above) gave the Galaxy their first lead of the game at the hour mark when he scored his team-leading eight goal of the season. In the 87th minute, forward Steve Martinez gave the Galaxy some breathing room with his third goal of the campaign. In the 90th minute, midfielder Jaime Villarreal put the game away when he scored his second goal of the season to make it 4-1.
The Galaxy Academy U-18’s, which improve their overall record 5-1-1 through seven games, have now scored four goals or more in a game four times this season. They’ve scored three goals or more in a game six times, and have only been held to goal or less once.
Following the win, the team got a chance to watch the LA Galaxy team take on Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals from the sidelines. It provided the players with an opportunity to experience playoff atmosphere from down on the field level.
The team plays twice more this month before going on the Development Academy winter break, with play resuming on January 19.
The Galaxy Academy U-18’s next game is Sunday against Real So Cal at 11 a.m. at Oak Park High School.
LA Galaxy U-16’S EXTEND UNBEATEN STREAK: With goals from forward Jorge Ruiz and Adrian Vera, the LA Galaxy Academy U-16’s beat Arsenal FC 2-0 to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play. After a scoreless first half, the Galaxy scored twice in the second half to record fifth win of the season. Ruiz scored the game-winner in the 47th minute, the goal was his team-high eight goal in eight games. Vera then doubled the Galaxy’s lead in 52nd minute with his third goal of the season. The rest was up to the defense, led by goalkeeper Bennett Sneddon, which recorded its third shutout of the campaign. The Galaxy Academy U-16’s are now 5-0-3 overall and remain in first place of the Southwest Division standing with 18 points. Next up for the squad is a road game this Sunday against Real So Cal at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Park High School.
GALAXY ACADEMY U-14’s WIN 5-1, WRIGHT NETS HAT TRICK: The LA Galaxy Academy Under-14’s rebounded from last week’s loss to Pateadores with a 5-1 win over Arsenal FC on Saturday at Riverside Community College. Hanif Wright, the younger brother of LA Galaxy Academy U-16 forward Haji Wright, scored three goals in the game to register his second hat-trick of the season. Jacob Muchnick and Salvador Segura each scored their first goal of the season in the win. Wright opened the scoring activity in 22nd minute, the goal was the only score of the first half. In the second half, Wright quickly doubled the Galaxy’s lead in the 47th minute. Arsenal got one back a minute later, but Muchnick made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute. Segura got his goal just before the hour mark and Wright got his third of the game in the 72nd minute. The Galaxy Academy U-14’s are now 5-1-1 overall on the season. Next up for the squad is a road game this Sunday against Real So Cal at 4 p.m. at Oak Park High School. It is the second of six games the team is scheduled to play in November.
U-16 B’S PICK UP THREE POINTS: The LA Galaxy Academy U-16 B’s picked up the three points in SCDSL play last Sunday by beating the Pateadores Academy U-12’s 3-1 at Rancho Santa Margarita High School. Jason Ballejo, Afredo Cruz-Flores and Brandon Torres all scored for the Galaxy, which improves to 3-4-1 on the season. The LA Galaxy Academy U-16 B’s are off this weekend, but return to action the following week, when they go on the road to take on Santa Barbara SC U-16 at San Marcos High School Sat., Nov. 16, at 9 a.m.
U-14 B’S RETURN TO ACTION: After enjoying a week off, the LA Galaxy Academy U-14 B’s return to action this Saturday against San Diego Surf U-14 Aguilar. The game Galaxy, which own a 1-3-2 overall record, will go on the road to take on a Surf team that boast a perfect 5-0-0 record at the San Diego Polo Fields at 9 a.m. The Galaxy started the season by losing three of its first five games, but the team is coming off a 6-3 win over Real So Cal U-14 White on Saturday, Oct. 26.
U-12 NORTH AND SOUTH BOTH SCORE BIG WINS: The LA Galaxy Academy U-12 teams enjoyed a big weekend in SCDSL play. The LA Galaxy Academy U-12 South bested FC Los Angeles 4-1 at North Torrance High School on Saturday, followed by the LA Galaxy Academy U-12 North team blanking the LA Galaxy South Bay Gold team 5-0 at the same stadium on the same day. This weekend, the teams are back in action on Saturday. The U-12 South team, which is currently 7-0-2 for 23 points and second in the standings, are on the road against Manhattan Beach Sand and Surf at the Manhattan Village Field Turf at 8 a.m. Meanwhile, the U-12 North team, who currently post a 6-1-3 record for 21 points, and have scored 38 goals on the season, host Santa Barbara SC White at North Torrance High School at 10:50 a.m.
STAY CONNECTED: To get the latest information about the LA Galaxy Academy and its teams, follow the club on twitter @LAGalaxyAcademy or on Facebook at Facebook.com/LAGalaxyAcademy. Schedule changes, score updates and news and insights are all provided via those accounts.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
Game (Date)
LA Galaxy Academy U-18’s @ Real So Cal U-18’s (Sunday, Nov. 10)
Game will be played at Oak Park High School at 11 a.m.
LA Galaxy Academy U-16’s @ Real So Cal U-16’s (Sunday, Nov. 10)
Game will be played at Oak Park High School at 1:30 p.m.
LA Galaxy Academy U-14’s @ Real So Cal U-14’s (Sunday, Nov. 10)
Game will be played at Oak Park High School at 4 p.m.
LA Galaxy Academy U-12 South @. Manhattan Beach Sand and Surf (Saturday, Nov. 9)
Game will be played at Manhattan Village Field Turf at 8 a.m.
LA Galaxy Academy U-14 B’s @. San Diego Surf U-14 Aguilar (Saturday, Nov. 9)
Game will be played at San Diego Polo Field # 12 at 9 a.m.
LA Galaxy Academy U-12 North vs. Santa Barbara SC U-12 (Saturday, Nov. 9)
Game will be played at North Torrance High School Stadium Field at 10:50 a.m.
Times and locations for all games are correct as of Tuesday, Nov. 5. Click here for a complete schedule of games in the Southern California Development Soccer League and U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which includes the Galaxy Academy’s U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams.
