CARSON, Calif. (Saturday, July 19, 2014) – The LA Galaxy Academy Under-16 team earned a 2-0 victory over the defending-champion Real Salt Lake AZ Under-16 squad in the U.S. Soccer 2013-2014 Development Academy Championship match Saturday afternoon at StubHub Center. Behind a shutout performance, goals from Dylan Smith and Juan Orozco were enough to give the Galaxy squad the title.
The Galaxy Academy team entered the match after a dramatic victory in Thursday’s semifinal match, coming from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Magic PSG Under-16 team in the dying seconds. While it was LA Galaxy midfielder Rey Ortiz who recorded a hat trick in the semifinals Thursday, two different players tallied for the Galaxy in the championship.
After a scoreless opening 25 minutes at StubHub Center that saw both side trade chances, Dylan Smith broke the deadlock for the Galaxy Academy after tapping home a ball that had deflected off Real Salt Lake’s post. Galaxy Academy defender Alex Ramos and forward Adrian Vera combined at the top of the box before Ramos fired in a shot that bounced off the post and into the path of Smith, who tapped it home.
The 1-0 score held through the end of the half, and the LA Galaxy Academy put the game away shortly into the second period. After a Galaxy corner kick, Juan Orozco collected a ball cleared away by Salt Lake just inside the 18 before volleying it into the top of the net to double the score in the 51st minute.
The Galaxy Academy continued to roll after their second goal, with several chances that came close to making the score 3-0 before Real Salt Lake AZ was forced to throw forward players in hopes of sparking a comeback. The Galaxy Academy defense stood firm as the team held on to a 2-0 victory.
With the win, the LA Galaxy Academy U-16 team knocked off the defending champions in Real Salt Lake AZ to earn the 2013-2014 U.S. Soccer Development Academy national title.
