Donovan Henry, here in the Final against Alpharetta United, was voted the MVP of the tournament

With a record of 13-1-1 in 15 games at the National Finals of the Super Y League in Tampa this weekend the U14, U15, and U17 teams of Schulz Academy showed that the best talent in Soccer in the US is in South Florida, and at the Schulz Academy. While the U14 won all their 5 games, the U17 won 4 and tied one group game, and the U15 team won all their groups games, only losing their semifinal.

All-Time USL Youth Champions List

1^st Chicago Magic with 7 National Titles

2^nd Schulz Academy with 5 National Titles

3^rd CASL with 3 National Titles

 

Schulz Claims 5th Overall SYL Title
U17 Boys North American Championship

 

 

National Champion Schulz Academy U17 team at the award ceremony

 

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

TAMPA, FLORIDA – Schulz Academy claimed their fifth overall SYL North American Championship with a 3-1 win over Alpharetta United in the U17 boys division today at Ed Radice Soccer Complex in Tampa, Florida. Schulz got a goal and an assist effort from Donovan Henry and Christian Henao in the victory. Daniel Espinel netted the lone goal for Alpharetta.

The match started quickly as Schulz needed only four minutes to get on the scoreboard. Following a throw-in to Henry’s feet, the striker turned inside and slid a pass into the area. Henao collected the pass and shot quickly to the near post, past Alpharetta United goalkeeper, Carl Cochran for a 1-0 lead.

Alpharetta came right back with an opportunity that fell directly to striker Chibuzo Nwosu’s feet. Nwosu fired quickly, surprised the ball set up for him as nicely as it did, but the ball was blocked out by a Schulz defender for a cornerkick.

The end-to-end play continued as Schulz went up 2-0 in the 14^th minute. From a play that started on the left flank, Henao was able to get off a sharp cross directly at teammate, Dylan Pepia. At full speed, Pepia ran through the path of the ball, nodding home a goal to the back post.

Things looked more promising for Alpharetta, who won a corner in the 28^th minute. But things turned ugly for them by way of a Schulz counter-attack. Diego Ramos played into space for Henry. Henry outran everyone but the goalkeeper, who came off his line to meet him, but running to his right the forward chipped a ball to the far side netting for a 3-0 lead cruising to halftime.

“I was running at full speed, and for the finish I used the outside of my right foot to make sure I placed it exactly where I wanted”, said Donovan Henry, the MVP of the tournament, after the game.

Either way, the ball went in and Schulz was up 3-0 at the half, which was a lot more comfortable position than the team was in 24 hours earlier against TSF Academy in the U17 Boys Semifinal.

“Yesterday’s match was all guts,” said Schulz Academy U17 coach, Pitu Alvarez. “We were down 2-0 just a minute and 32 seconds into the match. We were able to get one goal back in the first half on a free kick. Then our center back was sent off with his second yellow, just two minutes into the second half. So with 10 men, we scored two goals, one in overtime, to reach the finals. After that, I knew we would come out today on fire.”

Alpharetta needed to score early in the second half to make a game of it and they were on the attack early. Their top scorer, Nwosu had the best early chance on a header from close-range, but the ball was deflected up on its way in and he could not get enough pace on his header to challenge Schulz Academy goalkeeper Nadir Jabr.

Alpharetta did get a goal but it came later than they wanted it to – in the 29^th minute. Much like Schulz’s first goal, the ball started on the right flank and a great ball was played in on the floor by Brian Marshall. The ball was tracked down at the back post by Espino, who finished easily making it 3-1.

Four minutes later, Schulz was in obvious defensive mode with nine players behind the ball at all times. With all available Alpharetta defenders up in search of a second goal, Henry had chances to put the game away, but made some great solo tactical plays to give the defense some minutes to recover. He was successful, stealing large chunks of minutes from Alpharetta and the match ended 3-1 in favor of Schulz.

“My first year at the Super Y-League Finals, we lost in the finals to Vancouver,” said Henry. “It is nice to get back here a few seasons later and go out on top. It feels good that we all came together and fought hard, and won the title 4 years later”.

“The key to win the final was the tremendous moral boost from the successful semifinal. Being behind 0-2 after only 2 minutes, and playing only with 10 players most of the second half, the team came back strong to win in overtime against a very, very strong opponent, TSF Academy”, analyzes Pitu Alvarez, coach of the U14 Schulz Academy team, the performance of the U17.

“Some of the players showed that they have the stuff to become serious professional soccer players in the future. The way they came back in the semifinal, and the quality of play in the first half of the final was extremely positive”, says Dr. Josef Schulz, president of the Schulz Academy.

“Being the most successful club at the National Finals of the Super Y League with 2 National Titles, and one semifinalist makes us very proud, and I want to congratulate all the players, coaches, team managers and parents for this achievement”, continues Dr. Schulz.

 

 

Schulz U14 Boys Take Home Title
Defeats MPS Bulldogs, 4-0

USL Match Report

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

TAMPA – Strengthened by two goals from midfielder Michael Henderson, Schulz U14 boys took home the Super Y-League North American Championship by virtue of a 4-0 victory over MPS Bulldogs Tuesday morning at Ed Radice Sports Complex. The result leaves Schulz with a 15-1-0 overall record in the 2009 Super Y-League, with their only loss coming to West Pines FC on August 12. MPS finished the 2009 season with a 14-2-1 record.

“It was a very hard game at first, with both teams wanting to win,” said Henderson.

 

Schulz Academy came out with force from the first whistle and thoroughly dominated the match, putting a number of efforts towards goal in the first 10 minutes.

The south Florida club broke through in the 16th minute when an initial shot from Rashad Christie was saved on the line by an MPS defender. Christie followed up though and finished from inside the six, making it 1-0 Schulz.

MPS responded well two minutes later when midfielder Alex Wallace’s first-time volley missed just wide right of the Schulz net. The McCabe connection went to work when swung a whipping cross to Henry, who headed just wide right of goal.

 

Schulz took back control of the match and nearly went up 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Michael Henderson’s blast from outside the 18 took a deflection off an MPS defender, forcing a gallant save from Bulldogs goalkeeper David Hepp and the half ended 1-0.

Schulz came out after the interval looking for a goal to give the team more space. They continued to boss the game but were thwarted by an MPS defense under siege. The Academy finally found what they were looking for five minutes from time.

After winning a free kick in the Schulz half, MPS threw nine men forward looking for the equalizer but were punished when the chance came to nothing and three Academy players broke towards the Bulldog goal. Kevin Di Calvo lobbed a pass to Michael Henderson who finished past Hepp.

Four minutes later, Christie found Henderson again to put the game on ice, with Nico Midttun finishing later in stoppage time, ending the game at 4-0.

Seconds later the center ref blew the full time whistle giving Schulz the 2009 Super Y-League U14 Championship.

Along with the offensive production, Schulz was led defensively by captain and right back Greg Joseph.

“This feels great,” added Henderson. “We’ve come a long way this year. Scoring two goals and winning the national final is the perfect ending.”

“We came in as one of the favorites to win the title, and the team showed in all 5 games consistency. The team can handle pressure, and dominated all their games, even against very strong teams like Chicago Magic. I am very happy for the players, because they stick now together already a long time, and their perfect chemistry enables them to win tough and important games”, says Pitu Alvarez, coach of the U14 Schulz Academy Team.    

Schulz Dominates Abbotsford 4-1
Advance to U15 boys semis

USL Match Report

Sunday, November 22, 2009

TAMPA – Schulz Academy’s U15 boys advanced to the semifinals of the 2009 Super Y-League North American Finals on Sunday, downing Abbotsford Mariners 4-1 at Ed Radice Sports Complex. 

Both teams came into the match tied atop the group with perfect 2-0-0 records. Schulz came into the match in need of a win as Abbotsford held the tiebreaker on goal differential.

The South Florida club broke through after 16 minutes when midfielder Troy Manheimer lobbed a free kick which found the head of Rory Kane and looped over Mariners keeper Cam Frost. Only two minutes later, striker Andrew Mattek pounced on a poor clearance out of the Abbotsford backline and finished past Frost for the 2-0 lead.

Looking to pad their advantage, Schulz took liberty with their shots, testing Frost from distance a number of times.

Shaky moments ensued for the South Florida club when keeper Akil Shabazz spilled a shot in the 34th minute and dropped a swing cross three minutes later. The Canadians were unable to cut into the lead though before the interval and Schulz went into the half with a 2-0 lead.

Schulz Academy did not let up entering the second half, keeping pressure on the backline as they looked to build on their advantage. Five minutes in, Jeffrey Michaud broke through down the left flank and put a shot towards substitute keeper Cody Kloosterboer.  The goalkeeper got a hand to the attempt but the ball trickled over the line to put the score at 3-0.

Michaud nearly made it 4-0 after firing a blistering shot towards the Abbotsford goal. This time Koosterboer was equal to it, jumping to push the ball just over the bar.

Abbotsford finally tallied in the 58th minute when midfielder Tyson Hunter scored from the penalty spot after teammate Connor Pickering was chopped down by a Schulz defender.

Mariners had a number of decent chances but Shabazz was solid during the second half and kept the Vancouver-based club off of the scoreboard following the penalty kick.

One minute from time, Schulz put the game completely out of reach when Michaud beat a defender in the box and ripped a shot to the side netting, giving Schulz a much-earned 4-1 victory.

Schulz will next take on Group B champions Mountain West FC in the tournament semifinals with Westchester Flames and RSL Florida going head-to-head in the other semifinal. Both matches are scheduled for Monday at 3:00 pm.

 

MWFC downs Schulz
Set for RSL Florida in Tuesday’s final

USL Match Report

Monday, November 23, 2009

TAMPA – Mountain WFC U15 boys stepped to the brink of the 2009 Super Y-League North American Championship following a 2-0 defeat of Schulz Academy, Monday afternoon at Ed Radice Sports Complex.

In a battle of two undefeated powers, Mountain (10-0-3 overall) had the better run of the play the entire match, with Schulz (13-0-2) mustering just two shots on goal over 80 minutes of play.

MWFC got on the board after 11 minutes with captain Jason Van Bleak (pictured right) heading home a corner kick from winger Anthony Bordignon. The central defender rose above his Schulz marker, heading a powerful ball past Academy goalkeeper Akiel Shabazz.

The Vancouver area club doubled their lead when striker Gilbert Kyne sent a cutting ball to the right side of the 18, putting attacking midfielder Tanner Wright in alone on goal, where he slotted the ball to the left side netting in the 27th minute.

MWFC’s domination continued towards the end of the half when Wright and then Kyne hit the crossbar within seconds of each other in the 36th minute.

The second half was more evenly played, but Schulz weren’t able to muster a decent chance on goal until the 78th minute when defensive midfielder Troy Manheimer pressed Mountain goalkeeper Jordan Campbell into service, powering a blistering effort towards the left post. Campbell dove to make the save, preserving the shutout against the previous unbeaten Academy team.

“This match was a battle for us,” said Mountain WFC head coach Andrea Agnoloni. “We came out with good composure but missed some chances that could have put the game out of reach. We look forward to tomorrow’s final.”

Mountain will look to finish the job against RSL Florida in Tuesday’s final at 11:30 am. RSL defeated Westchester Flames 3-0 in Monday’s other semifinal.

“I have to take my hat of these courageous players. Although we had more than 20 players on the original roster, only 14 could attend the National Finals in our U15 team, and unfortunately in the semifinal they had to pay tribute to their heroic group play. Physically the team could not compete anymore with the very strong and determined opponent from Canada and ran out of gas in the 4^th game of the tournament. Congratulations to the team from Canada, because on this specific day they deserved to win”, says Josef Schulz, who was very proud of the players of the U15 team.