BOCA RATON, FL (July 20, 2008) – The inaugural U.S. Soccer Development Academy League 2008 Season ended on a very positive note for Schulz Academy.  The U18s finished 2nd in the Southeast Division with Shawn Barry, Julian Serrato, and Folabit Kingsley all making the Southeast Conference U18 Starting XI. Of course the big story is that of the Southeast Conference Champions U16 Boys who finished 3rd overall at the Development Academy League Finals. Cody Uzcatequi, Justin Diaz, and Hasani Sinclair made the Southeast Conference U16 Starting XI. Meanwhile, Reginald Phelps made the Southeast Conference U16 Starting XI and the Development Academy U16 Starting XI. The recipients of the honors were voted upon by U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy coaches and National Team scouts.

“More than anything we are extremely proud of our players. They deserve all the accolades for their months of hard work and consistent performances. These players were exposed to the best competition from the biggest clubs in the country over the course of 9 months. The growth from the first set of games to the games over the final weeks was tremendous. Every game was a highly competitive game.  Being part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy League was the best preparation these boys could have gotten for college.  The exposure was also tremendous. Every player is college bound and a few already earned trials with professional teams.  We will make some big announcements in the coming weeks.” stated Academy Director Dr. Josef Schulz.

The Schulz Academy U16 Boys travelled to Carson California to the Development Academy Finals where they faced Carmel United, LAFC, and Albertson SC, in what proved to be the tougher of the two groups at the Finals.  Schulz lost to eventual Champions Carmel United 2-1 (goal by Jabari Garibaldi).  Schulz then beat LAFC 1-0, a goal scored by Hasani Sinclair. Next they tied Albertson SC 0-0 to earn second place in group play. In the placement game for third place, Schulz Academy downed Real Colorado 2-0 with goals from Sean Hart and Justin Diaz.  Justin Diaz was named “Man of the Match” as he notched one goal and one assist. 

The game was televised live on ESPN in prime time, 8:30PM EST.  The Schulz Academy team was noted for their quality technical style of play and their individual flair. Justin Diaz’s goal epitomized this style as his shot with the outside left foot from an acute angle sent the ball curving into the opposite upper corner of the goal.  The goal was setup by Hasani Sinclair who combined with his younger brother Sekani on back-to-back wall passes to breakdown the Colorado defense. Hasani did a stepover to freeze two defenders before slipping a no-look pass to Diaz who buried the chance. The first goal also showed a bit of that flair as it came off a neat one-two from Hart to Diaz where Diaz with his back to goal flicked the ball in between two defenders and Hart wriggled into a tight space to slip the ball past the keeper.  It was this type of creativity that enhanced the Schulz Academy teams’ reputation of the team that plays with a Brazilian flair.  A tactical philosophy employed by Dr. Josef Schulz in his training.

“From the beginning of the Development Academy, our goal was to do everything possible to provide players, coaches and referees with an environment to help them develop and we definitely accomplished that during our inaugural season. The next step will be to continue to improve our system and provide experiences that will allow everyone involved to get better on and off the field.” said U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy Technical Director John Hackworth.

To say that the inaugural season was a success would be an understatement. It surpassed everyone’s expectations.  8 Conferences, 63 Clubs, 126 teams, 4 Showcases, all capped off by a Finals week at the Home Depot Center with all placement games aired live on ESPN.  The U.S. Soccer Federation really put together a first class youth league which will only get better in the years to come.