After 2 straight losses in the beginning of the season in their first 2 games, nobody expected Schulz Academy U-16 to win the South East Division of the prestigious new Development Academy League of the US Soccer Federation.
Hard work of the whole team, and great additions to the roster made it possible that Schulz Academy U-16 not only won the South East Division, but also had a great showing at the National Finals at the Home Depot Center in California.
“To finish 3rd in such an Elite group of 63 teams participating in this league is a great success for the whole club. We knew we had the stuff to win it all, but 2 dead ball situations in our first game, kept us out of the final. These 2 goals were the only 2 goals the team conceded in all of the 4 games, and the defense stepped up big time at this National Finals. The key result of the whole season was the 2-1 win vs. the US National Team, which separated us from this moment on from the rest of the teams in our division” says Dr. Josef Schulz, founder of the Schulz Academy.
With an impressive 2-0 win vs. Real Colorado the Schulz Academy U16 team finished an impressive week at the Home Depot Center, the home of the National Finals of the Academy League of the US Soccer Federation. Goals by Sean Hart in the first half, and Justin Diaz in the second half secured the win and 3rd place at the Nationals.
“The boys were very nervous in the beginning of the game because it was live on national TV on ESPN, and they have never been in this position. But after scoring the first goal they had their nerves better under control, and started to dominate the game against a very strong opponent. Overall I am very happy with the performance of the team at this high level event. It shows we did a lot of things right during the season, and we are already looking forward to the next season, which starts already in 6 weeks”, states Fitz Sinclair, coach of the U-16 team.
Schulz Academy established themselves as one of the top clubs in the new Academy League with the U-16 team winning the South East Division, and finishing third at the National Finals, and the U-18 finishing second in the South East Division, missing to qualify for the Nationals by not much.
Jabari Garibaldi seconds before he scored the goal vs. Carmel United
“What we are most proud of is the fact that 7 players made it to the All Star Teams of the South East Division, and even one to the All Star Team of the Academy League of all divisions. Because this is what youth soccer should be all about. The development and showcasing of players. And there is no better vehicle than the Academy League to do this”, mentions Dr. Josef Schulz.
Kwesi Alleyne wins the ball in the air
Justin Diaz (# 11) and Taylor Varney try to steal the ball from an Albertson forward
Here are the All Star Teams:
U-17/18 Southeast Starting XI
GK: Larry Jackson – IMG Soccer Academy
D: Shawn Barry – Schulz Academy
D: Gale Agboosoumonde – IMG Soccer Academy
D: Julian Serrato - Schulz Academy
M: Pablo Punyed - Miami FC Kendall
M: Kevin George - Concorde Fire
M: Rudy Alvarez - Atlanta Fire United
M: Riley Sumpter - Concorde Fire
F: Nick Burton - Concorde Fire
F: Folabit Kingsley - Schulz Academy
F: Taylor White - Concorde Fire
Patrick DaCosta is keeping possession of the ball vs. Carmel United
U-15/16 Southeast Starting XI
GK: Cody Uzcatequi – Schulz Academy
D: Reginald Phelps – Schulz Academy
D: Raffaele Centofanti – Miami FC Kendall
D: Zarek Valentin – IMG Soccer Academy
D: Miguel Medina – IMG Soccer Academy
M: Alex Tuch – Clearwater Chargers
M: Alvaro Bastidas – Miami FC Kendall
M: Justin Diaz – Schulz Academy
F: Hasani Sinclair – Schulz Academy
F: Wesley Sever – Clearwater Chargers
F: Eric Cannon – Atlanta Fire United
Hasani Sinclair was the top scorer for Schulz Academy during the Academy season
U-15/16 Academy Starting XI
GK: Rafael Diaz – PDA
D: Zarek Valentin – IMG Soccer Academy
D: Jossimar Sanchez – PDA
D: Ryan Metts – CASL
D: Reginald Phelps – Schulz Academy
M: Johnathan Aguirre – PDA
M: Harrison Petts – Carmel United
M: Eduardo Alvarez – Greensboro
M: Paul Torres – DC United
F: Soony Saad – Vardar
F: Austin Oldham – Carmel United
CJ Phelps, captain of Schulz Academy U-16, here in action vs. Albertson, was voted into the
Academy Starting XI
“The US Soccer Federation showed us what they expect from us. And this is perfection and excellence. The way they organized the National Finals was unbelievable. Everything was first class. From the hotel, to the meals, the ground transportation, and administration, the fields, the referees, and then the opportunity to play live on national TV was really impressive. This was a big motivation for the players, and for us coaches to try everything possible to keep up with this standard they showed us”, says Fitz Sinclair.
“The Academy League is the best opportunity for young players to show their talent to National Team Coaches, National Team Scouts, and College Coaches. If a player is good, he will be seen by these important people. 10 of the 30 games of each of the 2 age groups U-16 and U-18 of Schulz Academy during the season were scouted by National Team Coaches, and all of them had the presence of many college coaches. The Academy League is a big motivation for all the young players in the club to train hard to get a spot in the U16 Academy League team”, Michael Marsh, spokesman for the Schulz Academy continues.
Sean Hart fights off a forward in the group game vs. Albertson
See below the complete results of the National Finals (U-16 and U-18)
Group Standings
|
Group A - U-17/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
Pts.
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
|
BAL
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
9
|
9
|
2
|
+7
|
|
COR
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
6
|
3
|
+3
|
|
CHI
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
8
|
-5
|
|
FCW
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group B - U-17/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
Pts.
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
|
LAFC
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
7
|
12
|
3
|
+9
|
|
CRW
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
+3
|
|
CON
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
5
|
9
|
-4
|
|
CASL
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
11
|
-8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group C - U-15/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
Pts.
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
|
CAR
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
7
|
8
|
4
|
+4
|
|
SLZ
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
E
|
|
LAFC
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
E
|
|
ALB
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group D - U-15/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
Pts.
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
|
PDA
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
7
|
4
|
1
|
+3
|
|
RCO
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
E
|
|
MAG
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
E
|
|
CASL
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
-3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, July 12
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
11 a.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 3
|
Chicago Fire
|
1-4
|
Baltimore Bays
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 2
|
Colorado Rush
|
1-1
|
FC Westchester
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 3
|
CASL
|
0-2
|
Columbus Crew
|
|
6 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 2
|
Concorde Fire
|
0-6
|
LAFC
|
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
11 a.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 3
|
Albertson
|
3-4
|
LAFC
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 2
|
Carmel United
|
2-1
|
Schulz Academy
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 3
|
Chicago Magic
|
1-1
|
CASL
|
|
6 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 2
|
Real Colorado
|
0-1
|
PDA
|
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
11 a.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 1
|
Chicago Fire
|
0-4
|
Colorado Rush
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 3
|
Baltimore Bays
|
3-0
|
FC Westchester
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 1
|
CASL
|
1-4
|
Concorde Fire
|
|
6 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 3
|
Columbus Crew
|
1-1
|
LAFC
|
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
11 a.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 3
|
Albertson
|
1-4
|
Carmel United
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 2
|
LAFC
|
0-1
|
Schulz Academy
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 3
|
Chicago Magic
|
1-1
|
Real Colorado
|
|
6 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 2
|
CASL
|
0-2
|
PDA
|
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 2
|
Chicago Fire
|
2-0
|
FC Westchester
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 3
|
Baltimore Bays
|
2-1
|
Colorado Rush
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 2
|
CASL
|
2-5
|
LAFC
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 3
|
Columbus Crew
|
2-1
|
Concorde Fire
|
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 2
|
Albertson
|
0-0
|
Schulz Academy
|
|
1 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 3
|
LAFC
|
2-2
|
Carmel United
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 2
|
Chicago Magic
|
1-1
|
PDA
|
|
4 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 3
|
CASL
|
1-2
|
Real Colorado
|
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
12:30 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 1
|
FC Westchester
|
1-1 (5:4)
|
CASL
|
|
3 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 1
|
Chicago Fire
|
2-3
|
Concorde Fire
|
|
5:30 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 1
|
Colorado Rush
|
0-4
|
Columbus Crew
|
|
8 p.m.
|
U-17/18
|
Field 1
|
Baltimore Bays
|
4-2
|
LAFC
|
|
Time (PT)
|
Age
|
Field
|
Results
|
|
|
|
12:30 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 1
|
Albertson
|
2-0
|
CASL
|
|
3 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 1
|
LAFC
|
0-0 (2:4)
|
Chicago Magic
|
|
5:30 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 1
|
Schulz Academy
|
2-0
|
Real Colorado
|
|
8 p.m.
|
U-15/16
|
Field 1
|
Carmel United
|
1-0
|
PDA
|
Saturday, July 19
Friday, July 18
Thursday, July 17
Wednesday, July 16
Tuesday, July 15
Monday, July 14
Sunday, July 13
