Academy Recap: Barça Residency Academy Sweep Arsenal FC in DA Season Opener

September 5, 2018

Academy Recap: Barça Residency Academy Sweep Arsenal FC in DA Opening Weekend

September 5, 2018

RECAP

Barça Residency Academy kicked off the 2018-19 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) season with a bang! On Saturday, September 1 the Barça Residency Academy U-15s, U-17s and U-19s faced DA Southwest Division competitors – Arsenal FC on the road where they collectively registering three wins, scored ten goals and concluded the DA opening weekend with a sweep of Arsenal FC, taking home all 9 points.

USSDA (DA)

Barça Academy U-15 vs. Arsenal FC

Although conceding a goal within the first five minutes of the game, the U-15s started the day positively for Barça Residency Academy with a 3-1 win over Arsenal FC.

The young U-15s responded well to their early mistake and got on the board in the 20^th minute with a goal by Darian Castillo. Aiden Rodriguez extended their lead in the 35^th minute and Barça Residency entered halftime with a 2-1 advantage.

Diego Hernandez scored the final goal of the game in the 64^th minute and Barça Residency Academy set the tone for the day with a 3-1 win.

Barça Academy U-17 vs. vs. Arsenal FC

The U-17s took the field next and carried the momentum from the game before as they shutout Arsenal FC 3-0.

Nicolas Bisagno opened scoring in the 31^st minute and Caleb Suh followed up with a goal just three minutes later, giving Barça Residency a 2-0 lead at the half.

Kazushi Iwamoto put the game away in the 56^th minute and Barça Residency cruised to their second victory over Arsenal FC.

Barça Academy U-19 vs. Arsenal FC

The U-19s whose roster features 8 returning players from the U-17 team that placed third in the DA Championships last season, defeated Arsenal FC 4-1 to round out the Barça Residency Academy sweep.

Arsenal FC opened scoring with their lone goal in the 27^th minute that came from a free kick near the corner flag that was headed past Barça Residency keeper Luke Pruter. Matthew Hoppe leveled the score a minute before halftime on a penalty kick, taking the teams into halftime tied 1-1.

Matthew Hoppe, who was the DA’s second-leading U-17 goal scorer last season scored his second goal of the game in the 53^rd minute, giving his team a 2-1 lead. Nicholas Fernandez made it 3-1 in the 61^st minute before Arjan Dosanjh, who subbed-in in the 77^th minute, added another in the 89^th minute.

“It was an excellent start to the season, winning all three games away from home is a difficult task but the players had a good mentality and were rewarded for their patience and belief in our style of play,” said Academy Director/ U-19 Head Coach Sean McCafferty. “All three teams looked stronger as the games went on and I feel that we took control of the second half in each game which allowed us to manage the end of the games under our terms. Naturally there were areas for improvement, especially how we started the games as Arsenal FC were well organized and pressed well but the response from going behind in two of the three games was very positive. The players showed maturity in adversity which was extremely pleasing to see and we look forward to hosting FC Golden State this Saturday as we strive to build on the positive start to the season.”