May 22, 2019
RECAP
Casa Grande, Ariz. –The Barça Residency Academy DA teams took the field at Grande Sports World – Home of Barça Residency Academy for the final triple-header of the 2018-19 season. They hosted DA Southwest Division competitors, Nomads SC in their second matchup for the season. The U-15s avenged their earlier 2-1 loss to Nomads with an excellent 3-1 win on Saturday. The U-17s concluded their regular season with a 5-5 draw. The U-19s wrapped up the regular season on a seven-game win streak with a 2-1 win over Nomads. They finish with an impressive 17-5-1 overall record and currently sit in the no. 2 spot in the DA Playoff Standings.
USSDA (DA)
Barça Academy U-19 vs. Nomads SC
The Barça Residency Academy U-19s finished the regular season off in great fashion with a 2-1 win against a very good Nomads side. The U-19s, who many were playing on their home field for the final time, got off to a slow start.
“We had some good moments in the first half but didn’t play to our usual level until after we went down 1-0,” said head coach Sean McCafferty.
After a scoreless first half, Barça Residency Academy found themselves down 1-0 in the 66th minute. In their usual fashion, the U-19s quickly responded, Nick Fernandez leveled the score for Barça Residency Academy in the 70th minute. Two minutes later Caden Clark netted what would be the game-winning goal. Ahead 2-1, the U-19s managed the game well and secured their 7th straight win.
“The players responded positively to going behind and scored two great goals from Nick Fernandez and Caden Clark which from our standpoint shows a strong, winning mentality,” said McCafferty. “The players have shown fantastic consistency throughout the regular season and we are excited about playoffs.”
The Barça Residency Academy U-19s conclude the regular season with an impressive 17-5-1 overall record and are currently no. 2 on the DA Playoff Standings. They will kick off in the 2018-19 DA Playoffs on June 17 in Oceanside, California.
Barça Academy U-17 vs. Nomads SC
The Barça Residency Academy U-17s who were looking to end the season positively, wrapped up the regular season with a wild 5-5 draw.
The U-17s put together a phenomenal first 65 minutes as they dominated the ball and scored five unanswered goals, jumping to a promising 5-0 lead with 25 minutes remaining in the game.
“For 65 minutes we were excellent. We dominated the game and created a number of goal scoring opportunities scoring some great goals along the way,” said head coach Ged Quinn. “We were 5-0 up at this point and had we taken more of our clear-cut chances it could have been even more.”
Barça Residency Academy scored their fifth goal in the 65th minute and with 25 minutes remaining the game, the momentum shifted in Nomads’ favor. They scored four unanswered goals and the equalizer just moments before the final whistle to tie it up 5-5.
“At this level, you can’t afford to switch off at any time and we opened the door to allow Nomads back into the game with some individual mistakes that hurt us,” said Quinn. “We have to be better in those moments to recognize when we can control and manage the game more efficiently.”
“To finish the game 5-5 after the way we had played initially was massively disappointing for the guys but it is essential that we start to learn lessons from this,” Quinn added. “Although tough to take for everybody involved on Saturday hopefully this experience will help better prepare them for their future soccer careers.”
Goals:
Nick Bisagno – 27’, 59
Ulysses Martinez – 37’
Ethan Sogocio – 36’
Jimmy Glaab – 65’
The U-7s will now prepare for the DA Summer Showcase that coincides with the DA Playoffs in Oceanside, California.
Barça Academy U-15 vs. Nomads SC
The U-15s avenged their 2-1 loss they suffered to Nomads SC in March with an impressive 3-1 win on Saturday. Nomads opened the scoring in the 17th minute with their lone goal of the game. Christos Kaloudis leveled the score in the 27th minute and Barça Residency Academy netted two unanswered goals in the second half to defeat Nomads SC 3-1.
LOOKING AHEAD
The U-15s conclude the regular season at home on Saturday, June 1 against LA Galaxy San Diego. The U-17s will compete in the DA Summer Showcase that coincides with the DA Playoffs in San Diego, California.
