February 12, 2018
RECAP
Fresh off of a trip to California to face LA Galaxy, Barça Academy’s U-15 side returned to Grande Sports World to host LA United Futbol Academy (LAUFA). Barça Academy dominated the proceedings, but a lapse in concentration during the second half saw the teams share the points in a 2-2 draw.
The U-15s were coming off of a tough loss in Los Angeles to the Galaxy, but started this match brightly, dominating possession of the ball in typical fashion. A mistake in possession nearly cost Barça Academy in the 15th minute, but goalkeeper Danis Cajic scrambled across his goal and got down smartly to make the save.
Barça Academy’s first chance of the match came in the 20th minute when Ricardo Benitez slid a lovely through ball to Juan Verdugo, but the striker couldn’t find the target with the goalkeeper bearing down on him.
In the 23rd minute, LAUFA would open the scoring. A cross from the left wing to the back post was powered back across goal, leaving Cajic with no chance to prevent LAUFA from taking the lead.
It would only take Barça Academy nine minutes to respond, and they would find the equalizer in the 32nd minute. Verdugo went through on the keeper again, who managed to get a touch on the striker’s shot, with the ball trickling slowly towards goal, Dylan Akau was on hand to ensure the ball would end up in the back of the net.
The scores would remain level through halftime, but Barça Academy would grab the lead in the first minute of the second period of play. Akau would turn from scorer to provider, picking out Caden Clark in the box with a pinpoint cross. Clark would have enough time to cushion the ball down before finishing powerfully past the helpless LAUFA goalkeeper.
As the half progressed, Antonio Calderon, Akau, Clark and Benitez would all come close to getting a third goal for the U-15s, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Barça Academy would be made to pay in the 56th minute when they were again undone by a header from a cross.
Clark would have an opportunity to win the game right at the death, but his free kick would deflect just wide off the wall. The match would finish with the score level at 2-2.
“It was a little bit of a scrappy game all around,” said U-15 coach Ged Quinn. “I thought we reacted well to going a goal down, but we were disappointed to let them get back into the game with what I thought was a poor goal to concede.”
Looking forward, all three academy sides host De Anza Force this weekend at Grande Sports World and the Pre-Academy teams will travel to Las Vegas to participate in the City of Las Vegas Mayors Cup International Showcase.
RESULTS
February 10
U-15: Barça Academy 2 vs. Los Angeles United Futbol Academy 2
UPCOMING MATCHES
February 17
U-15: Barça Academy vs. De Anza Force | 9:00 AM | Grande Sports World – Field 7
U-17: Barça Academy vs. De Anza Force | 11:30 AM | Grande Sports World – Field 7
U-19: Barça Academy vs. De Anza Force | 2:00 PM | Grande Sports World -Field 7
U-16: Barça Academy vs. FC Bellvue Heron Venom | 11:20 AM | Ed Fountain – Las Vegas, Nevada – Field 2
U-16: Barça Academy vs. Heat FC 02 | 4:40 PM | Ed Fountain – Las Vegas, Nevada – Field 4
U-18: Barça Academy vs. Solar SC 99B Sawyer | 12:40 PM | Bettye Wilson – Las Vegas, Nevada – Field 8
U-16: Barça Academy vs. FC Sport Evolution | 7:20 PM | Kellog Zaher – Las Vegas, Nevada – Field 11
February 18
U-16: Barça Academy vs. La Roca 02 | 11:20 PM | Ed Fountain – Las Vegas, Nevada; Field 1
U-18: Barça Academy vs. La Roca 00 | 2:00 PM | Bettye Wilson – Las Vegas, Nevada; Field 5
LOOKING AHEAD
February 24
U-15: Barça Academy vs. San Diego Surf | 10:00 AM | Surf Cup Sports Park – Field# 8
U-17: Barça Academy vs. San Diego Surf | 12:00 PM | Surf Cup Sports Park – Field# 8
U-19: Barça Academy vs. San Diego Surf | 2:30 PM | Surf Cup Sports Park – Field# 8
Want to be a part of Barça Academy? Register for camps at:
https://grandesportsacademy.regfox.com/new-gsa-soccer-tryouts-summer-camps
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