TWO ACADEMY PLAYERS TRAIN AT U18 NATIONAL TEAM CAMP

The U18 Men’s National Team recently held it’s the first training camp under head coach Mike Matkovic recently, and two members of the New York Red Bulls Academy were selected to participate.  Midfielder Dylan Mencia (Honedale, Pa.) and defender Sacir Hot (Fairlawn, N.J.) were among players at the mega camp, held from Dec. 28 – Jan. 4 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Both players had been previously recognized by the US Soccer Development Academy as members of the U15/16 Mid-Atlantic Division Starting XI squads for their performances during the 2008 season.

Matkovic and an expanded staff trained and evaluated the 72 invitees by dividing them into four groups. The split squads trained together and played intrasquad scrimmages throughout the week.

The Red Bull Academy duo was among 15 players representing youth teams affiliated with nine Major League Soccer clubs and the Red Bulls were one of just three clubs with more than one invitee.

Each player at the camp was born in 1991, making them eligible for both the U-18 MNT and the 2009 and 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cups. The U-18 program was created to aid in the transition for younger players between the Under-17 Men’s National Team and the Under-20 side.

U20 RED BULLS COMPETE AT SUPER 20 FINALS

(photo from uslsoccer.com)

The U20s competed in the prestigious Super 20 League North American Finals last week in Virginia Beach, VA. Playing in what was tabbed as the “Group of Death” prior to the tournament, the Red Bulls tallied two wins, but did not advance since only the group winner advanced to the semifinals.

In their opening match of the tournament, the U20s played in what was considered the premier match of the group stage, taking on Toronto Lynx FC on Thursday, July 31. Matt Kassel put the U20s ahead with a first half free kick tally, but two unanswered Toronto Lynx FC goals put the Red Bulls on the short end of a 2-1 score line.

READ THE GAME RECAP FROM USLSOCCER.COM

The U20s bounced back from that match with a 7-0 win over Seacoast United on Friday, August 1. Johnny Exantus and Matt Bouree each recorded a brace, while Mario Rios, Christian Uy, and George Garcia scored a goal apiece.

Group play was completed on Saturday, August 2, with the U20s handing HC United, 4-2, to place second in their group. Bouraee, Exantus, Christian Uy, and Giorgi Chirgadze were the Red Bull goal scorers.

The Red Bulls tied for the most goals scored in group play, and posted the second best goal differential (only six of the 16 teams posted a positive differential), but were not fortunate enough to advance out of the group stages. Toronto Lynx FC advanced to the championship match before being defeated.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

U20S KICK OFF NORTH AMERICAN FINALS THURSDAY

The Red Bull U20 side qualified for the 2008 Super 20 League North American Finals, which will be held in Virginia Beach, VA Thursday through Sunday. The Red Bulls have had success in this prestigious tournament in the past, winning their groups each of the last two years, advancing to the semifinal in 2007 and the championship in 2006, falling in penalty kicks in an epic final.

This year, the U20s are in the “Group of Death” with Toronto Lynx, H.C. United and Seacoast United. With just one team advancing out of each group, every group stage match will be crucial for the Red Bulls.

HERE IS A PREVIEW OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

HERE IS THE CHAMPIONSHIP GROUPS AND SCHEDULE

The U20s qualified after posting an 8-1-0 record in the regular season.  The team tallied an impressive +33 goal differential, outscoring their opponents 38-5.

RBR wishes the U20s the best of luck. Let’s bring back some silverware!!!

ENGLISH RESERVES COACH TO JOIN ACADEMY COACHES

Peter Betts, who coaches the Haverhill Rovers Reserves, will be coaching New York Red Bulls youth team for the next five months.  Betts led his side to three trophies last season, and will return to England in December to rejoin his team.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

FOUR ACADEMY PLAYERS NAMED TO USDA U17/18 STARTING XI

The US Soccer Development Academy’s eight Conference Starting XI squads and Coaches of the Year from the Under-17/18 age groups were announced recently during Finals Week at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. In the U17/18 Mid-Atlantic Divison four Red Bull players were selected to this prestigious group.

“It is a great achievement and honor that we had four players selected to the all conference team in the inaugural season of the Academy,” head coach Paul O’Donnell said. “To have four out of the eleven selected is a testament to the impact that these players and the entire U18 team had on the National Scouts and opposing coaches. The players that were selected were worthy of their selection and were tremendous over the course of the entire season”.

The recipients of the awards were voted upon by U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy coaches and National Team scouts.

The Red Bulls total was matched only by the Baltimore Bays, who finished just ahead of the Red Bulls during the regular season, and have advanced to the Finals Week Championship match. The full team is as follows:

U-17/18 Mid-Atlantic Starting XI:
GK: Bill Hamid – D.C. United
D: Thomas Brandt – Baltimore Bays
D: Connor Lade – NYRB
D: Chris Lebo – Baltimore Bays
M: James Wenger – PA Classics
M: Cesar Blacido – NYRB
M: Neil Vranis – Baltimore Bays
M: Matt Kassell – NYRB
F: Chris Argorsor – Baltimore Bays
F: Kyle Bethel – Match Fit Academy
F: Johnny Exantus – NYRB

Coach of the Year: Steve Klein – PA Classics

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