The Basics
Saturday:
1 p.m.: Earthquakes U-18s vs. Real So Cal U-18s
3:30 p.m.: Earthquakes U-16s vs. Real So Cal U-16s
Sunday:
1 p.m.: Earthquakes U-18s vs. Cosmos Academy West U-18s
3:30 p.m.: Earthquakes U-16s vs. Cosmos Academy West U-16s
*All matches at Lincoln High School in San Jose, open to public.
Quakes' Last Matches
The Earthquakes U-16s are currently in a great run of form, winning their last four matches for an unbeaten record in 2011. Last weekend they beat Pateadores 1-0 and Irvine Strikers 5-1, helped in part by two goals from Gianni Spatola. The U-18s split their two home matches last weekend, coming back to defeat Irvine Strikers 2-1 thanks to goals from Israel Ayala and Carlos Gonzalez, before falling to Pateadores 2-0.
Real So Cal
Real So Cal is a club based in the San Fernando and Conejo Valley areas of Southern California. Their U-16 team currently sits in first place in the SoCal Division of the Western Conference, amassing a 4-2-1 record in league play. The team has only lost once in their last six games. Steve Manios has been a key player for Real So Cal during their run, scoring three goals.
Real So Cal’s U-18s have been less fortunate lately, losing three of their last four games. The last two games have ended in dramatic fashion. In late February, So Cal led 2-0 over Patedores through early goals from Blake Steele and Ricardo Argueta before conceding three goals, including strikes in the 80th and 90th minutes, to fall 3-2. However, luck was on their side last weekend as So Cal snatched a point from Cosmos Academy West’s U-18s through a 90th-minute goal from Erick Esquivel to draw the match at 1-1.
Cosmos Academy West
Cosmos Academy West, the West Coast branch of the re-launched New York Cosmos brand, is directed by longtime MLS player Teddy Chronopoulos. The U-16 side has struggled recently, losing their last three matches. Losses to Arsenal FC, Chivas USA, and Real So Cal mark their 2011 slate, but there have been bright spots. Martin Arrieta has scored in the last two matches and leads the team with five goals thus far this season.
The Cosmos U-18s, like Real So Cal’s U-18s, have had a flair for the dramatic recently, scoring and conceding late goals en route to four draws in their last five matches. Goals in the 88th and 89th minutes salvaged draws against Seattle Sounders FC and Nomads SC. Junior Barrientos has shown well as of late, with a goal against Real So Cal in their 1-1 draw last weekend.
U16 Boys
Saturday 3/19
Caludio Celis, Bryce Clark, Cristian Cruz, Christian De Luna, Jessie Garcia, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Angel Heredia, Eriberto Herrera, Nils Langstrom, Cesar Mendoza, Johnny Monterroso, Jose Navarro, Gianni Spatola, TJ Sylvia, Nedin Tucakovic, William Velasco, Djair Williams
Sunday 3/20
Oscar Armenta, Caludio Celis, Bryce Clark, Cristian Cruz, Christian De Luna, Jessie Garcia, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Angel Heredia, Eriberto Herrera, Nils Langstrom, Cesar Mendoza, Gerard Mendoza, Johnny Monterroso, Jose Navarro, Gianni Spatola, TJ Sylvia, Nedin Tucakovic, William Velasco, Djair Williams
U18 Boys
Saturday 3/19
Jorge Alvarez, Oscar Armenta, Israel Ayala Lopez, Jimmy Callinan, Sergio “Checo” DeLaMora, Checo, Alfie Edmonds, Sam Engs, Evan Filipczyk, Carlos Gonzalez, Jesus Guzman, Nick Lima, Gerard Mendoza, Elisama Padilla, Travis Pillon, Gustavo Silva, Jorge Valdovinos, Irving Ventura, Rafael Zamora
Sunday 3/20
Jorge Alvarez, Israel Ayala Lopez, Jimmy Callinan, Sergio “Checo” DeLaMora, Alfie Edmonds, Sam Engs, Evan Filipczyk, Carlos Gonzalez, Jesus Guzman, Nick Lima, Elisama Padilla, Travis Pillon, Gustavo Silva, Jorge Soto, Carson Swafford, Jorge Valdovinos, Irving Ventura, Rafael Zamora
