In a weekend filled with stars from around the globe, a member of the Earthquakes U16 academy team shined brightest in the Nike International Friendlies/Development Academy Winter Showcase in Sarasota, Fla.
Philip Hausen, a speedy winger, scored multiple goals in two of his three matches, including a hat trick in a win over the Dallas Texans. The event brought teams together from four different countries on three continents.
The Earthquakes had a couple of keepers in the international portion of the tournament. U18 goalkeeper Austin Black and the U16 team’s JT Marcinkowski played for the Red Select Team in their respective age groups. The teams were composed of standout players from U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams.
The Quakes U16s played three matches in Florida and earned a record of 1-1-1.
In the first match, they drew 1-1 with the Colorado Rapids from the Frontier Division of the Central Conference. Alex Liua scored his third goal of the year in the 10th minute on a pass from Angel. After some frantic and fast-paced action, Colorado drew even in the 30th minute on a goal from Hayden Heinrich. Thepace didn’t drop off in the second half, as both teams continued to push for a possible a go-ahead goal. Josh Morton and Darren Sinclair were defensive stalwarts for the Earthquakes, turning back the Colorado attack time and again.
The second match pitted the Quakes against a Houston Dynamo team that was coming off a loss in its opener against the Portland Timbers. The Quakes gave up two late goals and fell 4-3. The Quakes led early on Rory Birse’s lone goal of the weekend in the second minute. Once again it was Heredia with the assist, as he showed some fancy footwork before bending a perfect ball onto Birse’s foot.
Houston tied the contest in the eighth minute off of a deep throw in that found Sergio Quintanilla racing to the net for the big finish. Another Dynamo goal in the 49th minute gave them a 2-1 advantage, but the young Quakes were not intimidated. Hausen scored in the 59th and 60th minutes to put San Jose back ahead. Liua continued his solid weekend, contributing assists on Hausen’s goals. Houston,however, regained the momentum late, scoring in the 82nd minute and delivered the final blow two minutes later. It came after the Quakes were peppering the Houston box, only to see a counter-attack long ball find its destination.
The U16s final match sent them home on a high note. They took care of the Dallas Texans, 4-2. Hausen continued his hot streak, scoring San Jose’s first goal on a penalty kick in the 28th minute to tie the match 1-1. Francisco Zepeda was taken down in the box and Hausen buried the penalty. A Joshua Totte goal in the 32nd put the Quakes up 2-1, a lead they did not relinquish. Hausen scored again in the 40th minute off Liua’s third assist and fourth point of the tournament, and again in the 53rd to complete the hat trick with a clinical header. Birsesent in a corner that found the head of Hausen, capping off his five-goal week.
San Jose’s U18 team battled the same three opponents in three equally physical and taxing matches and finished with a record of 1-2.
Led by a shutout from Black, the Quakes opened with a 1-0 victory over Colorado. The Rapids had no answer for Black, as he turned away all six shots on goal, proving his Red Select Team nomination a worthy honor. Super-sub Jose Navarro scored the lone goal just five minutes after entering the contest in the 57th minute. Bolstered by Juan Velasquez and scoring star Jesus Garcia, the Quakes used their superior ball movement and offensive flow to generate the opportunity.
Saturday’s match against the Dynamo was an uphill battle from the opening whistle, and Houston notched a 2-1 victory. Houston got on the board in the second minute. After conceding the initial goal, the Quakes settled things down and enjoyed some continuous possessions leading up to the equalizer in the 26th minute. Roberto Mendoza and Elisama Padilla played a smooth 1-2 combo that led to Padilla getting behind the defense, and the Quakes’ leading scorer notched his ninth goal of the season. However, Houston found some open space down the sideline for the go-ahead goal in the 36th minute. The second half was back and forth, but neither side could finish an opportunity.
The Quakes’ concluded the event against the Dallas Texans, and San Jose fell behind early on the way to a 3-1 loss.
With the Quakes trailing 1-0, Isaiah Dargan got things moving on offense. He moved up the right flank and played a centering ball to Velasquez, who scored his first goal of the season. Dallas took a 2-1 lead early in the second half and added a third goal in the 65th minute off a set piece. Trevor Long and Padilla displayed great teamwork in moving the ball up field and locating sub Brian Randall for the goal. Randall used his speed to get past the last line of defense and calmly slid the ball past the Texans keeper. The Quakes kept the pressure on to the finish, but fell short.
The U18s remain in first place in the Northwest Division with 21 points as they hit the holiday break. Their next match is Jan. 19 vs. Santa Cruz.
