SAN JOSE, Calif. - Alex Valencia said it felt “amazing” scoring the goal that lifted the Earthquakes under-18 academy team into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Soccer Academy Development Playoffs.
A long season of hard work and team accomplishments has led to the Quakes to a special place – the Elite Eight of academy soccer.
Valencia’s goal in the 31st minute off a Zach Penner cross in a 1-0 win over the Texas Rush clinched a 2-0-1 mark in the group stage in Westfield, Ind.
“When he crossed the ball it got a little bit too far behind our forward Yusef Diyab,” Valencia said of his clinching goal. “I sprinted to it and hit it first time with my right foot and just the luck of the draw, it took a bounce with the wet grass, the goalie barely tipped it and it just went in.”
The Quakes, champions of the Northwest Division, made the lead stand with a typically gallant effort.
“We just fought and battled like we usually do, everybody as a team,” Valencia said.
The U-18s will host defending champion Players Development Academy (PDA) at 4 p.m. on July 7 at San Jose State, with the winner advancing to the semifinals at the StubHub Center.
PDA has looked powerful, but the Quakes relish a challenge. They want a championship.
“Oh yeah, most definitely,” Valencia said. “That’s probably the biggest goal of the academy. We always want to go for big, and we take it one step at a time. That’s what we want to do for our next game. It’s gonna be a tough game, but it’s going to be an exciting game because we’re playing at home. We’re going to have our family and friends hopefully out here supporting us -- something we weren’t able to do when we were over there gone by ourselves.”
Impressively, the Quakes overcame the absence of injured 15-goal scorer Amir Bashti in the group stage. They produced seven goals combined in their first two games – a 2-2 draw with Charlotte Soccer Academy and a 5-0 win over Indiana Fire Academy. Rory Birse and Penner scored against Charlotte. The floodgates opened against Indiana as Penner led the way with two goals.
“It’s just fitting for this group to advance through,” technical director Chris Leitch said. “It’s a group of guys that have been together awhile, that have worked extremely hard. There are some special players, but there’s also some classic role players. On any good team you need all the guys: You need young guys. You need creative attacking special players. You also need no-nonsense type of guys who put their head down and work. This team has all of that. The thing that makes them tick and makes them go continuously is the camaraderie and the team spirit that they share.”
After finishing behind New York Red Bulls and DC United in the East Conference, PDA went 2-0-1 in the group stage of the playoffs, capped by 4-2 wins over Sockers FC and Pateadores.
“We’re going to have our hands full, but I also like our chances,” Leitch said. “One of the things about this group that I like a lot is I don’t think they’re satisfied. They’re not done yet. They’re not celebrating and looking at the end-of-the-year party yet; they still want to compete and advance further and get down to L.A.”
Leitch cited the team’s core group as a big key to its success: Valencia, Rory Birse, Diyab and leaders JT Marcinkowski and Jonathan Partida.
Marcinkowski, a standout goalkeeper, was just called back to the U-18 national team.
Leitch said Valencia had a “great week” in the group stage and caught the eye of Division I college scouts. He is weighing interest from Northern Illinois University, and more offers are coming in.
Valencia says his dream is to play college and pro soccer, but wants to take care of his education first. He is thriving in the academy program, which offers first-class coaching and top-flight competition.
“That’s the greatest feeling in the world,” Valencia said. “I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to play at such a high level. I and some of the players on the team worked so hard to get to places like this, where we get to have fun but take it seriously and stay at a competitive level and play against some of the top teams in the nation. … Coaches and everybody are great. They support you and they provide assistance when you need it. I think it’s a great opportunity.
“I wish more people had the chance to do it, but you have to work hard and it takes a lot of time and dedication.”
The Quakes U-16s also advanced to the playoffs, but did not advance out of the group stage.
