Welcome to this week’s Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Update, which includes information on tournaments, programs, events and achievements involving the Rapids’ youth initiatives.
U-18 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY TEAM GOES 2-0 IN FIRST WEEKEND OF PLAY: The Colorado Rapids U-18 Development Academy team began the 2011-12 campaign with 2 victories over the weekend. They started with a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, with goals scored by Daniel Nevarez and Dillon Serna. Sunday morning the U-18s were back on the field after a short turnaround and beat Texas Rush 3-1 through a second half scoring rout in which Shane O’Neill netted two goals and Alex Bramen’s header from a Dillon Serna corner kick proved to be the game winner. The U-18 team returns to action December 3-6 at the Winter Showcase in Sarasota, Fla.
RAPIDS U-16 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY TEAM WINS FIRST TWO MATCHES OF THE SEASON: In similar fashion to the U-18 Development Academy squad, the U-16s were led on Saturday by Ricardo Perez’s brace and a tally from Alex Toderica as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo. Sunday’s performance against Texas Rush helped the U-16s improve to a 2-0 record behind goals from Perez, Toderica and Danny Devora in their 3-1 victory. The U-16 team will also participate in the Winter Showcase in Sarasota, Fla. from December 3-6.
RAPIDS U-17 TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN NOMADS TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND: The Rapids’ U-17 team, part of the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer system, will participate in this weekend’s Nomads Thanksgiving Tournament & Festival in San Diego, Cali. The annual tournament is one of the premier fall showcases for college scouting.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE AWARDS DOMINATED BY RAPIDS ACADEMY PLAYERS: Former Rapids Academy players Brendan Roslund and Ryan Kowaluk have been named the West Coast Conference (NCAA D-I) Goalkeeper of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for their performances in the 2011 season. San Francisco Unviersity junior Roslund earned the first ever Goalkeeper of the Year award after leading the conference in saves percentage (.862), saves (75 total) and saves per match (6.25). He ranks fifth overall in the NCAA with 101 total saves. Kawulok, a senior at the University of Portland, started all 82 games during his career and was an anchor to the Pilots’ defense while contributing two goals and two assists this season. Both were also named to the 2011 All-West Coast Conference First Team.
PATRICK SLOGIC ONE OF TWO UNDERCLASSMEN TO MAKE ALL-IVY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM: Rapids Development Academy product Patrick Slogic was named to the 2011 All-Ivy League First Team as one of two underclassmen. The sophomore defender at Cornell University played every minute of every game this season and was part of a defense that led the Ivy League with just 13 goals allowed in 16 games, and meanwhile tied for second on the team with three goals.
ABOUT THE U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY: The U.S Soccer Development Academy is a nationwide youth development initiative, organized by the U.S. Soccer Federation, featuring 78 of the top youth teams in the country competing in a league system at both the U-18 and U-16 levels. The 78 youth programs, including one U.S. Youth National Team in each age group, are divided into 10 geographically based divisions, each of which will send a single qualifier to the national finals after the regular season concludes in late June. For more information on the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy, please visit www.ussoccer.com.
