Although the rainy weather conditions were not ideal, the Colorado Rapids Under-18 Development Academy had a successful weekend in Austin and San Antonio, Texas, bringing home four points from their two matches.
On Saturday, March 15, the U-18’s handily defeated Lonestar SC Academy 5-1 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. The Rapids came out in the first half with high energy and determination scoring four goals. Isaac Martinez took control of the game early in the first-half, putting his team on the scoreboard just 13 mintues into the match.
"[Martinez] led the team, played really well, and had a great assist and goal," said Head Coach Jamie Smith, former first-team midfielder for the Colorado Rapids, "but everyone's performace was pleasing and the entire back line played excellent."
Within the next 11 minutes, Jovanni Chavez (second in scoring with six, behind Martinez with seven) put up two for the U-18’s, followed by one from Nathan Braaten to give the Rapids a 4-nil lead at halftime. In the second half, the team continued to press, adding a fifth goal from substitute Hayden Heinrich. Lonestar responded with a score midway through the second half, but would not come close to overcoming the deficit for a 5-1 Rapids victory.
The following day, the U-18s took on the San Antonio Scorpions Youth Academy that ended in a 0-0 draw. Yet again, conditions were not ideal.
“The field was small, the surface was not good, and there were 40 mph wind blowing down the field,” explained Smith to ColoradoRapids.com.
Despite the unfavorable elements, the players managed to defend the game well and had a couple of opportunities to score in the first half against the wind. The Rapids thought they had snatched what would have been the game's solitary goal, only for the referee to rule it out, resulting in a 0-0 scoreline.
The team currently holds a 5-9-6 record, sitting 11th in the Frontier Division with seven games remaining. The U-18s are back in action on Saturday, March 22 facing local rivals Real Colorado at Highlands Heritage Park in Highlands Ranch at 10 a.m.
Colorado Rapids U-17/18 5:1 Lonestar SC Academy U-17/18
March 15, 2014 – St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin, TX
Scoring Summary:
COL - Isaac Martinez 13’
COL - Jovanni Chavez 18’
COL - Jovanni Chavez 24’
COL - Nathan Braaten 35’
COL - Hayden Heinrich 59’
LON - Dakota Montet 68'
Colorado Rapids lineup: Charles D'Adamio, Kortne Ford, Enda O'Neill, Jovanni Chavez, Miles Chow, Felix Elias, Bryce Montes, Quentin Pearson (Daniel Jimenez 76'), Dakota Peterson (Remington Ellis 55'), Isaac Martinez (Esdrel Peinado 46'), Nathan Braaten (Hayden Heinrich 55')
Colorado Rapids U-17/18 0:0 San Antonio Scorpions Youth Academy U-17/18
March 16, 2014 – STAR Soccer Complex – Field 1, San Antonio, TX
Scoring Summary:
None
Colorado Rapids lineup: Charles D'Adamio, Kortne Ford, Quentin Pearson, Esdrel Peinado, Remington Ellis (Enda O'Neill 70'), Bryce Montes, Dakota Peterson, Daniel Jimenez, Nathan Braaten (Miles Chow 70'), Hayden Heinrich (Felix Elias 70'), Isaac Martinez
