U.S. Development Academy Soccer: San Diego Surf vs San Jose Earthquakes

The San Diego Surf U.S. Soccer Development Academy U15/U16 team put on a great display of soccer yesterday in the rain drizzle at the Polo fields and defeated San Jose Earthquakes 3-2.

Coach Montele Graves says "This was a total team victory.  Every player put out a great effort for the win. The team came together in June, started training in July and we just started playing league games a month ago.  Out of the 5 Academy teams we have played, the San Jose Earthquakes were the best competition so far and we won.  This  speaks very highly of our Surf development team.  Now, we just have to keep the ball rolling so far."  Graves who attended the 2010 World Cup also said that the games in South Africa were wonderful and that he always felt safe everywhere he went.  Colin Chesters, Eric Buchere, David Cohen and Anthony Bruce are assistant coaches.

The competition was the San Jose Earthquakes, coached by Cris Gilmore, were looking for a first win this year after losing their season opener by a score of 1-0 against the La Jolla Nomads yesterday.  San Jose Earthquakes take on LA Galaxy next on October 30th.  Carl Edwards is the assistant coach.

Graves says "Our team is tied for first place in the Western Conference SoCal Division with LA Galaxy's Academy team.  The players are really starting to understand how the academy works and the team is starting to jell and come together." 

The Surf and Earthquake teams both attacked with gusto and there was lots of slipping and sliding during the match.  There was a defensive error on the part of San Jose which Surf quickly capitalized on and scored a beautiful goal. The ball was crossed from one side of the field to the other at the half way line, only the pass was a little short and the Surf forward intercepted the ball just barely in from of the San Jose defender and then ran the ball down to the goal line to face the charging goalie who had no opportunity to prevent the oncoming goal

San Diego Surf U.S. Soccer Development Academy team won 3-2.

Surf Academy’s next home game is Sunday, Oct 24th at 1:30 pm at the Polo Fields against Real Salt Lake AZ U-15/16.  To read more about the academy team click here: http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/27484436/27484682-27484529/TEAM.html