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Crossfire USSDA kicks off Season with 3-0-1 record BU16 win 4-1 8-1; BU18 win 3-1, 1-1
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Crossfire USDDA U16 Team with US Coach John Hackworth
Back Row l-r: Asst Coach Mike Greiner, Kelyn Rowe, Jack Ryan, Garrett Lee, Dillon Saffle, Spencer Richey, Bradley McIntosh, Kodey Eley, Andrew Cunningham, Josh Smith, U.S. Coach John Hackworth, Coach Bernie James.
Front Row l-r: Dimitri Polichronakis, Robert Lansche, Ben Fisk, Charlie Piehler, Austin Wyatt, Jose Garibay, Cody Snyder, Eddie Mendoza.
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Crossfire Premier started the US Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) season at the National Training Center in Carson, CA, with a 3-0-1 record. This puts them in the rarified air of US clubs going home without a defeat. The Academy Fall Showcase matches last weeked were part of the inaugural USSDA Showcase Weekends and the start of a nine-month campaign for 122 teams competing in over 1,800 matches. USSDA is comprised of 2,440 players, 244 coaches and over 200 referees all of whom will participate in conference games, travel partner weekends, and showcase weekends. The Development Academy Program boasts the most comprehensive platform for youth competition in U.S. Soccer history.
Thirty-six teams from 18 elite clubs joined two U.S. Youth National Teams in the three-day event including teams at the U-15/16 and U-17/18 age groups. A total of 38 matches were played during the weekend showcase and along with spectators the event drew college coaches and scouts from around the world, including those from the Dutch First Division, the Mexican First Division, and Arsenal of the English Premiership. National staff coaches also used the Fall Showcase to identify players for places in upcoming national team camps. In attendance were U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley, U.S. U-20 head coach Thomas Rongen, U-17 head coach John Hackworth, and U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching Bob Jenkins.
Going into the weekend US National team coach Bob Bradley was quoted as saying, "I am very much looking forward to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Fall Showcase. It should be a weekend of great competition. The Fall Showcase launches what we feel is a very important initiative to provide the best possible opportunity for young players to reach the elite levels of our sport. It will very beneficial to these players, and we believe for our national teams as well."
In turn, the Crossfire Premier boys did not disappoint the National Team Coaches, showing they plan to be a leading club on the national stage. The U16s and U18s started the event with matches against the Atlanta Fire, led by National Instructional Staff coach Jay Miller. Atlanta Fire is considered a southeast powerhouse and has a history of developing elite youth players. The Fire has had four players selected to participate in the U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, with several more joining top NCAA Division I soccer programs.
The U16s opened the match scoring a tidy goal by Corey Snyder in the 23rd minute. The goal was the first in an Academy Showcase event. Bradley McIntosh followed with a laser shot from 35 years out the scorched its way into the lower right corner of the goal. Ramiro Mendoza added to the Crossfire lead just before the half with a goal of his own giving Crossfire a 3-0 lead heading into the break. The Fire showed why they are such a formidable opponent with a well played goal in the second minute of the new half but Crossfire would not allow an Atlanta comeback, making this quite clear with another Cody Snyder goal set up by the wizardry of teammate Kelyn Rowe. Goal scorer Snyder commented, “This is one of the best atmospheres where I have played soccer. It is a great competition!” He was also quick to complement his partner in crime Kelyn Rowe and the wonderful assist he provided on the second goal. (Listen to the USSDA Audio interview with Cody Snyder)
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Atlanta Fire Soccer Club
Atlanta, Ga.
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1 : 4
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CSF - Bradley McIntosh, 35 |
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Crossfire Premier
Redmond, Wash.
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| Lineups |
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ATL: 1-Kris Alonzo, 5-Alec Kronitz, 9-Eric Carrion, 10-Brian Interiano, 11-Sawyer Hemmer, 12-Lucas Ade, 14-Peter Kurowski, 15-Nicholas Lane, 16-Nolan Hemmer, 32-Daniel Schwartz, 45-Noah Ta Substitutes: 2-Christopher Jeanfreau, 7-Taylor Krek, 8-Ryan King, 20-Andrew Jones, 23-Caleb Thomas, 24-Jimmy Goldberg Head Coach: Marsoud Roushendel
CSF: 0-Dillon Saffle, 2-Kelyn Rowe, 3-Cody Snyder, 4-Andrew Cunningham, 6-Robert Lansche, 8-Jack Ryan, 9-Ben Fisk, 12-Jose Garibay, 15-Ramiro Mendoza, 16-Bradley McIntosh, 17-Garrett Lee Substitutes: 5-Charles Piehler, 7-Josh Smith, 10-Dimitri Polichronakis, 13-Kodey Eley, 14-Austin Wyatt
Not Used: 1-Spencer Richey Head Coach: Bernie James
Referees: Eduardo Mariscol, Guillermo Diaz, Chris King
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Later in the day the U18s were challengeb by the older Fire squad and their SYL National team ODP goalie, Robert Phelps. The Atlanta boys were coming off a resounding 8-0 victory last week in the first ever USSDA game against Birmingham United and were full of confidence. Crossfire midfielder, Murphy Campbell made it clear this week would be different with a booming shot from 25 yards out that left Phelps helpless. Jay Miller’s boys were unphased and in the 37th minute the dangerous Alassane Kane took advantage of a Crossfire mistake in the back and fired a shot with precision accuracy tying the score at 1-1. The score remained unchanged into the half. The second period started off with both teams sparring in a midfield battle. Finally the deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when Murphy Campbell stepped up again and gave the Washington boys a 2-1 lead. Eight minutes later an alert Alexander Klein speeding down the line picked up a rebound off a thundering shot from Surafel Worku and slammed in a goal giving Crossfire a 3-1 lead. This score would stand the rest of the game.
After the game, the press quickly found star of the game Murphy Campbell to get his thoughts. Campbell, reflecting on his first ever national competition shared, “scoring two goals at the USSDA was huge! It is one of the greatest experiences of my life!” He added, “Being here and looking at the great surrounding is fantastic! It is a great atmosphere. I like seeing all these great players and being able to compete against them.
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Crossfire Premier
Redmond, Wash.
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3 : 1
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CSF - Alexander Klein, 65 |
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Atlanta Fire Soccer Club
Atlanta, Ga.
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| Lineups |
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CSF: 1-Douglas Herrick, 3-Anthony Arena, 4-Matthew Dutson, 8-Murphy Campbell, 10-Alexander Klein, 11-Kellan Brown, 13-Martin Morales, 15-Esteban Reyes, 16-Aaron Becerril, 25-Jermaine Haller Substitutes: 2-Lachlan Huck, 6-Zachary Sampson, 23-Joshua Petosa, 29-Joshua Strasser, 16-Suafe Werku
Not Used: 24-Avimael Castro, Zachary Johnson, Head Coach: Bernie James
ATL: 1-Robert Phelps, 2-Fode Diallo, 4-Richie Wimsatt, 6-Russell Gaither, 8-Rury Alvarez, 9-Felix Siladi, 10-Nicky MacKain, 11-Korey Daigle, 12-Reed Bennett, 15-Alassane Kane, 19-Matt Hoskins Substitutes: 7-Matt Brazer, 23-Taylor Jordan, 18-Austin Schwartzenberger Head Coach: Thomas Elliot
Referees: Alfredo Munoz, Shirin Nikpour, Felisha Mariscal
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The following day, sunday, brought the powerful Concorde Fire Soccer Club. Concorde is coached by former Tacoma Star Greg Blasingame, and is also one of the Southeast’s leading clubs. It is the home club of U17 National team star Brian Dominguez. Both the U16s and U18s teams are Georgia State Champions. The U18s are the 2006 Region III Champs, 2006 National Finalists, Premier League Region III East Champions, and the defending Disney Cup Champions. Additionally each U18 squad member is headed to D-1 colleges including Clemson (3), Harvard (3), Kentucky (2), Furman and the Naval Academy. On the U16 side, this team has not lost a game within the state over the past three years.
First up was the Crossfire U16s. In front of the entire U17 National team staff and Nike senior soccer management the Crossfire U16s spanked the boys from Georgia with a startling 8-1 result. Kelyn Rowe opened the scoring in the eighth minute, followed by Cody Snyder’s first of three goals in the twentieth minute. Ramiro Mendoza scored his second goal of the weekend two minutes later to add to the lead. Rowe and Snyder each tallied one more in the first half to give Crossfire a resounding 5-0 lead at the half. Still, the fireworks were far from over as Kelyn Rowe smashed a brilliant header into the net in the 67th minute, Robert Lansche added his name to the sheet in the 76th minute, and Corey Snyder completed his hat trick in the 77th minute. Everyone in attendance though it to be one of the most amazing and dominating goal displays of the weekend.
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Crossfire Premier
Kirkland, Wash.
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Concorde Fire Soccer Club
Atlanta, Ga.
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| Lineups |
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CSF: 1-Spencer Richey, 2-Kelyn Rowe, 3-Cody Snyder, 4-Andrew Cunningham, 6-Robert Lansche, 8-Jack Ryan, 9-Ben Fisk, 12-Jose Garibay, 15-Ramiro Mendoza, 16-Bradley McIntosh, 17-Garrett Lee, Substitutes: 7-Josh Smith, 10-Dimitri Polichronakis, 13-Kodey Eley, 14-Austin Wyatt,
Not Used: 5-Charles Piehler, Saffle Dillion Head Coach: Bernie James
CON: -Berisa Yeuya, 6-Stephen McGill, 7-Alex Sandland, 10-Greg Mackenzie, 11-Kevin Rodriguez, 14-Robert Gooden, 16-Sean King, 18-Tyler Rising, 21-Jarred Clark, Alex Sullivan, 24-Brendan Moore Substitutes: 3-Jeff Chestnut, 4-Connor McWhorter, 8-Mitchell Williams, 9-Keanen Minott, 17-Tyler Daly, 20-Richard Thompson Head Coach: Ken Kurilec
Referees: Armando Quiroz, Guillermo Diaz, Cesar Calderon
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In turn, Crossfire’s U18s had to overcome dead legs and a highly determined Concorde Fire Club to gain a well deserved 1-1 tie in the final Crossfire match of the weekend. Concorde’s captain and Clemson commit, Nick Burton started the scoring with a Concorde goal in the 10th minute by dribbling through the Crossfire defense and slotting the ball just pass the diving goalkeeper. It was one of the best individual efforts of the showcase. Crossfire played the next 10 minutes on its heals but slowly rebounded in the remaining 25 minutes of the half to make a game of it. In the second half Bernie James’s squad took control and the result was a 62nd minute from forward Ricky Morales who hit a rocket from the left side into the upper right hand corner to tie the score. Five minutes later Morales almost gave Crossfire the lead as he ricocheted a booming shot against the goal post and suddenly the Fire found themselves on their heals. Crossfire continued to press, dominated the 2nd half but in the end could not deliver the winning goal. Crossfire was applauded as they left the field for overcoming a great amount of adversity to achieve the draw.
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Concorde Fire Soccer Club
Atlanta, Ga.
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Crossfire Premier
Kirkland, Wash.
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| Lineups |
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CON: 1-Jamie Deal, 3-Walker Jernigan, 4-Mark Lavery, 5-Cameron Cooksey, 6-Nhan Doan, 7-Connor Barbaree, 9-Riley Sumpter, 10-Jahan Threeths, 13-Kevan George, 14-Chris Peacos, 18-Nick Burton Substitutes: 2-Patrick Martineau, 8-Brian Thomas, 11-Tim Nixon, 15-Taylor White, 19-Alex Evert Head Coach: Gregory Blasingone
CSF: 1-Douglas Herrick, 2-Lachlan Huck, 3-Anthony Arena, 4-Matthew Dutson, 8-Murphy Campbell, 10-Alexander Klein, 11-Kellan Brown, 13-Martin Morales, 15-Esteban Reyes, 16-Aaron Becerril, 25-Jermaine Haller Substitutes: 6-Zachary Sampson, 23-Joshua Petosa, 21-Gavin Richter, 29-Joshua Strasser, 17-Suzfel Woltke Head Coach: Bernie James
Referees: Jonathan Uribe, Eduardo Mariscal, Apolinar Mariscal
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Crossfire’s 16 goals over the weekend were the most of the 18 clubs in attendance and their goal differential of 12 tied them for the lead. Individually, Corey Snyder lead the event with 5 goals, including his hat trick against Atlanta’s Concorde Fire and Kelyn Rowe tied for third with three. Other Crossfire scorers were newcomer Murphy Campbell (2), Ramiro Mendoza (2), Alexander Klein, Robert Lansche, Bradley McIntosh and newcomer Ricky Morales.
The Crossfire boys did not give up more than one goal in any single game. The defense on both teams kept Crossfire in every game until the offence got in gear. For the U18’s they were lead by Anthony Arena and Aaron Becerril and the goal keeping of St. Mary’s commit Doug Herrick and Zach Johnson, while the U16s were lead by Jack Ryan and Andrew Cunningham and the goal keeping of Dillon Saffle and Spencer Richey. The midfields were anchored by Matt Dutson (U18) and Charlie Piehler (U16).
All the Crossfire players were enthusiastic about the experience. University of Michigan commit Alexander Klein commented, “It was great to be able to play in front of the entire US National team staff. At ODP you go through months of evaluation with the hope that one of their staff might be able to get the ear of someone so you can be seen. Here in our first two games we got to play in front of the real decision makers. It was really cool to see John Hackworth and Bob Bradley at our games watching us play.”
The weekend offering was not limited to just games on the field. US Soccer rolled out the red carpet to let the participants know just how important the USSDA program is in the pecking order of youth soccer. In addition to the slate of high-quality games, U.S. Soccer added several unique events to the weekend to benefit the participants. On saturday, the festivities kicked off with the Minnesota-based Indie rock trio “Seymore Saves the World” performing in the athlete’s lounge, and continued with a dinner for all participants on The Home Depot Center concourse overlooking the stadium field. Following dinner, Bradley and U-17 head coach John Hackworth addressed the participants which was then followed by the featured match between the U.S. Men’s Youth National Team 90s/91s and Chivas.
U.S. Soccer provided a players’ lounge which included TVs, video games, snacks, drinks, computers and Internet access. Gatorade was on site providing teams with information and product and each team was supplied with game balls from Nike. All participants were able to connect to an exclusive wi-fi network via Songwhale to download special video content from U.S. Soccer, enter digital raffles for autographed U.S. Soccer jerseys, and more. U.S. Soccer also provided each team with a DVD of its matches. Studio 90, back from the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, provided ussoccer.com’s coverage of the weekend’s event as host Neil Buethe was on site to cover all the news and highlights from the showcase. Crossfire player’s Corey Snyder and Murphy Campbell were both on interviews featured on US Soccer’s website.
Referee training was another key component of the Showcase Weekend, with top members of the U.S. Soccer Referee Department evaluating the matches. Esse Baharmast (Director of International and Professional Referee Development), Alfred Kleinaitis (Manager of Referee Training and Development) and Paul Tamberino (Manager of Professional Assignment and Assessment) were in Los Angeles to perform referee evaluation and instruction.
The USSDA and the Showcase weekend was the result of a move designed to improve the development environment for players throughout the country. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy features 64 elite youth soccer clubs from around the country in its inaugural season. Created to provide players with the best possible opportunity to develop, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy was initiated after a comprehensive review of player development systems in the United States and around the world.
Each Development Academy club serves not only as a home for the nation’s top players, but also as a destination point within their community for shared learning and experience. One of the major advantages of the program is players receiving integrated oversight from both youth club coaches and U.S. Soccer coaches, while training in their home environment. In turn, the Development Academy provides an improved scouting environment for college, professional, and U.S. National Team coaches.
The Columbus Day Weekend Showcase was just the start of what promises to be an exciting season for the USSDA. Crossfire will be playing in the Northwest Division along with DeAnza (NoCal), Colorado Rush, Colorado Rapids, Real Colorado, FC Portland and Washington Premier. They will play each of these teams in a home and away series. They will also play single games against all the members of the West Division which is made up of the LA Chivas, Arsenal (SoCal), Pateadores (SoCal), Irvine Strikers, Real SoCal, La Jolla Nomads and the San Diego Surf. Finally there are three more showcase events scheduled. Crossfire will play their home games at the beautiful Starfire Sports Complex in the competition stadium.
 Development Academy Fall Showcase U-16 Results
More Photos HERE
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