Two Toronto FC Academy sides were down in Lakewood Ranch, Florida this past weekend taking part in the US Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase. The two teams went a combined 5-1-0 to finish the calendar year strong.
The Toronto FC Academy U-18/19 squad went a perfect 3-0-0 picking up important wins to finish their year. They opened the showcase with a 4-3 win over a strong Portland Timbers side. Noble Okello had a brace and Terique Mohammed and Ayo Akinola both picked up a goal in the win.
The Reds then posted a 4-0 win over the New England Revolution. Luca Petrasso scored twice and Antonio Carlini and Jordan Faria each picked up a goal in the win. Spencer King had the clean sheet in the victory.
The boys closed out their year with a commanding 5-1 win over the IMG Academy. Petrasso picked up another brace, with Mohammed, Carlini and Rocco Romeo also getting on the scoresheet.
Overall the U-18/19s finished the first half of the USSDA season with a 9-4-1 record. They sit in second place in the Mid-American Division and boast an age group high +30 goal differential.
The U-16/17 side was also down in Florida and went 2-1-0 over the weekend. The team opened the weekend with a 3-2 win over the BW Gottschee Academy. Julian Altobelli, Nakye Greenidge-Duncan and Ralph Priso had the goals.
The Reds then lost their first game of the USSDA season falling 3-2 to the Philadelphia Union. Malik Henry and Jacen Russell-Rowe scored in the defeat.
The team then bounced back to pick up a commanding 5-0 win over D.C. United. Greenidge-Duncan picked up a brace with Altobelli, Priso and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty each finding the back of the net.
Overall the U-16/17 team went an impressive 12-1-1 during the first half of the USSDA season with a +36 goal differential.
The TFC Academy U-15 team didn’t compete in the Winter Showcase but finished their first half of the USSDA season with an undefeated 11-0-1 record, with an incredible +62 goal differential.
All the USSDA sides will now enjoy a winter break before resuming their seasons on March 23rd.
