Match Day 2 report

West Bay, Grand Cayman – Manchester City FC and the Cuba National U15 Team each posted their second victories of the tournament, while Orlando City and LA Galaxy remained unbeaten through two days of the Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Football Cup Wednesday. Meantime, Academy Sports Club Select, the only local team in the tournament, earned a hard-fought draw with Club Deportivo Victoria of Honduras.

Cavalier Soccer Club 2, Swindon Town FC 1
Cavalier Soccer Club rebounded from an opening loss against LA Galaxy with a win against Swindon Town FC. However, it requires a come-from-behind effort after forward Harvey Flippance put Swindon Town ahead when he found the back of the net in the 21st minute for his team’s only goal in its first two outings. That would be the only goal in the first half. Michael Allen equalised for the Jamaican side, tapping the ball into an open net after Thomas Haddrell was caught out of position, having defended another shot. Midfielder Jamari Robinson put Cavalier Soccer Club ahead for good when he scored in the 77th minute. This was Swindon Town’s second loss after being blanked by Orlando City (4-0) the previous day.

DC United 1, Cuba National U15’s 2
With both teams failing to make the most of their early chances, in part due to stellar work from Lorenzo Gordon (DC Utd.) and Carlos Laferte (Cuba) between the pipes, the game remained scoreless for the first 35 minutes. That changed when a shot from the boot of DC Utd.’s Everson Amaya-Mejia from about 30 yards out sailed past Laferte to put the club from the US capital ahead. Cuba levelled the score on a penalty kick from Ribaldo Moreno. Then moments after coming into the game as a substitute, Maykol Rosabal scored the game-winning goal. It was Cuba’s second consecutive victory, having beaten another Major League Soccer academy – Houston Dynamo by an identical score on the opening day.

Orlando City 2, LA Galaxy 2
An even first half saw a number of opportunities for both sides but the scorers were not troubled before the break. LA Galaxy took the 1-0 lead early in the second half thanks to a penalty kick conversion from Efrain Alvarez, his third goal of the tournament. Cade Hagan doubled the LA lead before midfielder Wasswa Robbins gave Orlando City some hope as he cut the lead to one. Roberto Ydrach scored in his second straight game to level the score. It would end 2-2, as both teams remained unbeaten through two matches.

Academy SC Select 1, Club Deportivo Victoria 1
The Ed Bush Stadium came fully to life when the Academy SC Select, the lone team representing the Cayman Islands, took to the pitch for the first time to face CD Victoria from Honduras, which also had very vocal supporters in the stands. Both teams missed early chances as they settled into a rhythm. Jose Angel Martinez drove down the right flank and drove a shot past Amal Bell in the Academy SC Select goal to put the Honduran side ahead. After a few missed opportunities by both sides and even possession for the remainder of the first half, the game would go to the break with CD Victoria holding a 1-0 lead. Jahmai Griffiths headed one home from inside the box to pull Academy SC Select level. After much tactical play, the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Houston Dynamo 0, Manchester City FC 9
Manchester City’s youngsters continued their dominance with a goal-scoring clinic against Houston. Taylor Richards led the way with a hat-trick and in the process becoming the tournament’s top goal scorer through the first two days with five goals. Bobby Duncan scored his third and fourth goals of the competition, Thomas Doyle scored in his second straight match, while Henri Ogunby, Rowan McDonald and Kayendrah Simmonds also ensured their names known by the scorers. It was the second win for the English club after beating DC United 5-1 on the opening day. Manchester City has scored 14 goals in its first two matches, while surrendering one goal. The result saw Houston Dynamo on the losing end for the second consecutive day after being edged 2-1 by the Cuba National U15 Team on Tuesday.

The Match Day 3 schedule is 3:30 p.m. Houston Dynamo vs DC United; 5:00 p.m. Seattle Sounders FC vs CD Victoria; 6:30 p.m. Academy SC Select v IMG Academy; and 8:00 p.m. Cavalier Soccer Club vs Orlando City. All matches are being played at the Ed Bush Sports Complex in West Bay.

For more information, visit: www.caymanyouthfootballcup.ky.

Sounders FC Academy U14 player scores wonder goal in Cayman Islands tournament

From MLS

Remember the name Connor Drought. You might see it around a bit in the future.

Drought, a left back from Mukilteo and a member of the Sounders FC Academy U14 team, scored a memorable goal on Thursday in the team’s win over Honduran side Club Deportivo Victoria during the Cayman Airways U15 Invitational.

Drought’s goal opened the floodgates for the Sounders’ 4-1 win in the match. The team will play the Cayman national team on Friday with a shot at playing the tournament final on Sunday.

To watch video go to: http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2016/05/13/sounders-fc-academy-u14-player-scores-wonder-goal-cayman-islands-tournament

Match Day 3 report

West Bay, Grand Cayman – A lot remains at stake as the Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup heads into the final day of group play, after another exciting day of action at the Ed Bush Sports Complex on Thursday.

Seattle Sounders became the first team to seal their spot in the semi-finals as they have done enough to win Group B, and Orlando City remains in contention in Group C.

 Houston Dynamo 1, DC United 1

Despite a few opportunities for DC United in the early going, the match remained scoreless at the half. That changed in the 57^th minute when Iker Bustamante found the back of the net to break the deadlock. Houston’s challenge became greater when they had to play a man down after James Crath picked up his second yellow card in the 41^st minute. His teammates did not give up and drew even when Ivan Leon scored for the first time in the tournament. DC United’s Augustus Sam was also sent to the changing room when he picked up his second yellow card moments before the final whistle. Both teams ended their campaigns picking up their first point.

Seattle Sounders FC 4, Club Deportivo Victoria 1

Sounders dominated possession through much of the first half but it was CD Victoria who made it to the scoresheet first with an Oscar Nunez goal two minutes before the half. Seattle’s Connor Drought ensured his team would not trail at the break when he scored in injury time. It was largely one-way traffic in the second half as Peter Kingston, Daniel Robles and Ethan Dobbeleare joined in the scoring for Sounders. Winning 4-1, Seattle is guaranteed the best record in Group B and a spot in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Academy Sports Club Select 2, IMG Academy 2

The energy was high throughout as Academy SC Select, the lone Cayman side in the tournament, took the pitch for their second match. After a few chances, it was Jondane Dawkins who struck first for Academy SC Select after a bobble by Adam Henry in the IMG goal. The local side maintained the offensive pressure but a counter-attack by Carlos Heinze brought IMG level. Rohelio Wright sent the crowd into a frenzy with a candidate for goal of the tournament – a free kick from about 45 yards out that sailed into the goal beyond Henry’s reach to give Academy SC Select the 2-1 advantage heading into the half. IMG’s Indiana Vassilev took the initiative in the second half when he gathered the ball on the edge of the box and drilled it past Amal Bell to equalise. The excitement continued with a few near misses, some hitting the ‘woodwork’ but no more goals would follow, resulting in a 2-2 draw.

Cavalier SC 0, Orlando City 0

With each side trying to be more tactful than the other, there was not any trouble for the scorers on either side of the break. Jamari Morrison and Michael Allen both had good chances to put Cavalier SC ahead but missed the mark. With the draw, Orlando City took sole possession of the top of the Group C standings after their three matches but will have to wait on the outcome of LA Galaxy’s match on Friday with Swindon Town to see if they will play any further part in the tournament.

Friday’s fixtures – Ed Bush Stadium, West Bay:

IMG Academy and CD Victoria will both be seeking to end their run in the tournament on a winning note. Both teams enter Friday’s match with one draw and one loss each. Kick-off is 3:30 p.m.

LA Galaxy will look to leapfrog Orlando City in the Group C standings and book a semi-final berth when they face Swindon Town FC at 5:00 p.m. The English side is coming off a day’s rest after defeats by Orlando City and Cavalier SC earlier in the week.

Manchester City and Cuba National U15’s battle for the top spot in Group A and an automatic semi-final spot when they meet at 6:30 p.m. Both teams are undefeated, although Manchester City sports a vastly greater scoring differential having won their first two matches by a combined 14-1 advantage.

With a place in the final four already guaranteed, Seattle Sounders take on Academy Sports Club Select in the final match of group play. However, after two draws in two matches, Academy SC Select is still in the race for second position in Group B.

The winners of each group move on to the semi-finals, along with the best second-place finisher.

For more details, visit www.caymanyouthfootballcup.ky

Match Day 4 Report

West Bay, Grand Cayman – The semi-finals of the Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Football Cup are set after a compelling final day of group play.

Advancing to the last four are group winners Manchester City FC, Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy. The Cuba National U15 Team, which finished runners-up to Manchester City in Group A were the best second placed team and round out the semi-finalists.

Friday’s results:

Club Deportivo Victoria 1, IMG Academy 2

Both teams entered the match seeking their first victory of the tournament. It was IMG’s captain Daniel Vassilev who continued his good form and converted a free kick to open the scoring in the 14^th minute. Vassilev continued to pressure the Victoria defenders but missed another opportunity a couple of minutes later. Midfielder Ethan Bryant knocked in a rebound to double his team’s lead 12 minutes later. IMG led 2-0 at the half. Jorge Santos brought the Honduran side within one when he scored in the 44^th minute. Despite several other opportunities, Victoria failed to score. IMG went down a player when Ethan Bayer was given his second yellow card and sent off in added time but his team would hold on to win.

Swindon Town 2, LA Galaxy 6

Needing a win to advance beyond group play, LA Galaxy pressed early and got the scoring going in the 9^th minute thanks to a goal by Efrain Alvarez. The midfielder doubled his tally in the 29^th minute. Forward Ulysses Llanez ensured his team would put the game out of reach with a hat-trick – his first coming on a direct free kick in the 42^nd, followed by goals in the 53^rd and 57^th minutes. Lucas Gonzales added another to make it 6-0. With a win seemingly out of reach, Swindon Town continued to make a valiant effort, with Rhys Wells and Owen Windsor ensuring the English side would not go goalless.

Manchester City FC 5, Cuba National U15s 2

Both teams entered the match guaranteed semi-final places but that did not dial down the intensity. Manchester City, the most prolific scoring team in the competition, put themselves ahead when Taylor Richards scored his sixth goal in the tournament seven minutes into the game. Henri Ogunby doubled the lead in the 18^th minute and Manchester City led 2-0 at the break. Richards added another a minute into the second half, while Bobby Duncan scored for the fifth time of the tournament to make it 4-0. Nathanael Ogbeta added another before Cuba’s Alexander Lopez Leyva scored twice late in the game.

Academy Sports Club Select 2, Seattle Sounders 2

Seattle had done enough to win the group and advance with its two earlier wins but was looking to remain undefeated through group play, while Academy SC Select was coming off two draws earlier in group play. Neither side made good of any chances in the first half but it was Academy SC from the Cayman Islands, who edged ahead in the 45^th when Cody Ebanks found the back of the net much to the elation of the home crowd, which was further delighted when Rohelio Wright scored for the second time in the tournament to double his team’s lead two minutes later with a free kick from about 35 yards out. A series of substitutions brought fresh legs onto the field for Sounders, who pulled within one when Azriel Gonzales converted a penalty kick in the 51^st minute, shortly after entering the game. Three minutes later, Gonzales ensured his team would no longer trail, beating Amal Bell in the Academy SC goal for the second time. Further pressure continued by Sounders, who nearly took the lead when Camilo Santiago struck the post with about five minutes left. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Saturday’s Semi-finals (Ed Bush Stadium, West Bay)

Group A winners Manchester City FC play Group C winners LA Galaxy in the first semi-finals at 3:30 p.m., while Group B winners Seattle Sounders will play the best 2^nd placed team, Cuba National U15s at 5:30 p.m. Also on Saturday will be an exhibition match between the Cayman Islands National U17 Team and DC United at 7:00 p.m.

Official group standings and leading scores to follow.

For more information, including results and match reports from earlier days, visit www.caymanyouthfootballcup.ky