For the first time since MLS NEXT Fest in December, St. Louis CITY SC’s U15, U16, and U17 teams were all in action this past weekend as they competed against local club St. Louis Scott Gallagher (SLSG) at Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex. In what were three brilliant offensive performances, the Academy teams recorded a perfect 3-0-0 weekend.
U17s win 4-1
Creating offensive chances was the name of the game for the U17s as the squad had a number of shots early. After having a few dangerous crosses thwarted by SLSG’s defense, the U17s finally jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a close-range strike from forward Mykhi Joyner in the 25th minute. As the half progressed, CITY kept the pressure on and strung together more quality shots, with midfielder Eddie Stewart eventually putting home what would be the game-winning goal in the 44th minute. A penalty kick in the 49th minute and a strike to the bottom-right corner of the goal in the 54th minute gave forward Braydon Sellers a brace in the half and pushed CITY’s lead to 4-0.
U16s dominate offensively, win 7-1
Picking up where the U17s left off, the U16 squad jumped out to an early lead off an 8th minute goal from midfielder John Eckrich and a 14th minute goal from forward Ryan Dugan. CITY put together a few more chances, including a redirection off an arcing cross that fluttered wide and a beautiful strike from outside the box that hit the top-left post, before entering the half up two goals.
SLSG got on the board early in the second half off a nice corner kick set piece to make it 2-1, but after that it was all CITY. Dugan put another one home in the 52nd minute after capitalizing on a SLSG turnover deep in their defensive half, and then midfielder Brandon Rolando capped off a sequence of wizardly dribbling and touches with a shot that made it 4-1. Rolando, forward Conor Meyers and forward Nathaniel Null would all tack on more goals, giving CITY a 7-1 win.
U15s overcome slow first half to win 4-1
Out of the gates, it looked like the U15s’ match would be more closely contested after SLSG put together a couple threatening attacking runs early on. By halftime, CITY had found its groove, with midfielder Lorenzo Cornelius and Stone Marion each putting one home to give the squad a 2-0 halftime advantage.
Possession was dominated by CITY in the second half as the team’s high press made it difficult for SLSG to create any scoring chances. After a CITY free kick from just outside the box was deflected wide in the 57th minute, the team eventually extended their lead after midfielder Christian Nyatanga scored off a nice feed in the 65th minute. Forward Jojo Adamitis would go on to increase CITY’s lead to four after putting one past SLSG’s goalkeeper, before SLSG got on the board in the waning minutes of the game to set the final score at 4-1.
Coming up
There will be a short lull in action for the Academy with only the U16s playing again next week. The following week, the U15s and U17s will play two matches each.
