I remember hearing in the Scuffed podcast that Soto said he was planning on going to Cal for college unless some opportunities arose. It sounded to me like he wanted Europe and not RSL but that's just how I interpreted it.
So he couldn't just go RSL -> Europe? Wouldn't that theoretically be better than spending a time at Cal? I can't imagine nobody in Europe is interested, but who knows. No rumors floating around?
Soto assist - Luis Arriaga with the response! 💥@RSLAcademy levels the score just two minutes later. Are you watching this? pic.twitter.com/02r5q7I0Wp— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) June 22, 2018 Goals - THE TABLES HAVE TURNED! 😱Alexis Canales whips in a beautiful cross off a set piece and finds Sebastian Soto to give @RSLAcademy a 2-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/TxTCnK8rX2— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) June 22, 2018 STOPPAGE TIME EQUALIZER!! 🔥😱 Sebastian Soto ties it with just 3' left! @RSLAcademy advances with this result! pic.twitter.com/XOJYMuRK9b— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) June 22, 2018
That assist from the free kick was from Richie Ledezma #13, who orchestrates many of the RSL attacks...my understanding of the Soto situation is Cal has offered him something along the lines of if he plays his freshman year, then he can return anytime to finish his education on them...hard to pass up...he was out in Germany for trials in early June and there has been an RSL offer from my understanding as well
Whitecaps u19 wins all 3 group stage games to advance. Is this the year they finally win a USSDA title after coming so close so many times in the past? Probably not. Enjoy never actually seeing the field or being developed if you sign for Carl Robinson and the first team boys!
How goes is Soto? Is he a Sargent like prospect? More of a Ebossie? I don’t think I have watched him a single time.
Seen him play over a dozen times in person this season...my assessment is he’s a goal scorer, always in dangerous positions, finishes his chances, good in air, smart runs...his hold up play is good as well...goals 45 and 46 today so that speaks for itself...not sure if he’s quite Sargent level, but the kid can score
Teams to advance: RSL, LAG, Sockers FC, Vancouver, NYCFC, Crew SC, Crossfire Premier, Philly Union Interesting group of teams. No Dallas or Atlanta, so this division is wide open this year. RSL, Vancouver, Philly are the favorites, IMO. I don't expect much from Sockers FC, Crew SC and Crossfire Premier. I'm hoping RSL or Philly win because I like what their first teams are doing with using younger American players, and I think it helps get attention towards that for them to win.
\ Don't forget NYRB being knockout out. They were the #1 seed in the country. A shocker there. I don't know who's going to take it...…………...this is wide open. I would say this, it wouldn't surprise me if Crossfire Premier is the Houston Texans on 2018. THey finished ahead of Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Jose, Sacramento, De Anza etc. in their division of the DA this season. A tough division. They're kind of one of those teams that's a really high seed but nobody really knows much about. They'll win and then all of their best players will show up on the Sounders next year!!!!!! Perhaps they play as a team as opposed to a bunch of kids playing as individuals in order to get pro contracts...……………...
He told Brian that he has a scholarship for life to Cal if he plays just one season in Berkeley. That's a really tough opportunity to turn down.
Yup. And it's not even a big sacrifice to his soccer career. He gets three months of NCAA soccer this fall instead of half a USL season and then can move on to the pros with that scholarship in his pocket. College soccer isn't good for top prospects, but now that he's only a few months from matriculation, playing NCAA ball for three months and leaving isn't a big deal.
I'd be surprised if he gets a scholarship if he goes back to school, probably just an opening at the school to attend. I can't imagine a college soccer team would waste 3 years worth of scholarships on someone who doesn't play or that has to be offering something against the rules in the NCAA. A school like California is difficult to get into therefore the opportunity to get back in is a big deal. If soccer allows him admittance for life good for him.
Big 10 conference guarantees scholarships for life if an athlete (in any sport) turns pro before they graduate. This is what Cal is doing.
Hearing that the FCD-LAG U17 clash (wish I could have seen it) ended in a 1-1 draw this afternoon.. Not the result either team needed. Columbus Crew go thru with 7 points! That was a haaaaaaa-ugggggggge upset.
Soto is a wanted man in Europe. Has one very interested suitor. I would be shocked to see him at Cal. I will update you on this on Scuffed podcast in a few weeks.
RSL U17s knocked out by Atl Utd 3-2 on last second PK...tale of two halves due to strong wind...Atl scored on FK, corner, and pk
Straight to the 🔝U-17’s defeat @PatsYouth and advance to the @ussoccer_acad quarterfinals! 👏 Marlon Vargas opens the scoring, and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez finishes it with 4️⃣! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/v7JniDq4tg— Sounders FC Academy (@SoundersAcademy) June 24, 2018
This FCD U-17 team is not very good IMO, despite the points they had this season. The coach should be sacked. He has a talented bunch, but they play bad football and constantly look disorganized. LAG sent most of their best 01's and 02's to the U-19 level, so its not that surprising either that they went out. Crew U-17 is pretty good, actually. They have a number of good pro prospects on that team, IMO. The 8 to advance are Atlanta, Barca Academy, Crew, Montreal, NYRB, Sacramento and Weston. Seattle the big favorites, IMO.
Zero chance Luchi Gonzalez is "sacked" as the U17 coach. I mean, he's developed a ton of players, won a bunch of DA titles, and the FCD U17s had a great season. Were the #1 seed in the playoffs and actually played well against the two higher seeds in the group. I know we don't think of it this way, but all of the teams that have made the Championships here in California have had great seasons. There were a lot of really good academies that didn't make the quarterfinals. Didn't hear much about SKC this weekend did we? Doesn't mean they aren't doing some great work with those kids. Upsets happen in tournaments like this. The Crew were the 9th seeded wild card team out of 10. And they knocked out both LAG and FCD. It happens. Totally unexpected. Its also worth remembering that LA, NYRB, FCD, etc. use some of their best U17s with their U19s (as other teams do). So to some degree we can get a murky picture of best U17 players at this tournament. I'm not sure Efrain Alvarez is playing for any Galaxy team at this event. Is he? He wasn't playing in their U19 match against the Dynamo this weekend. Actually he didn't play for Los Dos last night either. So who knows...………………. Crew having a great playoffs! Advanced at both levels. Almost as if this might be their last chance to play together and they're taking advantage of it! I think its great that a lot of the "usual suspects" have been knocked out. There are some teams that are really putting in the work/investing and hopefully we see results with the first team in the next couple of years The Sounders stand out in this regard. They may be a couple of years away, but they seem to have a lot of talent up there.
Here are the matchups for the U19 quarterfinals. Union versus LAG is tasty...……………... After a dramatic matchday 3️⃣ yesterday, the U-18/19 quarterfinals are set!The #AcademyPlayoffs are 🔥 up! pic.twitter.com/GSe5s8wp4u— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) June 24, 2018