Region III Boys ODP sent five teams down to Mexico for a four-game series last week, which included games against Chivas, Atlas, and Tecos. 

The five ODP squads, which were compromised of players born in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998, came away from the trip with a 13-5-2 record in the 20 games. The 1995 age group was the lone undefeated squad with a 3-0-1 record.  

“It was really good. [These trips] give the kids a chance to play against international competition,” Region III ODP Boys coach Shaun Docking told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “We learn so much about these players. And the players learn a lot about themselves in an environment when you are playing against these tough Mexican kids who grew up in a completely different culture.”

The trip started with games against Chivas’ youth teams at the Primavera, and the Verde Valle (Chivas’ training center). The ’95 and ’96 teams recorded victories while the other three suffered close defeats. 

“We played against age appropriate professional youth clubs from some of the best youth academies in the Americas,” Docking said. “Our kids did really well. The Mexican kids are usually more technical and tactical, but our kids showed good resilience [during the week].”

The games continued on Wednesday with the 94 and 95 teams playing against Tecos, and the other squads against Atlas’ youth teams. The 98s were the stars of the day with a commanding 7-1 victory, which included five goals in the second half. 

“The ‘98 games were excellent,” Docking said. “We had a really talented group. It was wonderful to see the little kids playing against the kids from Mexico. The physical piece isn’t into play yet, so you can see the ideas and how creative these kids can be.”

The trip concluded with two days of undefeated results with the 94 and 95 beating Atlas on Thursday and the 96 squad playing to a 1-1 draw with Tecos. The 97 and 98 teams beat their respective Tecos counterparts in the other game. 

To wrap up the five-day journey, the 96, 97, and 98 teams defeated Chivas on Friday. 

Overall, the coach was very pleased with how the trip unfolded and with the competition his squad faced against one of the strongest player development structures in the world. 

“They have seriously looked at their player development process, and I think there are a lot of things we can learn from them,” Docking said. “The technical and tactical aspects of their game really stand out. There is a reason they have been really successful over the last ten years – with the first team, U20 team, and U17 team.”

As for the Region III teams, Docking said there were a number of players who enjoyed really good displays in Mexico. He specifically highlighted a few on the 95 team. 

“Justin Savinon, the goalkeeper, did really well. He has a bright future at the college level. [Forward] Wes Carson, from Arkansas, did well too. Several other players in that group are going to be at a very good college programs.”

The other team that Docking highlighted was the 98s, which included U.S. U14 National Team winger Lagos Kunga. But it was two other players who really stood out to Docking.  

“David Loera was very good,” Docking said. Loera is a forward from Florida who appeared in a U14 National Team camp last year. 

“Tanner Dieterich did very well at defense too,” Docking said about the player from Tennessee. “These are the guys who don’t have the eye-catching athleticism yet, but will be very good players – similar Clint Dempsey and Jose Torres, who came through in their later years. 

“The great thing about this program – we are searching and identify potential stars for the future. And being careful not to overlook those guys.”

As if any of the players were approached for trials with Mexican clubs, Docking said no one stuck around for extended trials, but the clubs were complimentary to the players. 

 

Region III ’94 team roster: Zahir Bracey, Thomas Carwile, Michael Durr, Dylan Ejlali, Devin Fontenot, Devin Francis, Raul Gonzalez, Christian Hansen, Austen Kail, Michael Lightbourne, Jon Lozano, Cristian Mata, Marcus McPhun, Jailton Nascimento, Mark Santibanez, Talmon Smith, Andrew Tortorich

 

Region III ’95 team roster: Matthew Aurednik, Nicolas Cafferatta, Robert Carson, Hayden Cochran, Esai Cortez, Bowen Dong, Domenic Finelli, Moises Gonzalez, Anthony Hernandez, Shaun Miltner, Sina Mofidi, Wellford Moore, James Mostoller, Dayton Prejean, Donovan Price, Justin Savinon, Delbert Trautmann, William Woody

 

Region III ’96 team roster: Rashid Alarape, Shadi Awad, Zachary Bailey, Kevin Byrne, Matteo Correa, Mario Da Silva, Christopher Davis, Cameron Hardington, Logan Jones, Braeden Luna, Johnny Nartowicz, Dean Rutherford, Daniel Rutter, Austin Sandel, Morgan Sheehan-Shepherd, Cameron Steele, Trenton Whitely, Dennis Zapata

 

Region III ’97 team roster: Wilmer Baron, Jose Cerra, Salvador Colin, Sebastian Elney, Joshua Garcia, Tobin Howell, Reid Hunter, Dominic Jensen, Aaron Kleinert, Etan Mabourakh, Philipp Maiorov, Brandon Millington, Matthew Morgan, Andrew Samueks, Ryan Standridge, Michael Swift, Jacob van der Luit, Aidan Wixted

 

Region III ’98 team roster: Isaac Albaradei, John Cozine, Alexander Dexter, Tanner Dieterich, Whitney Gonsalves, Benjamin Hale, Chase Hovious, Lagos Kunga, William Little III, David Loera, Michael Lynch, Diego Manrique, David Martinez, Robert McNeal, Jason Rosales, Conor Sloan, William Waldenmaier