FRISCO, Texas – The third day of the Development Academy Playoffs meant a break for the U18s, and raised stakes for the U16 teams still hunting for a Finals Week spot.

A later schedule of games allowed the U16 playoff matches to be pushed back to a more reasonable 6:30 pm local time, allowing for a small slice of relief for the teams competing for honors.

U16 Recap from Day Two | More U16 Recaps from Day Three

Vancouver Whitecaps 0-0 Charlotte Soccer Academy

A stout defensive effort by Charlotte Soccer Academy’s back line kept Brody Huitema and the Vancouver Whitecaps potent attack at bay in a scoreless draw on Day Three of the Academy Playoffs.

Dangerous chances were limited on both sides, but the key for Charlotte was keeping Huitema, who scored 22 goals on the Academy season heading into Wednesday’s game, off the score sheet.

“It was a great game for us, playing an MLS opponent who trains five days a week, a great test for us,” Charlotte head coach Kevin Langan told TopDrawerSoccer.com after the game.

Looking to flex their offensive muscle against Charlotte, Vancouver sat back a little bit, aiming to pounce on turnovers and create opportunities in that fashion.

Early exchanges in the game were even, as Charlotte forward Charles Coulson just missed getting his head on a good cross from the right flank in the game’s first 10 minutes. 

It was a match full of physical challenges from both sides, as neither team would yield an inch. Along with the ever-present forward Huitema, midfielder Sebastian Cabrera was another dangerman for the Whitecaps, buzzing around the field and hitting the crossbar in the 38th minute.

With the challenges flying in, Vancouver had the edge in set piece opportunities, but the danger was cleared regularly by center backs Remington Frost and Jared Kent. Langan was pleased with how the pair helped shutdown the dangerous Huitema.

“What makes him special in the box is he’s always moving, always drifting, always off shoulders,” Langan said. “So the great challenge for our center backs was to know where he is at all times. I thought 95 percent of the time we did put the shackles on him.”

All the probing and passing on the field by Vancouver couldn’t crack the stout back line of Charlotte. Chances began to dry up for the latter in the second half as Cabrera and Huitema searched for space behind the defense.

But the team held firm throughout the game, and the points were split on the night, leaving it to a decisive final day in Group 3.

And that's exactly what Langan was after heading into that last day.

“The goal is to go into the last game and still have a chance of winning it,” he said. “I think we’re the top of the group so we have a good chance.”

Vancouver wraps up the week with a Friday match against South Carolina United Battery, while Charlotte takes on FC Greater Boston.

PA Classics 2-2 Weston FC

Andrew Mannon got free on a second half free kick, scoring the equalizer for PA Classics in a 2-2 draw against Weston FC.

In a back-and-forth attacking match, Mannon’s late tally canceled out a brace from Weston’s Nicholas Pappacena.

PA Classics had the best chance of the game within the first five minutes. Forward Connor Maloney took possession of the ball just outside the box and dribbled through a maze of Weston FC defenders. But he dawdled on the ball for too long, allowing the defense to swoop in and clear the danger.

Pappacena scored his first just minutes later. Unmarked in the box, Weston’s leading scorer controlled an excellent cross right around the penalty area, settled the ball and smashed it home to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Looking to get back on equal terms, PA Classis leaned on the speed of Maloney to challenge the Weston defense, although the side from Pennsylvania couldn’t find the back of the net before the halftime break.

It only took Classics three minutes after the break to tie the game, as Brian Nana-Sinkham headed home from five yards out to put his side level.

But it was Pappacena against who put Weston out front once more, beating the PA goalkeeper to a corner kick and heading it into the unguarded net.

After re-taking the lead, Weston looked like the side more likely to score as the second half played out – although PA’s Joseph Julius missed a golden chance in the 58th minute, receiving a cross from Maloney behind Weston’s back line, rounding the ‘keeper only to see his shot deflect off the post.

Regardless of the danger at the back, Weston kept pressing forward looking to put the game away, and Juan Benedetty came close in the 67th minute, rattling the crossbar with a well-struck volley.

The missed chances came back to haunt Weston when Mannon beat the offside trap on a free kick to volley home the game’s equalizer. Neither side could find a third goal as two sides split the points.

Real Salt Lake-AZ 4-1 Clearwater Chargers

Trevor Hyman scored twice as RSL netted four goals on the second straight day to keep pace with the Chicago Fire in Group 4. Michael Gray and Jose Navarro also found the back of the net for the winning side on the afternoon.

Chicago Fire 3-0 Seattle Sounders FC

After enduring a strong start to the game by a Sounders FC team in need of a win, Chicago Fire got two first half goals from Jeff Farina leading them to a crucial 3-0 win over their MLS counterparts. Marcus Epps grabbed the third goal in the 58th minute for the Fire.

With the win, Chicago is set for a winner-take-all match on Friday against Real Salt Lake for a spot at Finals Week.

St. Louis Scott Gallagher 2-1 San Diego Surf

Second half goals by Tommy Barlow and Austin Panchot erased a 1-0 deficit as St. Louis Scott Gallagher stayed alive in Group 8 with a big three points.

U16 Results Groups 5-8

Group 5:
Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Soccer Academy 2, Crew Soccer Academy Wolves 2
NJSA 04 1, Texans SC Houston 1

Group 6:
LA Galaxy 1, D.C. United 1
Concorde Fire 5, Colorado Rush 2

Group 7:
PA Classics 2, Weston FC 2
Arsenal FC 3, Chicago Magic PSG 2

Group 8:
Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 2, San Diego Surf 1
Players Development Academy 3, Solar Chelsea SC 0