PHOENIX, Arizona - Thurman Van Riper doesn’t wear it as a badge of honor, in fact, it isn’t even his favorite thing to talk about. But the fact is, it’s a story that sums up both his approach to the game and physical prowess that the FC Greater Boston goalkeeper brings every time he’s on the pitch.

It was last year, and Van Riper was coming off his line to try and save an opposing shot ...
           
“I called for the ball and (my teammate) didn’t hear me and we both went up and just had a collision,” Van Riper said. “It was one of those unfortunate events and I try not to make those mistakes anymore. That goes with mentally maturing and making the right decisions.”

It was mostly unfortunate for his teammate who had to contend with concussion symptoms for the next few weeks, but such experiences haven’t tempered Van Riper’s reckless abandonment, and that is meant to be a compliment.

On Sunday in his team’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal FC he was quite the intimidating force. At a well built 6-foot-3 he is a big target, but he doesn’t hesitate to leave the net and break up plays; and whether that means a player or two is run over in the process than so be it.

“My job is to make myself present and make sure the other team knows I’m there,” Van Riper said. “I don’t really look at it as an intimidation thing it’s just that over the years you mature physically and mentally and understand that it is your job.”

Other players who have stood out this weekend:

Andrew Kestler, U15/16 Potomac: Tall, big and skilled, Kestler is a powerful striker up front who brings a physical presence and a strong leg.

Steeven Saba, U15/16 Weston FC: An interesting combination of decent size and dynamic ability, Saba is a national team pool player and rising star by way of Haiti.

Terry Delancy, U15/16 Lonestar Aztex Academy: When this athletic forward breaks into full stride he distances himself from everyone else on the field. Lightning fast and dangerous.

Michael Howard 15/16 Richmond Strikers: Howard brought great size and strength at left back but was also surprisingly fleet footed and proved to be a difficult obstacle to dribble around.

Martin Ontiveros 17/18 IMG Soccer Academy: Scored three goals during his team’s 5-1 dispatching of Chivas USA.

Hamadi Cantave 17/18 FC Greater Boston: Has good height and makes quick moves with the ball. Especially dangerous 1v1 and in the scoring zone.

ACADEMY SELECT

Three Academy Select teams went to into the action Sunday when, with a 91/92 squad taking on a select 93 team, and in a separate match, U18 Sockers FC took on a select 93 unit.

Both matches were entertaining and marked by great individual performances.

Kelyn Rowe, of Crossfire Premier, scored a penalty kick goal and played well after being inserted in the second half, while Alfredo Marcq was another standout in the midfield.

Elijah Evans Galbraith-Knapp was a stabilizer at center back while there was superb goalkeeping performances all the way around. In particular, Max Kurtzman, Spencer LaCivita and Brian Sylvestre.

UNIQUE RED CARD

It wasn’t the best of days for U15/16 Richmond Strikers goalkeeper Jacob Franks. After allowing a goal, Franks angrily picked up the ball and booted out of his box only, it landed square in the back of the presiding referee.  

The play appeared to be an accident, though Franks immediately received a red car ejection. Making matters all the more random, his replacement keeper apparently wasn’t prepared to see game action, and because his uniform didn’t meet the standard of the referees. He was forced to remove his jersey and play the remainder of the match in his cutoff undershirt.

DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY DAY 3 RESULTS

U15/16 AFC Lightning 2, Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 1 FC DELCO 3, Derby County Wolves 0 Nomads SC 2, FC Milwaukee 0 Greensboro Youth Soccer 3, Internationals 2 Birmingham United 1, Oakwood SC 1 Cal Odyssey 1, FC Westchester 0 D.C. United 2, Chicago Magic 1 Seacoast United 3, Colorado Rapids 2 Miami FC Kendall 5, Washington Premier FC 1 Mustang SC 1, NJSA 04 1 Dallas Texans 2, Clearwater Chargers 0 Sockers FC 1, Match Fit Chelsea 0 Kansas City Wizards 2, Richmond Kickers 0 Real Colorado 1, North Meck 0 Pateadores 5, South Central Premier 1 CASL Chelsea FC Academy 1, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 1 South Carolina United FC 2, Classics Elite 0 Chivas USA 1, IMG Soccer Academy 0 South Carolina United FC 2, Classics Elite 0 Chivas USA 1, IMG Soccer Academy 0 Santa Cruz County Breakers 1, McLean Youth Soccer 1 Arsenal FC 1, FC Greater Boston 0 Richmond Strikers 0, Lonestar Aztex Academy 0 Weston FC 1, Potomac 1 Academy Select 2, LAFC Chelsea 2

U17/18 AFC Lightning 4, Ohio Elite Soccer Academy 0 FC DELCO 1, Derby County Wolves 0 Nomads 3, FC Milwaukee 0 Internationals 3, Greensboro Youth Soccer 0 Oakwood 3, Birmingham United 1 Cal Odyssey 1, FC Westchester 1 D.C. United 3, Chicago Magic 2 Colorado Rapids 3, Seacoast United 0 Washington Premier 2, Miami FC Kendall 2 Mustang SC 2, NJSA 04 0 Dallas Texans 6, Clearwater Chargers 0 LAFC Chelsea 0, Match Fit Chelsea 0 Richmond Kickers 3, Kansas City Wizards 3 North Meck SC 3, Real Colorado 1 Pateadores 2, South Central Premier 0 CASL Chelsea FC Academy 1, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 0 South Carolina United FC 4, Classics Elite 1 IMG Soccer Academy 5, Chivas USA 1 Santa Cruz County Breakers 1, McLean Youth Soccer 1 Arsenal FC 0, FC Greater Boston 0 Lonestar Aztex Academy 3, Richmond Strikers 1 Weston FC 0, Potomac 0 Academy Select U17/18 2, Sockers FC 2