The constant complaint is that forwards get all the attention for the goals they score, and over the past few weeks, the forward have been the ones with the spotlight in the Development Academy Top Scorer list.

Well, this week is focused on defense. Below is a list of the top ten defenses (in terms of goals allowed per game) in each of the Development Academy age groups. The goalkeepers and defenders for each of those teams are also highlighted.

In the U18 age group, it should probably come as no surprise that Albertson SC leads the way. The New York club’s defense is anchored by two U.S. youth national team players in Dylan Greenberg and Miguel Polley.

For the younger bracket, New York Red Bulls are at the head of the class. The MLS Academy is letting in less than a goal every two games, but Crew Soccer Academy Wolves remains close on their heels.

U18 USSF’s Development Academy’s Top Ten Defenses

1. Albertson SC: 8 goals/13 games (0.62 GAA) - Goalkeepers: Christian Martinez, Eric Orologio; Defenders: Dylan Greenberg, Miguel Polley, Franky Martinez, Alex Leondis

2. Chicago Magic PSG: 10 goals/ 15 games (0.67 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Andrew Putna; Defenders: Brian Kane, Keenan Busse, Francesco Moore, Danny Kelly

3. PA Classics: 10 goals/13 games (0.77 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Brent Arnold; Defenders: John Philbin, Todd Pratzner, Shawn Peterson, Eric Lavery

4. McLean Youth Soccer: 11 goals/14 games (0.79 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Mason Fish; Defenders: Sheldon Sullivan, Jordan Fox, Joseph McCreary, Carlos Vasquez

5. Players Development Academy: 8 goals/10 games (0.8 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Eric Gutierrez, Michael Renna; Defense: Miguel Alves, Henry Flugstad-Clarke, Spencer Hambleton, Jean Wilbert Leveille, Billy McConnell

6. FC Dallas: 9 goals/ 11 games (0.82 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Caleb Underwood; Defenders: Christian De Luna, Kristoffer Reaves, Fernando Laverde, Alejandro Dominguez

7. Indiana Fire Academy: 12 goals/14 games (0.86 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Cody Schweitzer, Erik Dick; Defenders: Tanner Witsken, Cameron Taylor, Cameron Knox, Evan Smith

8. CASL Chelsea FC Academy: 9 goals/10 games (0.9 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Bardia Asefnia, Grant Bishop; Defenders: Evan Krause, Cameron Moye, Davis Robinson, Michael Hinkson

8. IMG Academy: 9 goals/10 games (0.9 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Evan Finney, Marco Velez; Defenders: Brendan O’Connor, Carlos Hurtado, Dylan Christie

10. Sockers FC: 12 goals/13 games (0.92 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Jurgen Carabez, Adrian Remeniuk; Defenders: Connor Willsey, Elias El Metennani, Christian Avalos,  Juan Cisneros

10. New York Red Bulls: 12 goals/13 games (0.92 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Santiago Castano, Joe Ohaus; Defenders: Matthew Miazga, Bryan Moya, Eric Sugarman, Kaz Boschem

 

U16 Development Academy Top Ten Defenses

1. New York Red Bulls: 6 goals/13 games  (0.46 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Evan Louro, Gianni Carillo; Defenders: Billy Stevens, Henry Martin, Kevin Politz, Kevin Kappock

2. Crew Soccer Academy Wolves: 7 goals/15 games (0.47 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Spencer Ward, Philip Stair; Defenders: Daegan DeBono, Gary Huang, Allen Wang, Jordan Werthman, Jimmy Fiscus, Chase Pagani

3. Georgia United: 5 goals/10 games (0.50 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Nicholas Nelson, Marius Heislitz; Defenders: Malcolm Stewart, Cameron Johnson, Zachary Jones

4. Texans SC Houston: 7 goals/12 games (0.58 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Michael Veith; Defenders: Jackson Shelledy, Andrew Ramsey, Bradley Boane

5. Colorado Rapids: 10 goals/13 games (0.77 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Tucker Schneider, Andrew Epstein; Defenders: Quentin Pearson, Bryce Montes, Remington Ellis

5. D.C. United: 10 goals/13 games (0.77 GAA) – Goalkeepers: David Hay, Arie Amman; Defenders: Trey Vinson, Austin Pelto, Justin Roberts, Steven Gandy

7. Baltimore Bays Chelsea: 10 goals/12 games (0.83 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Alexander Hughes, Colin Miller; Defenders: Herber Beltran, Jonathan Garske, Zachary Hammons, Hunter Jarmon, Alec Smith

8. FC Dallas: 10 goals/11 games (0.91 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Matthew Karasinski, Estevan Vasquez; Defenders: Vernon Bailey, Jordan Cano, Patrick Khouri

9. Solar Chelsea SC – 12 goals/13 games (0.92 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Chase Therrien, Isaac Linnabary; Defenders: Ryan Applewhite, Trevor Baum, Casey Collins, Blake Stricker, Zachary Stavrou

10. Weston FC: 13 goals/13 games (1.00 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Ryan Tome, Etan Mabourakh; Defenders: Christopher Betancourt, Sebastian Barcia Herreros, Juan Riley

10. New England Revolution: 10 goals/10 games (1.00 GAA) – Goalkeepers: Austin Aviza, Bruce Johnson; Defenders: Elijah Elmore, Matt Morana, Adam Norman, Will Rasid

10. Oakwood Soccer Club: 12 goals/12 games (1.00 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Nicholas Stewart; Defenders: Kyle Losi, Brendan McLaughlin, Brendan Dennis, Jacob Slomski

10. Players Development Academy: 10 goals/10 games (1.00 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Kevin Silva; Defenders: Christopher Gomez, Conlan Kemmerer, Tyler Pinho, Sean Wilson

10. Richmond Strikers: 10 goals/10 games (1.00 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Jake Gelnovatch; Defenders: Brady Dalton, Peter Barkey-Bircann, James Kendall

10. Sockers FC: 13 goals/13 games (1.00 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Colin McCune; Defenders: Tristan Conrad, John Freitag, Mike Kaczor, Kiel Pederson

10. St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro: 13 goals/13 games (1.00 GAA) – Goalkeeper: Ian Bender; Defenders: Andre Dossett, Nick Posey, Lance Ramsey