As the U.S. Soccer Federation can breathe a bit easier – at least for the time being – with Tuesday’s qualification for the Under 20 World Cup, the work continues in developing tomorrow’s stars in the Development Academy.

With the month of March starting this weekend, the warm weather that typically accompanies spring in most corners of the country, things are kicking up a notch in the Academy, as a huge slate of action awaits teams all across the nation.

Ian Harkes

Here’s a look at some of the best matchups to watch out for:

East Conference

One of the best matchups of the weekend is in the Baltimore region, as Baltimore Bays Chelsea host nearby rivals D.C. United. Both teams boast significant talent, with the Bays U18s led by Romilio Hernandez and Jeremy DeGraffenreidt. United has Suliaman Dainkeh and Ian Harkes, after losing a couple players to early high school graduation. The U16 meeting will be just as intriguing, as D.C. has yet to lose an Academy game this year.

New Jersey side PDA is making the trip south to Virginia, facing difficult challenges against Virginia Rush and Richmond Kickers. Currently in first place according to their points per game, PDA U18s will look to overtake Baltimore Bays by total points this weekend.

The Richmond Strikers are heading north to the Philadelphia area to take on a tough FC Delco side. They’ll face an uphill battle at both levels to come away with points, looking up at Delco in the standings.

West Conference

One of the themes for the weekend – as it usually is – is Pacific Northwest clubs making the trip to California. Sounders FC are heading to Southern California, with games against Nomads on Saturday and San Diego Surf on Sunday. Portland Timbers are also making the identical trip, and will play the same opponents as their Cascadia counterparts, only in reverse order. The Whitecaps won’t be too far away themselves, with games against Real So Cal and Arsenal FC on the docket.

It’s a busy weekend at home for the LA Galaxy Academy. The MLS side welcomes De Anza Force and Santa Cruz Breakers to the Home Depot Center fields, while Chivas USA will also square off against the same clubs in opposite order. Chivas U16 talent Adonis Amaya continues to lead the young Goats attack.

Plenty of other teams out west will head back into action. Strikers FC faces a stiff test against Cal Odyssey, and then lines up against another MLS Academy as the San Jose Earthquakes pay a visit.

Central Conference

Speaking of road trips, Texas is the destination for Sporting KC’s Academy, with games against Texas Rush and Texans SC Houston. A promising start to the season has been derailed a bit, as KC’s U18s has yet to win a game in 2013 – to be fair, only three games – but a winless streak has hit nine after dropping a result against FC Dallas last weekend.

The Colorado Rapids are scheduled to join SKC down in the heart of Texas, and will also get games against the Rush and Texans SC Houston.

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