Day two of the US Youth Soccer National League Players Showcase featured several great games, including Albion SC White’s U16 team out of California dealing Penn Fusion 98 their first loss in league play, and Pateadores PDA U16, which entered the showcase in last place in their division, getting their second win in two days to move from 8^th place all the way up to 3rd. Here are recaps of three of the featured games from day two’s action.

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Downtown LVSC 01 Academy vs GSA 01 Premier U14

In a matchup that determined who would be in second place in the U14 Blue division standings behind San Diego SC 00 Academy Navy, GSA 01 Premier (3-0-3) overwhelmed Downtown LVSC 01 Academy (4-2-0) in the second half to secure a 3-1 win.

Downtown LVSC had early opportunities to score, but couldn’t find the net. GSA defensemen Dylan Gaither was called for a foul on Juan Estrada, who had a near miss on the ensuing free kick. The foul call seemed to awaken GSA, as they turned up the offensive pressure, with Menkaseh Topka, Kendall Edwards, NatDeal McDonald and Alec Leake firing shots from all over the pitch. None of the shots were one target, however, and Downtown LVSC took a 1-0 lead into the half.

In the second half, GSA scored three goals within nine minutes before Downtown LVSC could gain their bearings. Downtown LVSC’s opening offensive set resulted in a great shot on goal, but it was deflected out and quickly taken down the field resulting in a Kendall Edwards goal in transition. Minutes later, a foul call inside the goal box left GSA’s Thomas Toney one on one with LVSC keeper Julian Herrera for a penalty kick. Toney’s shot rattled off the crossbar and post before bouncing in to give GSA the 2-1 lead.

GSA’s final goal of the game came in transition, with NatDeal McDonald heading a ball backwards toward the LVSC goal to set up Kendall Edwards, who outran two defenders and headed the ball off one bounce into the goal. To protect their 3-0 lead, GSA eased up their offensive pressure, and let LVSC attempt to navigate a crowded backfield. Luis Morales was able to get a goal by crossing the ball from the right side up and over his defender and the keeper for LVSC’s lone score of the game.

Albion SC White vs Penn Fusion 98 U16

16U Red division leader Penn Fusion 98 came into their match with Albion White SC undefeated, and left with their only loss of U.S. Youth National League play. Penn Fusion (4-1-1) was able to shut out Albion White (3-1-2) in the first half despite a flurry of shots from Ramon Gallegos, one of which deflected violently off the post and directly into keeper Michael Ingraham’s hands.

Offensively, Albion had difficulty finding an open shot, as defender Eamonn O’Connor was everywhere Albion forwards wanted to be before they could get there. It wasn’t until the second half, when Penn defenseman Erik Recke was whistled for pulling down Albion forward Travis Schaniel that Albion had an opportunity to set up a shot. Schaniel kicked a perfect ball from the corner that was headed in by Andrew Forth, which proved to be all the offense Albion would need as they went on to win, 1-0.

Pateadores PDA vs Michigan Jaguars 99 U16

Pateadores PDA came into the National League Players Showcase in last place in the U16 Blue division, but with a 1-0 win over Santa Clara Sporting 98 Green on Friday, and a 4-3 win over Michigan Jaguars 99 (2-1-3) on Saturday, Pateadores has moved their overall record to 3-3, and their place in the division from 8^th to 3^rd with one day of play remaining.

Despite the loss, Michigan made the most of the opportunities they had to score on Saturday. After falling into a 2-0 hole, and being held without a shot for nearly 20 minutes, Michigan’s Alexander Spratte and Andy Lee scored within one minute of each other to tie the game at 2-2, which is where the score would stay until after halftime.

Pateadores scored their third goal in the 47^th minute of play, when Jose Macias crossed the ball from the left side of the goal to Jesus Nunez on the right side, who then found Jonick Pineda in front of the goal for the score. Michigan’s Kyle Bandyk tied the game up when left uncovered on a corner kick in the 65^th minute, but Pateadores wasted no time in retaking the lead, with Jesus Nunez dribbling his way into the box and forcing a ball past the keeper. Michigan’s Benjamin McCauley had a chance to tie the game in the final minutes, but his shot sailed over the goal, and Pateadores escaped with the 4-3 victory.

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