North Carolina FC, the most comprehensive youth-to-professional soccer club in the United States, has qualified both its U16 and U18 Academy teams for the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy Playoffs group stage from June 22-26 at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. The tournament features the top youth teams in the country and has been a platform for academies to step into the national spotlight.
The Capital Area RailHawks are one of 23 academy clubs to qualify both its U16 and U18 teams for the playoffs.
“To have both our 16/18’s qualified to compete in the US Soccer Development Academy Playoffs again in 2017 is a special accomplishment that we as a program are very proud of,” said Capital Area RailHawks Academy Director John Bradford. “This is a testament to the dedication of our players, families, and staff throughout the year. We are thrilled to be one of only 23 clubs in the country that qualified both age groups and even more proud to have placed both groups in the top 10 in the U.S. heading into the competition.”
The U16s enter the competiton as the No. 6 overall seed and the top seed in Group D. The team is paired with Bethesda SC, Real So Cal and Oakwood Soccer Club. The U16 RailHawks finished second in the Southeast Division with a 18-5-7 record for 61 points. The U16s will have its game against Real So Cal on June 24 at 3:30 p.m. broadcast live on the Developmental Academy Facebook page here.
The U18s were drawn into Group F along with MLS academy teams from Chicago Fire and Colorado Rapids. The Baltimore Armour is the top seed in the group and is ranked eighth nationally. The U18 RailHawks finished third in the Southeast Division with a 19-5-6 record for 63 points, earning the ninth overall seed.
Following the group stages, the eight group winners will advance to the knockout round (hosted by the higher seed) on July 6. The winners from the knockout round will advance to the Development Academy Championships in Carson, Calif. on July 14-16.
Both teams are aiming for a successful showing on the national stage.
“Each year when our teams go to playoffs, we have high hopes of our teams performing well. This year, we have a firm belief within both groups that we can advance out of our group and progress towards a national championship,” Bradford added. “Our staff and players have been preparing tirelessly to be able to execute our style of soccer in Indianapolis and represent our program to the highest standard. We look forward to taking the event game by game and enjoying the process as we go. For our 16A, this represents an opportunity to continue their individual and team development after a strong spring season and resume taking positive steps in the right direction. For the majority of the 18A players, this represents the culmination of their youth soccer careers and I know they intend to give their best efforts for themselves, each other, and the program.”
U16 Group D Preview
The U16 Capital Area RailHawks headline Group D as the top seed. The team earned its national seed with strong play throughout the regular season, securing points from 25 of its 30 contests, while posting a goal differential of +29. They will face off against No. 10 national seed and East Atlantic champions Bethesda SC, as well as wildcard opponents Real So Cal and Oakwood Soccer Club.
U18 Group F Preview
The U18 Capital Area RailHawks enter the playoffs as the most dangerous attacking unit in the country. The team has scored 104 goals this season, 12 goals more than the next closest team. Baltimore enters the competition as the top seed in the group, just one spot higher in the national rankings than the RailHawks. MLS academies from Chicago and Colorado round out the group. Both teams advanced to the group stage via the wildcard pool.
Academy Playoffs Schedule:
U18:
June 22nd 6:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Chicago Fire
June 24th 6:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Colorado Rapids
June 26th 6:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Baltimore Armour
U16:
June 22nd 3:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
June 24th 3:30 p.m. Capital Area Railhawks vs. Real So Cal (Watch Live)
June 26th 3:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Bethesda SC
North Carolina FC, the most comprehensive youth-to-professional soccer club in the United States, has qualified both its U16 and U18 Academy teams for the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy Playoffs group stage from June 22-26 at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. The tournament features the top youth teams in the country and has been a platform for academies to step into the national spotlight.
The Capital Area RailHawks are one of 23 academy clubs to qualify both its U16 and U18 teams for the playoffs.
“To have both our 16/18’s qualified to compete in the US Soccer Development Academy Playoffs again in 2017 is a special accomplishment that we as a program are very proud of,” said Capital Area RailHawks Academy Director John Bradford. “This is a testament to the dedication of our players, families, and staff throughout the year. We are thrilled to be one of only 23 clubs in the country that qualified both age groups and even more proud to have placed both groups in the top 10 in the U.S. heading into the competition.”
The U16s enter the competiton as the No. 6 overall seed and the top seed in Group D. The team is paired with Bethesda SC, Real So Cal and Oakwood Soccer Club. The U16 RailHawks finished second in the Southeast Division with a 18-5-7 record for 61 points. The U16s will have its game against Real So Cal on June 24 at 3:30 p.m. broadcast live on the Developmental Academy Facebook page here.
The U18s were drawn into Group F along with MLS academy teams from Chicago Fire and Colorado Rapids. The Baltimore Armour is the top seed in the group and is ranked eighth nationally. The U18 RailHawks finished third in the Southeast Division with a 19-5-6 record for 63 points, earning the ninth overall seed.
Following the group stages, the eight group winners will advance to the knockout round (hosted by the higher seed) on July 6. The winners from the knockout round will advance to the Development Academy Championships in Carson, Calif. on July 14-16.
Both teams are aiming for a successful showing on the national stage.
“Each year when our teams go to playoffs, we have high hopes of our teams performing well. This year, we have a firm belief within both groups that we can advance out of our group and progress towards a national championship,” Bradford added. “Our staff and players have been preparing tirelessly to be able to execute our style of soccer in Indianapolis and represent our program to the highest standard. We look forward to taking the event game by game and enjoying the process as we go. For our 16A, this represents an opportunity to continue their individual and team development after a strong spring season and resume taking positive steps in the right direction. For the majority of the 18A players, this represents the culmination of their youth soccer careers and I know they intend to give their best efforts for themselves, each other, and the program.”
U16 Group D Preview
The U16 Capital Area RailHawks headline Group D as the top seed. The team earned its national seed with strong play throughout the regular season, securing points from 25 of its 30 contests, while posting a goal differential of +29. They will face off against No. 10 national seed and East Atlantic champions Bethesda SC, as well as wildcard opponents Real So Cal and Oakwood Soccer Club.
U18 Group F Preview
The U18 Capital Area RailHawks enter the playoffs as the most dangerous attacking unit in the country. The team has scored 104 goals this season, 12 goals more than the next closest team. Baltimore enters the competition as the top seed in the group, just one spot higher in the national rankings than the RailHawks. MLS academies from Chicago and Colorado round out the group. Both teams advanced to the group stage via the wildcard pool.
Academy Playoffs Schedule:
U18:
June 22nd 6:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Chicago Fire
June 24th 6:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Colorado Rapids
June 26th 6:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Baltimore Armour
U16:
June 22nd 3:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
June 24th 3:30 p.m. Capital Area Railhawks vs. Real So Cal (Watch Live)
June 26th 3:30 p.m. Capital Area RailHawks vs. Bethesda SC
