All four St. Louis CITY Academy teams finished parts of their seasons over the weekend, with the teams combining for a 2-2-0 record in their latest rounds of action. The U-15s, U-16s and U-17s all finished the first halves of their regular season schedules, and the teams will not return to the pitch for matches until MLS NEXT Fest in December. Meanwhile, the UPSL squad concluded their 2023 Fall season and is now awaiting scheduling for the Kentucky-Tennessee divisional playoffs.
U-15s come up short
After heading north for a meeting with their Chicago Fire FC Academy counterparts on November 19, the U-15 squad came up short against a highly competitive Chicago Fire side. Midfielder Matteo Hayes got the boys on the board, but the hosts punched in five goals to secure the victory.
The U-15s finished the first half of their season with a 6-7-0 record across all competitions and a plus-11 goal difference.
U-16s suffer first loss of season in tight contest
Having come into the weekend with a 12-0-2 record through their first fourteen matches, the U-16 team looked to extend their unbeaten streak to fifteen consecutive games when they took on Sockers FC in MLS NEXT Flex play on November 19. Forward Stone Marion hit double digits for goals on the season with his third multi-goal game thus far, sending two shots into the back of the net. Sockers FC, however, netted three goals of their own to snatch the home victory and hand the U-16s their first defeat of the season.
Despite the loss, the U-16s still have the most points in the U16 Mid-America Division in both League and MLS NEXT Flex play. In addition to finishing the first half of the season 12-1-2 overall, the team picked up eight clean sheets en route to amassing an impressive plus-49 goal difference.
U-17s win fourth straight match
Taking on their Chicago Fire FC Academy counterparts in MLS NEXT Flex action as well, the U-17s took care of business with a 4-3 road victory. Forward Ryan Dugan scored for a second consecutive match to push his goal total to a team-leading twelve (12) goals thus far. Midfielder Carson Locker, defender Jacksen McNeal and forward Evan Carlock all knocked in goals of their own as well as the team held the hosts at bay to secure the victory and remain unbeaten in Flex play.
The U-17s now sit atop the U17 Central (North) Division in League action and have the second-most points in the U17 Mid-America Division (Flex play). Dominant offensive performances have driven the team’s success to this point, as the 4-3 victory over the Fire last weekend was the ninth time this season the U-17s netted four or more goals.
UPSL cruises in shutout victory
Coming in on a two-match winning streak, the UPSL team faced off against Tennessee Tempo II on November 19. Forward Edin Clark delivered a brace -- his second consecutive match with a goal -- to lead the team’s attack. Forward Jackson Delkus, forward Kai Pope and midfielder Brian Franco all also tallied goals in the 5-0 victory.
With the win, the UPSL squad finished their regular season 8-2-0, scoring 51 goals across those ten matches (the third-highest total in the UPSL). They finished as the second seed in the Kentucky-Tennessee division, one point behind Pre-College DA. Five different players scored five or more goals during the regular season, with Delkus’ seven (7) goals scored leading the team.
