After a very strong 2010 that left both the U18 and U16 teams leading their groups in points per game (with the U18 nearly lapping the field) the Academy teams took off for the holidays during the last few weeks. But play started up again last weekend and the teams didn't miss a beat.

Both played California Development Academy just outside Sacramento. The U-18s scored four times — including 2 from US International Sean Okoli — to roll over CDA 4-1, while the U-16s put on a clinic, getting 7 goals from 6 different players in an overpowering 7-0 win.

Their next matches on Sunday are technically away, but they'll be playing local rivals Crossfire Premier at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, where there'll be a Sounder at Heart presence as well as a meetup at some nearby watering hole.