Only one MLS team advanced both of its academy teams to the GA Cup quarterfinals. Now, the Seattle Sounders are the only MLS team to put both the U15s and U16s in the semifinals.
The U15s punched their ticket first, beating FC Cincinnati 2-1 on Wednesday. The Sounders went into the second half trailing 1-0, but then got a Calen Dean goal with about 10 minutes left and a Gian Hurtado goal with about five minutes remaining to storm ahead. They will now face LAFC in the semis on Friday. A day earlier, they beat Bayern Munich 4-0 behind two goals and an assist by recently signed Tacoma Defiance player Chris Batiz.
The U16s earned their semifinal spot a little later, getting a late equalizer from centerback Basil Kuprishov. Goalkeeper Jackson Dale then made a save on the first Revolution shootout attempt and all five Sounders converted their attempts to win the shootout 5-3. They’ll next face the winner of Red Bull Bragantino-Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday.
The U16s earned their spot in the quarterfinals with a hard fought 1-0 win over Boca Juniors on Tuesday, with the goal coming off an Adin Fikic penalty.
