New York Red Bulls U16s Advance to Development Academy National Semifinals

If you read Once a Metro frequently (and I understand that you probably don't), you'd know that the New York Red Bulls U-16s are an offensive juggernaut. They added to this reputation last night with a 4-2 win over Chivas USA in the quarterfinals of the Development Academy playoffs.

Omir Fernandez put the Red Bulls up early in the 5th minute and Brian Saramago doubled the score in the 36th minute. Michelle Juarez took one back for Chivas USA right before halftime in the 40th minute. However, Saramago got his second in the 49th minute and completed his hat trick and put the match out of reach in the 73rd minute with his eight goal of the Academy playoffs. Chivas USA's Misael Becerra added a goal in the 90th minute, but it was too late to mount a serious comeback.

Manager Simon Nee and the Red Bulls U-16s advance to the semifinals for a match against Georgia United on July 16th at the National Training Center in Carson, California. Georgia United defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps in a shootout after finishing regulation tied at 2-2. The Philadelphia Union and FC Dallas face off in the other semifinal. The championship match is on July 18th.

This match also marks the end of Chivas USA in MLS and American soccer. The Academy is officially shutting down after the senior team stopped competing at the end of 2014; some of the players and coaches will be moving over to the Los Angeles Galaxy Academy. It was nice to see one of the better development setups in this country make one final run at a national championship. Unfortunately they ran into a juggernaut. (Sorry.)

Once a Metro will keep you updated both here and on Twitter as the Red Bulls continue their run to a national championship.

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Starting lineup: Xavier Kennedy (GK), Rodrigo D'Andrea, Mason Deeds, Omir Fernandez, Jared Gilbey, Jeanpaul Marin, Ryan Mingachos, Kyle Perno, Noah Powder, Brian Saramago, Sean Teixeira

Substitutes: Kyle Casey, Zach Ryan, Kazu Shigenobu

Unused Substitutes: Zaire Bartley, Vincent Borden, Wojciech Gajda (GK), Kevin O'Toole