AFU Academy Teams Back on Track

AFU's Academy teams got back to winning ways this past weekend with solid performances against McLean Soccer Club and Virginia Rush. The u-16's put up five goals to MClean's three in the early game on Saturday. Forward Chris Harrison scored the club's first hattrick of the season, scoring two breakaway goals in the first half and an excellent header in the 2nd. Captain Roberto Hinojosa and forward Jeremy Rector added to Chris' tally's to give AFU their highest scoring game of the season so far. McLean answered with three goals of their own to make for a very exciting game.

The u-18's had to come from behind after Mclean had taken the lead midway through the first half. An unstoppable shot unleashed by Brady O' Brien midway through the 2nd half got AFU back on level terms and when a McLean player was issued a straight red card it looked like AFU could go on and win the game. However McLean stood firm and defended excellently to deny AFU who had to settle for the draw.

Virginia Rush were Sunday's opponents and the u-16 teams played a tough uncompromising game with both teams creating numerous chances. AFU had to wait until very late in the game, when Andres Pena latched onto a long ball by Amin EL Shami and lobbed Rush's keeper to earn all three points. An important and well earned victory.

Next up was one of the most exciting games of the year so far. The u-18's battled to a narrow 3-2 victory over Rush with forward Luke Ade giving an MVP performance. Ade opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a well taken low drive into Rush's net. Rush equalized later in the half and they were all square at the break. Ade was again involved in AFU's go ahead goal when he provided a excellent cross for forward Stephen Dunbar to head home. Rush responded when a defensive mix up allowed them to sneak a 2nd tying goal. Ade was to have the final say when Dunbar this time became the provider and found Ade in space who beat his defender and found the bottom corner again.

Three wins and a tie will hopefully give the teams some momentum heading into a very important weekend when divisional rivals Weston and Kendall come to ATL to take on AFU.