Potomac ECNL weekend preview: Bethesda SC, Richmond United teams meet at Jeff Cup

Four of the five Potomac area ECNL games this weekend are being played on Friday in Richmond, Va. at the Jefferson Cup. Bethesda SC will represent the Ohio Valley Division taking on Richmond United of the Chesapeake Division in the U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 age groups. The league matches will double as group games for the Jefferson Cup Championship Division as they square off in the college showcase event.

The only other ECNL game of the weekend is between Northern Virginia neighbors and Chesapeake Division foes McLean YS and FC Virginia in the U-14 age group. FC Virginia (4-1-1, 13 pts) is in second place, seeking to keep pace with first place CASL (8-1-1, 25 pts) which has played four more games than FCV. A win over FCV would put McLean (3-2-2, 11 pts) right back in the hunt for the division.

U-14
Saturday, March 21
McLean Youth Soccer vs FC Virginia – 6 p.m. at Evergreen Sportsplex

McLean is 3-2-2 with 9 goals for and 6 goals against.
FCV is 4-1-1 with 22 goals for and 9 goals against.
Abbey Duncan leads FCV with 8 goals and 2 assists.

U-15
Friday, March 20
Bethesda SC vs Richmond United – 7:40 p.m. at River City Sportsplex

Bethesda is first place in the Ohio Valley Division at 3-1-1 with 12 goals and 5 goals against.
Richmond United is second in the Chesapeake Division at 8-1-4 with 35 goals and 16 given up.
Tatiana Ortega leads Bethesda with 3 goals and 3 assists.
Paige Franks has 19 goals and 12 assists in 16 total ECNL matches for Richmond United.
McKinley Burkett has 23 goals and 2 assists in 16 games played for Richmond United.

U-16
Friday, March 20
Bethesda SC vs Richmond United – 7:40 p.m. at River City Sportsplex

Bethesda is unbeaten and atop the Ohio Valley Division at 3-0-2 through five games, with 8 goals and 3 goals allowed.
Richmond United is first place in the Chesapeake Division at 8-2-3 with 22 goals for and 9 against.
Cameron Murtha has 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games for Bethesda.
Riley Cook has 5 goals and 5 assists in 16 games for Richmond United.
Taylor Guy has 6 goals and 4 assists in 15 games for Richmond United

U-17
Friday, March 20
Bethesda SC vs Richmond United – 7:40 p.m. at River City Sportsplex

Bethesda is fifth in the Ohio Valley Division at 1-3-1 with 2 goals and 10 given up.
Richmond United is third in the Chesapeake Division at 4-5-4 with 22 goals and 20 against.
Jessica Hopkins leads Bethesda with 2 goals in 4 games played.
Virginia Jesselson leads Richmond United with 7 goals and 4 assists.

U-18
Friday, March 20
Bethesda SC vs Richmond United – 7:40 p.m. at River City SportsPlex

Bethesda is fourth in the Ohio Valley Division with a 1-1-3 record, 11 goals and 8 goals allowed.
Richmond United is fourth in the Chesapeake Division with a 3-8-1 record, 18 goals and 33 against.
Rachel Alexander has 2 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.
U.S. Youth National Team player Katie Cousins has 3 goals and 2 assists in 9 games.