U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy 2018 Semifinals Recap

Four teams earned semifinal victories on Monday in the U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy U-15 and U-16/17 age groups, securing their places in Wednesday’s championship matches at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City.

Southern California squad Legends FC booked its place in the first ever U-15 Girls Development Academy title match, securing a decisive 3-0 victory over Dallas Texans in the semifinals. Velize King led the Legends attack with a brace, while their defensive unit managed to earn a clean sheet against one of the nation’s top offenses. [+Match Recap]

An explosive first half secured @LegendsFCSoccer's ? to the U-15 girls final. Velize King's brace led the charge. ? Recap: https://t.co/9Wb9KeCoKW pic.twitter.com/lkHF4WmYuS

— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) July 9, 2018

FC Dallas locked up its spot in the U-15 final with a narrow 3-2 win over San Diego Surf. Following a 2-2 draw in regulation, FC Dallas received a game-winner in extra time from Maeve Jones. Her short-range header, which came on a rebound following a shot off the crossbar, vaulted FC Dallas into the championship match after Surf managed to send the semifinal game into extra time with an equalizer in stoppage time of the second half. [+Match Recap]

+READ: Girls Development Academy end-of-season awards, Best XIs announced

Rocky Mountain powerhouse Real Colorado snapped LAFC Slammers’ remarkable 37-game unbeaten streak in the U-16/17 semifinals, grinding out a 1-0 shutout win in blazing 100-degree heat. A Taeya Schuepper strike, assisted by Lia Beyer, put Real Colorado ahead just before halftime, and from there, Colorado’s defensive effort remained dominant the entire match. [+Match Recap]

Michigan club Nationals earned the second spot in the U-16/17 title match, following a thrilling 1-0 clean sheet victory over San Jose Earthquakes Academy. The sides appeared bound for a scoreless draw in regulation, before Nationals defender Eva Papista netted a highlight reel goal in second half stoppage time to send her team through to the final. [+Match Recap]

The #GirlsDA put on a show.

? @SoccerNationals Eva Papista's goal at no. 5️⃣ in #SCTop10 last night! ? pic.twitter.com/aAgKPEr150

— Development Academy (@ussoccer_da) July 10, 2018