GREENSBORO, NC (June 26, 2009) - FC DELCO’s Development Academy achieved mixed results at the end of the first day of action at US Soccer’s Development Academy playoffs being held at Bryant Park in Greensboro, NC. This year US Soccer introduced a new format for the playoffs. The top 32 teams in each age group have been broken up into eight groups of four, with the top eight overall seeds being placed as the highest seed in each of the eight groups. Every team will play three matches in round-robin group play while in Greensboro, with the eight group winners securing a berth to Finals Week, which takes place from July 10-17 in Carson, CA.

The high Greensboro temperatures only added to the intensity of the moment with both FC DELCO teams qualifying for this year’s playoffs.   The first game for FC DELCO saw the Under-15/16 squad pitted against southern California’s LA Galaxy MLS Academy. The first half ended nil- nil with both teams attacking and getting some good looks at goal. FC DELCO’s Chris Somerville was clearly in the mood to make an impact as twice he called the Galaxy’s keeper into action. It was a harbinger of things to come. Early in the second half Somerville drove deep into Galaxy territory and found a slashing James McLaughlin. McLaughlin’s run beat the Galaxy trap and was quickly in on goal. McLaughlin’s initial shot with deflected by the Galaxy keeper only to rebound off the woodwork. Following his shot paid off for McLaughlin as he netted an easy follow up into an open goal.

Somerville played a key role in the second FC DELCO goal in the 48th minute when he beat the Galaxy defender gaining the end line.   Somerville crossed the ball to an on-rushing Daniel Kursman-Neri who easily handled a very difficult ball to put DELCO up 2-nil with 32 minutes to play. The game, however, was far from over. The second goal seemed to spur the Galaxy on as they pressed the attack putting DELCO on the back foot. The Galaxy finally broke through in the 58th minute making the score 2-1. That’s the way the game ended as DELCO was able to successfully organize themselves defensively to see the game out.

There was a little more excitement, and fireworks, the Under-17/18 game with FC DELCO facing the Richmond Strikers in the Stadium venue.   In the 29th minute, FC DELCO’s Joseph Schmid with sent of for what looked to be an innocuous challenge. Reduced to 10 men, FC DELCO surprisingly began to press the advantage. In fact, in the the 35th minute, DECLO’s Andrew O’Malley appeared to score a go-ahead header goal off of an offensive throw-in only to have the whistle blow for an off the ball foul pulling the ball out of the net. DELCO was desperate to reach the interval without conceding a goal so they could regroup and organize themselves but it was not to be. Richmond finally broke down the DELCO defense in the 41st minute with a well-placed shot that deflected off the inside of the far post. Down 1-nil, FC DELCO was presented with the seemingly insurmountable task of coming back with 10 men and scorching temperatures.

With the entire season on the line and 45 minutes left FC DELCO began their uphill challenge. From the off, DELCO looked the most likely to score as they pressed the attack. In the 53rd minute, FC DELCO’s O’Malley missed a clear scoring opportunity from a Kyle Soroka corner kick.   Finally, in the 55th minute, DELCO’s Chris Harmon scored off of a Soroka restart equalizing the score. With the score now equalized, Richmond came out of their defensive posture looking for another go- ahead goal. Both teams got some clear looks at goal but couldn’t find the back of the net. Then, in what could pass for a Shakespearean tragedy, Richmond caught an exhausted FC DELCO on a counter in the 86th minute to score the go-ahead and winning goal.

The top-seeded FC DELCO Under-17/18s now do not control their own destiny needing two wins against Vardar and IMG Academy, and a little help to see their very successful season continue on at The Home Depot center in Carson, CA. For the FC DELCO Under-15/16s, they are clearly building momentum as they face the top-seeded, highly skilled, Arsenal in tomorrow’s game.