Impact U15 and U17 teams in action this Saturday
Two of the three Impact Academy teams in USSDA will be in action this weekend, when the teams of Empire United visit Centre Nutrilait on Saturday. The Impact U15 will kick off at 10am, while the U17 side will play its game at 12:30pm. Admission is free for all.
Return to action for Impact U15
Things have been a little quieter for the Impact U15 as of late. Nicolas Gagnon’s men return to action in USSDA for the first time since October 6, when they dismantled Berthesda SC 5-1 in Maryland, and will look to add to that victory as the team has been struggling with consistency this season.
“It’s always a complicated game against this club,” said Impact U15 head coach Nicolas Gagnon. “They may not be at the same level as some of the MLS sides, but they produce some good players and they have a good program.”
U17 looking to bounce back
This is the first game for the U17 since last week’s qualifying games for the Generation adidas Cup, in Toronto, during which the team lost to New York City FC, before falling to Columbus in a penalty shootout following a draw after 90 minutes.
The squad will, however, be without its leading goalscorer, Mouhamadou Kane, who joined Canada at the U17 FIFA World Cup, in Brazil.
“We didn’t have the best results at the GA Cup, but we played well,” said Impact U17 head coach Jason Di Tullio. “But you can play well and not get results. I’m expecting a high-intensity game, but we’re playing at home and we need to protect it. Some guys will get some opportunities, because some of our players are with the national team while others have had a lot of minutes. I still expect the same quality and intensity as in all our games.”
About Empire United
Located in West Henrietta, New York, the Empire United Soccer Academy is the result of three clubs in the area – Rochester Junior Rhinos, Syracuse Football Club and Buffalo United Soccer Club – joining forces in 2007.
Then, the club started playing in the Development Academy, helping players in its area progress all the way to the American college level.
Four of their players made it to MLS, even if for some it was not a very long experience.
Liam Callahan was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in 2017, before being released. Ethan Cutler was also drafted this year by the New York Red Bulls and now plays with their USL team.
The other two players had a little bit more success. After signing with Real Salt Lake in 2013, Jordan Allen has now played 51 MLS games. The other player is Toronto FC’s reserve goalkeeper, Alex Bono, who was drafted by the Reds in 2015.
