The U-18s were able to come together quickly and produce an impressive season, posting a 17-5-8 overall record. Much like many of the other Red Bull Academy teams, the U-18 Red Bull players had to work numerous new players in to the mix and try to form a cohesive unit with players that had not played together before.
"At the start of this season we really did not know what to expect," noted head coach Paul O'Donnell. "We only returned nine players from the previous season as they had all gone to college. So, our work was cut out for us and we had to find players that could fit into out system and meet the standards that are expected of Red Bulls Academy players."
Despite the new players, the team began the season extremely well, crafting a 17 match unbeaten streak. The U-18s won 11 games and added six ties, scoring 41 goals while conceding just 16. Coach O'Donnell points out the March 8 match against PDA as one of the more memorable matches of the season. Trailing 4-1 late in the first half, Cesar Blacido pulled one back right before the halftime whistle to cut the deficit to 4-2 headed into the break. The Red Bulls kept their unbeaten streak alive with three second half goals, with the winner coming from Sam Archer in the 80th minute for the 5-4 win.
"Fortunately, some of the players that we picked up this season were exceptional," O'Donnell stated. "When you can add players such as Cesar Blacido and Connor Lade you are immediately making the team better. Also, we really had no center backs at the start of the season and by the end of the season, Angelo Jack and Jason Wells (two other new additions) turned into one of the more consistent center back tandems in the country."
A second memorable match for the team came on April 5 against rival DC United. The Red Bulls jumped out to 2-0 lead on long range strikes. Joey Spivack opened the scoring in third minute on 25-yard strike, and Matt Kassel made it 2-0 on 30-yard left-footed strike in eighth minute. DC United was able to level the game in second half. However, the U-18s scored two goals in last 10 minutes to win game. Blacido scored in 81st minute and Johnny Exantus sealed the 4-2 win in 85th minute.
"Over the course of the season, the team truly became one of the better teams in the country, especially in the attack," O'Donnell noted. "This group of players was always looking to attack. Despite our record, there were not many teams that were better than us on the day. The team did a great job of out-possessing their opponents and creating chances in the attack. However, this did leave us vulnerable on the counter-attack. This is where most of our opponents scored against us."
The May 23 meeting with the US U17 National Team is a third match that is worth remembering from the season. The Red Bulls trailed 1-0 at halftime despite controlling much of the first half. The U-18s were not without their chances, hitting the woodwork twice in the first half; first on and strike by Giorgi Chirgadze that was taken from the left hand corner of the box, and next on a Matt Kassel strike that hit the crossbar, with the Red Bulls unlucky not to finish the rebound.
In the second half the Red Bulls played inspired soccer. They opened the scoring in the 58th minute on what is considered by many to be the goal of the season. Kassel whipped in a free kick from 25 yards out on the flank and Exantus rose above the US defenders and goalkeeper to head it home. However, the US U17s took a 2-1 lead soon after that. The Red Bulls kept pressing for the equalizer and tied it in the 80th minutes on another great strike from Exantus after a great run by Archer who had beaten three defenders. The US U17s got the winner in the 85th minute and the Red Bulls came close several times to getting the equalizer and were unlucky not to get a penalty kick late in the game.
"Despite the result, the Red Bulls U-18s played a great game of attacking soccer and we could have been the winner in a game that saw end to end soccer," recalled O'Donnell. "This game was a great advert for the Red Bulls Academy and our philosophy of playing attacking soccer and allowing the players to take risks."
The U-18s wrapped up their season just behind the conference winner, the Baltimore Bays. The Bays went on to win the 2008 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week U-17/18 Championship.
"We will be looking to add quality players for next season," stated O'Donnell. "We lose 15 players from this team (college and some are not eligible due to age) and are already in the process of adding some high level players for 2009. We will return Giorgi Chirgadze and he will be a key for us next season. The younger players from the U16s that we will expect to factor in the squad are Dylan Mencia, Mark Brode, and Sacir Hot."
Some individual player highlights from Coach O'Donnell:
1. Cesar Blacido:
US Soccer Development Academy Starting XI (entire country).
US Soccer Development Academy Mid-Atlantic Division Starting XI.
Finished season with nine goals and four assists.
Named Man of the Match in 5-4 comeback win over PDA. Red Bulls trailed 4-1 in first half and Cesar scored the first 2 goals to spur the comeback.
2. Giorgi Chirgadze:
Led team with 13 assists.
Will return to Red Bulls U18's next season and will be key player in 2009.
Versatility is key: Played left fullback, left-midfield and forward at various points during the season.
3. Johnny Exantus:
US Soccer Development Academy Mid-Atlantic Division Starting XI.
Finished season as Red Bulls' leading goal scorer with 22 goals. Also had eight assists.
Named Man of the Match in seven of the 25 games he appeared.
Best performance was against the US U-17 National team where he scored two goals and was named Man of the Match.
4. Walter Hines:
Called into Costa Rica U20's during the season.
Finished season with eight goals and three assists.
5. Angelo Jack:
Had outstanding season as a center back.
Appeared in 29 games and started in 28.
Scored three goals from center back position including two goals in (5-1) win over Potomac on April 6th.
6. Matt Kassel:
US Soccer Development Academy Starting XI (entire country).
US Soccer Development Academy Mid-Atlantic Division Starting XI.
Finished season with 10 goals and nine assists in 16 starts. (*Training with Red Bulls First Team and call-up to US U20's limited his starts.)
Called into United States U20's during the season.
7. Connor Lade:
US Soccer Development Academy Mid-Atlantic Division Starting XI.
Appeared in 29 games and started in 28.
Led Red Bulls in minutes played with 2508. (Average of 88 minutes per games in which he appeared).
Considered one of the top defenders in the country.
