This week, U16 and U18 Impact teams fly to Florida, where they will each play three games in four days. The annual showcase is part of the USSDA season and each game counts in the general standings. It’s also a chance to play teams from different divisions.
The U16s will kick off the showcase on Friday, December 4 against the LA Galaxy. Then, they will face Kendall SC on the following day and D.C. United on Monday, December 7.
Opposition will be strong for U16 head coach Wilfried Nancy’s team as each of the opponents they will face in the showcase are in a playoff position for now. Kendall SC is in a particularly good position, standing fourth in the general standings with nine wins, one loss, and two draws.
The U18 team will face the LA Galaxy on Thursday, the Seattle Sounders FC on Friday and Chargers Soccer Club on Sunday, December 6.
“In the last two weeks, we made sure to keep the players fresh by shortening the training sessions,” explained Impact U18 interim head coach Simon Gatti. “There were no games for two weeks so we could focus on the tournament. It’s a good test for the players and it gives us the opportunity to see how they play under the pressure of three games in four days.”
And as for the younger group, the U18s will be facing three strong teams currently in a playoff position. The Chargers Soccer Club, who are first in the Southeast division, is coached by an ex Impact player, Andres Arango, who played with Simon Gatti when the Impact was playing in the USL.
The challenge for this type of event is to be able to perform consistently over the three games over four days. As such, both the preparation physically and off the pitch preparation is important.
“We have to manage everything that’s before and after the game: nutrition, sleep, recovery and activations,” explains the Academy assistant physical preparator, Yoann Damet, who will travel with the teams to Florida. “Since it’s a long trip in a really warm city, the acclimatization and the recovery work will be important as soon as we land. In the end, everything has to be planned to leave no place for doubt or uncertainty.”
Fortunately, off the pitch preparation is an important concept taught at the Academy since day one for the players.
