Academy team in Austin this week

[stokecity4eva]

An U18 academy team has gone out to austin for 8 days this week and will play some friendlies out there this will be the first visit for us as a team out there and should mean that the first team follow next summer.

Stoke City FC Academy Friendlies Set
Town & Country Sports Complex to host games
The Austin Aztex affiliate, Stoke City FC, which is set to play in the Barclay’s Premier League in the UK, is sending its U18 Academy for eight days of training in Austin prior to the start of the academy season. The Lonestar Soccer Club will be hosting the Stoke City Academy and several “friendlies” have been announced which should be of some interest to Aztex fans.

Stoke U18 Academy Texas Schedule
Thursday, August 14 vs Lonestar ’91 Red at 6:30 PM
Saturday, August 16 vs Rayados 92/93 at 10:00 AM
Sunday, August 17 vs Lonestars ’92 Red at 12:00 PM
all games to be played on fields 26 & 27
of the Town & Country Sports ComplexThe first game will take place on Thursday, August 14 at 6:30 PM when Stoke City will play the Lonestar ’91 Red. This team, along with the Lonestar ’93 Red, has been selected to play in US Soccer’s Development Academy, which is intended to bring an intensive program of training and competition to the US’ leading youth clubs and players.

The second friendly will occur on Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 AM when the “Potters”, Stoke City’s affectionate nickname, will play Rayados 92/93 from Monterrey, Mexico. Rayados has some familiarity with Austin youth soccer, having been visited by the St. Stephen’s Soccer Academy (whose coach, Bobby Murphy, was the Aztex assistant this season) last spring.

The final friendly will be played on Sunday, August 17 at 12:00 PM when Stoke will face the Lonestar ’92 Red team. This group, often acknowledged as one of the strongest boys’ teams in the Lonestar program, is currently coached by Sean Bubb who supervises the entire boys program at the club.

In addition to Stoke City and Rayados, teams from the Andromeda Soccer Club of Plano will also be participating in this weekend of friendlies with the Lonestars. Andromeda had two boys’ teams that won National Championships last week, ’90 and ’91 boys. The latter team will be in Austin for one game: they will play the Lonestar ’92 Red South team on Sunday, August 17 at 12:00 PM on a field adjoining the Stoke City — ’92 Red contest.

These friendlies will be held on fields 26 & 27 of the Town & Country Sports Complex.

By the way theres still no club merchandise shop i really fancied getting a Austin home top

[JoeinOz]

Good luck in Texas academy team!

[MarkWolstanton]

I have found a brief report on yesterdays 2:1 win for the Youth Team boys over Reyedas of Mexico.

The games are being played in temperatures of 105 degrees. Other information I have heard is that the Mexicans tried to dish it out to Stoke and got back more than they bargained for.

"You could tell that a couple of nights sound sleep to get over the jet lag, and a little time in the Central Texas heat had given the Potters the rest they needed. The Potters came out playing at a completely different level than they did on Thursday night. The ball management and defense were dramatically different, and this observer felt that the Potters were able to play their style of physical play. It was this physicality that caused a number of Rayadas yellows and a red for one of their strikers towards the end of the second half.

The Mexican style of play is very physical, no matter the level. Whether it's International, Primera Division, or the Jr. Leagues. We've pretty much gotten used to it. I don't think they were expecting a team that played the same physical style, but had a much larger frame. #9 for the Potters especially gave them fits. They'd try to win headers by jumping as high as they could, and he'd rarely have to leave his feet. I think this is what caused the sending off."

The number 9 referred to will be Warwick Alexander.