Academy Update: Chivas USA Youth Teams Racking up Wins, Youth National Team Selections

It's been a few weeks since the last Chivas USA Youth Academy update, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been a lot of action of late. Between league play and U.S. Youth National Team selections for Chivas Academy members, it has been busy lately!

In league play, the U16 team has won their last two games, 4-0 over Arsenal FC November 10, and 2-1 over the San Diego Surf on November 17. Axel Mendez, Mark Hernandez, Caleb Calvert, and Jorge Ruiz were the goalscorers in the first match, while Andrew Benitez and Calvert scored in the second. The results so far this month puts the U16s in second place in the USSDA Southwest division.

For the U18s, they have also performed rather well in league play so far this month. They beat Arsenal FC's U18s 2-1 November 10 (goals by Ben Spencer), and drew San Diego Surf 1-1 November 17 (goal by Adam Arana). They currently sit in 4th place in the Southwest division, third on points but fourth in points per match.

Both groups will go to Florida for the Academy Showcase this weekend. They will play the Chicago Sockers, the New England Revolution Academy teams and the D.C. United Academy teams. Best of luck to both teams in Florida! In addition, four Chivas Academy players, Marky Delgado, Spencer, and U16 players Josh Perez and Alejandro Vergara, will take place in the Showcase Select games while in Florida, where top prospects play in an all-star game of sorts against one another. Congrats to all four players!

In addition, Academy players have been getting call-ups to the U.S. Youth National Team in recent weeks. In particular, the U.S. U18s beat their Canadian counterparts 3-1 in a friendly November 21. Both Chivas Academy players Marky Delgado and Ben Spencer played in the match for the Americans, and Spencer scored the game-winning goal in the 71st minute. Well done to the U.S., and to Spencer and Delgado for their parts in the victory!

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