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The team, which is coached by Mickey Kydes, is comprised of highly talented players from southern Connecticut and Westchester County and plays in U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy League.
The Development Academy League showcases the highest standard of boys youth soccer in America. Only 77 select clubs nationwide, including the youth teams from the MLS, compete in its year round season. All Academy players are regularly evaluated by the United States Soccer Youth National Team Scouts.
Beachside finished the regular season with a 15-5-9 record, which put them in second place in Northeast Division and earned them a place in the national playoffs, along with 31 of the nation's best teams. They traveled to Indianapolis where they faced three difficult games against Dallas Texans (Texas), Bethesda Olney (Maryland), and Orlando City (Florida). Beachside won two games and tied the third, which guaranteed them a spot in the quarterfinals.
The winner of the match between Beachside and FC Dallas will go onto the final four, which will be held in Carson, Calif. at the U.S Soccer National Training Center from July 16-18.
"We're so excited to be playing in the quarterfinals in Dallas after winning our group in Indianapolis. It's an honor being a member of one of the top eight teams in the country. Mickey has trained us well and has driven commitment and dedication from the team. We feel very prepared," said Tyler Shaver of Greenwich, who is also on the US National U15 Team
"Beachside has been like a second home for me over the past six years and I cannot think of a more friendly, yet extremely professional environment to be a part of. Mickey has always cared about his players and his number one priority is to help them be the best they can be not only technically, but mentally as well. I have never felt as strongly as this about a group of guys, and, to compete at the level we are competing at right now -- it's incredible how far this club has come," said Caner Snover of Easton, who has played for Beachside since he was 11.
“I am very proud of them indeed,'' Kydes said. "For the work they have put in, the style of soccer they play, and the character they have shown in overcoming very strong opponents. Most the teams still in the competition are MLS clubs drawing players from massive metropolitan areas. We serve a smaller population, but these boys' success shows what can achieved by encouraging and working with players from our community over the long term."
Team members are: Joao Avila, North Haven; Altin Celaj, Brookfield; John Denis, Yorktown Heights, N.Y; Jonathan Filipe, Danbury; Chester Glenn, Westport; Aidan Haas, Armonk, N.Y.; William Harned, Darien; Djimon Johnson, Bridgeport; Ryan Knuth, Milford; Dan Laranetto, Bridgewater; Noah Lawrence, Mount Vernon, N.Y.; Sean Martin, Bridgeport; Nicholas Petridis, Norwalk; Joe Pravder, Westport; Ryan Ruff, Trumbull; Tyler Shaver, Greenwich; Caner Snover, Easton; Ahdan Tait, Bridgeport and Harrison Tramposch, Greenwich.
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