It would seem the Orlando City U-17/18 Development Academy has turned the corner.
The Lions won again on Saturday, defeating Weston 2-1. Forward Joe Gallardo scored both goals as City moved up to No. 2 in the country, but it was the way they won that has Academy Director David Longwell excited.
“Great performance and result,” said Longwell, who also coaches the U-17/18s. “Great achievement from them made more pleasing because they’re playing with a true football style and philosophy that we want.”
Developing a style and philosophy is a primary focus of the Development Academy. As nice as winning games is, the goal is to produce talented young players to move up the ladder to Orlando City B in the USL and eventually to the MLS squad, like midfielder Pierre Da Silva did earlier this year.
Da Silva is on the First Team but was loaned down to OCB to get more playing time, and it’s certainly paying off for him as the 18-year-old currently leads the league with four assists.
The U-17/18s are back in action on Saturday, April 29 against IMG Academy.
