U18 United remain perfect after 13 games in Metro Boys League

Richmond U18 United have picked up where they left off a year ago to enjoy another dominating season in the Metro Boys Soccer League.

The defending regular season champions enter this week's play with a perfect 13-0 record thanks to a 5-2 victory over the West Vancouver Rangers last Saturday. Richmond has scored an unbelievable 57 goals to date, while surrendering just five.

Terrific goalkeeping by Ante Boskovic, combined with a strong back line, have left the opposition wondering what they have to do to put the ball in the net.

The goal scoring has also been a pleasant surprise this year lead by the trio of Alexander Escobar, Rylan Sangha and Armando Matok . "It seems everyone on the team is scoring this year even our keeper," said captain Fergus Kennedy.

What makes all the success so impressive is the team actually lost a number of key players to graduation.

United began the campaign with a 14player roster and have since lost two to injuries yet the winning just continues.

"Perhaps what makes this year's run so amazing is the fact that we have used the Richmond Youth Soccer system by bringing U16 Metro players each week who have fit in without missing a beat and contributed to the success that we have achieved so far," said United coach John Gattens. "It says a lot about the Richmond Development Centre and technical director Roberto Scascia who has developed a training model and produced many excellent players over the years that have gone on to play soccer at the university and college level.

"We recognized that if we can prepare the players to play at a higher level at youth they can use soccer to perhaps further their education through scholarships."

Jason James a Richmond United graduate, recently returned for the Christmas break after playing soccer in Europe. He is currently training with the U18s.

"Jason's intensity rubs off on the other boys and they bring their intensity level up another notch," added Gattens.

United plays its final game before the holiday break Sunday when the Burnaby Royals visit Hugh Boyd at 11 a.m.

Corner kicks....

.RYSA's Metro program is enjoying success at other age levels as well. United teams currently sit in the top four in the U13, U14, U15 and U16 divisions.

. Several U18 members helped both the McMath Wildcats and McNair Marlins advance to the recent provincial "AAA" high school championships in Burnaby.

Escobar enjoyed an outstanding tournament in leading the Marlins to a ninth place finish. United's top scorer won the tournament's Golden Boot Award after netting seven goals in just five games.

The Marlins secured ninth after defeating McMath 4-1 for the first time this season in four meetings.