July 24, 2012
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Red Bulls U-15/16s win U.S. Development Academy crown

HOUSTON – The Red Bulls U-15/16 Academy team defeated St. Louis Scott Gallagher, 1-0, in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy championship at BBVA Compass Stadium on Monday night.

Alex Muyl’s 16th-minute goal was the difference and New York held on the rest of the way for its first Academy crown. The accomplishment was a fitting bookend for a team that has been red-hot over the past two months, completing the season with a 12-game unbeaten streak and 10-0-2 record during that stretch.

The Red Bulls found a gap in the St. Louis defense down the right side as Adam Najem played a through ball to Muyl. With nobody from the defense picking up Muyl on his run, he had an open lane at the goal and took the shot at the near right post, driving it past goalkeeper Jake Leeker for the 1-0 lead on the Red Bulls' first shot.

Red Bulls goalkeeper Evan Louro had a game-high four saves and posted his third successive shutout.

Muyl capped off his season with a Red Bulls-high 17 goals in 28 appearances.

The Red Bulls played without defender Billy Stevens, who recorded a red card near the end of a 3-0 win over Charlotte Soccer Academy in the final group match of Academy Finals Week on Saturday1.

Leeker had three saves for St. Louis, which had not been shut out since a 3-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City on June 10.

This year marked the first time two Major League Soccer-affiliated teams captured the championship during the same Academy Finals Week. FC Dallas earned the U-17/18 championship on Sunday with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.