Bounced from the cup: Sporting Club Jacksonville introduced its youngest-ever player but endured the same old struggles, going down 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies on June 6 to suffer elimination from the USL Cup in-season tournament.
Underwood’s debut: Sporting Jax fielded its youngest-ever player when 16-year-old academy prospect Ethan Underwood, from Bartram Trail High School, entered from the bench for his debut in the 66th minute. Underwood played the remaining 24 minutes on the left side of midfield. He became the second Sporting Jax player with Bears ties, with Ethan Dudley starting in central defense.
First-half miscues: The first-place Rowdies had already had two goals nullified for offside and another shot off the crossbar when they finally broke through in the 35th minute. Charlie Ostrem raided up the left side on a counterattack and set up Sebastian Cruz for the goal. Then, in first-half stoppage time, Sporting Jax gave away the ball on the sideline and then blew an offside trap to allow MD Myers in for a breakaway and finish.
Schaefer starts: Former Fletcher High School standout Brian Schaefer started in the Rowdies’ central defense, playing all 90 minutes and blocking a goal-bound attempt from Sporting Jax midfielder Piero Elias.
Quick free kicks: The series of miscues leading to Tampa Bay’s scores frustrated Sporting Jax head coach Liam Fox, who termed them “two really, really simple goals.” … After combining for six goals in their last two games, Sporting Jax mustered only three shots, none on target, while the Rowdies had 16 shots. … Sporting Jax rested normal starters including goalkeeper Christian Olivares and midfielders Rafferty Pedder and Jordan Rossiter at the start of a stretch of three games in eight days. … Goalkeeper Jake McGuire recorded three saves.
They said it: “He’s been awesome to have around. He works really good, he’s got a really good attitude and he’s got a super bright future.” –Sporting Jax defender Ethan Dudley on 16-year-old newcomer Ethan Underwood.
Up next: Sporting Jax returns to normal league play in the USL Championship and hits the road for a cross-country trip, taking on Monterey Bay FC on Wednesday, June 10.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Sporting Jax 16-year-old makes debut in USL Cup soccer loss
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
