It might have been Labor Day weekend, but Riverhounds Development Academy teams were hard at work competing at the annual PA Classics Keystone Cup in Lancaster County, Pa. on Sept. 2-3.
In total, 21 RDA teams played either their first tournament or their first away from home in the fall season after last month’s Riverhounds Classic, and they did so against strong competition at the top Labor Day tournament in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Leading the charge were the 2014 Pre-ECNL Boys, who swept through their division with four consecutive wins. Their tournament ended with a 5-1 triumph in the finals against a Keystone FC team they had only beaten by one goal the day before in their pool play meeting. Two other teams — the 2013 RDA II Boys and 2010 Regional League Boys — reached the semifinals in their division, with the 2013 RDA II Boys winning their group before being knocked off in the semis by the eventual champion, Old Line FC (Md.).
Another two teams clinched runner-up finishes in their divisions that had no knockout rounds and were settled through pool play. The 2013 Pre-ECNL Boys went 2-1-1 on the weekend to take the second spot behind the hosts, PA Classics. The 2012 RDA II Girls team also went 2-1-1 to place second, and they took a Sunday draw against the undefeated winners from PA Classics to stay in the hunt until the end.
The tournament was a great way for the coaches and players to get geared up for the season beginning this weekend, which includes the start of ECNL and Pre-ECNL league play Saturday.
Below are pictures of just a few of the teams from last weekend’s play: