The U-17/18 and U-15/16 New York Red Bulls Academy teams competed at the 2011-2012 Development Academy Playoffs at FC Dallas Sports Park in Texas, beginning on June 25th. The U-17/18 squad finished the group stages of the tournament in second place of Group 6, just missing out on the knockout rounds. The Red Bulls lost out to Chivas USA, despite going undefeated throughout the group with a record of 1-0-2. Only two points separated the Red Bulls from Chivas, collecting five points to Chivas’ seven. New York also had the best goal differential within the group, scoring five times while only conceding two goals.
New York opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution. The Red Bulls rebounded with a 3-0 shutout over the Charlotte Soccer Academy, before bowing out following the tie with Chivas.
The U-15/16 Red Bulls squad advanced to Finals Week of the tournament, winning Group 1 following a must-win scenario against CASL Chelsea SC. New York leapfrogged CASL with a 3-0 victory, giving the Red Bulls a perfect 3-0 record in group play, as well as nine points. CASL had not conceded a goal prior to the matchup against New York. Had the Red Bulls only earned a draw, CASL would have advanced via goal differential. The Red Bulls were one of only two squads in the entire tournament to post a perfect 3-0-0 record, joining the Chicago Fire of Group 4. New York rolled through Group 1 with a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas, as well as 2-0 win against Georgia United, before its 3-0 result over Chelsea.
This is the second time New York has advanced to Finals Week in the Development Academy Playoffs, following its success in the 2008-09 installment. In total, Red Bulls Academy teams have reached Finals Week three times, following the advancement of the U-17/18 team last year.
