FC Dallas Prospects Sweep Mexico
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FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas’ Under-18 Academy Team racked up three wins in four days against the youth academies of Mexican first and second division sides during a recent trip to Guadalajara.
“Ultimately, in viewing the Guadalajara trip as a whole, it was a successful experience for the team,” said FC Dallas Youth Academy coach Luchi Gonzalez. “The competition and the level of play was high. The hospitality of the host clubs was excellent. Our boys were professional throughout, on and off the field. We will certainly learn and grow from these games, while looking to continue to develop as a team for the remainder of our season.”
The first match of the campaign was a 2-0 victory against the youth academy of Mexican second division side, Club Deportivo Oro on Wednesday, March 20. Recently signed Homegrown goalkeeper, Jesse Gonzalez earned the shutout in goal while Yomeri Reyes and Sergio Tamayo each scored second-half goals.
Reyes’ goal was assisted by a Fernando Laverde throw-in. After receiving the pass, Reyes was able to turn his defender and pick out the far corner of the net. FC Dallas U-18s’ second goal came late in the match when Daniel Nevares sent a low, driven cross into the area for Tamayo. Tamayo was able to quickly control the cross before chipping the CD Oro goalkeeper, who had
charged off his line.
FC Dallas U-18’s won its second match, 2-1, over Mexican second division side UAG Tecos on Thursday, March 21. After conceding an early goal via penalty kick, FC Dallas rebounded quickly and tied the game, 1-1, on a header scored by Vernon Bailey. He was assisted on the play by Fernando Laverde, who sent a cross in from the right flank. The game-winner was assisted by Diego de la Tejera, who won a 50/50 ball in midfield, carried the ball to the flank, and sent in a low, driven service that found Tamayo, who scored his second goal of the trip. The win was secured by the team’s second-half substitutes, who generated good possession and created several more chances before the final whistle.
The team remained perfect with a 2-1 win against the youth academy of Mexican first division side Atlas on Friday, March 22. Following a scoreless first half in which goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez shined, Ethan Sonis broke the deadlock on a pass from teammate Fernando Laverde. The scoring play was the result of some quick combinations that produced several shots in a span of five minutes before Sonis was able to capitalize with a header. The assist was Laverde’s third in three matches.
Atlas, however, was able to even the score, 1-1, after a free kick from the edge of the area was converted. FC Dallas reclaimed the lead with another quick combination play between Aaron Meyer and Victor Portillo. The play resulted in a break-away for Portillo and the forward slipped a low shot under the Atlas goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
After three days of constant action, the FC Dallas U-18s finally fell to a strong Chivas de Guadalajara youth academy side, 3-1, on Saturday, March 23. FC Dallas was able to draw first blood when Bobby Edet headed home an impressive cross from Victor Portillo. The half ended 1-0 in favor of FC Dallas but Chivas applied additional pressure in the second half. With the fatigue of four games in four days beginning to show, Chivas was able to take advantage of some poor clearances and defensive breakdowns by FC Dallas.
