Dallas Cup concludes 2022 event with final four championship matches

DALLAS, Texas – The 2022 Dallas Cup concluded on Sunday with the remaining boys’ finalists taking the Toyota Stadium pitch for the 17U, 18U, 19U, and Gordon Jago Super Group championship matches.

The marquee match of the day was a Central America clash between the U-20 Panama National Team and the U-20 El Salvador National Team in the elite 19U Gordon Jago Super Group. In front of a raucous crowd at Toyota Stadium, the Panamanian side came out of the gates firing in the first Super Group final since 2019.

In the 16th minute, Omar Valencia scored the opening goal of the match to put Panama ahead 1-0. In the 29th minute, Rodolfo Vega added a second goal for Los Canaleros with a gorgeous, dipping shot from outside the box, making the score 2-0. Harold Osorio scored in the 66th minute for the Salvadorian side to give La Selecta a spark, but the U-20 Panama National Team had an answer. Keny Bonilla, who was named the Toyota MVP after the game, scored in the 82nd minute, securing the Gordon Jago Super Group title for the U-20 Panama National Team.

The first match of the day from Toyota Stadium was the 17-Under Boys’ final between DKSC 05 ECNL and Santa Clara Sporting 05B Green. DKSC’ Jonathan Jaimes scored the first goal of the match for the local side, converting from the penalty spot in the 41st minute. His teammate, Luis Vargas, tacked on a pair of late goals, including a stunning, long-distance strike from nearly 50 yards out that locked in a 3-1 win for DKSC, and the 17-Under title.

The 2022 Dallas Cup 18-Under final featured Houston Legends FC and England’s Everton Football College. Houston Legends’ forward Ryan Okerayi wreaked havoc on the Everton College defense all game, scoring a brace with goals in the 42nd and 74th minute. Miguel Rodriguez also got on the scoresheet for the South Texas side as the match ended with a score of 3-1, crowning Houston Legends FC the 2022 Dallas Cup 18-Under champions.

The 1:30pm match was the 19-Under final between La Roca FC 03/04 ECNL out of Utah and FC Dallas 03 Premier. Despite going a man down in the first few minutes of the match, La Roca FC pieced together a brilliant performance. Forward Braden Bennett showed his prowess in the air with a pair of headed goals in the 42nd and 55th minute. FC Dallas’ Eduardo Cerna pulled a goal back in the 69th minute, but it turned out to be a little too late, as La Roca FC was named 19-Under Dallas Cup champions, becoming the first ever champion from the state of Utah.

The 12-Under Dallas Cup final between Dallas Texans and FC Dallas South Academy was also played Sunday. Playing next to the stadium at the Toyota Soccer Center, Dallas Texans cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win, adding the Dallas Cup “Boot and Ball” trophy to their already impressive trophy room.

2022 Dallas Cup Girls’ Invitational Champions