U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-13/14 Showcase Day 1 Recap
FC Dallas (TX) vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (CA)
The opening day proved to be a thrilling one as FC Dallas’ 2-1 win over Los Angeles Galaxy highlighted an exciting first day of U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-13/14 Showcase Games.
From the opening whistle, the intensity levels were higher than any other game at Toyota Soccer Complex. Fans and players from all clubs at the complex filled the outskirts of Field #4 as the sun was beating down on them in Frisco, Texas.
In the 12th minute, local team FC Dallas struck first with a goal from Johan Gomez, setting the tone and level of play for the game.
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The two Major League Soccer Academy sides played a free-flowing, open, and end-to-end game, proving why they’re both powerhouses in the Academy.
The Galaxy leveled the score in the 38th minute after a pass by Ulysses Llanez on a free kick that was cleverly passed behind the wall, allowing Efrain Alvarez a narrow opening on goal, but just enough to chip the goalkeeper.
LA earned another free kick at the top of the box in added time at the end of the first half, but Alvarez just missed the target as the ball went over the crossbar.
The second half began much like the first, possession even and a fast paced game.
After a few scares in the back from Dallas, Malik Henry-Scott headed in a goal after the ball bounced around in the box after a corner kick, giving FCD the 2-1 lead in the 75th minute.
The game was all but over with just minutes left to play, but LA was not ready to give up. Arnold Castillo broke away from the Dallas defense, trying to even the score, but heroically Michael Collodi, FCD’s keeper, saved the attempt, assuring the win for the local club.
FC Golden State (CA) vs. Capital Area RailHawks – CASL (NC)
Earlier in the day, Capital Area RailHawks – CASL played a captivating 2-2 draw with FC Golden State.
Golden State dominated early, taking a 2-0 lead after 14 minutes. Frank Gonzalez received the ball at the top of the box and chipped the ball over the defense to Eric Rivero, who headed it home to give FCGS the lead. Just three minutes later, Juan Cruz stole the ball at the top of the box and slotted it past the RailHawks’ keeper for the 2-0 advantage.
Golden State looked to be cruising to a win, but the RailHawks’ Garden scored at the end of the first half off a corner as the ball fell to him after a scramble in the box. The first half ended with the RailHawks trailing 2-1.
In the 49th minute, possibly the goal of the U-13/14 Showcase was scored by the RailHawks’ Cameron Abernethy, crushing it in the upper corner from the top of the box. The RailHawks created another chance at the last minute to win the game, but Golden State saved it off the post and the referee blew the whistle, as the game ended 2-2.
Houston Dynamo (TX) vs. New York Red Bulls (NY)
The last Feature Game of the day was also between two MLS sides as Houston Dynamo battled back to tie 3-3 with the New York Red Bulls .
The first half was all Red Bulls on attack, finally scoring two goals in two minutes near the end of the half. A terrific run down the right flank and a perfect cross provided Dylan Sullivan with an easy header to give New York the 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. Two minutes later , Sullivan scored again after the initial shot was saved by Houston, providing NYRB with a 2-0 advantage.
Houston got one back early in the second half in the 42nd minute with a beautiful goal from Kevin Andrews off a cross from Randy Dominguez.
Just when Houston thought the tide had turned, New York earned a penalty kick and Scotty Taylor slotted it home for a 3-1 lead n the 47th minute. But, the Dynamo snatched another back in the 59h minute with a goal from Heriberto Soto, bringing the game within one goal at 3-2.
Houston would complete the comeback empathically in added time at the very end of the game with a perfectly weighted ball over the defense to Soto, who smashed it into the net on a half volley.
The game ended with Houston drawing New York 3-3 to wrap up day one action at the Development Academy U-13/14 Showcase.
