FRISCO, Texas -- The FC Dallas U-18s picked up their second straight shutout victory of the 2012 USSDA Playoffs on the Complex at FC Dallas Stadium on Tuesday night courtesy of a beautiful goal scored by Jose de la Tejera. The win came over fellow MLS side Real Salt Lake AZ to give FC Dallas six points and control of their group as they prepare for their final match of the Playoffs on Thursday.
The match was largely dominated by the Dallas side, and RSL goalkeeper Elliott Farmer did well to keep the match competitive with no fewer than six save on the night, with his first two coming in the sixth minute of the match.
FC Dallas was awarded a corner kick and it was taken by U-17 World Cup veteran Kellyn Acosta. Acosta's service found defender Nick Rochowski at the far post, who headed the ball on frame only to be denied by Farmer. Midfielder David Robledo found the rebound at his feet, but his follow-up was caught and held by the goalkeeper.
In the 22nd minute FC Dallas was denied a penalty kick as and RSL defender appeared to commit a handball in the box that went uncalled by the referee. Five minutes later Farmer was bailed out by the left post as a shot by de la Tejera hit the upright to keep the match scoreless.
It wouldn't stay that way however, as de la Tejera broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after receiving a pass from midfielder Marco Carrizales. After receiving the ball at the top of the box, de la Tejera dribbled right to get some space from his defender and ripped a perfect shot to give FC Dallas the 1-0 lead late in the half.
After the break FC Dallas continued to test Farmer, as the goalkeeper was forced to makes saves on midfielders Marco Ortiz and Danny Garcia and Homegrown forward Jonathan Top throughout the second half.
Althought the second half went scoreless, the match continued to be physical as both teams were fighting desperately to gain control of the group. The physicality was exemplified by the five combined yellow cards issued in the match, which ended 1-0.
The U-18s' next match will be on Thursday at 11 a.m. against Sockers FC from Chicago, who picked up their first point of the Playoffs in a 1-1 draw with McLean Youth Soccer Tuesday night. The teams are set to face off on Field 5 on the Complex at FC Dallas Stadium, with the U-18s looking to lock down a third straight victory and a ticket to Finals Week in Houston next month.
Scoring Summary:
FCD - de la Tejera, 40'
FC Dallas U-18 lineup: Cortes, Ambrose, Guillen, Ashby, Rochowski, Acosta (Gallegos 89'), Robledo (Ortiz 87'), Carrizales, Garcia, de la Tejera (Edet 87'), Top (Guzman 75').
Earlier in the day the FC Dallas U-16s started off their 2012 USSDA Playoffs with a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls. The match got off to a frenetic start, with all three goals coming in the first 26 minutes of the match.
FC Dallas thought they took the lead in the fifth minute, as a shot appeared to hit the very top netting before bouncing back out into the box, but the officials made no call. The point would become moot just a minute later when Antonio Aguilar broke through for the home team with an indisputable goal.
The Red Bulls responded just six minutes later, as forward Adam Najem scored to tie the game after intercepting the ball in FCD's defensive third of the field.
In the 26th minute New York took the lead in the match on a goal scored by Amando Moreno, and they would not relinquish the advantage.
FC Dallas number 10 Yannick Koffi subbed in late in the first half as the side sought to create more offense, but his two shots on goal on either side of the halftime break were both saved by the Red Bull 'keeper.
Aguilar seized a golden opportunity to tie the match in the 68th minute when he tried to surprise the goalkeeper with a powerful shot from 30 yards out, but the attempt sailed just inches over the crossbar.
The U-16s will look to bounce back from the 2-1 loss when they take on CASL Chelsea FC on Wednesday evening. CASL won their first match of the Playoffs over Georgia United 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon. FCD will face the North Carolina side on Field 5 on the Complex at FC Dallas Stadium at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Scoring Summary:
FCD - Aguilar, 6'
NYRB - Najem, 12'
NYRB - Moreno, 26'
FC Dallas U-16 lineup: Gonzalez, Reeves, Bailey, Espino (Galvan 76'), M. Salas, Rosales, Radilla (J. Salas 80'), Mendoza (Koffi 38'), Craft (Sanchez 54'), Chapa (Dunbar 62'), Aguilar.
