FRISCO, Texas – The FC Dallas Academy teams returned to action for the first time in nearly a month last weekend as they took on the Dallas Texans at the Complex at FC Dallas Stadium. The Pre Academy teams were off from league play last weekend, but the U-14s just returned stateside this week after participating in the Mundialito 2012 tournament in Bolivia. Including a pair of friendlies played after the tournament, the U-14 Pre Academy team compiled a 3-2-1 record while in Bolivia.
Read the last FC Dallas Academy Update here.
FC Dallas U-18s: 1
Dallas Texans: 2
The U-18s suffered their first loss of the season last weekend, conceding a 2-1 result to the Texans. FC Dallas forward Bobby Edet opened the scoring in the 19th minute with his fifth goal of the season to give the home team the lead in the first half. But the Texans responded with two unanswered goals in the second half by midfielder Geoffrey Hill and defender Michael Klodzinski to take three points from the match.
With a record of 11-1-2, FC Dallas remains atop the Texas Division despite the loss. FCD holds a nine point lead over second place Texans SC Houston.
FC Dallas U-16s: 1
Dallas Texans: 1
Following the U-18 matchup, the U-16s earned a 1-1 draw with the Texans in their second meeting of the season. The Texans' goal came from defender Jordan Speed in the 49th minute, while FCD's tally was actually an own goal that was preceded by a dangerous free kick taken by Milton Rosales.
The point puts FC Dallas in third place in the Texas Division, just behind the Dallas Texans and Texans SC Houston.
FC Dallas U-14s: 3-2-1 at Mundialito (U-15) 2012
The U-14s had a busy week in Bolivia at the Mundialito 2012 tournament. They opened the tournament with a resounding 5-0 win over the Cruz Azul U-15s. The FC Dallas goals were scored by Martin Salas, Richard Tapia, Bernie ZuaZua and a pair by Jessi Najera.
Their next match was against tournament hosts Tahuichi. FCD conceded two goals off poor clearances in that match to lose 2-0, making the third game of the group stage against the Venezuelan National Team a must-win in order to advance to the quarterfinals.
In their final game of the group stage, goalkeeper Matt Karasinski picked up FCD's second shutout of the tournament and Armando Arce scored the lone goal of the match to advance to the knockout stage. FC Dallas faced CF Nacional of Uruguay in the tournament quarterfinals. Despite having the game tied 1-1 with 10 minutes left in regulation, the Dallas side gave up two late goals to drop the 3-1 result and were eliminated from the tournament.
The squad participated in two more friendlies after the tournament, beating Cosmopolis of Brazil 3-0 and drawing the Mexican National Team 1-1 before returning to Frisco earlier this week.
"I am extremely proud of the team and players," said FC Dallas Youth Vice President Chris Hayden. "I am positive that this experience will accelerate their development."
Up Next: at Classics Elite
The FC Dallas Academy and Pre Academy teams are back in action next weekend when they visit Classics Elite for the second time this season on Saturday, Jan. 28. The two clubs last faced each other in week one of the 2011-12 Development Academy season, with the Dallas side winning all five matches and outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 31-1.
Scoring Summaries:
U-18 Academy:
Edet, Bobby – 19’
U-16 Academy:
Own goal