FRISCO, Texas – The FC Dallas Boys Academy had its first taste of MLS NEXT competition this year when the U-13, U-14, U-15 and U-17 teams faced off against Houston Dynamo FC's academy this past weekend at Toyota Stadium.
Age Group |
Result |
FCD Goal Scorers |
|---|---|---|
U-13 |
4-4 Draw |
Steel Cook, Diego Cruz (2), Diego Echavarría |
U-14 |
4-2 Loss |
Korbyn "Brody" Gill, Zach Molomo |
U-15 |
0-0 Draw |
N/A |
U-17 |
4-1 Loss |
Kevin Kelley II |
Although it wasn't one of the Academy's best days in terms of results, there were still some positive takeaways for FC Dallas' VP of Youth Chris Hayden.
"For the first week of the season, we're still exiting preseason mode and for the most part the players were available," he said. "We got good games which we haven't had in months. From those standpoints, it was really positive for us to reflect on our groups to see where we're at so we can continue to make improvements. Because now we're in the season and games are going to come quickly every weekend."
Dallas' Academy teams are on the younger side of things this year. As the older, top-end players are signed to professional contracts, the Academy teams are filled with players playing up an age group or two. While that practice may have a net negative affect on results, it also hastens player development.
"We always want to win of course but that's not the main objective," Hayden said. "The main objective is to have players adapt and evaluate where these younger players are under more stress. And that's why kind of stress they're going to be under when trying to get into the second team [North Texas SC] or first team [FC Dallas]. Anytime we can play kids up in age, it's a big benefit down the road.
"The business we're in is accelerating player development and the games are just a means for us to do that. I was pleased to finally have games this weekend so we could evaluate where we're at and make adjustments and see if we can improve."
FCD's U-19 team won't start MLS NEXT play until this Saturday bu it earned a 2-2 draw in its final preseason scrimmage against Houston Dynamo over the weekend. Dallas' goal scorers were Slade Starnes and Diego Hernandez.
The FC Dallas Academy continues its 2021 campaign this weekend against Colorado Rapids and Real Colorado.
