HOUSTON - The FC Dallas U-18 Academy team surrendered its first goal since May 19 on Monday night in a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA in the first match of 2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week in Houston.
The match was very evenly played, with both defensive units limiting the number of quality chances against their respective goalkeepers. The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when FC Dallas was awarded a corner kick.
Recently signed Homegrown player Kellyn Acosta took the corner for FCD and placed it well in the Chivas USA box. Defender Nick Rochowski got his head to the end of the service to put the ball past Chivas goalkeeper Jake McGuire and give the Texas side the early 1-0 lead.
The young Goats nearly tied the match in the 23rd minute after FCD goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes made a diving save, but failed to hang on to the ball. The rebound landed at the feet of a Chivas player, but the attempt was sent over the crossbar from inside the 18 yard box.
FC Dallas thought they doubled the lead shortly after break, but Homegrown forward Jonathan Top was flagged offsides on what would have been the insurance goal for Dallas.
Five minutes later, Chivas was awarded a free kick approximately 35 yards from goal. Midfielder Marco Delgado put the kick on frame and Cortes appeared to have trouble tracking the ball through traffic as it took a bounce just in front of the goal and over the diving Dallas 'keeper to tie the match for the California club.
FC Dallas very nearly bagged the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute when second half substitute Marco Ortiz put a powerful shot on frame from about 25 yards out. McGuire parried the shot and the rebound fell to midfielder Danny Garcia, but a Chivas defender reacted just in time to deflect Garcia's shot away from the open goal.
The next match for the U-18s will be against Baltimore Bays Chelsea on Wednesday, July 18 at 8:00 p.m. Baltimore lost its opening match to Texas Division side Solar Chelsea SC by a score of 2-0.
Scoring Summary:
FCD - Rochowski 15'
CHV - Delgado 53'
FC Dallas U-18 lineup: Cortes, Ambrose, Guillen, Ashby, Rochowski (Ortiz 80'), Garcia, Acosta, Carrizales, Robledo (Guzman 59'), de la Tejera, Top(Edet 78').
