FRISCO, Texas - The 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship is underway and four FC Dallas Academy products are representing their nations in Guatemala. FC Dallas Academy prospects Nayrobi Vargas (Honduras), Ian Charles (Puerto Rico), and Malachi Molina (Jamaica), alongside FC Dallas ECNL player John Sebastian Lutin (Guatemala) are taking part in the competition for their respective nations.
During the opening group stage game against Suriname on Sunday, Nayrobi Vargas started and scored in the 40th minute of a 6-1 victory for Honduras. Vargas registered two shots and completed 82% of his passes. Nayrobi has been a member of the FC Dallas Academy since 2017. Honduras will finish group stage play this week, facing Guadalupe on Feb. 14 and Costa Rica on Feb. 16.
Malachi Molina started off qualifiers yesterday for Jamaica with a strong 4-2 win against Cuba. Molina started at right back, registering one shot on target and completing 89% of his passes. Molina is continuing a successful few months, coming off the back of his inaugural MLS NEXT All-Star Game appearance last August. Jamaica will finish group stage play this week, facing Guadalupe on Feb. 14 and Costa Rica on Feb. 16.
Entering the tournament in the Round of 16, Ian Charles looks to have a strong showing with Puerto Rico. The 16-year-old midfielder joined the FC Dallas Academy from DC United, and has seen time playing up a year with the U-17 team. Charles and Puerto Rico will face the winner of Group G on Feb. 19, leaving the possibility of an FC Dallas showdown with Malachi Molina of Jamaica.
FC Dallas ECNL player John Sebastian Lutin was on the bench this past Saturday for Guatemala’s 1-0 loss to Panama. This tournament represents the young goalkeeper’s eighth national team call up. Lutin has been with FC Dallas since the age of 10 and has previously featured for the Academy. Guatemala will finish group stage play this week, facing Mexico later today, Feb. 13, and close out the group against Curaçao on Feb. 14.
