FRISCO - The FC Dallas U-16s got their Generation adidas Cup campaign off to a successful start on an uncharacteristically chilly April day at Toyota Soccer Center Monday. Midfielder Ryan Barlow scored the lone goal for Dallas in a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Barlow's goal came on a feed from teammate Eric Davies in the 21st minute. Davies played a ball to Barlow down the right flank and the midfielder cut to his left to shake a defender near the top of the box before blasting his shot past Philadelphia goalkeeper Cameron Keys.
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The Union fought to find an equalizer before halftime, with forward Abu Winter testing the Dallas defense throughout the first half. Philadelphia's best chance of the half came in the 35th minute when midfielder Morgan Hackworth - son of Union senior team head coach John Hackworth - sent a free kick into the area, but Dallas goalkeeper Charlie Furrer punched the threat away just before the whistle.
Philadelphia pressed for the game-tying goal in the second half. Midfielder Josue Monge rifled a shot from the left side in the 42nd minute that went just wide of the near post and into the side netting, and forward Isaiah Young put a shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but Furrer was up to the task.
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FCD nearly put the game out of reach in the 58th minute after a nice buildup out of the back ended with the ball at the feet of forward Christian Ramirez in the center of the box, but Ramirez's shot flew just over the crossbar to keep the match at 1-0.
A frantic final few minutes saw Philadelphia keep the ball in Dallas's defensive third and earn a corner kick in the 69th minute, but Hackworth's service was caught and held by Furrer, who maintained the clean sheet for the win.
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The FC Dallas U-16s will be back in action tomorrow evening when they face the San Jose Earthquakes at 6pm on Field 7 at Toyota Soccer Center.
