MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas U-18s Qualify for U.S. Soccer Development Academy Final Live on ESPNU and ESPN3.Com Today

Published on July 15, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Friday, July 15) - The FC Dallas U-18 Academy team defeated Florida's Weston FC 4-1 on Wednesday to advance to today's U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2011 Under-17/18 championship game. FC Dallas U-18s now look to bring the title home to Frisco when they face off against Pateadores today at 12 p.m., live on ESPNU and ESPN3.com.

FC Dallas midfielders Daniel Garcia and Flavio Guzman and Home Grown players Bryan Leyva and Jonathan Top each scored in the victory that helped FCD to seven points through Finals Week to win Group 2.

"We are very proud of the team on this accomplishment," FC Dallas U-18 head coach Oscar Pareja said. "We have played well and earned our place [in the final]. The boys played three hard games this week against three very difficult opponents. We know that [today's game] will be a special one, playing in the championship game, but we will play like always. We play to win, with our style, without compromising our identity."

On Wednesday, FC Dallas scored the first goal of the match in the 28th minute on a perfect pass from Levya to Garcia, who knocked it home past the Weston goalkeeper to take an early 1-0 lead. Just before halftime, FC Dallas increased their lead when Top was able to rise above traffic in the box and head home a long cross from Kellyn Acosta.

After halftime, FC Dallas continued their dominance by adding another goal just one minute into the second half to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Weston FC added a goal of its own in the 63rd minute but it was not enough as FC Dallas advanced with a 4-1 victory to earn a spot in the final.

"We are very excited to be in a position where we can compete for a national championship," FC Dallas Home Grown player Victor Ulloa said. "This is our third trip to the finals. Qualifying for Finals Weeks the past two seasons gave us the experience we needed to advance to the championship this time around."

FC Dallas finished Group 2 with a record of 2-0-1, having earned wins over Baltimore Bays Chelsea and Weston FC and a draw with CASL Chelsea FC Academy.

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