Dynamo Academy teams had mixed results on the first day of the 32nd Dallas Cup Sunday, highlighted by solid wins from the U-16 and U-15 teams.
In the most high profile match, the Dynamo's first venture into the U-19 Super Group, Houston fell 2-0 to a strong side from Coritiba of Brazil. Goalkeeper Pedro Gutierrez Mora made three key saves in the first half, but Houston could not take advantage with the wind on its side in the second half. The Dynamo's best chance came from a Nono free kick in the 75th minute. The Dynamo U-19s will face Eintracht Frankfurt at 2 p.m. Monday and Alajuelense at noon on Wednesday. Eintracht Frankfurt beat Alajuelense 3-0 in Sunday's other opening game. Only the group winners advance to the semifinals.
At the U-16 level, where the Dynamo are the defending champions but playing a squad unaccustomed to playing together, Houston posted a 2-1 win over Costa Rican club Barrio Mexico. The Dynamo maintained most of the control in the first half, with their pressure leading to six corner kicks and four shots on goal. Captain Christian Diaz opened the scoring, and the Dynamo's second goal came in the second half courtesy of Lorenzo Salazar. Late in the second half, Barrio Mexico drew a penalty and converted, but the Dynamo were able to hold off the pesky Costa Rican side 2-1. The Dynamo will face Sporting Santa Clara Monday at noon in a rematch of last year's title game, then wrap up Bracket D play against Alberta on Wednesday. The six bracket winners and two wildcard teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
In the U-15 age group, Houston rolled to a 3-0 win over Pateadores from California to open its participation in Bracket F. Midway through the first half, Michael Cusack was able to draw a foul in the box, which resulted in a penalty kick goal converted by Irvin Ramirez. Then, shortly before halftime, the Dynamo went up 2-0 after a cross from Josue Palomino was volleyed in magnificently by Harrison Heath. In the second half, the U-15s controlled the majority of possession finally broke through with their final goal of the game when Denzel Ward played a nice ball into the box, where Matthew Dorsey was able to knock it past the keeper. The Academy will continue U-15 play against FC Dallas Premier on Monday and Alberta on Wednesday.
The Dynamo South Texas Academy is also competing in the Dallas Cup in the regular U-19 bracket, but the DSTA suffered a 3-1 loss to Classic FC Gladiators from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Action will continue with games against Canadian club Ajax Gunners on Monday and DFW Tornadoes on Wednesday.
-- With reports from David Redd and Luis Chavez
Dynamo Academy U-19 vs. Coritiba (Brazil)
April 17, 2011 -- Pizza Hut Park Field 6, Frisco TX
Dallas Cup -- Super Group, Bracket D
Scoring Summary:
COR -- 28
COR --
Dynamo Academy U-19
-- Pedro Gutierrez Mora, J. Christian Gonzalez, Alan Hernandez, Erick Tello, Leo Ayala (Uche Uzo 50), Mario Diaz (Josue Morales 68), Miguel Zapata (Diego Velazquez 72), Bryan Celis (Juan Lopez 75), Abé Matamoros, Chance Bergen (Irvinn Ramirez 65), Nono.
Substitutes Not Used: Adam Masa, Brandon Martin.
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
