US U17 Men's National Team vs Dallas Texans

Dallas, Texas (May 6th, 2010) -- The U.S. U-17 Men's National Team lost to a mix of Dallas Texans academy players in front of a healthy number of Dallas Texan fans and parents. Both teams traded early goals in some nervous play. Ethan Meyer, the RB for the Dallas Texans, opened up the scoring slotting the ball in after a goal mouth rebound. 4 minutes later a similar sequence at the Dallas Texans end found Nico Melo finishing a sitter in front of the goal. After the 10th minute, Dallas Texans sat back in their half and looked for counter attacking opportunities. Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, Zach Barnes, patrolled his defensive midfield position with his fellow midfielders looking for long ball opportunities to SMU recruit, Chris Sendejas. The standout US U17 player of the first half was right-mid Nico Melo from the Florida Rush. One of the smallest player on the pitch, he rarely was dispossessed and made several intelligent runs and timely passes to spring his teammates. As the game approach the end of the first half, the US team was finding their rhythm and attacking in waves. The 2nd half saw a whole new set of Dallas Texan players comprised mostly of their U16/15 academy players. The Dallas Texans came out attacking the US midfielders and brought an entire new energy to the game. The Texan midfielders took control of the game as they shifted away from the counter attack game plan of the 1st half. Kingsley “Ini” Bryce and Caleb Richardson brought an edge to the game as the US U17 back line was under constant pressure. But the energy level of the Texan midfielders of Brandon Perez, Ed Aranda; Joe Haines and Chase Minter were never matched by the US U17’s. In a well deserve goal in the 77’ minute, Dallas Texans Brandon Perez but an authoritative finish on a nice sequence of service from Joe Haines and an assist by Ini Bryce. Both Mario Rodriguez and Kellen Gulley had opportunities but placed their shots wide on breakaways for the US U17’s. Being the National Team, you’ll always have a target on your back when you play against local teams. A little disappointing the US boys never matched the intensity or adjusted to the 2nd half Dallas Texans. The Dallas Texans manage to shut down the U17 talented strikers. Many of times the US U17 strikers, Mario and Kellen, had to work back into the midfield to connect with Gijon, Tarik and Decker. When they finally made their runs, it was just too far from goal. Can't recall maybe one service into the box from the US wingers to take advantage of their strikers size and strength. But hats off to the Texans, they were able to execute and play their game. The US U17 continues their US tour as they will take on the FC Dallas Juniors on Saturday May 8 before the FC Dallas and DC United game.

Match Report

Participants: USA U-17 MNT vs. Dallas Texans
Competition: USSDA
Location: Dallas, Texas UTD Stadium
Date: May 7, 2010
Weather: Warm

Scoring Summary:
-----1 2 Final
USA 1 0 1
DTR 1 1 2

Dallas Texans - Ethan Meyer 5th minute
U17 MNT - Nico Melo 9th minute
Dallas Texans - Brandon Perez 77th minute

Lineups:
USA: 24-Wade Hamilton, 2-Nathan Smith, 5-Irvin Gijon, 9-Marion Rodriguez (8-Kellen Gulley, 75'), 15-Ethan Decker, 19-Ive Burnett (28-Holden Fender, 70'), 22-Tarik Salkcic (21-Bryan Celis, 45'), 23-Nico Melo, 33-Brody Hickey, 35-Zach Carroll, 36-Riggs Lennon ( 13-Takuya Okada, 65')
Head Coach: Wilmer Cabrera

DTR 1st HF: 99-Colin Marusak, 48-Ethan Meyer, 49-Lenox Evans, 50-Jake Douglas, 51-Jacob Garnett, 31-Aaron Simmons, 53-Zachery Barnes, 38-Andre Reyes 36-Clint Ritter, 57-William Deibold, 59-Chris Sendejas

DTR 2nd HF: 77-Kevin Wright, 25-Garrett Yancey, 50-Jake Douglas, 30-Jacob VanCompernolle, 64-Trevor Gonzalez, 33-Joseph Haines, 66-Eduardo Aranda 67-Chase Minter, 41-Kingsley "Ini" Bryce, 68-Brandon Perez, 40-Caleb Richardson, 44-Leonardo Smith
Head Coach: David Hudgell