ACADEMY: FC Dallas U-17s Top LA Galaxy 2-0, Miss Out on Semifinals via Head-to-Head Tiebreaker

FRISCO - For the second straight year, the FC Dallas U-17s will miss out on the Generation adidas Cup semifinals on a goal-differential tiebreaker. 

FCD took care of business during their final group stage match with a 2-0 win over the LA Galaxy U-17s, but a 1-0 win by Pachuca on the adjacent field at Toyota Soccer Center left the two teams level on points and last night's meeting the decider between playing for the championship and for 5th place. 

"I'm proud that we responded. To me, that's the number one thing I'm looking for as a coach. You saw our reaction, we won the game but we're down, we're disappointed. That shows what kind of competitors they are and I love that spirit," head coach Luchi Gonzalez said. "We'll learn, we'll be better for it like we are every year. I remember two years ago we qualified on six points because of the head-to-head tiebreaker, so it's a give and a take."

After playing into the wind for the first half and not seeing many chances offensively as a result, the U-17s made quick work in the second half to take control of the game. in the 42nd minute, Luis Cruz brought the ball into the box on the left side of the pitch before laying off a pass for Luis Hernandez at the top of the 18-yard box. Hernandez fired a shot towards the far post and past the Galaxy keeper for a 1-0 lead. 

Moments later, Cruz was shown a straight red card for making contact with LA's netminder, who was going to ground, in pursuit of a ball in the area. The midfielder was able to avoid a collision with his leading foot, but his back foot couldn't clear in time and struck the face of the goalkeeper and Dallas was down to 10 men. 

Just seconds after that, Pachuca took a lead in their match vs. Monaco next door. 

Dallas would add a second in the 51st minute as Julian Hinojosa sent a bouncing shot over the Galaxy keeper, but the 2-0 win in the group stage finale left a bittersweet result for the 17s. 

FCD will have two days off before beginning the two-game bracket to decide places 5-8 in the tournament's Championship Division. 

Final Group D Standings