Just one more hurdle stands between the FC Dallas Academy and history.
On Thursday at the Stubhub Center the FCD U-16s defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 while the U-18s followed that up with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Nomads SC in the night match to secure spots in the U-16 and U-18 US Soccer Development Academy National Championship games.
FC Dallas U-16s outlast Chicago with late goal
In the first semifinal of the day, the FC Dallas U-16s outlasted the Chicago Fire to finally find a 74th minute game-winner through outside back Jacob Goyen.
After multiple chances for Chicago early, FCD nearly took the lead just before halftime as Bryan Reynolds found space down the left side but pushed his chance off the crossbar with Aldo Quevedo's followup effort brilliantly saved.
In the second half, FCD poured on the pressure hitting the post again and forcing fantastic saves until they finally found the breakthrough from an unlikely source. Outside back Jacob Goyen, who has been with the Academy since 2012, found a pocket of space near the top of the box on the right side and chipped an audacious shot past the goalkeeper to give Dallas a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
"As the game went on, we got more comfortable," Head Coach and Academy Director Luchi Gonzalez told USSoccerda.com I give our boys a lot of credit because they persevered and found a way."
Having won 20 games in a row, the U-16s final test as they look to repeat as U-16 National Champions will come against the home team LA Galaxy. The match will kick off on Saturday at 7:00PM central time and will be streamed live on YouTube.
FC Dallas U-18s come from behind to top Nomads SC
Looking to become the second-ever team to win the National Championship at U-16 and U-18 level, FC Dallas would not be denied in their bid to return to the championship game with a 2-1 win over Nomads SC.
In a frustrating first half, Francisco Molina's side was on the front foot for nearly the entire 45 minutes with Devin Vega hitting the post and Giovanni Montesdeoca having a shot deflect just wide. They were hit on the counter just before the final whistle as Augustine Williams turned in a rebound from goalkeeper Ben Hale to give the California side a halftime lead.
Having been suspended for the quarterfinal win over Sporting KC, center back Hector Montalvo would make his mark on the semifinal pulling FC Dallas back level soon after halftime. Toshiki Yasuda's whipped corner kick found the head of Montalvo rising above the defense to score and give FCD hope of another National Championship appearance.
FCD's continued offensive pressure would pay off in the 76th minute. A turnover in midfield saw Paxton Pomykal streaking down the left side. His cross flashed all the way through the box to Yasuda who fired home on his late run crashing the box setting off wild celebrations.
No strangers to closing out games like this, the U-18s held on for a 2-1 win that sends them to their second-straight National Championship appearance.
They will face off against fellow MLS foe Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 9:30PM central time from the Stubhub Center. The match will be streamed live on YouTube as well.