Most people watched the Champions League Final on TV last Saturday, but four FC Dallas U-15 academy players watched it in person.
Goalkeeper David Abonce, defender Mark Salas and midfielders Paxton Pomykal and Jommar Reyes sat inside the historic Olmpiastadion Berlin to see FC Barcelona defeat Juventus 3-1.
“It was probably the best experience I’ve had so far,” Abonce said. “Watching world-class players, the best in the world right now, it was amazing. I can’t really describe it. The nostalgia itself was out of this world.”
The four were able to watch the game after adidas representatives selected them to represent the United States in the UEFA Young Champions International five-v-five tournament the day before in Berlin. The four led Team USA to the finals, falling just short to Brazil.
“We worked hard to get in the finals,” Reyes said. “A lot of the other countries and people they underestimated us and we changed their minds and showed them what we were about. We played our game and never gave up and fought until the end.”
Pomykal, who was named the tournament’s MVP, said he and his teammates were happy to give back to FCD and USA the same way the club and country have given to them.
“A lot of people underestimated us as being Americans,” Pomykal said. “We proved them wrong. We just always got to be humble for our country and our team."
