FRISCO, Texas – The FC Dallas U-18 Academy team opened up their USSDA playoff campaign with a 1-1 draw with Cosmos Academy West of the SoCal Division. Midfielder David Robledo scored the game-tying goal in the 55th minute after FC Dallas went down a goal in the 13th minute of the match.
GALLERY: FC Dallas U-18s 1, Cosmos Academy West 1
FC Dallas earned the first quality chance of the night, when Home Grown forward Jonathan Top stole on errant back pass away from Cosmos goalkeeper Blake Dawn. Top cut to the right side of the box to avoid Dawn, but fired the shot wide right from a tough angle.
Three minutes later Cosmos West would be awarded a free kick just inside the center circle in FC Dallas’ half of the field. The ball was played to the left flank on the free kick and dribbled up towards the touchline. The ball was crossed into the box, where an unmarked Cosmos player tapped the ball past FCD ‘keeper Eduardo Cortes to give the early 1-0 lead to the visiting team.
It would prove to be the only quality scoring chance of the first half for the Cosmos. FC Dallas continuously worked their way up the field during the first with their trademark possession style of play, but every corner kick they earned would fall short of conversion.
FC Dallas also developed a couple of good runs at goal before the end of the half, but every time it seemed they were within reach of tying the game the play was whistled offside.
The U-18s gained some extra support to start the second half, as FC Dallas first team players Brek Shea, George John, Andrew Wiedeman and Bobby Warshaw joined club President & CEO Doug Quinn at Field 9 to watch the match and cheer on their Development Academy counterparts.
The squad didn’t disappoint their supporters, as midfielder David Robledo managed to find the game-tying goal in the 55th minute from inside the penalty area.
FC Dallas would maintain offensive pressure for much of the remainder of the game, with their best chance at a game-winner coming in the 89th minute when second half substitute Byron Ramirez sent a cross into the Cosmos box from the left side that midfielder Daniel Garcia headed just wide of goal.
WATCH: Defender Nick Rochowski after draw with Cosmos
The U-18s next match will be at 6 p.m. Saturday on Field 9. They’ll face Indiana United, who sit atop the playoff group after defeating Real Colorado 2-0 Friday night.
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Scoring Summary: