After going a perfect 3-0-0 in the group stage of the US Soccer Development Academy Playoffs, FC Dallas academy coach Luchi Gonzalez has one question for his U-16 academy players: "Are they satisfied or do they want more?"
The FCD U-16ers won their group in the preliminary rounds of the Academy Playoffs last Tuesday through Friday. FCD now hosts Beachside SC in the quarterfinals next Wednesday.
“It’s ideal for us,” Gonzalez said. “We earned the right to play from home, and now we want to be responsible for that. Playing in front of our family and our club [and] playing in [the FC Dallas] jersey, [we want to] represent it well.”
On paper, it looked like the U-16s dominated their group. FCD flew past South Carolina United Battery 4-0 to open the tournament before pulling out a 1-0 win over St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri and then defeating LA Galaxy 2-0. However, Gonzalez said he didn’t see his squad play an almost complete game until the last game.
“What I liked about that was we were able to find ways to win and get better with each game,” Gonzalez said. “I feel we grew with each game. I couldn’t be more proud of the group. We just want to get better, and we’re trying to peak at the right time. We’re just taking it one day at a time.”
FCD looks to carry its control on the backline heading into next week’s quarterfinals. Dallas was the only team in the U-16 playoffs to pose three shutouts in the group stage.
“I don’t think you can do anything as a team in terms of winning a championship without the defense carrying the load,” Gonzalez said. “I think it’s a credit to their mentality and their togetherness. Whoever it was starting on that backline, they were ready and did a good job, and I’m proud of them.”
Toshiki Yasuda, who had two goals in the opening win, said he’s keeping humbleness and confidence in his mind leading up to the home game.
“You have to have confidence but not over confidence,” Yasuda said. “I think that’s the biggest part for us is not going in over our heads and [not] going into that game overconfident.”
Beachside SC, who is in its first season in the academy program, enters Frisco going 2-0-1 in the group stage, including a 1-0 win over Central Frontier foe Dallas Texans.
“We know we have a big game in front of us, but as long as we stay together as a unit and work hard, and as long as we play at our best, I don’t think anybody can stop us,” centerback Eddie Munjoma said.
Next Wednesday’s quarterfinal is set for July 8th at 10:00AM on Toyota Soccer Center Field 9. If FC Dallas wins the quarterfinals match, the team will compete for the National Championship at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on July 16-18.
“I think it’s not really ‘X’s and O’s’ anymore,” Gonzalez said. “It’s just now mental attitude [and] desire. I think those are the intangibles the group has been showing. I think if they continue to show that, it’s going to be tough to stop them.”