CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy Under-16’s saw their season end in disappointment after FC Dallas earned a 2-0 victory in their U.S. Soccer Development Academy Championship match on Saturday at StubHub Center.
Aldo Quevedo and Jesus Ferreira scored for the visitors who won their second consecutive U-16 title. The Galaxy and FC Dallas have won the last three U-16 Development Academy crowns.
The Galaxy started the match on the front foot and nearly pulled ahead in the eighth minute when Jake Arteaga had his chance saved off the line by a Dallas defender. Minutes later, Oscar Penate had his chance from close range stopped at the doorstep by FC Dallas goalkeeper Carlos Avilez.
Los Angeles continued to press for a goal, but it was Dallas who took the lead in the 18th minute when Quevedo caught Galaxy U-16 goalkeeper Alain Hernandez off his line and chipped him from 25 yards. Hernandez earned the start in goal for goalkeeper Eric Lopez, who was injured in pregame warmups.
Dallas doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Ferreira sliced through the Galaxy backline and then calmly placed the ball into the back of the net. The goal was Ferreira’s 27th of the 2015-16 campaign.
Down two goals, the Galaxy U-16’s threw numbers forward in search of a tally but were kept at bay by an organized Dallas defense. The U-16’s came closest in the 69th minute when lovely build up play by the Galaxy freed up Misael Becerra in the penalty area, but the youngster fired his chance just wide.
The Galaxy U-16’s end their 2016 campaign with a 29-10-3 record in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play this year.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com