The FC Dallas Thread

Would have felt like a huge miss if he left.

The next step in the pathway for Anthony. @MLSNEXTPRO | #DTID pic.twitter.com/l3hBQFjozL

— North Texas SC (@northtexasSC) February 27, 2024

 

Looks like the much-touted introductions of Barajas and Medina to the Mexico U20s bumped Ramirez off the roster.

 

FCD U15s B-squad win by a bunch over Dallas Hornets. Tons of skips in the footage so I'm not going to break it down. Lineup is:
Rios
Martey, Odom, Drygas, Fumtim
Kurpiewski
Vargas, Aragundi
Salm, Wegman, Echevarria

 

Daniel Baran appears to be back in with the Poland U18s.

 

FCD U15 v GFIA, 3/2/24 W 4-0


Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Rios; Wygant, Drygas, Odom, Velazquez; Kurpiewski; Dias, Aragundi; Echevarria, Cook, Salm

Subs: ~15min into the 2H, Echevarria, Aragundi, and Dias off for Chukwu, Vargas, and Wegman. Cook drops back into midfield. ~5min later, Cook off for Martey, and Velazquez moves up to be an 8. Right after the third goal, Salm and Kurpiewski come off for Fumtim (who goes to LB with Wygant shifting to the 6) and Ruiz. Carrera comes on for Rios at some point.

Goals:

· 58:40 – GFI CB on the ball at the top of his own box. He tries to rifle a pass out right to the RW, but Wygant cuts it out in the air and successfully represses to win the ball near the sideline before slipping Echevarria in down the left half space. Ech cuts around a defender and gets a cross off that’s blocked to Salm in front of goal. Salm’s attempted shot it blocked back to Cook at the PK spot, and Cook chops a half volley down into the ground, bouncing it into the left side netting (despite a valiant effort from the GFI GK).

· 1:06:08 – FCD throw-in near midway on their right side. Velazquez throws to Aragundi, who manages to push the ball through three defenders and into Salm’s path down the RW. Salm hits a first-time cross that the GFI CB can’t quite stop, and it squirts through to Cook 10 yards out for an easy finish.

· 1:22:18 – Martey cleans up his own mess by jumping a pass immediately after giving the ball away. He plays to Chukwu and then overlaps really well to get the ball in space down the RW. Whaps it at Wegman at the top of the six, but just misses. The GFI defender whiffs on a clearance that goes back to Wegman, who big-brothers the defender marking him, turns, and finishes in the roof of the net.

· 1:27:37 – Velazquez has just won a FK in GFI’s half in the left halfspace. Drygas steps over it and dinks the ball in behind for Vargas, who was on exactly the same page and timed his run really well. Immediate 1v1 opportunity that Vargas finishes with a chip. Clever play.

Other Key Chances:

· 11:37 – Echevarria is scrapping for a ball in the left channel just outside the GFI box. He pops it up at the PK arc, where it falls down to Cook before squirting to Aragundi. Aragundi slips a first-time throughball in behind for Echevarria, who gets a 1v1 with the GK from 8ish yards out, but puts his shot into the side netting.

· 17:08 – GFI throw-in near midway on their LW. Kurpiewski intercepts and whacks the ball forward at Cook. A GFI defender whiffs on his clearance, allowing Cook to play first time in front of Echevarria charging down the left. Echevarria trivelas a pass back to Cook at the top of the box, where Cook cuts back across one defender and shoots. The GK pushes it over the bar.

· 39:10 – GFI clears out of the back. Drygas (who struggles in the 1H) flails and misses his block, so the ball falls to the GFI RW, who dribbles most of the way down the field uncontested but for a hapless Drygas before putting in a ball behind the defense that the LW gets a foot to and directs goalward from 7ish yards out. Simple save for Rios.

· 43:27 – Kurpiewski pried a ball loose in midfield before laying it off to Salm wide right. Salm carries inside and finds Wygant in the left halfspace, and Wygant quickly pushes it forward to Dias. Dias turns quickly and slips a throughball between two defenders to an onrushing Echevarria on the left. Ech’s first-time cross misses Cook’s foot by about six inches right in front of goal. Kurpiewski’s snapshot from the back post deflects off Cook, and Cook is called for offside.

· 1:11:15 – Salm recovers the ball near halfway and passes to Dias, who goes back to Kurpiewski. Kurpiewski dribbles toward the sideline before pushing it forward to Salm, who then lays it off for a 1-2 with Velazquez before getting it back down the right sideline. He drives to near the endline before walloping a cross at the backpost, where the ball finds Echevarria unmarked, but he heads it right at the GK.

· 1:25:22 – Chukwu goes for an olimpico and puts it off the far post.

· 1:36:08 – the GFI LW is squared up against Martey and manages to cut toward the endline and put in a good cross. Fumtim blocks the subsequent volley but then handles the bouncing ball. PK. Carrera saves a poorly taken shot down to his left.

Notes:

· GFI’s not a bad team at this level - they’re above Austin, SKC, and Real Colorado in the standings – but FCD’s in complete control for about 95% of this game.

· Wegman looks more lost out there than usual in this one. A few terribly timed runs, various baby deer touches, etc.

· Second game with Salm as a W and … it’s not awful? Fine crosser. Big and fast enough to make separation to get deliveries into the box.

· Strong play by Odom at 1:14:30. Blocks the pass, then closes on the ball carrier in a flash to turn an attack.

· Echevarria – zero to negative doing many things (relative to top MLS academy standards), but you see his promise in the first few “key chances” for FCD above. Lots of high intensity running to enable dangerous passes into dangerous spaces.

· Vejrostek appeared injured back in February. Eason doesn’t play in either game with weekend. If they’re both out for an extended period that could be really problematic (especially given FCD’s tough group at the GA Cup).

· Lots of incredulous feedback from Aldaz on the bench. “What are we doing?” kind of stuff. Team’s playing fine to my eye but he seems to see them being all over the place.

· Texans, Solar, and BVBIA are all putting out strong teams in the ECNL ’09 age group right now. Wouldn’t be shocked to see 5+ new kids in this age group for FCD come next season.

· Steel Cook – very good close control, and bursty enough to cause defenders headaches in small spaces. EG: 1:17:55, 1:15:55. Great at making space to get shots away.

· Vargas is soooo smart. Consistently making the right choices/bets.

· Shambolic offside-line-setting by FCD at 1:34:46. Saved by a poor pass.

· Good vision from Wygant at 1:38:00 to nearly find Ruiz’s run in behind with a bunch of bodies in between them.

· We don’t have the last few minutes of the game in this video.

 

Montoya and Orejarena. Clearly both are on the homegrown track internally, training up with NTX and the first team and such, though I’ve struggled to see why based on their game performances relative to other ‘07s.

 

GA Cup schedules and details were just announced. FCD U15s get Philly, Miami, and Genk. The U17s get Charlotte, Toronto, and Necaxa.

 

FCD U16 v Hornets, 3/2/24 W 1-0


Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Jordan; Rodriguez, Vo, Gibson, Easterly; Razo, [#46]; Saucedo; Hart, Wostl, Meese

Subs: Easterly and Meese come off ~15min into the 2H for Alvarez and Rosales. ~22min into the 2H, Wostl, Hart, and Rodriguez come off for Mazzawi, Lee, and a #57. Moreira comes on for #46 at some point.

Goals:

· 1:41:08 – Throw in inside FCD’s half on their right. Alvarez chucks it at Rosales, but he runs under the ball drawing his CB too far forward. The throw goes over their heads and Saucedo runs onto it, splits two defenders, carries into the box, and draws a PK. His attempt low and to the GK’s left is saved (fine shot, just a good save), but the GK shuffled off the line before, so it’s retaken. Rosales takes the second and scores to the GK’s right. Last kick of the game.

Other Key Chances:

· 10:22 – Hornets FK in the center circle. CM takes it quick (ball’s still moving when he does, but whatever) to the #10 in the left halfspace. He turns and feeds the LW out wide, who slides the ball forward to the overlapping LB. LB cuts back and hits a hard cross across the top of the 6, where two Hornets players gets bites at it but can’t make good contact. The ball goes out for a GK on the other side. FCD defending pretty flat-footed.

· 41:47 – Razo bounces a touch to a Hornets FW in midfield. FCD’s got numbers (it’s 3v5), but then Gibson runs 10 yards behind the rest of the offside line and the Hornets get a W free down the left. He runs at Gibson, cuts left, and shoots over the net from about 10 yards out in line with the edge of the six yard box.

· 45:24 – Razo slips a ball into Saucedo in the pocket, and he shuffles the ball out right to #46, who has some space to drive into. He plays Easterly out wide, continues his run, and gets it back carrying down the right edge of the PK box. He gets to the endline and hits one low and hard across the face of goal. The GK barely gets a hand to it, deflecting it off of Wostl’s foot three yards out from an empty goal. After some scrambling, Hornets clear.

· Hornets’ CK at 1:00:35 is borderline. Two attackers with close-to-free headers near the goal.

· 1:24:57 - #46 loses the ball under quick pressure in the middle of the field. Hornets drive forward and thread a through ball to a FW running in behind whose touch lets him down and he dribbles right into the GK. Nearly a breakaway. Called onside, but it must have been close.

· 1:37:05 – Vo gets a free header at the top of the six off of a CK, but it looks like he misses and it comes off his shoulder toward the goal. Too low power to really scare the GK.

· 1:37:58 – Saucedo gets a short CK, walks it up to the edge of the PK area and crosses. Two FCD players have chances, but the first whiffs and the second has his shot blocked at close range.

Notes:

· There’s a large handful of footage skips in the 2H.

· At one point, there was a kid named Ezequiel de la Cruz in this age group who wore #46, but that’s been a couple years and this kid doesn’t look like I remember him looking. Isaac Romero’s the only other #46 I’m aware of in FCD’s setup. This #46 is a big body, easy mover, not super flashy, seems solid technically. Doesn’t stand out a ton. Plays it WAY too cute at 1:11:52. 1:17:49 some sweet work playing 360 degrees with quick feet.

· #57, another I don’t know. Reminds me of PJ Akem with respect to body type and movement style. A righty, though they use him as a LB sub at first before he swaps with Vo and goes to LCB.

· Wostl spends a lot of the game at RW instead of ST. Meese slides inside to replace.

· Fantastic pass into Wostl’s feet at 4:42 by Vo (playing LCB in this one). Into Saucedo’s feet at 28:27. Rawness as a CB shows at 30:13 (just foul him!) and 1:09:17, among others. Great interception and dribble at 1:20:22 (though he needs to dish at the end).

· 17:43 – Saucedo nutmeg to lofted throughball that puts Wostl in on goal.

· Some low intensity plays accompanied by poor body language late in the 1H from FCD.

· Easterly and Rodriguez are tough watches for me at the FB spots. Have to find upgrades (maybe by moving Vo or Lee to LB? Hart to RB? Bringing in a new recruit?).

· Is Zach Molomo just full-time with NTX now?

· #22 for Hornets catches the eye a few times (same for #10, but I mentioned him last time).

· Lee’s a heckin’ great dribbler. I'm sure I've said that before. See 1:37:44 and a few other examples in his cameo.

 

Another Molomo preseason start. Side note: NTX is not winning much in preseason.

‘08 CB/LB Zach Molomo starting for the Dallas reserves in preseason. Arguably the most highly regarded prospect in the academy https://t.co/LZkJh9iz0W

— USMNTProspects (@ProspectsUsmnt) March 6, 2024

 

They had as one of the sub’s someone named Ian with no last name listed. Do you think that’s Witis-Hughes?

 

Certainly possible. I think it's probably Ian Charles considering "Ian" was subbed on alongside Tarik Scott for Lauti Taboada (a FW, likely Scott's spot) and the starter trialist (who was probably playing either DM or CM). Charles is a more likely DM/CM than W-H, but, again, this is kremlinology - who knows.

 

Charles slipped my mind. Probably a little more likely to be him, as you say, but really could be either.

 

Gomez (FW/AM), Guevara (AM/CM), Jones (LB), and Soria (AM/CM) called up to the national ‘10 USYNT camp. Guevara and Gomez were the two that went to Mexico U15 camp a few weeks ago. Low-key shocked that Gallardo (FW) and Hallie (AM/FW) didn’t make the cut, but I also know there are some really good players for Houston that aren't there. Plus, we're talking about kids that are 13-14.

The 80 man roster https://t.co/HZs6LVsoQG pic.twitter.com/Rykt7fbuwf

— USMNTProspects (@ProspectsUsmnt) March 8, 2024

 

Also here is our friend Aric Mata, who has been playing up with Portland’s (quite good) U15s. You may remember him from Sueño Alianza and a friendly tourney with FCD’s U14s in Guadalajara - FCD used him as a FW, but this roster has him listed as a CB.

 

FCD U16 v LA TDP, 3/3/24 D 3-3


Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Fuentes; Luna, Hernandez, Watkins, Alvarez; Moreira, [#46]; Rosales-Castillo; Lee, Mazzawi, Rosales

Subs: Hart, Gibson, Vo, Saucedo, and Razo on at halftime for Lee, Hernandez, Luna, R-C, and #46 (Hart comes on at ST and Mazzawi moves out to LW). Rodriguez on ~25min into the 2H for Mazzawi, and Rodriguez goes to LB while Vo goes to LW.

Goals:

· 18:11 – LA TDP scores a goal during a skip in the footage.

· 20:13 – Hernandez turns over a LATDP FW in front of the box and passes out left to Lee. Lee lays a pass out in front of Luna laconically, but Luna manages to beat the defender to the ball and pokes it over halfway and inside to Mazzawi. Meanwhile, Lee has started moving up the field so Mazzawi just pushes it in front of him and Lee is off dribbling around the LATDP RCB (who jumped to Mazzawi and got out of position). He carries to the edge of the box and shoots low and slow at the far post, but the GK can’t handle it. Should have been saved.

· 28:49 – R-C gets squeezed against the sideline and then off the ball by a few LATDP players, and then a FW’s run between FCD’s CBs (Watkins positioned too deep) leads to an LATDP FW carrying into the box. Hernandez lunges from behind to dispossess him and appears to get ball with one leg and man with the other. PK called. It’s scored to Fuentes’ left.

· 32:05 – Moreira dispossessed near halfway after receiving a pass from Luna under pressure. LATDP passes forward and then out to the LWB, who carries in front of Rosales for a bit down the left channel before hitting a trivela at Hernandez on the top of the box. Hernandez can’t deal with it, and it bounces through to a FW directly behind him, who collects and scores far post from about 15 yards out.

· 44:47 – Hernandez intercepts a ball in front of his box and quickly curls a pass wide right to R-C. R-C noodles around a bit before passing backward to Alvarez, who elects not to hit the big switch to Lee, instead carrying forward and finding #46 inside LATDP’s midfield. Quick turn and pass in behind down the right edge of the box, where Rosales runs it down near the endline. Rosales megs a kid, dribbles along the baseline, and finds Lee 8 yards out checking in front of a CB. Lee takes a quick touch with his right, then spins and stuffs it into the near post.

Other Key Chances:

· 5:47 – After Lee earns a FK ~25 yards out in the middle of the field, Mazzawi pings it off of the left side of the crossbar and behind for a GK.

· 12:59 – Moreira receives on his back foot in midfield from an FCD build out and carries up the middle of the field mostly unimpeded. After going right and playing catch with Alvarez briefly, he turns back to the middle and finds R-C open in the pocket. R-C receives, turns, and plays quickly out to Lee isolated on the LW. Lee takes a touch and crosses from the corner of the box, narrowly missing Mazzawi’s head right in front of goal.

· 42:43 – LATDP GK standing over a FK deep in his half. He wallops it forward, a LATDP FW gets a flick on header while holding off Hernandez, another LATDP player manages to poke the ball past Watkins into the box and scores. Watkins ended up on the ground somehow – some of this was off-screen. Anyway, both teams line up to kick-off again while the ref goes to consult the AR, and eventually they decide no goal. The restart is an indirect FK, but I don’t see any case for offside sooooo … dangerous play on the poke-through for a high boot? Idk. FCD off the hook.

· 1:02:46 – Gibson drives forward off an FCD GK, then threads the needle to Mazzawi, who pushes the ball into space to invite pressure before whacking a long pass in front of Rosales down the LW. Rosales barely pokes a ball into the box before getting cleared out, and Saucedo collects and carries wide before playing back to Moreira, who does well to buy some space before going back to Saucedo inside. Saucedo dribbles to the middle before swinging wide right to Alvarez, who finds Mazzawi down the right channel making a run across the top of the box. Mazzawi runs onto the ball in the box and shoots first time, putting it over the onrushing GK and the goal.

· 1:20:25 – LATDP building down the left, but a CM gets the ball stuck on his foot and Alvarez pokes it out to Razo, who springs Mazzawi down the RW. He puts a ball in behind the defense and Rosales gets a foot on it near the front corner of the six but can’t flick it on goal.

· 1:22:31 – Gibson is carrying toward midfield, holding off pressure from a FW coming from behind. He stays on the ball just long enough for Hart to find space in the pocket, and puts it on Hart’s foot inside LATDP’s half. Hart doesn’t see the defender closing behind him, but manages to poke the ball through anyway and sends Vo down the left side. Vo crosses from the edge of the box, sending it directly under Rosales ~9 yards out. Mazzawi’s touch is heavy, but it fall to Saucedo ~15 yards out and he hits a shot low and near the GK’s right foot. Saved and out for a CK.

· 1:34:02 – FCD building from the back, Gibson carries from the PK box to near midfield before flipping the ball to the sideline at midfield, where Rodriguez collects and pushes the ball up the line to Vo. Vo runs onto it, incinerates his defender for pace, carries into the box, and hits a hard cross through the six yard box. An LATDP defender turns it into the goal, but Hart was waiting to do the same had he missed.

· 1:37:27 – LATDP GK. It’s taken long, allowed to bounce, and it goes by a flailing Gibson before an LATDP midfielder runs onto it and takes a shot from the edge of the box, forcing a smart save from Fuentes.

· 1:38:15 – in the aftermath of the ensuing CK, Watkins clears the ball to Rosales, who lays it off to Vo, who bursts by one defender before being slowed by a second’s challenge. He turns and hits a righty pass across the top of the box to Hart, whose attempt to slip in the later-arriving Rosales is blocked. Hart recollects, passes back to Vo, who loads up for a shot before dinking in a throughball to Hart, who whiffs his 1v1 volley from ~7 yards, allowing the GK to collect.

· 1:42:04 – FCD building out, it goes Gibson > Watkins > Razo and Razo carries into the opposing half before pushing it out to Hart wide right. Hart plays back to Razo and bursts forward so that, when Razo passes forward to Saucedo, Saucedo can slide a ball into the box for Hart to run onto. His hard cross finds Rosales open about 8 yards from goal, but he can’t get power on his redirection and the GK collects easily.

Notes:

· Again, lots of skips in the footage in the 1H.

· Glad to see Luna get a little time. Been pretty surprised he hasn’t cracked more lineups at FCD than he has.

· LA TDP gives a 352 kind of look in this one. Don’t see that super often in youth play.

· As for the “trialist”, I’d say #46 (maybe referred to as “Owen” at one point by the coach?) is immediately able to contribute to this age group for FCD as CM competition with Moreira and Razo.

· R-C was an early favorite of mine in this group, but his decision-making really hasn’t progressed enough to keep up. Lots of good receptions to turn and drive in this game, though.

· Just realized halfway through this game that Gabe Watkins wears number 57 and I just misread my spreadsheet last game. Some flashy ball-striking. LOVES flying into big tackles to kill a counter attack when missing the tackle probably means giving a numbers up break to the other team.

· Mazzawi’s got some real pick-‘em-up-and-put-‘em-down to him. Covers ground quickly in a straight line.

· SWEET take by Moreira at 1:05:38. Very Hickam-y player in the sense that he plays under pressure in 360-degree space super well. Not as well-rounded as Hickam, though.

· Saucedo flashes the chancemaking vision at 1:06:03. Wish they could get him doing more of that, playing first touch.

· 1:10:00 – They go short on CKs all the time because Saucedo’s guaranteed to get a cross at the edge of the box if he wants it, but the kids in the box have to stay aware. They get a great spot for Razo and he puts in a great ball into a dangerous spot, but no one’s alive to the play in the box and arriving at the near post to attack the cross. They’re all standing around at the back post.

· Plenty of good drive and dish work from Gibson in the 2H.

· Defender doesn’t take a super optimal angle, but an example of Vo’s dribbling speed at 1:26:55. Outruns a kid by 3-4 yards over a 30-40 yard sprint. FCD’s 3rd is another example. He might take the coveted “Agent Oranje’s favorite Academy player” mantle over once Salazar graduates. Plays, like, nine outfield positions and makes a positive impact every time, sometimes taking the game over. This is the first time I’ve ever seen him at W and he’s involved in more danger than anyone else for FCD while there, but last game he was a lock-down, ball-playing CB. He’s what 3rdDegree keeps saying Cortalessa is. Monster player.

· Hart skill check at 1:35:42.

· Game to forget for Rosales as a finisher. Lots of opportunities for winners.

· Something to be said for “not the best half from Saucedo” corresponding to him doing as much positive stuff as he did, but it’s not Saucedo’s best half of work.

 

Good start to the year for Pickering.

LEFT-FOOTED MAGIC 🎩 🔮

MR. NIGHTE PICKERING JOINS THE PARTY WITH HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON!#DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/ykW5amoHYy

— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) March 9, 2024

 

FCD U17 v Hornets, 3/2/24 W 3-2


Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Wheeler; Dozier, Charles, Scabin, Pondeca; Cavalcante; Outman, Swann; Gaundique, Sylvester, Arteaga

Subs: At halftime, Lynch comes on for Wheeler, Gabriel comes on for Gaundique (Outman moves to RW), and McCloud comes on for Charles. At the same time, seems like Swann moves full-time to the six at that point. ~10min into the 2H, Pondeca, Cavalcante, and Arteaga come off for Munson, Luccin, and Salazar (Sylvester goes wide left). Munson off with a limp a while later for #58 (Danny Chukwu?), who goes to RW and Outman drops to RB. At some point in the last 10min, Dozier (who went down injured earlier) moves up to LW, virtually immobile, so Gabriel shifts to LB and Sylvester drops into midfield as FCD plays down a man.

Goals:

· 21:52 – Coming off a GK, Hornets go to their RB, who bombs a ball up the field. Charles misjudges it thinking he can jump to head it clear, but he can’t, so he’s out of position and the Hornets FW runs onto the ball, carrying it into the box. Charles recovers enough to heel the ball out of the FW’s feet, but it falls to another Hornets attacker who slams it home from 10 yards.

· 42:57 – Long spell of possession from FCD. Swann goes left to Dozier, who flips inside to Outman, who swings it back right to Scabin 10+ yards into the Hornets’ half. Hornets are defending on the top of the box. Scabin shapes a ball outside to Pondeca, who swings a cross in, meeting Sylvester’s head in front of goal for an easy header. Nice movement from Sylvester to flash across on defender and time his run to space, but overall the defending isn’t great here. Too easy.

· 53:08 – Hornets take over near midfield. Some really sharp passing work from a CB to a CM to the LB to the AM creates a free moment on the ball in the pocket, and the AM finds the ST making an inside-out run into the box between the CBs. He gets a free shot from the corner of the six and pounds it home near post.

· 1:29:54 – From a goalkick, Scabin’s on the ball carrying out of his box. He finds Swann in easy space behind the FWs, and Swann quickly turns and plays diagonally forward to Luccin (nice vision and speed of play from Swann). Luccin cuts inside and bombs one at Outman, who takes it down and lays it off to Mendonca, who plays down the right side to an overlapping Munson. Munson bounces one into the near post, and the defender redirects it into the net rather than out for a CK.

· 1:58:03 – FCD goal scored during a skip in the footage. Maybe a Chukwu cross to Gabriel? Also, Hornets are asking for a foul call in the build up which was also skipped over. *sigh* Skips weren’t really an issue until the last 15min of the game.

Other Key Chances:

· 59:56 – FCD CK hit long to the back post for Scabin, who’s come free on a pick-and-roll. The GK misjudges it, coming out of his goalmouth to collect, but it’s over his head and Scabin heads it back into the middle. Charles can’t quite redirect the bouncing ball into the goal.

· 1:23:03 – FCD throw-in in the opposition half on the left side. Pondeca goes to Sylvester, who lays it off under pressure to Outman, who plays quickly inside to Cavalcante. Cavalcante bridges a kid and plays left to Dozier, coming down the left halfspace with only one defender between him and goal. He checks up and then slips in Gabriel, whose shot barely misses the back post (and the outstretched feet of Sylvester and Outman).

· 1:34:50 – Scabin carries into midfield and then loses the ball. McCloud jumps out to pressure the Hornets player who collected, but now there’s no one defending in the middle of the field and it’s an easy slip pass to put the ST in 1v1. Lynch comes out and makes the save, but he’s outside the PK box and (I have now watched this on ¼ speed) makes the save with his arm. No call and the ball goes out for a goalkick and the Hornets players aren’t protesting, but…should be a red and a FK for Hornets???

· 1:46:51 – Following a cleared FCD CK, Lynch collects the ball near halfway and hits Gabriel down the RW. He splits a few defenders with a pass, finding Swann in a pocket of space amid the Hornets defense. Swann turns, drives into the box, and pings a shot off the outside of the near post.

Notes:

· Mostly a second-choice lineup compared to the game played the next day (which I will cover).

· FCD plays with a meaningful wind in the 1H (making the first Hornets’ goal that much more baffling). Against it in the 2H. Some pass weighting issues as a result.

· Look, if this Nutmeg Sports Media channel wants to continue posting videos of every FCD Academy (home?) game, that’s going to lead to me be much more choosy about which ones I do the full write up on. Unprecedented access. They gotta fix whatever’s causing all these skips tho.

· Something to be said for the Pondeca family. Four boys (that I’m aware of): Tomas is the oldest and has a first-team contract with FCD, William is next and he plays NCAA for Mercer, Aaron is next and he’s a key rotation player for the U19s, and Aydin is the youngest and a reserve for the U17s. Crazy hit rate. Makes one wonder how the story changes if FCD had gotten them in the system 6+ years ago.

· I’m starting to think the club is prioritizing kids for NTX based on their willingness to sign at that level (vs go to college) to a negative degree. There are a lot of good players for both the U17s and U19s who aren’t getting much/any playing time in NTX preseason – usually the most baffling cases are those that have already committed to schools. I mention this because Scabin does his usual walkabout bad turnover thing a handful of times and he’s gotten NTX time over other players I consider better prospects.

· Wheeler = Collodi for this generation. Undersized, but he’s a plus at all the other stuff.

· Judah McCloud sighting! First time I’ve seen him play in … two years? Some nice distribution and carrying stuff from him.

· Charles’ long passing does a lot of work for FCD in the 1H. Diagonals to Pondeca/Arteaga and stuff in-behind to Gaundique. EG: 35:35, but another 7-10 times too.

· 20:08 – Cavalcante kicks a ball into Swann, who is five yards in front of him, creating a turnover. He then does a great job recovering and making a tackling to stop the counter.

· Arteaga almost scores a schross at 46:40, but the GK palms it against the post.

· Some great work by Lynch and then Sylvester at 1:27:15 or so to flip the field, but then Sylvester has to slow down and pick his head up. He’s got a 3v3 on the weakside if he can see it. Sylvester also needs to work on his left foot so 1:54:20 doesn’t happen again.

· Dozier overweights the pass, but Gaundique’s speed in behind at 21:30 is really something.

· Charles could stand to clean up his body language. Lots of remonstrating when something goes wrong. You hope it doesn’t indicate an inability to mentally switch to the next action.

· Swann and Cavalcante frequently swap roles as the right-sided 8 and single-pivot 6.

· Outman is officially not insanely small. Just less big than average. Bothers me, though, at 1:28:45 when the defender very visibly sags off of him to cover the overlap and he still plays it. Just stand there and let the defenders move away from you and then cross it.

· Early days, but I’m fairly impressed by the willingness to play soccer by Hornets teams. Hope they continue selecting for coaches that emphasize that. This specific coach is a jerk to the ref crew, so maybe stop selecting for that.

· For me, comfortably a slide tackle worth a red card by #24 of Hornets at 1:40:33. Kicks Sylvester in the hip to stop him going by. Three huge calls for the ref in the last five minutes and he’s 1/3, imo: missed the red card on Lynch, nailed the tackle against Salazar at 1:37:20 (should have added a YC, but whatever), and opts for yellow here instead of red.

· Is #70 for Hornets Juan Mancia? I thought he moved over there. #70’s a good player regardless.

 

If you’re gonna take a loan to the Dutch second division, being an impact player at RB for a team challenging for promotion is a good way to do it.

Justin Che has been one of the top right backs in the Eerste Divisie. Definitely has earned a chance at a higher level next season. pic.twitter.com/YkdXjJ3iOQ

— Daniel (@DanielSmith1022) March 9, 2024

 

FCD U17 v GFIA, 3/3/24 W 3-2


Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Montoya; Torquato, McCloud, Scabin, Cortalessa; Hickam; Gabriel, Luccin; Contreras, Salazar, Witis-Hughes

Subs: At halftime, Wheeler, Sylvester, and Molomo come on for Montoya, W-H, and McCloud. About ~10min into the 2H, Scabin and Luccin come off for Outman and Swann and Hickam goes to RCB. Right after FCD’s third, Cavalcante and Arteaga come on for Contreras and Gabriel.

Goals:

· 17:49 – Montoya collects a long clearance from GFIA and plays to Scabin near midfield. Scabin turns and plays a long splitting pass down the right channel into a space opened by W-H’s checking run. Cortalessa runs onto it, pokes it under a defender to Salazar in the box, and Salazar lets it roll by before finishing under the GK. GFIA structure not great here.

· 27:20 – McCloud’s got it in his half and he’s slipped one layer of pressure but now he’s not sure what to do with the ball, so he plays back to Scabin who’s immediately pressed. Instead of just going back to the GK, he tries to do a rollback turn, and is stripped and left behind as the GFIA player runs in on goal and scores.

· 39:35 – Montoya has the ball in buildout, and he whaps one at Gabriel near the halfway circle before Gabriel cushions a layoff wide to Cortalessa. Cortalessa sits on it a few seconds before finding Gabriel again out wide, and Gabriel hits one up the line for W-H to challenge for. W-H gets there second, throws the defender to the ground (ref has called almost literally nothing so far), and then collects the ball and plays down the edge of the box to Salazar. Salazar hits a cross to the back post that eventually finds Contreras even with the edge of the six and the PK spot. He cuts around two defenders before getting a cross away from the endline that finds Salazar directly in front of goal. Salazar redirects it home.

· 46:53 – FCD building out and Contreras is back in the RB spot just outside the box. He sits on it, invites pressure, then tries to play it to either Hickam or Luccin but pokes the ball with his plant foot, so he just squibs it into an open space. Hickam gets there first and tries a too-cute turn, but he’s stripped, they find a GFIA mid at the top of the box, and he fires one in to Montoya’s left. Was it a foul on Hickam? Maybe, but it was also a foul by W-H for FCD’s second. Again, this ref is lets everyone but Scabin get away with it in the 1H.

· 1:37:10 – GFIA play quickly to their ST after turning over Salazar, but Swann and Hickam combine to get the ball off of him and Hickam carries it away. He plays across the grain to Contreras just outside the box on the left side, and he collects and shoots lefty, forcing a save from the GK that’s spilled out to the far post and a waiting Sylvester to put it home.

Other Key Chances:

· 16:13 – Contreras grabs a loose ball after a GFIA player blocks a long FCD pass. He quickly finds Gabriel in the middle, who turns and tries to play W-H down the channel, but it’s blocked in front of the box. W-H collects, shimmies a little, then turns and slides it in front of the arriving Contreras into the box. Contreras’ near post shot from beside the six yard box is saved.

· 16:58 – Torquato digs one out to Gabriel on the left sideline in GFIA’s half. Gabriel feeds Contreras inside, who flips his receipt past the onrushing defender to Salazar. Salazar takes a somewhat agricultural touch before pushing the ball wide to Gabriel, who quickly crosses into Contreras in the box. Contreras can’t handle it, but the cross falls to a wide-open W-H at the back past. His lefty full volley from about 9 yards is high.

· 30:05 – Gabriel pokes a ball free in midfield and manages to get it to W-H, who’s cleaned out as he hits a ball in behind for Salazar. The ball checks up on him a little, so by the time he settles it and shoots a GFIA defender has recovered enough to make a last ditch tackle to block his shot.

· 33:48 – Luccin gets onto a loose ball after Gabriel got cleaned out trying to receive a hospital ball from Scabin. He turns and hits Cortalessa, who drives inside, manages to shield the ball from back pressure, and pushes a pass at W-H through a defender’s feet. Salazar gets the rebound, quickly playing ahead to W-H in the box, and W-H cuts inside and fires from about 12 yards, testing the GK.

· 1:20:25 – GFIA building up under pressure. They find their CM behind the press but Swann closes him quick and pokes it out. Quick 1:2 at the top of the box with Gabriel and Swann gets a free shot from the PK spot, but it’s saved and the rebound goes to Outman at the top of the box. He settles and shoots for the left post but it caroms off and out for a throw-in.

· 1:25:25 - FCD throw-in on the left side. Salazar flicks it inside where Sylvester runs onto it, pokes it through a defender, and hits a low pass to Contreras on the right side at a CB whiffs trying to cut out, leaving Contreras 1v1. Contreras shoots directly at the outrushing GK, who smothers.

· 1:30:20 – Gabriel rings the left post from a FK that Swann won just outside the box.

Notes:

· Torquato draws a red at 1:12:30. Hard to tell because of the distance from the camera and the angle, but it looks like he pulls a GFIA player down on top of him while falling out of bounds, and then the GFIA player retaliates while they’re getting up.

· Lots of skips in the footage again.

· Really poor start to the game from FCD. Sleepwalking. EG: the Contreras passes below, or Scabin bulldozing a kid early, or W-H just standing and letting a runner go past him at 11:15. Usually I decry “they’re just not up for it” style analysis as a crutch – they’re unbelievably competitive people, of course they’re up for it – but FCD looks two thoughts too slow in the first 7-10min, then maybe a thought slow for a while thereafter. Pass after pass is left short (because FCD is playing against the wind?).

· Reminder that #17 (#77? Big-haired kid) is really good and would compete for a starting role for this FCD U17 team (that has, like, a dozen potential pros on it). Posterizes Hickam twice in a minute at 42:15 and 43:15. Gets a taste of his own medicine against Cortalessa at 45:45 and Hickam at 46:23, and fights to a draw with Hickam at 48:55. Point is, he’s going toe-to-toe with FCD’s best (Swann mostly gets the better of him in the 2H). He tore a mostly second-team FCD apart in the fall.

· Contreras with two inexplicably poor passes early. The first is on the second play of the game, and the second is at 9:00. Lots of good, aware receptions, though. Likes checking his shoulder.

· Nice little 1v1 dribble by W-H at 13:00 off a quick FK.

· Cortalessa flashes nicely a handful of times, mainly quick dribbling to progress into a better spot or reacting quickly to a transition. Good game from him.

· Throw another mark on the “awful Scabin turnover in an awful spot” board for 13:15 and 27:20 (McCloud doesn’t put him in a great spot, but still). Should probably have a persistent infringement yellow in the first half too – he’s about the only player the ref is calling for fouls.

· Montoya is such an unjustified confidence guy when it comes to distribution. He is not good at getting the ball to his teammates in good situations. 42:50, but also a handful of other times.

· Lol Luccin gets chewed out by, like, four different people on the bench at 1:00:05. For not seeing passing options.

· Molomo review as a LCB (his best position rn, imo, in place of Guzman, who may be injured rn): mobility and size are good enough for this level, though he maybe gives up some pounds to his opposition; picks safe passing options but once or twice.

· Seeing more Swann at the 6 recently than usual. He and Outman do a better job winning the ball in midfield than their predecessors.

The ref calls it super loose in the 1H and erratically tight in the 2H.

 

I don’t understand at all why Che refuses to play MLS. I almost wonder if FCD doesn’t want him.

 

Colombian-American ‘07 from Miami that was with the Crew before spending about a year at River Plate.

 

Guzman: not injured.

Shoutout to two FC Dallas U17s who got first-team training stints today:
CB Saul Guzman
GK Blake Wheeler

— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) March 13, 2024

 

Looks like FCD has grabbed another 07 from a foreign academy, this one from River Plate. He's a creative mid type. Born in Miami. pic.twitter.com/iTkCGxTrWt

— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) March 14, 2024

 

Day 7: Jordyn Eason ('09)

Each game I've watched of his team in the last year I've started liking his game more. There's a lot of pro projection to how he plays, and I think you'll start hearing his name more over the upcoming years.

An athletic 1v1 winger with good ball… https://t.co/GRW7HN2Pi5 pic.twitter.com/djKJ6HIFko

— USMNTProspects (@ProspectsUsmnt) March 14, 2024