FRISCO, Texas - The FC Dallas U-16s opened up USSDA group play action with a 2-1 loss to North Carolina's CASL Chelsea FC on a blustery Saturday afternoon. Midfielder Fernando Laverde, who recently returned from residency with the U.S. U-17s in Florida, scored FCD's lone goal off a penalty kick.
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The U-16 defense was tested early and often by Chelsea. The visiting team earned six corner kicks in the first half, but couldn't capitalize on any of them.
FCD had several chances to go up early. In the 7th minute, midfielder Ricardo Mejia connected with forward Bobby Edet on the left flank. Edet sent a cross into the box for a streaking Laverde, but his shot would sail over the net.
Chelsea was the first to find the back of the net when, in the 32nd minute, CASL forward Eric O'Brien chipped the ball over FCD goalkeeper Caleb Underwood, who was trying to spot the ball through traffic. The visitors took the lead into the break after the end of the first 40-minute half.
CASL added another tally quickly in the second half when O'Brien got past the Dallas defense and sent the ball past Underwood to earn a brace in the 44th minute.
GALLERY: U-16s 1, CASL Chelsea FC 2
FCD was given an opening for a comeback in the 66th minute when the team was awarded a penalty kick after Chelsea goalkeeper Samuel Williams took down Dallas midfielder Victor Portillo and Williams was shown a red card.
Laverde connected on the penalty kick by launching the ball past replacement goalkeeper Everett McCord. FC Dallas then had more than 14 minutes of 11-on-10 action to attempt to tie the score at two.
Despite being up a man, the U-16s couldn't mount a sustained attack and Chelsea held on for the win.
The U-16s will play group top seed St. Louis Scott Gallagher from Missouri Sunday at 8 p.m. on Field 11 at Pizza Hut Park. St. Louis is 1-0 in group play after defeating Sockers FC 1-0 Saturday.
Scoring Summary:
CASL - O'Brien 32'
CASL - O'Brien 44'
FCD - Laverde 59'
Misconduct Summary:
FCD - Portillo (Caution 30')
CASL - Foster (Caution 63')
CASL - Williams (Sent Off 66')
FCD - Ashby (Caution 80'+)
FC Dallas U-16 Starting Lineup: Underwood, Toledo (Coleman 60'), Herrera (Chapa 84'), Ashby, Frankenfeld, Laverde, Carrizales (Dunbar 60'), Mejia (Cano 65'), Ortiz (Villalta 41'), Portillo, Edet