Monday, July 16, 2007
Dick's Sporting Goods Park Complex - Commerce City, Colorado
Score |
1 |
2 |
F |
|---|---|---|---|
FC Dallas U-17s (2-1-0; 6 pts) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
KCW Juniors U-17s (2-0-1; 7 pts) |
0 |
3 |
3 |
KCW Juniors Scoring:
Kevin Ellis 1 (Austin Trees 1, Ethan Bauer 1) 55
Kevin Ellis 2 (Ethan Bauer 2, Laeth Hamil 1) 56
Christian Duke 2 (Fernando Galvan 1) 77
With a win and a draw in the first two matches of the SUM U-17 Cup, the KCW Juniors needed a win to advance to the tournament semi-finals. A loss or tie would give the group title to FC Dallas and eliminate the Juniors from the tournament. After falling behind 2-0 in the second half, Kansas City showed its mettle, scoring three unanswered goals to secure the victory and advance to the semis Tuesday night. All six of the Juniors goals this tournament have come after halftime.
FC Dallas took the lead in the 31st minute through a penalty kick drawn after a quick counter-attack. KCW Juniors goalkeeper Christian Krueger was whistled for bringing down an FCD attacker in the penalty area, receiving a yellow card on the play.
The Hoops gained a two-goal lead in the 53rd minute after a through ball and subsequent breakaway after a Kansas City set piece.
Just two minutes later in the 55th minute, however, the Juniors began their comeback through a brilliant sequence of passing that resulted in a neat finish in the penalty area. Substitute forward Ethan Bauer played a ball to the back post that defender Austin Trees headed back across the goalmouth for forward Kevin Ellis. Ellis slid to one-time the ball past the FCD goalkeeper for his first goal of the tournament.
One minute later, Ellis again proved dangerous as he drew the Juniors level and put the pressure squarely on FC Dallas. Left back Laeth Hamil played a long ball to Bauer who quickly put Ellis through on goal. Ellis carried the ball into the area and finished the opportunity cleanly to tie the match 2-2 and give the KCW Juniors the momentum.
The Wizards Juniors continued pushing forward as they had all game in search of the winning goal. Kansas City held a 20-8 shot margin and a 6-2 corner kick margin after the final whistle.
Substitute winger Christian Duke scored his second goal of the tournament in the 77th minute, just three minutes short of time in the 80-minute game, to seal the victory and push the KCW Juniors into the medal round of their first-ever tournament.
Substitute center back Fernando Galvan played a long ball to Duke near the top of the 18-yard area. Duke brought the ball down on his chest and in one motion turned and struck a bullet of a volley from 20 yards out that beat the FCD goalkeeper at the back post for the game-winning goal.
The Juniors now play the Columbus Crew U-17 squad Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT with a trip to the championship game on the line. If Kansas City advances, it will face the winner of D.C. United vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, also played Tuesday at 8 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT Thursday prior to the 2007 Sierra Mist All-Star Game at 8 p.m. CT on the MLS field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
The champion will take home the SUM U-17 cup and will earn the opportunity to compete in the prestigious 2008 Torneo Quixote in Spain.
KCW Juniors U-17 Line-Up: Christian Krueger, Aaron Cobb (Austin Trees 49), Pete Nechvatal (Fernando Galvan 49), Danny Cunningham, Laeth Hamil (Neil Tally 63), Jeremy Wassmer (Aaron Appel 50), Zane Christenson (Alex Sweetin 25), Taylor Knoll (Christian Duke 41), Mohommad Ramahi, Kevin Ellis, Patrick Foglio (Ethan Bauer 35)
Substitutes Not Used: Kyle Martin, Luke Snyder
KCW Juniors Discipline:
Christian Krueger (caution) 31
Quotes
KCW Juniors Head Coach Paul Rideout
"I'm extremely proud of our guys for fighting out of the two-goal hole we dug and earning a trip to the semi-finals. They have worked hard since this program began last month. It's amazing how quickly we have come together as a team and adjusted to one another. We have taken Major League Soccer by surprise and shown the quality of soccer in our area."
KCW Juniors Youth Director Chris Cissell
"Our performance here is truly a testament to the quality of soccer played in Kansas City and the entire Midwest. We have advanced out of what is being touted as the toughest group here at the SUM Cup. A lot of people here thought we might be the fourth-best team in our group, but we have proven that even without a wealth of experience together, we are a team with a lot of technical ability and character."
