On Friday morning, countless participants took to the fields surrounding Pizza Hut Park for the Dallas version of Sueno MLS 2008. With temperatures in the mid-50s and a swirling wind, the players were greeted with weather a bit colder than they expected but that didn't dampen any of their spirits.
In one of the day's first games, Jonathan Gutierrez, a 23-year-old striker from Guadalajara, Mexico, turned in what was likely one of the top individual performances when he had two goals for his side and narrowly missed a hat trick in a 3-0 win.
Gutierrez got active about midway through the 10 vs. 10 affair. His first shot was denied after a diving save by the opposing goalkeeper, and just seconds later, another effort went wide right. But not a minute later, he found the back of the net with a right-footed blast from about 15 yards out for his first of two goals.
The Mexican forward struck again just a minute or two later, sending a header over the opposing 'keeper after a flurry of action in front of the goal. And with time running out, he nearly got a hat trick but saw his scorching shot from about 20 yards hit the crossbar instead of the back of the net.
"Coming from Mexico, Guadalajara and the second division with Autlan, it was great to be able to score those goals," Gutierrez said. "I would like to thank Carlo Castillo, who helped me get the chance to practice here."
While Gutierrez had his side's final two goals, it was 20-year-old David Arellano of Mexico City, who struck first after a great cross from 18-year-old Juan Candelas of Dallas.
Candelas, one of eight players in the event from Mesquite High School, a Dallas-area suburb, dashed up the right side of the field and saw Arellano on the opposite side. The Texan then sent a cross his way and Arellano brought it down beautifully with his chest, collected the ball and blasted a shot into the far side of the net.
"I was a little bit nervous but at the same time motivated to do my best," Candelas admitted after the match. "It was just a cross I hit into him. He did a great job to bring the ball down and to score."
Arellano agreed that the goal was a thing of beauty.
"I can hit the ball well with both feet," he said. "That was a great ball from my partner. It was great to play with him. I knew some of these guys already and actually felt pretty comfortable playing with them. It was fantastic and great but a little bit colder than I thought it would be."
The impressive thing about Arellano's goal is that it came with his team a man down.
"We were a man down at the beginning, were running all over the field and were a bit disorganized," Gutierrez said. "But as the game went on, we started communicating a little better and playing a lot better."
This is actually Gutierrez's second stop in Sueno 2008. He also participated in the Los Angeles competition last week and decided to give it a second chance in the Lone Star State.
"I was in L.A. and they told me to try here as well," he said. "I'm here and hoping to continue onto the next round. It (the level of competition) has been about the same (here as it was in L.A.). There are a lot of players here, some good and some bad."
Candelas, who was born in Mexico and came to the United States about 12 years ago, also showed his versatility when in the second half, he and Arellano switched sides and he played on the left flank instead of on the right as he did in the opening half. It's such ability to adapt that he hopes will lead to his being one of 60 players called into the next round.
"Hopefully, I will be back," Candelas said. "I think I did pretty well and hope to come back. I can play with both feet and on either side of the field."
It's a dream all of Friday's participants share.
"It (going to the next round) would mean a lot," Gutierrez said. "It's incredibly difficult to be one of 60 players to advance out of more than 2,000. For me, it would be a great achievement."
Admittedly, the Guadalajara native is a big fan of Mexican superclub Chivas but could switch his allegiance should he win Sueno.
"I'm a big Chivas fan but will be happy to support whatever team it is that gives me a chance," Gutierrez said.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
