HOUSTON — Ask anyone down here about the first two matchdays of the SUM U-17 Cup, you’ll get the same answer: The first day was not good, the second day was very good, but the Houston Dynamo-Chivas USA match on the third day should be incredible.
The third and final matchday of group play takes place on Monday evening. Heading into day, both Houston and Chivas are undefeated and tied for points atop Group C, although Houston have the lead based on goal differential.
The Dynamo are led by striker Tamay Sanchez, who had a hat-trick in Houston’s 3-1 win over New England on Saturday. Chivas USA possess a balanced attack, driven by Marcial Cazares.
“This is going to be a fantastic match,” Alfonso Mondelo, MLS’ chief of player development and scouting, told MLSsoccer.com. "The level of play has really improved over the first two days."
The other marquee matchup on Monday is in Group B, where two more unbeaten sides, the Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew, face off. The Crew are led by Chris Davis, a highlight-reel goalscorer, while Seattle boast standout midfielder Aaron Kovar.
SUM U-17 Cup matchday 3 schedule (at Centennial Field, Friendswood):
Group B - 6 p.m.
- SEA vs. CLB Field 2
- PHL vs. FCD Field 3
Group C - 6 p.m.
- CHV vs. Houston Field 1
- TOR vs. NE Field 4
Group A - 7:45 p.m.
- CHI vs. COL Field 1
- SJ vs. DC Field 4
Group D - 7:45 p.m.
- KC vs. RSL Field 2
- NY vs. LA Field 3
