FRISCO, TEXAS – On the final day of this year’s Dallas Cup, the tournament’s strong international emphasis was evident, with two of the four age group finals comprised of all foreign clubs. The U19 final matched an American team vs. opponents from Panama, and the U16 final was the only all-American affair.

U16 Final: Houston Dynamo 2, Santa Clara Sporting 1    

Dynamo got off to a great start, with Isaiah Noreiga scoring on a clever finish inside the near post in just the 4th minute, touching off a wild celebration among the Houston starters and substitutes.

Santa Clara nearly responded immediately, as Julio Morales-Zavala was causing the South Texas team no shortage of headaches with his strong running on the wing. Twice in the early going he earned free kicks in dangerous positions, but the Northern California side couldn’t capitalize.

But Morales-Zavala took care of things himself with a beautiful individual effort to make it 1-1.

Houston goalkeeper Juan Navarette alertly rushed out of his area to clear a dangerous through ball that nearly put Morales-Zavala in on goal.

In the 2nd half, Morales-Zavala linked well with David Perez-Rosollo and was nearly in on goal, but a picture perfect tackle from Houston’s Bradley Bourgeois ended the threat. Minutes later, Santa Clara’s Guillermo Talancon sent a lovely cross-field pass to put Gabriel Borges in on goal, but Houston’s Navarrete was there to make the 1v1 save and keep the match level.

Houston went on top 2-1 in the 58th minute. After Bryan Salazar had drawn a free kick left of the penalty area. Noreiga sent in a curling ball that eluded the goalkeeper. Bourgeois was on hand to chest the ball after it hit the bar, but it appeared to have already crossed the goal line.

Houston did not bunker down with the lead, but kept trying to attack. Santa Clara also pushed hard to move forward with the ball and had some half-chances, but the Dynamo were able to hang on to win the championship.

U16 Starting Lineups

Houston Dynamo U16 Academy
Juan Navarrete (GK), Orlin Ramirez, Bradley Bourgeois, Manuel Chavez, Raymundo Marquez, Isaiah Noreiga, Gabriel Moreno, Erick Sanchez, Christian Diaz, Hector Ramierez, Leonardo Ayala

Santa Clara Sporting
David Silva (GK), Fabian Valdez, William Wagner, Gabriel Borges, Julio Morales-Zavala, David Perez-Rosello, Roberto Tenorio, Maikon Orellana, Cameron Jurado, Andre Alvarez

U17 Final: Monterrey Rayados 1, Tigres 0 (PKs)

U19 Final: Chorrillo 3, Shattuck St. Marys 1

SuperGroup Final: Cruzeiro 4, Monterrey 2