MILWAUKEE (July 15, 2011) – Pateadores claimed the 2011 Development Academy U-17/18 Championship with a 2-1 victory against FC Dallas at Valley Fields in Milwaukee, Wis., behind two goals from Jose Villareal.

The championship completes Pateadores’ improbable run, which included having to forfeit seven games from the beginning of their season. The SoCal Division club finished its season with 14 wins in the last 16 matches en route to the title.

Both teams started the game with some nerves, but Pateadores quickly settled into a rhythm. In the ninth minute, a good buildup forced FC Dallas captain Jack Coleman to foul Irvin Parra-Anaya 25 yards from goal. On the ensuing free kick, Villareal took a left-footed shot that curled perfectly around the wall and beat FC Dallas goalkeeper Eduardo Cortez to the near post, giving Pateadores a 1-0 advantage.

With the goal scored, both teams settled into a rhythm, trying to impose their own possession game. FC Dallas created their first dangerous chance in the 24th minute, with Jose Perez chipping his entry ball into the box looking for Bryan Leyva, but goalkeeper Juan Cervantes was quick off his line to win the ball.

Another free kick opportunity nearly led to a second Pateadores goal in the 28th minute, with Villareal connecting with a leaping header, but firing it just wide of the far post. Still pressing in the 31st minute, Parra-Anaya sent in a free kick that was headed down at the far post, just wide.

Seven minutes before halftime, FC Dallas took their first shot on goal as Danny Garcia cut the ball past his defender and forced a diving save from Cervantes.

In the second half, FC Dallas started to control more of the possession after head coach Oscar Pareja brought Michael Ambrose in at left back and David Robledo into right midfield.

In the 58th minute, Garcia was shown his second caution of the game, forcing FC Dallas to try to fight for an equalizer while down a man for more than 30 minutes.

The breakthrough came just four minutes later. A good passing sequence connected Ambrose with Victor Ulloa in the attacking third. Ulloa dropped the ball back for Ambrose, who sent a cross to the far post. Leyva was able to bring the ball down and take a low shot that slipped in past Cervantes to level the score.

The goal reignited both teams as they looked for the go-ahead goal. Three minutes after the score, Jonathan Top brought down a ball in the box and hit a bouncing shot that forced a good save from Cervantes. A minute later, Leyva forced another excellent save from the Pateadores ‘keeper after carrying the ball into the box and hitting a shot to the near post.

In the 81st minute, Parra-Anaya played a ball in the air to the top of the penalty area for Villareal, who received the ball with his chest and turned on his defender while the ball was still bouncing. A slick move put the ball on his favored left foot, and he was able to rip a shot that landed inside the far post to give Pateadores a 2-1 lead that they would hold on to for the final minutes.