Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt becomes the first international Dallas Cup champion since 2019
DALLAS, Texas (Saturday, April 16) – The 2022 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola played its first four championship matches today at Toyota Stadium. Aired live on ESPN3, champions of the boys 13-Under through 16-Under age brackets were decided with four teams hoisting “Boot and Ball” championship trophies.
The first match of the day was a California showdown between San Diego Surf ECNL and Legends FC ECNL for the 13-Under title. In the 9th minute, Legends FC got on the board first. Following a turnover by the San Diego Surf side, Diego Nolazco was set up one-on-one with the keeper and he buried the opportunity into the back of the net. Just a handful of minutes later, Eli Cook padded the lead for the Anaheim-based side with a goal in the 13th minute. The final whistle blew with the score at 2-0, crowning Legends FC the 13-Under Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola champions.
The boys’ 14-Under final between Dallas Texans U14 Academy and Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt kicked off next at Toyota Stadium. It was a welcome sight having an international team back on the Toyota Stadium pitch competing for a Dallas Cup title and Eintracht Frankfurt did not disappoint. In the 27th minute, Luca Gebhardt swung a cross into the box that found Keziah Oteng-mensah at the far-post, who headed in the opening goal of the game for the German side. In the second half, Justin Hoy tacked on a second goal for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 47th minute, before Alexander Staff delivered the dagger with a goal of his own in the 62nd minute. The match ended with a score of 3-0 and Eintracht Frankfurt hoisted the golden “Boot and Ball” championship trophy, becoming the first international champion at Dallas Cup since 2019.
The 15-Under final kicked off at 12:30pm, featuring local sides FC Dallas 07 Premier and Solar SC U15 MLS NEXT. The first goal of the game did not come until the second half when Troy Ackerson headed home the opening goal for Solar in the 54th minute. The FC Dallas side continued in pursuit of the elusive equalizer, but it was not there in the end. The final whistle blew with a final score of 1-0 in favor of Solar SC MLS NEXT, who was named 15-U Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola champions.
Saturday’s last final of the day was a matchup between Las Vegas Pros FC and FC Dallas 06 Premier. Las Vegas Pros FC did not waste much time to get on the score sheet. In the 7th minute, forward Caedon Cox broke through the defense and scored the opening goal of the match. In the 30th minute, FC Dallas Premier would pull a goal back when Ashton Medina converted from the penalty spot to level the game at 1-1. The game remained tied into stoppage time, but there was still enough time on the clock to have a regulation winner. Las Vegas’ late-game substitute, Victor Garcia, broke clear of the FC Dallas defense and slotted the game winning goal into the back of the net. Las Vegas Pros FC was crowned 16-Under Dallas Cup champions, becoming the first champion to hail from Nevada in Dallas Cup history.
Sunday, April 17
The 2022 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola concludes on Sunday with the championship matches in the 17U, 18U, 19U, and 19U Gordon Jago Super Group divisions. The Gordon Jago Super Group championship headlines the day with a youth national team clash between the U20 Panama National Team and the U20 El Salvador National Team. The marquee match of the day will kick off at 4:00pm CT at Toyota Stadium.
8:30AM – 17U Final – DKSC ECNL (TX) vs. Santa Clara Sporting 05B Green (CA)
11:00AM – 18U Final – Houston Legends FC 04 NLFC (TX) vs. Everton Football College (ENG)
11:00AM – 12U Final (Toyota Soccer Center) – Dallas Texans 10B vs. FC Dallas 10 South Academy
1:30PM – 19U Final – La Roca FC 04/03 ECNL (UT) vs. FC Dallas 03 Premier (TX)
4:00PM – Gordon Jago Super Group Final – U20 Panama (PAN) vs. U20 El Salvador (SLV)