For the second year in a row, one of the Riverhounds Development Academy’s (RDA) teams will take part in one of the nation’s biggest tournaments.
The 2007 Boys team, coached by John Rotz, will compete this week at the 40th edition of the Dallas Cup, an annual invitational tournament that gathers top youth teams from the around the globe.
A glance down the lineup of clubs sending teams to Dallas shows not only familiar academy outfits affiliated with MLS and USL clubs, but also top Mexican clubs like Pumas and Tigres, as well as some globally recognizable names, such as Barcelona, Liverpool and Everton. Simply being accepted to compete in the event is an achievement for everyone involved, from players and coaches to the referees accepted to participate.
Competing in the Under-12 division — the youngest age group at the tournament — the RDA players will get an opportunity to match up against possibly the toughest competition they have ever faced, while also seeing top teams in older age groups from other countries and continents, and experience that could be an eye-opener to the young Hounds.
“The boys are prepared as best they can be without knowing what we’re going to see,” Rotz said. “We’re playing a team from California, a team from Central Texas and Toronto FC’s academy, so they’re going to get an exposure to different cultures, different styles, especially being from the East Coast, we’re seeing West Coast teams for the first time. I think the boys getting exposed to this level of competition at such a young age can really transcend their desire and willingness to be the best, whether that’s on or off the field.”
Rotz is confident in the ability of his young group, a team that amassed a 20-1-2 record in 2018 and won the top division in their last tournament outing, the Ultimate Cup in Richmond, Virginia, in February.
Last year, the Hounds’ 2004 Boys were accepted to the tournament and were eliminated after their three group matches, but Rotz and Academy Director Scott Gibson both were cautiously optimistic that the 07 Boys could push for a spot in the quarterfinals, which are made up of the six group winners and top two second-place teams.
“I’m excited to see where we are amongst the nation and the world,” Rotz said. “They’ve not trailed very often, so their ability to start the game has been pretty refreshing to me, as well as the discipline. Their communication level has really grown, and I believe [so had] their tactical knowledge of when to keep tempo and when to push forward with numbers and counter-attack. With having success, the desire to change and transform when adversity hits is going to be evident.”
As much as wins in Dallas would be great for the 07 Boys, the biggest thing the coaches want their players to take away is individual and team growth.
From the level of competition, to Dallas being the team’s longest road trip to date, to playing at the expansive MoneyGram Soccer Park, where all the U-12 matches will be held, the Dallas Cup can serve as a first step for the young players who aspire to one day play at the college or pro level.
“It’ll be a real good opportunity. We’ve worked hard. The [other] teams are going to be tough, but if we train how we need to and perform, it’s going to be a good experience,” left back Justin Walsh said. “We’re playing some good soccer teams, and they’re going to be used to [the heat], and we’re not, so we just have to adjust.”
Fortunately, the heat might not be a concern. The forecasted high for the week is just 81, and thunderstorms have kept the temperatures down and interrupted the schedule in the older age groups, which began last weekend and play in venues such as FC Dallas’ Toyota Park and the historic Cotton Bowl.
The RDA boys’ first match will be 10 a.m. Wednesday locally (11 a.m. Eastern Time) against the Pumas USA Kickers, a Southern California club under the umbrella of Mexico City-based Pumas UNAM. The team continues Group A play at 4:30 p.m. Thursday against the Dallas Texans and finishes at 3 p.m. Friday against Toronto FC. Should the team advance, the quarterfinals and semifinals are Saturday, and the final is 11 a.m. Sunday.
Regardless of the outcome, taking part in this week’s Dallas Cup will be a memorable event for the 07 Boys to enjoy and learn from during their spring break from school.
“I’m expecting good competition, better than we’ve gotten around here, in Ohio and around the area,” center midfielder Ethan Voight-Cherna said. “It’s going to be challenging, and it’s going to be fun.”
RDA 2007 Boys roster: 41-Max Bond, 47-Wyatt Catchen, 48-Brayden Davin, 49-Sam Wessel, 50-Daniel Moya-Gibbons, 51-Finn Kichi, 52-Billy Kowalkowski, 54- Justin Walsh, 55-Nathan Katari, 56-Josh Endler, 57-Dante Sartori, 58-Leonardo Yu, 59-Ethan Voight-Cherna, 60-JJ Vozar, 62-Michael Miller, 63-Aidan Thomas, 64-Milo Chiu, 65-Nicholas Scueglia; Not attending Dallas Cup: Kharai Leinbach, Graham Kunz, Owen Mollenauer, Tyler Sidhom
Saturday, April 20
• The Dallas Cup run is over for the 07 Boys after they missed out on the quarterfinals by goal difference. The two runner-up spots went to FC Dallas South (+7) and the Dallas Rebels (+4), teams that also finished 2-1 in their groups.
Friday, April 19
• Toronto FC kept the 07 Boys from finishing atop Group A at the Dallas Cup, as the Canadian side took a 3-1 win. Nick Scueglia had the lone goal for the Hounds, who now have to wait and see if six points and an even goal difference is enough to qualify for the quarterfinals as one of the top second-place teams. Toronto qualifies as the group winner.
• The young pups have done it again, as the 07 Boys won their second match at the Dallas Cup by a 1-0 score over the Dallas Texans. J.J. Vozar scored his second goal in as many matches for the Hounds, and the back line was flawless to improve their mark to one goal allowed in two matches. The win sets up a massive afternoon match at 4 p.m. against Toronto FC, which also won its first two games. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals as the Group A champion, while a draw would make Toronto the group winner on goal difference with the Hounds likely to advance as one of the top two runner-up teams.
• It’s a big, busy day for the 07 Boys at the Dallas Cup. Kickoff for yesterday’s make-up game against the Dallas Texans is set for 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, and the boys will only have about 4 hours — not to mention 90 minutes less than their opposition — to rest up for their Group A finale against Toronto FC at 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 18
• Play stalled at the Dallas Cup as matches were postponed due to weather. The 07 Boys, who were scheduled to face the Dallas Texans, will take up action again on Friday, playing the make-up game against the Texans in the morning and facing Toronto FC in the afternoon. Game times have yet to be finalized.
Wednesday, April 17
• The 07 Boys defeated Pumas USA Kickers FC, 2-1, in their first match of the Dallas Cup. J.J. Vozar notched a goal in the first half, and the squad were beneficiaries of an own goal in the second half. Pumas posted its tally with 15 remaining in the match. On the defensive end, Justin Walsh, Milo Chiu and goalkeeper Max Bond helped hold down a strong performance.
