The first day of Generation adidas Cup qualifying kicked off on Friday with a full slate of action at Houston Sports Park.
U-15: Houston Dynamo 5, Minnesota United FC 0
The Dynamo U-15s are off to a strong start following a 5-0 victory over Minnesota United. The Dynamo scored four first-half goals courtesy of midfielder Reese Miller, forward Alex Boros, forward D’Alessandro Herrera and forward Cesar Cordova. Ronaldo Guzman would sub on in the second half and score the fifth and final goal for Houston.
U-17: Toronto FC 3, Houston Dynamo 2
Houston was off to a quick start, striking first early in the first half after a free kick taken by forward Kaya Ignacio was punched away by Toronto goalkeeper Eleias Himaras, only for Dynamo forward Jathan Juarez to knock in the rebound. Juarez would strike again minutes later, extending Houston’s lead to 2-0. Toronto would pull one back just before the break after a handball was called in the box. Toronto midfielder Ralph Priso would convert the penalty kick, cutting Houston’s lead in half. While Houston would slow down after the half, Toronto pressed and scored two more goals in the second half, giving them their first victory of the tournament.
U-15: Sporting Kansas City 2, Chicago Fire 0
The SKC U-15s kicked off their tournament on a strong note with a 2-0 win over Chicago. Forward Dalton Visconti scored a brace with two first half goals and SKC goalkeeper Alex Quant earned the tournament’s second clean sheet of the day.
U-17: Montreal Impact 1, Columbus Crew SC 0
Both teams suffered a quiet first half, with Columbus coming closest to getting on the board after forward Samuel Sarver sent a dangerous header that would end up hitting the post. Coming out of the break, Montreal would get a break midway through the second half when midfielder Jeremie Omeonga scored one to put the Impact on the board. Montreal goalkeeper Benjamin Collins made several key saves, including a diving save that stopped a danger Columbus shot from heading into the upper corner, to keep the clean sheet.
U-15: Toronto FC 2, Columbus Crew SC 1
Despite a first half goal, Columbus was unable to hold on their 1-0 lead and conceded two goals to Toronto, including an impressive free kick that curled its way into the lower corner.
U-17: Chicago Fire 1, Sporting Kansas City 0
Chicago midfielder Takumi Ikeda struck in the first half, giving the Fire a 1-0 lead. Chicago was able to suppress the SKC attack and recorded the fourth and final clean sheet of the tournament’s opening day.
