Chivas USA's U18 Academy Team Earns Draw at Opening Finals Week Match

Chivas USA's U18 Academy team, fresh off their U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoff triumph last month in Frisco, Texas, began their "Finals Week" championship round Monday in Houston. Playing in a tough group that consists of two top Texas-based sides, FC Dallas and Solar Chelsea SC, as well as Baltimore Bays Chelsea, the Goats certainly have a tough task ahead of them if they want to compete for the national title. In their first match in group play, Chivas drew 1-1 with FC Dallas Monday. Although both teams were desperate to get a win, it was a hard-fought match and a good result for Chivas Youth Academy.

FC Dallas opened the scoring in the first half with a goal by Nicholas Rochowski, off a corner by new FCD homegrown signing Kellyn Acosta. But Acosta's counterpart, Chivas homegrown signing Marky Delgado, provided the equalizer about 10 minutes into the second half with a free kick.

According to the match reports, both sides pushed for a winner, but the teams shared a point at the end. Considering the location, the strength of FCD's Academy teams historically, and the fact that Chivas are in this stage in the USSDA playoffs for the first time, it is a good result. Still, if they have hopes of advancing, the pressure will be on to win the next two matches. The next match for the junior Goats will be Wednesday at 6 pm PDT against Solar Chelsea. Best of luck to the team! Keep up the good work!

In other news for the U18 team, two players have earned honors from the USSDA. Goalkeeper Jake McGuire, who trained with the senior team in the preseason, and Delgado have been named to the USSDA's Western Conference Starting XI squad for the season in the U18 group. It is great news for McGuire and Delgado, and great news for the Youth Academy. Congratulations!

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