FRISCO, Texas – A day after coming off the bench for USL League One side North Texas SC, FC Dallas Homegrown Player Dante Sealy was back on the field in a competitive match.
Sealy entered in the second half of Sunday’s Generation adidas Cup Champions Division Group A match against the New York Red Bulls, helping the FCD's Under-17s hold a 1-0 lead. Midfielder Diego Maynez provided the lone tally, stroking home a sensational volley in the first half that stood up as the game-winner.
So what were Sealy’s instructions from U-17 head coach Matias Asorey before the game?
“He told me to stay ready,” Sealy told MLSsoccer.com.
Deployed on the left flank, Sealy looked to make an impact on both sides of the ball. With FC Dallas playing into the wind, they were pinned back at times after he entered the match as the Red Bulls pressed forward in search of the tying goal. But when the wide forward managed to find time and space with the ball, he looked to make things happen.
One of those moments saw Sealy go on a dangerous, weaving run, beating a couple of defenders before earning a dangerous free kick just outside the box.
Despite spending most of the Development Academy season playing for the Under-18/19 squad, and the start of 2019 training with North Texas SC on loan, Sealy’s expected to play in Generation adidas Cup this week.
Fellow NTXSC teammate Ricardo Pepi was in street clothes on the sideline Sunday afternoon, but could play in the second game on Sunday and will definitely play on Monday. Pepi scored a hat trick with NTXSC in his first professional appearance and scored a game-winning penalty kick on Saturday nigh against Forward Madison FC.
Even if he’s not a regular at this age group, Sealy is anxious to help the group advance deep into the tournament.
“I’m just here, bringing my abilities to help them win as many games as possible,” he said. “The primary goal is for GA Cup, we want to win this. They’re going to bring as many people down so we can chase a championship.”
Of course, considering that both Sealy and Pepi played on Saturday night, FC Dallas wants to be careful with two of their bright attacking prospects.
“As a club we want to manage their minutes, we want to make sure we’re not hurting them, but we would love to count on them as much as possible,” Asorey said.
