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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Welcome Home: Powers makes MLS debut in Frisco
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
Plano Senior alum Dillon Powers has played in plenty of big matches.
Whether it was leading the Plano-based Andromeda Soccer Club to US Youth Soccer National Titles in 2007 and 2008, the Wildcats to a state-record sixth Class 5A State Championship in 2009 or the U19 National Team to a first-place finish at the 2010 Milk Cup in Ireland, Powers knows about success on the pitch.
But it would be hard to argue Saturday’s return to the Metroplex wasn’t his biggest success.
The game took place at FC Dallas Stadium, which is right next to the vast array of youth soccer fields in which Powers won his first national championship.
“It was really fun,” said Powers, who was named the 2008-09 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year after his senior season at Plano. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to make my debut in front of family and friends.”
Powers estimated he had 300 friends and family members in the stands Saturday.
Those supporters got to see Powers on the pitch for 75 minutes, during which he fired off a shot that was on frame but stopped by FC Dallas keeper Raul Fernandez.
“It was definitely a fun experience for me, especially my first game back home,” Powers said. “I’m really enjoying the pace, adjusting and learning every day. [Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja] has been great trying to make me a better player; he’s made the adjustment pretty easy for me.”
Pareja came away impressed with the season debut of both Powers and teammate Deshorn Brown, who was taken with the sixth pick in the SuperDraft.
“With this philosophy that we have here we’re not afraid to throw the young guys in there because they deserve it,” he said. “I thought the performances [Saturday] by Dillon Powers and Deshorn Brown were great.”
That being said, it wasn’t all smiles after a match in which Colorado largely controlled the flow of play but FC Dallas was the lone team to tickle the twine. Jackson did so in the 11th minute on an assist from David Ferreira for the 1-0 victory.
“I thought we were the best team on the field from the first minute to 90 full minutes,” Pareja said. “But we made a mistake and we paid for it. I don’t really remember another [scoring threat for FC Dallas] after that. The goal was a mistake, but I’m very proud of the team and very happy with the performance.”
“It’s a funny game sometimes in that you feel like you deserve a result and don’t get one,” Powers added. “The team is still pretty happy with the performance; disappointed with the result, but I think there’s still a lot to build on.”
Powers and the Rapids return to the pitch at 5 p.m. central time (4 p.m. local) Saturday for their home opener against the Philadelphia Union. FC Dallas is on the road at 4 p.m. Sunday, facing Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
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