FC Dallas’ U19 title defense took a hit on Sunday, as the club fell to Arsenal’s youth side 2-1 in its opening match of the 2018 Dallas Cup at the Cotton Bowl.

Bukayo Saka nailed a great shot outside of the box, bending it past FC Dallas keeper Carlos Avilez in the 65th minute to give Arsenal the late lead in a back and forth match.

“I wouldn’t feel any different about the match if we had won the game,” FC Dallas youth coach Chris Hayden said. “I think we have to come back and play tomorrow and play with a lot of energy.

Arsenal opened up the scoring with some great individual work from Olujimi Olayinka, who beat his defender and drilled a ball into the box, finding Folarin Balogun, who just needed a tap-in make it 1-0 in the 10th minute.

Trae Coyle had an impressive game for the Gunners before he was substituted off. His ball control and passing were precise and he almost had two goals early on, forcing Avilez to make a tough save and pushing a curling effort just wide.

FC Dallas' Jorge Almaguer (2) points to acknowledge the cheers from the crowd following his goal during first half action against Arsenal FC. The two teams played in the Boys U19 Super Group bracket. Arsenal FC won the contest, 2-1. The game was part of the Dallas Cup competition held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on March 25, 2018. (Steve Hamm/Special Contributor) (Steve Hamm / Special Contributor)

Dallas would tie the game with a brilliant effort from right back Jorge Almaguer, who had an effort from outside the box. Almaguer let the ball go out in front of him before launching an effort and putting it past Arsenal keeper Arthur Okonkwo. Momentum flipped for The Huntsmen, who continued to push for a lead.

“It was a moment we needed to score,” Hayden said. “I felt the game was turning a little bit more favorable. We were creating opportunities. We found the solution to break their pressure and then we were able to change the ball onto the other side.”

Paxton Pomykal, who was in the senior team's 18 against Portland Timbers this weekend, pushed for that goal to give Dallas a leg up. Pomykal showed his experience, dribbling past defenders and the midfield and playing a perfectly weighted ball to Gibran Rayo. Rayo pushed the shot wide and Dallas would fail to take advantage of a key opportunity just before the half.

FC Dallas' Paxton Pomykal (19) heads the ball away from an Arsenal FC opponent during first half action. The two teams played in the Boys U19 Super Group bracket. Arsenal FC won the contest, 2-1. The game was part of the Dallas Cup competition held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on March 25, 2018. (Steve Hamm/Special Contributor) (Steve Hamm / Special Contributor)

Pomykal dropped deeper in the second half, almost playing as a defensive mid and on-level with the center backs at some points. The move was a tactical one and helped the team according to Pomykal.

“At the start, I was at the 10 and Thomas [Roberts] was at the 8,” Pomykal said. “We were way too open and there were too many gaps. When we switched, and I dropped in as the eight and played a little lower, we kind of found the game a little better and we had a better shape.

the beginning, we were so open and we were getting crushed, so I think when we made that adjustment it helped.”

Pomykal is a veteran on this FC Dallas side, playing with the 2017 Dallas Cup champions and having pro experience. The adjustment is tough for Pomykal, who goes from youngster to vet within a 24-hour span.

“It’s a fine line,” Hayden said. “Obviously our objective is to get Paxton into the first team 100 percent. I know he’s headed that way. He had a good game the other day and the decision for him to play and join us was a late decision. He obviously played really well today and we’re happy that he could come and play 90 minutes. We’ll take it a day at a time and see what his availability is. He may play, he may not. We’ll make that decision as a staff and a club. But yeah, we’re happy.”

“It’s obviously difficult for a player to change mentalities,” Pomykal said. “Going from the first team to the academy, to a guy who’s kind of younger to a guy who has to be the best player on the field. There’s more weight on your shoulders for me to come down and perform well. Sometimes, you have to go in with a different mentality and it’s difficult to get that spark. But, you have to find a way.”

Thomas Roberts would find Brayan Padilla with a through ball in the 52nd minute, but the Maryland commit would miss the target, missing wide once again. The lack of finishing was a reoccurring theme for Dallas, much like their first team.

“It came down to chances,” Hayden said. “We had some really clear chances that we didn’t put away and that was the difference in the match.”

Emmanuel Paga almost forced an opportunity, striking the post on a low-driven cross. Dallas could not equalize, leaving them with zero points in their opening match.

The team will have to turn around quickly, playing on Monday against Red Bull Brasil at MoneyGram Park at 6:00 PM.

“I think we could’ve played

better and I think we can play better,” Hayden said. “The challenge now is to turn around and play again tomorrow.”