Independiente makes statement in Dallas

• by Soccer America , Aug 22, 2008

The Dallas area is a hotbed for soccer, having produced three national championship clubs this year in Andromeda (U-17 and U-18 U.S. Youth Soccer champions), Solar (U-19) and the Dallas Texans Red (U-15), but they should get some competition from Club Deportivo Independiente.

Independiente won the U-14 title at last weekend's Copa Al Dia with a 10-0 win over Arsenal to cap off a six-game run in which it outscored its opponents, 67-1. Nestor Celestino and Enrique Rangel of combined for 33 goals.

Independiente was so dominant that it began its semifinal game with only eight players because of a mix-up about the kickoff time, but it still won, 10-1.

A big season is ahead for Independiente, which is entered in the fall Classic League and has already qualified for the 2009 Dallas Cup.

Coach Antonio Radilla hopes his team's success will generate much-needed financial support for program, founded a decade ago.