PHOENIX, Arizona – U18 FC Dallas and Chivas USA made sure that the Development Academy Winter Showcase ended with a bang Tuesday.

When the talented clubs faced off in a late morning match, things were first physical, then testy, then a little nasty.

FC Dallas star and U.S. National Team staple Michael Ambrose was taken down from behind on a reckless tackle in the first half - and adding insult to the play - then had the ball kicked in his face by Edson Lemus as he laid on the pitch. Ambrose reacted with a head butt to Lemus’ back and things were on from there.

The teams exchanged some pushing and shoving before things simmered down. To the credit of the referees, the incident was handled swiftly and appropriately. The two central figures, Lemus and Ambrose, were both given red cards and ejected and the refs made a point to explain precisely why.

The incident left a residue of tension on the rest of the match, but cooler heads prevailed and the game was kept under firm control.

FC Dallas ended up prevailing thanks to a Chivas own goal.

U18 Pateadores 3, Richmond Kickers 0

Pateadores wrapped up an impressive showcase week and improved to 4-0 on the season after a physical beat down of the Kickers.

Having opened the event with a 3-2 win over Weston FC, and a 7-0 thrashing of the Atlanta Fire, Pateadores punctuated their stay in Phoenix the right way.

It was their defensive effort that led them as they manhandled Richmond, winning every 50-50 ball and establishing strong positions all over the field. Defender Daniel Theobald made some nice contests throughout the match and center back Javan Torre stood tall and displayed leadership in the back.

One of the first things you notice about Pateadores is its communication. The team talks a lot. And not just instructional yelling either; they appreciate quality plays made by fellow teammates and take the time to acknowledge as much.   

“We have great chemistry on this team,” Torre said. “We’ve come together, and we really want to improve on last year when we didn’t make the playoffs. I’d say this team is more technical than physical, but I always try to bring physical.”

They were a lot of both Tuesday. Jose Villareal, a quick left-footed forward, had a good game and was active up front. He got several shots on goal, and had one stuffed on a great play from Richmond keeper Andrew Carrey who snuffed out a low liner during a 1v1 situation.

It was just a matter of time before Pateadores emptied the flood gates, and they got their first goal from Daniel Theobaid on a nice lob over the head of Carrey.

Irvin Parra-Anaya quickly added a second goal, as Pateadores countered a Richmond set piece with the Kickers pressing for a tying score, and the team was on its way …

Quite possibly, to big things.

U15/16 Final Day Scores
Clearwater Chargers 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
Classics Elite 4, Richmond Strikers 0
LA Galaxy 3, Birmingham United 1
IMG Soccer Academy 1, Irvine Strikers 0
Cal Odyssey 1, Kendall SC 0
Solar Chelsea 1, South Carolina United FC 0
Concorde Fire 4, Cosmos Academy West 3
Pateadores 3, Richmond Kickers 0
Santa Cruz Breakers Academy 4, Weston FC 2
Chivas USA 1, FC Dallas 0
San Diego Surf 1, Virginia Rush AJ Auxerre 0
Dallas Texans 4, Arsenal FC 0
California Development Academy 2, Houston Dynamo 0
De Anza Force 3, McLean Youth Soccer 0
Atlanta Fire United 1, Nomads SC 0
Andromeda 1, Crossfire Premier 0
Real Salt Lake AZ 3, Texas Rush AJ Auxerre 2
Seattle Sounders 5, Lonestar SC Academy 1
Real So Cal 3, Texans SC Houston 0

U17/U18 Final Day Scores
South Carolina United FC 1, Solar Chelsea SC 0
Classics Elite 3, Richmond Strikers 2
LA Galaxy 1, Birmingham United 0
Kendall SC 1, Cal Odyssey 1
Pateadores 3, Richmond Kickers 0
San Jose Earthquakes 4, Clearwater Chargers 1
Weston FC 5, Santa Cruz Breakers Academy 0
San Diego Surf 5, Virginia Rush AJ Auxerre 1
Dallas Texans 2, Arsenal FC 0
Seattle Sounders 4, Lonestar SC Academy 2
Nomads SC 5, Atlanta Fire United 1
FC Dallas 2, Chivas USA 0
Real Salt Lake AZ 2, Texas Rush AJ Auxerre 1
Real So Cal 2, Texans SC Houston 2