Feb. 19, 2005

RICHARDSON, Texas - Freshman Jared Britcher scored a goal and picked up an assist as the University of Memphis men's soccer team fell to Major League Soccer's FC Dallas on Saturday, 6-2.

"This was a great experience for us," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant. "We played a very talented Dallas team. Our fitness was very good as we were able to stay with them through most of the game. We're disappointed that we gave up six goals, but overall it was a very positive experience for us."

After being shut out by Dallas last year, 4-0, the Tigers scored their first goal ever against the MLS team by Britcher in the 32nd minute at the University of Texas at Dallas. The Knoxville, Tenn., native lifted the ball with a left-footed strike over the Dallas keeper Henry Ring from 30 yards out.

"Britcher had an excellent goal," Grant said. "He had a super strike with his left foot."

The Tigers trailed 4-1 at halftime after Dallas midfielder and Memphis native Richard Mulrooney scored a goal and added two assists. Another Memphis native, defender Carey Talley, also had two assists in the first half for Dallas. Talley is the brother of former Tiger goalkeeper Clark Talley (2000-03).

In his first scrimmage action this year with FC Dallas, forward Eddie Johnson scored the game winner and the team's third goal in eight minutes. Arturo Alvarez beat his man and made a centering pass to a streaking Johnson who outran a Memphis defender and pushed the ball past U of M goalkeeper Gavin McInerney.

Memphis scored its second goal in the 74th minute as junior forward Dayton O'Brien found net on a set up from Britcher.

"It's very important for us to learn from a game like this," Grant said. "The speed of play and the techniques used by Dallas helps us move into the rest of our spring schedule with more confidence and determination."

The Tigers will compete in the annual Memphis cup on Saturday, Feb. 26. The U of M will play Christian Brothers University at 1 p.m. and Rhodes College at 4 p.m. at the Rhodes Soccer Field. Last year CBU took home the tournament cup.

          1    2    F
FC Dallas 4    2    6
Memphis   1    1    2

Scoring Summary: FCD - Alvarez (Talley, Mulrooney) 12', O'Brien (Mulrooney) 15',
Johnson (Alvarez, Talley) 20', Mulrooney (Nunez) 37', Torres (Maurin) 54',
Salyer (Moor) 67'
MEM - Britcher 32', O'Brien (Britcher) 74'