Rising sophomore Dillon Powers started two of three matches for the U.S. during the Milk Cup.

Dillon Powers And U.S. U-20s Capture Milk Cup Title

Aug. 2, 2010

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Dillon Powers (Plano, Texas/Plano Senior), a rising sophomore on the Notre Dame men’s soccer team, was part of the United States Under-20 national squad that captured the Milk Cup Elite Section title on Friday with a 3-0 triumph of host country Northern Ireland.

The U.S. used goals in the 24th minute (Gale Agbossoumonde), 43rd minute (Juan Agudelo) and 68th minute (Adrian Ruelas) to top Northern Ireland in the final of the Milk Cup, which is an international youth soccer tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. Powers, a midfielder, started the match before being subbed out in the 88th minute.

For the tournament, Powers earned a start in two of the three matches in helping the U.S. to a perfect 3-0 record. The Americans opened tournament play with a 1-0 win over China on July 26th and followed that up with a 3-2 triumph of Denmark on July 28th. Powers came off the bench in the 46th minute against China and started the Denmark match.

Denmark placed third in the six-team Milk Cup Elite Section, while Mexico was fourth. Japan was fifth and China finished in sixth place. Prior to Friday’s victory, the U.S. last won the Milk Cup title in 2005.

Last September, Powers was part of the U.S. team that competed at the U-20 World Cup in Egypt. Powers returned to the Irish following the tournament and earned BIG EAST All-Rookie honors. His five assists were the second most of any Notre Dame player during the 2009 campaign.

— ND —