Dallas Fights for a Draw at Home against the Sounders

While a clean sheet and home draw represent improvement for the team, FC Dallas is still trying to find ways to score.

When the final whistle blew, FC Dallas head coach Nico Estevez and team left an energetic crowd behind with no amount of mixed feelings.

Seattle Sounders had come to town with their own slow start, but they have always been a difficult team for Dallas to play. Draws are likely. Both squads like to be stingy in defense, even if that isn’t completely true at the beginning of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.

For 90 minutes, both teams took their opportunities to get forward. Seattle had the better overall share of looks, but Dallas were confident in their bend and not break defensive shape. Maarten Paes remained stout in goal. On the other end, Dallas too created opportunities, some that were better than others. Others that the team will want back.

A draw at home, after a poor start to the campaign, is not the end of the world for FC Dallas. The defense, with solid performances from Sebastian Ibeagha, Omar Gonzalez, and Sam Junqua, is returning to the expected form. Paul Arriola at right back is growing in comfort, and Dante Sealy had a better game than recent ones, even if he was a bit wasteful in the final third.

It’s the offense that leaves the home team with so many questions, questions that fans in Frisco are voicing loudly. Petar Musa put in effort. Eugene Ansah had some solid plays in the final third. Paul Arriola looked dangerous. Sebastian Lletget had one of the better chances.

But the ball didn’t find the back of the net.

Nico seemed to concur with fans’ discontent.

When asked what the game lacked, he answered bluntly, “Quality.”

When asked about young players making improvements, like Patrickson Delgado and Dante Sealy, Nico encouraged those watching to think of the big picture. “Young players need confidence. We build players not just for the future but for the present.”

He also appeared frustrated that his side is not yet reaching for the goals they set for themselves.

“Last two years, we are a really tough team to beat. One thing we wanted to improve, win more games than last year. We started well, then suddenly we lost that fight and commitment,” Nico said to media. “Now it is through work and commitment - we want to recover that part.”

The head coach also recognizes the impatience of those in the stands.

“We want to win a lot. For the fans,” he said. “Today, we wanted to win for them. I see them. I know that some of them are mad that we didn’t win. I can’t express like they do. But I am mad like them. We want to win. We will win for them. We love them and we love to play in front of them.”

While this result doesn’t put a lot of wind in FC Dallas’ sails, two straight clean sheet draws is something to keep building on as they wait for guys to get healthy.

Good news - Asier Illarramendi returned to action and showcased his quality again in limited minutes.

Maybe Jesus Ferreira and Marco Farfan will be on the bench next weekend.

What Nico has made clear - the only way out is through hard work, improving in practice and coming on to the pitch with the right work ethic to inspire fans and turn this ship around.