Farrington & Musa Lead FC Dallas in a Thrilling Rivalry Win at Home
Despite being up 3-2 in the second half, the Houston Dynamo fall apart as FC Dallas roars back with a massive 4-3 win in front of an electric home crowd.
This week has been a long one, long enough that I’ve barely had time to think about FC Dallas since our podcast on Monday.
In that podcast, and really on repeat so far this season, I’ve been looking for FC Dallas to finally put together a complete game in 2026, with a defense that is stout and well-organized paired with the blistering attack we have witnessed. We’ve seen one and the other, but we haven’t seen both at the same time. Surely, with the lowly Houston Dynamo rolling into Frisco on Saturday night, fans would get the taste of the real FC Dallas experience?
Not quite - but what we got was still a helluva of a lot of fun.
Within the first fifteen minutes, Logan Farrington, recently benched as head coach Eric Quill tinkered with the match-ups and formations, had scored two goals. Both were vintage Farrington. The first came off of a Shaq Moore long ball over the top that Logan, in the way he does his magic, sprinted on to, deftly handled with his foot, and then settled to the right to slash beyond the keeper. His second was setup by a scintillating sequence with Valiente, who is a legit big time signing for FC Dallas, serving a precision line-cutting ball onto Herman Johannson as he overlapped his defender and cut inside. Farrington received the cut-back cross and slashed it in goal.
For the moment, fans in stadium and on social media lit up. Where we going to be fortunate enough to witness a good old-fashioned ass beating against an in-state rival? FC Dallas appeared to be in control… until they weren’t.
The next three goals by Houston felt like a slow motion nightmare, just a series of miscues, bad passes, poor goalkeeping, and overall shambolic display of defense. That pit in the stomach was back. Were we in for more disappointment?
Quill acknowledged in the post-game comments to media that the team just let off the gas a bit after the opening two goals.
But FC Dallas got their feet back under them, and despite nearly getting an equalizer late in the first half, came back out in the second with a renewed focus and their not-so-secret weapon - Petar Musa. Musa, who did not start because of a minor knock, apparently shook off his physical limitations, because the Croatian international again showed why he has the potential to surpass David Ferreira as one of the great designated player signings for the Burn. Musa turned the game on its head.
The first goal birthed via Musa getting in behind a slowly wilting Dynamo back line, tracing the end line and serving up a cross that fortuitously bounced off Dynamo playmaker Duane Holmes and into the net. While the referee’s flag for offside was raised immediately, VAR ticked to FC Dallas’ favor when replay showed that Musa was well onside. He doesn’t get credit for the goal, but Dallas had drawn level.
His second came off yet another spectacular cross from Valiente — this guy is legit — as Musa got to the wicked cross and practically crushed it in with his sheer force of will — or his feet, if you like. He turned and celebrated in front of adoring fans, deservedly for giving FC Dallas its second lead of the night and the goal it would need to claim all three points at home.
By the way, give credit to Logan Farrington for forcing Houston down a man moments before - just an all around tour de force from the striker.
Before I shift to the big picture, let’s just acknowledge that Michael Collodi did not have his best performance in an FC Dallas kit so far, and for all of the hype as a potential goalkeeper of the year, it’s not been exactly easy going for the homegrown. And yet, he came up with a clutch save late to deny Houston, down to ten men, a nice little mental reset for him. Let’s hope tonight was just a learning moment, which happens in this wild and beautiful game.
Quill was once again proud of his team after the game - of their fight, of their willingness to buy in. The head coach even jumped into the Rhine to celebrate the rivalry victory among exuberant fans, all signs that despite the roller coaster ride of this match, the positive vibes are flowing. There is potential in the air.
FC Dallas now have eight points after five matches, not a bad start to the year considering who they have played. For example, while we drew Nashville at home, did you see what Nashville did to Orlando? That’s a damn good point.
Did we see that complete game across the board tonight? No, but it feels like it’s coming as this team builds for a campaign that looks more and more promising.
Big Picture?
Nolan Norris is really good, and he adds such an intriguing passing ability from his spot at left center back. He’s only going to get better, even if he makes a few mistakes because of his potential to create instant attacks from crossing out on the left or bypassing the midfield. He must start.
Logan Farrington, with his two goals, again makes the case for a start, but it remains a challenge to how work both Musa and Farrington in together. Which midfielder do you bench in return?
Valiente has quickly settled in to Frisco. The attacking playmaker was not seen as a big time signing, more like a budget buy or even a nice squad rotation piece, but he has crushed those expectations with his physical play, creative passing ability, and vision on the field. It’s still early but what a home run signing.
Herman Johansson hasn’t exactly shined in the past couple of games, so tonight will be a nice confidence boost for him. He got an assist and nearly a goal to his name. He should build on this.
Petar Musa is a legend. That is all.
FC Dallas have a week off before they travel to DC United for a very winnable matchup ahead of Easter.