FC Dallas Get Massive Win on the Road

After a miserable first half, going down to Real Salt Lake, Dallas roar back with three unanswered goals to claim a huge three points on the road.

What a massive performance.

FC Dallas gets a vital win on the road. The playoff race is on again.

For a team that has been struggling to score and was prone to costly mistakes, FC Dallas, at least for the first half, looked true to their recent form. Real Salt Lake grabbed a goal on another Twumasi mistake. The attack fizzled. The players seemed disconnected. This was not the performance Dallas needed at a crucial point in the season.

Whatever happened in the locker room though changed the outlook.

Dallas returned to the field and surged past Real Salt Lake. First, it was a Paul Arriola goal via a simple Paxton Pomykal cross in the RSL box. The speed of the attack was enough to carve up a hole through the home side’s defense. Arriola looked relieved to have found an equalizer.

Then, Jesus Ferreira found a go-ahead goal after Jader Obrian earned a penalty kick, the first of the season for Dallas.

Jesus finished off another scintillating attacking play with a delicious goal out of reach of RSL’s keeper.

Three goals. Victory.

How important was this win?

“I think it is huge. This year, we’ve had to overcome a lot of adversities with injuries and some games with an unlucky play. Even the game with Seattle the other day. It’s important that the team responded,” Nico said to reporters after the match. “We know we have good players. We are a good team. Sometimes, the confidence is not there. Today is another example of how we had to overcome a lot of difficulties.”

I asked Nico about the halftime adjustments, and while he downplayed the difference in performance between the halves, for those watching from home, the quality of attack and energy was night and day.

“In the first half, we had similar chances. Jader had a couple of crosses trying to find a teammate. The thing that changed - we were more clean in the last action. It was a difference,” Nico answered. “To be honest, we kept doing the same things we were doing in the first half. Maybe a little better mindset.”

He added, “We could have scored more.”

Jesus Ferreira’s two goals also moved him into position as the second all-time top scorer. With the strange summer, with Dallas’ striker missing time because of injuries, COVID, and Gold Cup action, it was a welcome relief to get back on the score sheet.

The team now shifts to prepare to face Columbus Crew in Frisco, one of the league’s hottest teams. This win gives a huge confidence boost ahead of that match.

Twumasi and Ferreira both came off early with apparent knocks, but Nico didn’t feel it was going to be an issue.

"I don’t think it is something very bad - the trainers have to do their job. We’ll know more tomorrow.”