FC Dallas Grabs Opening Season Home Win Late

Dante Sealy found the late stunner to secure a huge opening home win for FC Dallas as Major League Soccer 2024 gets underway in Frisco.

Late in the 90-minute match, FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes appeared headed toward another draw, a result that would have mirrorred the past five times the teams have played. Some of that owes to the coaching pedigrees of both teams, with Nico Estevez and Luchi Gonzalez (a former FCD academy and head coach) deploying similar styles on the pitch. Both teams seek counter opportunities and pick their moments to control possession.

Dante Sealy and Assier Illarramendi had something else to say about that run of results, with Sealy’s late goal securing a huge three points to start the Major League Soccer season, as Dallas came from behind to claim a big morale boost to the 2024 campaign.

“I think I saw a very normal first game,” FC Dallas Head Coach Nico Estevez told media after the match. “You could see the other games that have been played. The scores are very tight. There is not a lot of difference between one team and the other. I think for us, we had the game that we expected. We began a little bit sloppy in the first ten minutes. We adjusted things during those ten minutes after they scored. I think we did a good job on that, win the ball back, and get some opportunities. We had really good numbers, but it is the first game.”

Early Miscue: Once again, shades to last seasons’ blunders, FC Dallas gave up an early goal despite Maarten Paes making a decent save. The rebound was easily slotted home, and San Jose looked to be more comfortable possessing and working the ball from that position. The backline for Dallas settled down a bit, featuring Ibeagha, Tafari, and Junqua.

Nico wasn’t phased by the slow start.

“We made some adjustments to help us go through - to help us progress the ball and put us in good positions. Our subs did very well to help us finish the game,” Nico said. “But it’s the mentality of the team. If we score earlier, I think the game could open more on our side. We had to wait until the end.”

Masterclass: Asier Illarramendi put on a clinic tonight. He was huge in defensive and midfield roles… and ultimately up top. If his tally isn’t in for Goal of the Week, I don’t know what one would need to do.

Can you assist yourself in soccer?

“Asier has shown his whole career how good a player he is. I have good conversations with him - defending, attacking, how we are going to press. After that, he can execute at the highest level. This is why we are very lucky to have him,” Nico said about the midfielder’s role with the team.

Rookies Shine: You can’t ask for more from rookie Logan Farrington, who earned his first professional minutes against a fierce San Jose defense and did everything but snag a goal. Not that he didn’t try, of course. Farrington is a big surprise after FC Dallas was eager to draft him. In this league, it typically takes rookies a while to acclimate. He stepped up and can build on this performance, even if it means coming off the bench in the coming weeks.

Give credit to Herbert Endelay for earning a start and showing why he has the potential to be a dangerous wingback, though the converted winger coughed up the ball a few times. He can grow from this, while Ema Twumasi offers a security blanket off the bench.

But Sealy, who has had a winding career that at points left question marks about his future with FC Dallas, has turned a new page.

“He is adapting to a new position that he can fit very well. This new formation is helping him to shine,” Nico said about the left wingback. “From that position, he will have to learn the spaces, the teaming, the touches, inside and outside, the different options of passing, when to run inside, when to do one on one, when he has to release or defend the back post. He is doing a relly good job.”

Team Health: The other good news is that reinforcements and healthy players are on the way, knock on wood.

“Petar Musa arrives tomorrow. He will have to do the medicals on Monday, and Tuesday will be his first practice with the group,” Nico said. “Jesus and Paxton are training with the group, and if they go the same way, they will be available next week.”

Questions for Next Week:

• Petar Musa should be in town this week. Does he start, or do you ride Logan Farrington’s solid form?

• What tweaks could Dallas make to their lineup to turn more shots into goals?

• Is the early defensive miscue something to be worried about?

• What performances stood out to you?

We’ll be breaking down the result and what lies ahead for FC Dallas on our live video podcast on Monday night, 8 PM CST.