Coming into play last Sunday in Frisco, the mindset of FC Dallas-in preparation for the L.A. Galaxy and Landon Donovan-was how long it might be before we see two items of interest obliterated and washed away for a good, long while.
Namely, getting a goal AND a lead! What was the run, almost ten games, now? No home victory since May 25th with the San Jose squad of Earthquakes.
It only took about 15 minutes for both to be answered in the 100 degree heat…
Not since April 13th had the L.A. Galaxy made their way to Frisco, Texas for a soccer match. Three weeks ago both teams played on the road and it was the Galaxy winning easily 3-0. The one question most fans had was how long before FC Dallas would do two things they had not done since June 22nd? Lead in a game AND score first!
To wit, 464 minutes would elapse on this warm and muggy night in Texas before both items of concern were wiped away in a flurry. FC Dallas would strike first in the 15th minute on a Matt Hedges blast and an Andrew Jacobson assist. You could feel the sense of relief within the crowd of 18,161 as FCD enjoyed a lead in a game. It indeed had been a while.
There was no Raul Fernandez this night as he was involved in a friendly match elsewhere. We were to find out late. Chris Seitz handled the duties this night at goal. Due to the injuries that have befallen Team Schellas a few kids we saw were pressed into play. Kellyn Acosta played a full 90 minutes. Unexpected but he was happy with the way things played out.
We almost saw a victory in the 90th on a shot attempt by Jackson…only the booming kick headed into the upper part of the right post as 18,161 fans groaned their disapproval. FC Dallas now improves to 8-6-9 still in 6th place in the Western Conference on the outside looking in. If the season ended today the boys of Raise Your Red would not be in the mix. Three games in ten days will indeed be a tester for the local guys.
Next home game for FC Dallas will be on August 24th. A rematch with the San Jose Earthquakes from May 25th. That was the last Dallas home win in 2013. Let’s hope for a little deja-vu.
Landon Donovan was a beast. Three goals on the night in the extra moments before halftime on a header off a Robby Keane pass. Landon struck again in the 73rd minute left footed into the lower right hand corner following a Marcelo Sarvas pass to know things up at 2-2. Donovan’s hat trick would occur in the 82nd minute when his right foot connected into the left hand side of the goal beyond Chris Seitz. Give the assist to Hector Jimenez.
Just as it appeared FC Dallas was on their way to another defeat along came Blas Perez. Making one of two goals via the set piece route in the 47th and 86th minute. Perez’ second shot on a corner kick of a set piece scenario knotted things up at 3. The fans got their money’s worth on this night. Even with a tie the energy was evident from the get-go that night.
