FC Dallas made a statement at Audi Field on Saturday, by downing D.C. United 4-0.
In the club’s second road match of the season, Dallas got two goals in the first half and then doubled it in the second half. Logan Farrington opened up the scoring early, thanks to another long ball over the opposing defense for his fourth goal of the season. Patrickson Delgado scored his first of the season before halftime, as he scored a stunning free kick past Sean Johnson and the D.C. United wall.
After weathering some pressure from the home side in the second half, Joaquin Valiente sent in a perfect ball to Osaze Urhoghide inside the penalty area for the Dallas defender to head home his first goal of the season. The result was firmly put away in stoppage-time as Petar Musa scored his seventh of the season.
Key Moments
16’ - GOAL! Ramiro chips the ball over the United defense. An open Logan Farrington collected the ball inside the penalty area, took a touch before slotting the ball under Sean Johnson.
41’ - DC finally is getting some chances in this one as Lucas Bartlett gets a clean header inside the penalty area that forces Michael Collodi to make a diving save.
45+1’ - GOAL! Right before halftime, Ramiro earns a free kick outside of the penalty area. Patrickson Delgado steps up to take the kick and his strike was on the mark, beating the DC wall and Johnson to add to the Dallas lead.
68’ - Save! Collodi comes up big again, as DCU is knocking on the door. First Collodi saves an attempt on a free kick by Peglow. Then he makes another stop moments later on a follow up attempt.
78’ - GOAL! Osaze Urhoghide heads home the game’s third goal off a great cross from Joaquin Valiente.
89’ - Big chance! Santiago Moreno’s first big chance on the ball, he sets up fellow sub Ran Binyamin who was running into the penalty area. But the Israeli midfielder’s chance was too high.
90’ - GOAL! After Moreno misses on a chance, Petar Musa was there to put it home.
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Instant Reaction
Talk about a statement win. While DCU had a couple of moments in this one that could make you feel nervy about the Dallas defense, this was the kind of performance that this group desperately needed. Not only was Dallas clinical in the attack, but defensively, they did an excellent job of limiting quality chances in front of net for guys like Tai Baribo.
In the past, these would be games where Dallas would go up two like we saw tonight and then struggle to hold on late. But the way this group closed out the game, that should give us a lot of hope for where things are going.
About the Subs
A few minutes after the hour mark, Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time to bring on Chris Cappis for Patrickson Delgado. In the 70th minute, Joaquin Valiente came on for Nolan Norris, who had picked up a yellow card a couple of minutes before that. After the team went up by three, Quill added three more subs by bringing on Sam Sarver, Ran Binyamin and Santiago Moreno. Kaick, Ramiro and Logan Farrington came off.
Man of the Match
While it is easy to give it to an attacking player, we’re going with Osaze Urhoghide tonight. Not only did he get a goal late in the match to help put the game away, but he ended the night with 73 touches and 15 defensive contributions.
Where does this fit into the season
The first home win of the season helps push Dallas to 11 points on the season, which as of this writing is good enough for 6th place in the Western Conference. But more importantly, the shutout helps push the goal differential up to a plus-5.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas returns home for the start of a three-game home stand next week, when they host St. Louis CITY SC.
