FC Dallas outlasted the Houston Dynamo in a chaotic 4-3 Texas Derby on Saturday night. Petar Musa came off the bench to help deliver the decisive blow in the 86th minute to seal all three points.
The match had a bit of everything: a blistering start from Dallas, a defensive collapse by Dallas, a second half red card, and a late winner that sent Toyota Stadium into a frenzy.
Logan Farrington scored the fourth quickest brace in club history with two goals in the first 15 minutes, but the Dynamo flipped the script before halftime with all three of their goals coming in a four minute span. But the visitor’s night took another turn when Erik Sviatechenko was sent off with a second yellow in the 69th minute, opening the door for Dallas to push forward.
Dallas stormed back to tie the game on an own goal before Musa put away the game late for his sixth goal of the season.
Key Moments
6’ - GOAL! After a couple of chances from Houston in the early moments, Shaq Moore sent a long ball up the field for Logan Farrington. The Dallas striker took a calm touch with his left foot to open up space for himself in the penalty area before firing a shot past Jonathan Bond.
14’ - GOAL! First half brace for Farrington! Joaquin Valiente pushed the ball out wide to Herman Johansson, who immediately played the ball back into the penalty area. Farrington didn’t take an extra touch on this one as he hammered home a shot off first touch.
29’ - Goal Houston. The Dynamo pull one back after a poor turnover in the defensive end by Michael Collodi. Guilherme picked off the bad pass outside the penalty area and beat Collodi at the far post.
31’ Goal Houston. The Dynamo tied it up off a corner kick that Erik Sviatechenko headed in at the far post.
33’ Goal Houston. Yep, third goal in four minutes. Lawrence Ennali got a through pass inside the penalty area where he was able to beat Johansson and Collodi to give the Dynamo the lead.
54’ GOAL! After video review, it was determined that Petar Musa was not offside and his pass into the penalty area resulted in an own goal by Houston defender Duane Holmes.
69’ Red card! Houston is down to ten men after Erik Sviatchenko fouled Logan Farrington at midfield to pick up his second yellow card of the night
86’ GOAL! Musa puts Dallas in front after getting on the end of a Valiente cross into the penalty area.
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Instant Reaction
Yet another home game this season where things go a bit crazy. As much as you hate seeing the team take their foot off the gas pedal early on like they did, the response in the second half felt on brand for what we’ve seen out of this group. Musa was the big difference in this one in the second half as he helped generate both goals to tie the game and then take the lead.
I’m not sure what was going on with Michael Collodi tonight, but in Houston’s late flurry in stoppage-time he did redeem himself a good bit with a couple of stops.
About the Subs
After not starting due to a minor knock, FC Dallas manager Eric Quill opted to bring in Musa to start the second half. He took Chris Cappis off. Around the 74th minute, both Ran Binyamin and Patrickson Delgado came on for Nolan Norris and Kaick. Shortly after the go ahead goal from Musa, Sebastien Ibeagha came off the bench to relieve Farrington.
Man of the Match
It feels like you need to split it between Logan Farrington and Petar Musa tonight. Farrington for his first half brace, but Musa for the way he helped elevate the team in the second half.
Where does this fit into the season
A win at home helps Dallas out in a big way, not only in the league standings (as of this writing they’re in 8th place on eight points), but they now have the early advantage in both Copa Tejas and the Texas Derby.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas will get a week off from league play next week, as the league breaks for the March FIFA window. Dallas will return to action next month, as they begin the month of April on the road in the nation’s capital, against D.C. United.
