FC Dallas wrapped up a two-game road trip to begin the 2025 season with a wild 3-3 draw against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
Lucho Acosta and Pedrinho scored their first goals for FC Dallas, while Petar Musa scored his second goal of the season.
Six minutes into the match, the Rapids struck first with a goal from Keegan Rosenberry. The ball was played out wide to Rosenberry from Oliver Larraz. The veteran fullback curled a ball that floated over FC Dallas goal keeper Maarten Paes and into the far post.
The Rapids doubled their lead in the 39th minute on a goal from Rafeel Navarro. Djordje Mihailovic took several touches along the left wing before curling a ball into the penalty area where Navarro was able to jump up and head it into the goal.
Dallas responded four minutes later with Pedrinho's first MLS goal. Shaq Moore played the ball into the penalty area where Musa took a couple of touches before finding Anderson Julio at the near post. Julio then sent a ball across the Rapids defensive line where Pedrinho was waiting to hammer it into the upper corner of the goal.
Dallas tied the game up a minute into stoppage time in the first half as Musa set up Acosta for his first Dallas goal. Sebastien Ibeagha played a long ball up the field where Musa was able to collect it. The Croatian took a couple of touches before laying it off to Acosta, who dribbled into the penalty area and then beat Zach Steffan.
Both teams continued to feel each other out in the early stages of the second half. In the 62nd minute, Cole Basset took a shot from outside the penalty area that forces Paes to make a diving save. Two minutes later, Bernard Kamungo forced a diving save at the near post by Steffan.
Dallas found a breakthrough in the 68th minute on a counter attack play. Musa got the ball out wide to Anderson Julio who played a quick ball across the face of the goal to Tsiki Ntsabeleng. As Ntsabeleng attempted to get on the ball, Musa came crashing into to finish off the play for his first goal of the season.
Three minutes later, the Rapids tied it back up with Navarro's second goal. Mihailovic set up the goal again as he played in Larraz who played a ball across the goal to a wide-open Navarro who slid into the ball to beat Paes.
Dallas nearly had a game-winner from Logan Farrington in the 78th minute on a ball from Kamungo. Farrington got in behind the Rapids' defense and took a quick shot that found the back of the net, but the offside flag came up immediately.
Instant Reaction: I'm still not sure why games in Colorado are this difficult for FC Dallas. No wins there since late 2014 and that trend will continue for another season despite the effort tonight.
The defensive lapses again are frustrating to watch from this team but I have a feeling we're going to see a lot of games like this one. We have to remember that this group hasn't had a ton of time on the field together, especially Acosta and Musa.
The positive though is the response from the team after being down two goals. I do think we're seeing a team that isn't playing for draws on the road, which can be fun to watch at times. Watching them press late into stoppage time for a goal was something we never really saw out of the club in the last two seasons.
About the Subs: At the hour mark, Tsiki Ntsabeleng and Bernard Kamungo came on for Ramiro and Pedrinho. Eric Quill went back to his bench at the 75th minute with Logan Farrington coming in for Julio.
Man of the Match: Musa had a goal and assist for the second week in a row, so it feels like it has to be him again.
What’s next for FC Dallas: FC Dallas will begin its 2025 home slate next weekend as they host Brimstone Cup rivals Chicago Fire.
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