FC Dallas drops 10th of season, losing 1-0 to FC Cincinnati
FC Dallas drops 10th of season, losing 1-0 to FC Cincinnati
Tomas Pondeca and Tarik Scott made their MLS debuts in the loss.
FC Dallas dropped their tenth game of the 2024 season on Saturday night, losing 1-0 to FC Cincinnati.
The loss was FC Dallas’ tenth of the season.
FC Dallas’ best chance in the opening half in the 31st minute on a corner kick. Bernard Kamungo found himself wide open in the penalty box on a corner kick from Sebastian Lletget. The header from Kamungo went wide of the post.
Cincinnati nearly went ahead in the 38th minute as Luca Orellano received a ball from Gerardo Valenzuela behind the Dallas defense in the penalty area, but his shot went wide off the far post.
Orellano found the game’s first goal two minutes into the second half. Valenzuela played a long ball into the Dallas defensive area, where Orellano collected the ball along the wing. He dribbled it into the penalty box before firing a shot past Maarten Paes.
Dallas nearly tied the game in the 67th minute on a counterattack that Petar Musa began by heading a ball onto the run of Lletget. The Dallas veteran had a one-on-one with a Cincinnati defender outside the penalty box, where he took a few dribbles before firing a shot that rattled off the post and out of play.
Instant Reaction: Well, that was something I suppose. There was a lot of rotation tonight as the club begins a seven game in 22 day stretch. Dallas had some chances but few that actually tested the Cincy defense. The new faces (Pondeca and Scott) along with guys like Nolan Norris did do well in this one to maintain things and even at times push Cincy’s defense. The final product just wasn’t there tonight.
About the subs: Liam Fraser left the match in the 27th minute with what looked like a groin injury, Homegrown Nolan Norris came on in his place. In the 54th minute, Eugene Ansah and Kamungo were subbed off for Petar Musa and the MLS debut of Tarik Scott. The final two subs came in the 81st minute as Sam Junqua and Tomas Pondeca came on for Lletget and Paul Arriola. This was also Pondeca’s MLS debut.
Man of the Match: Lletget had a nice evening and was unlucky not to score.
What’s next for FC Dallas: The club has a quick turnaround, as they host the Portland Timbers on July 4th.
I thought Norris held his own and had some flashes. Scott and Pondeca played with a lot of energy. I don't follow NTSC too closely so don't know enough about the three (especially Scott and Pondeca) to be able to assess how good they are going to be but I like the energy and the flashes. Scott can sky, got way up there on a corner kick. He's so noticeable with the hair and headband and was fun just to watch. :)
It was interesting that when Junqua came in, FC Dallas went to a back three two striker formation late seamlessly and that version was infinitely more cohesive and attacking than Nico’s version ever was. That being said, if Junqua is our best fullback crosser his talent is wasted as a third CB.
Farfan was indeed lost all game and the goal came from his side. Hopefully a one off but Junqua will get his chance regardless
I hate half time talks that result in a goal given up within seconds - kinda annoys me, as the head coach has one individual job for 15 minutes a game.
Lietget played his best game of the year and it was up top. How he missed that goal still amazes me.
Kamungo is a sophomore slump and is thinking too much now.
We are in a world of hurt at midfield now as by my count we have 4 of 7 hurt and a 34 and 31 year old cannot play 7 in 22. More youngins calling up.
I am still entertained under Luccin (heartbreak in soccer is entertaining, boredom and frustration is not) so onward to July 4.