If the result told one story, the numbers backed it up with a pretty loud echo for FC Dallas. This wasn’t a smash-and-grab win where Dallas hung on for dear life. Nope, it was a disciplined, calculated performance that saw them go into a building that they’ve been winless in for decades and find a result.
Now, don’t get it all twisted, this wasn’t about dominating possession or lighting up the shot chart like a game of FIFA. It was about efficiency and control. FC Dallas downed the New York Red Bulls 2-0 thanks to a defense that limited quality chances and an attack that made things count when it came to them.
In other words, not sexy, but effective as hell.
xG Battle/Attacking numbers
Let’s dive straight in here. For starters, Dallas went on the road and dominated the xG numbers. A 1.86 to 0.69 xG in someone’s building is controlling a game with quality chances. And when you pair the shot totals, Dallas wasn’t settling for half-chances or launching hopeful junk from 30 yards out. They were getting into real spots, inside the Red Bulls’ penalty box.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls had some chances, but only five came on target, with only one being a ‘good’ chance on goal. Pair that with their possession totals and touches in the penalty area, it shows they had a lot of activity but not a lot of threat.