FC Dallas Downs Minnesota United FC, 1-0
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – (Friday, June 29) – FC Dallas defeated Minnesota United FC, 1-0, tonight at TCF Bank Stadium. Roland Lamah scored the game-winner for FCD on a corner kick in the 59th minute.
Paxton Pomykal, one of a franchise-record five Homegrown players starting for FC Dallas vs. Minnesota, earned a free kick for the visitors at the top of the area in the 22nd minute. Another Homegrown player, Victor Ulloa opted to take the free kick. The midfielder curled a shot around the wall, forcing United goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth to dive to his left side and make a goal-saving punch.
Homegrown goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez was forced into action just before halftime when Minnesota’s Darwin Quintero floated a ball over the top of FCD’s back line to Rasmus Schuller at the back post. Schuller brought the ball down inside the six yard box, but Gonzalez charged off his line to cut down the angle and absorbed the shot with his body to keep the match tied, 0-0.
FC Dallas absorbed some pressure from Minnesota to open the second half but recovered instantly when Santiago Mosquera returned from his 20-day absence due to a hamstring strain to replace Paxton Pomykal in the 56th minute.
FCD earned a corner in the 59th minute and Mosquera played a line drive pass that hung in the air for Roland Lamah. The midfielder scored his club-leading seventh goal of the season, heading the ball low to the back post, just out of the reach of Shuttleworth to make it, 1-0.
Gonzalez made and outstanding save to deny Mason Toye in the 87th minute. The forward cut to the outside of the pitch near the top of the area and fired a hard shot towards the corner of the net. Gonzalez rose to his left side to slap the chance away, preserving the victory and clean sheet for FC Dallas.
Lineups:
FC Dallas – Jesse Gonzalez, Maynor Figueroa, Kris Reaves (Ryan Hollingshead 78), Matt Hedges, Reggie Cannon, Victor Ulloa, Carlos Gruezo, Roland Lamah, Michael Barrios (Kellyn Acosta 69), Maxi Urruti, Paxton Pomykal (Santiago Mosquera 56).
Substitutes not used: Jimmy Maurer, Jordan Cano, Tesho Akindele, Jacori Hayes.
Minnesota United FC: Bobby Shuttleworth, Wyatt Omsberg (Mason Toye 65), Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Rasmus Schuller (Frantz Pangop 77), Tyrone Mears (Carter Manley 67), Alexi Gomez, Collen Warner, Ibson, Christian Ramirez, Darwin Quintero.
Substitutes not used: Matthew Lampson, Collin Martin, Maximiano, Harrison Heath.
Scoring Summary:
DAL: Roland Lamah (Santiago Mosquera) 59
Misconduct Summary:
MIN: Michael Boxall (caution) 11
DAL: Matt Hedges (caution) 26
DAL: Reggie Cannon (caution) 79
MIN: Mason Toye (caution) 89
Weather: Clear, 95 degrees
Attendance: 22,345
FC Dallas Head Coach Oscar Pareja
General thoughts on the match…
We did a fantastic job. The way we planned the game and the way we visualized the game. We had such great discipline against a rival who can hurt you in any moment. We’re very content, first because we saw six homegrown players being part of these three points. It’s a big three points, and it was six homegrown players on the field. We were very happy for that for the academy. Also for the future of the players, and we got the result that we needed.
On set pieces paying off…
One thing that was constant this week with our coaches for the boys just trying to score on the set plays. We knew in these times of games that there are moments when the game can be unbalanced by one of us. Marco Ferruzzi and Josema Bazan kept on them, and I think the plan worked very well.
On the FC Dallas Academy and Homegrown players…
This is what we are. We have players that are trying to set an identity, trying to fight for those points. Try to keep moving and fighting at the high spot in the table and sometimes it works and sometimes we get results. But the way they bounced back today with that such character was remarkable.
On Kris Reaves…
I was happy for Kris. Kris did an excellent job today. With such a personality and knowing that he was coming back from injury not too long ago. We haven’t been able to prepare him that well. And that’s why the last 10 minutes cost him physically. During the game, his behaviors were really good.
On starting five Homegrown players…
It’s a good message. The people in the club have all worked with them. We try to choose the right moments for them to succeed. The game sometimes becomes overwhelming for them. But today, the experience, the opportunities arose for them. They took it and made things happen. I’m very proud of the boys.
On bouncing back from a tough match last weekend…
It’s important. You know how the league is… We are almost to the halfway point. You always see the standings and you see yourself in a good position, but the games come so quickly. Just getting points, especially in a way, that’s great, is fantastic.
FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges
It was a good performance from what I saw defensively. We knew coming in that it was going to be tough… Tough conditions on the field and with the heat and the weather. We stayed solid. We limited their chances. We took advantage with a set play, which is what we’ve been working on all year.
On Kris Reaves…
Great performance, first, by Kris. It’s not easy to play your first game on the road in a place like this. He was fantastic.
On starting five Homegrown players…
I see it every day in training on how good they are… They just need to mature a little bit and they’ll start getting on the field, getting more minutes and contributing to the team. And you saw today, they were all good.
On bouncing back…
It was good to come out and grind a result after what happened in New York. Especially defensively, getting a shutout and playing well, I think we needed that.
FC Dallas defender Kris Reaves
How did you feel in your debut?
Yea, I’ve been injured for… or just got back from injury so I have not been playing in a few months. I was a little worried how it was going to work out tonight. My game fitness was in question for sure. I was able to play well so I want to thank all my teammates and the coaches, all the fans for the support, and helping to give me the confidence to go out there and play well. It is a dream come true to get the shutout, a start and a win away from home. I am really, really happy tonight.
On being one of five Homegrown players to start the match…
We all have been training in the system for a long time now. We grew up playing together. We train together every day. I am just comfortable with the guys out there on the field. It was an easy transitition.
On the teammates rallying around him in the locker room celebration postgame…
It was super, super emotional for me. I’ve dreamt about this for a long time. I came to the FC Dallas academy when I was sixteen. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. It was a special feeling. Just… thank you to my teammates, my coaches, everyone in organization for helping make this day come true for me.
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