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FC Dallas Clinches Playoff Spot with 4-1 Win over Houston

October 4, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Sunday, Oct. 4) - FC Dallas (15-10-5, 50 points) clinched a trip to the MLS Playoffs, presented by Audi, with a decisive 4-1 win over in-state rival Houston in front of 16,744 fans at Toyota Stadium today.

Mauro Diaz unlocked the Houston defense in the ninth minute with a quick turn to his right in midfield. The Argentine spread the ball to the opposite flank for Michael Barrios, who took the pass in stride and tried a low, hard strike to the near post. Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric was equal to the task. He made a diving save low to his left side to keep the match scoreless through 10 minutes of play.

Fabian Castillo, who had three goals against Houston heading into today's match, set up Dallas' first goal when he cut into the area and was brought to the ground by Houston's Rasheed Olabiyi. Diaz opted to take the penalty kick for Dallas. He sent Deric to his left side before kicking a right-footed shot into the opposite side of the net to make it 1-0 in favor of FC Dallas.

The Dynamo leveled the match, 1-1, in the 36th minute. The midfielder opened up a shooting lane with his first touch after receiving a pass from Boniek Garcia in the middle of the field. Clark hammered a volley low to the far post with his second touch, just beating the outstretched right arm of Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez to the far corner.

Gonzalez was alert a few seconds into the second half. He made his first save of the afternoon on Houston's second shot of the day - a right-footed blast off the foot of Leonel Miranda that was destined for the top corner of the goal. The Homegrown goalkeeper deflected the shot after laying out high to his right side, keeping the score, 1-1, with 44 minutes left to play.

David Texeira put his foot through the ball and FC Dallas in the lead with the best goal of his MLS career in the 51st minute. The goal was set up by center back Zach Loyd, who stole the ball in his own half, dribbled 40 yards and found Texeira with space in the center of the pitch. Texeira loaded up the cannon and crushed a shot from 25 yards out. The ball caught the bottom of the crossbar before deflecting up into the top of the goal, giving FC Dallas a 2-1 lead.

Two minutes later, FC Dallas made it a two-goal advantage when Diaz played a ball over the top of Houston's defense to Castillo. The Colombian cut down the end line and picked out Plano-native Kellyn Acosta at the top of the six-yard box. The 20-year-old slammed home the third goal of the afternoon with his left foot.

Seconds before the final whistle, Texeira capped the scoring with his second of the afternoon after Barrios regained possession in front of the Dallas bench, took a touch toward goal, then flicked the ball ahead for an on-rushing Texeira. The Uruguayan tied a bow on it for a 4-1 final in favor of the home side.

The victory clinched a berth for FC Dallas in the 2015 MLS Playoffs presented by Audi. With four matches remaining and 50 points, Dallas now hits the road for the first leg of a home-and-home series with Vancouver and a chance at the Supporters' Shield. Tickets to FC Dallas playoff matches, presented by Toyota, are on sale now. For more information, or to purchase, fans can visit fcdallas.com/playoffs.

Scoring Summary:

DAL - Mauro Diaz (PK) 25

HOU - Ricardo Clark (Boniek Garcia) 36

DAL - David Texeira (Zach Loyd) 51

DAL - Kellyn Acosta (Fabian Castillo, Mauro Diaz) 53

DAL - David Texeira (Michael Barrios) 90+3

FC Dallas - Jesse Gonzalez, Je-Vaughn Watson, Matt Hedges, Zach Loyd, Atiba Harris (Ryan Hollingshead 73), Victor Ulloa, Kellyn Acosta, Fabian Castillo (Tesho Akindele 88), Mauro Diaz (Rolando Escobar 71), Michael Barrios, David Texeira.

Substitutes Not Used: Dan Kennedy, Blas Perez, Michel, Tesho Akindele, Walker Zimmerman.

Total Shots: 12 (David Texeira 3) Shots on Goal: 11 (David Texeira 3); Fouls: 9 (Three with Two); Offsides: 2; Corners: 6; Saves: 2 (Jesse Gonzalez 2).

Houston Dyanmo - Tyler Deric, Boniek Garcia (Luis Garrido 72), David Horst, Raul Rodriguez, DaMarcus Beasley, Leonel Miranda (Rob Lovejoy 61), Rasheed Olabiyi (Sheanon Williams 30), Ricardo Clark, Giles Barnes, Brad Davis, Will Bruin .

Substitutes Not Used: Joe Willis, Nathan Sturgis, Alexander Lopez, Mauro Manotas.

Total Shots: 5 (Rob Lovejoy 2) Shots on Goal: 3 (Three with One); Fouls: 2 (Two with Two); Offsides: 1; Corners: 3; Saves: 7 (Tyler Deric 7).

Misconduct Summary:

HOU - Brad Davis (caution) 37

HOU - Leonel Miranda (caution) 42

DAL - Atiba Harris (caution) 55

HOU - Raúl Rodríguez (ejection) 90

Referee: Chris Penso

Referee's Assistants: George Ganser, Mike Rottersman

Fourth Official: Alejandro Mariscal

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees

Attendance: 16,744

FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja

Opening Thoughts...

Houston made the first half very difficult for us, especially [during] the last 15 minutes when they equalized the game. We had some of our best moments in the first half - we created a lot of options, we were flashy and we were a team that was showing a lot of soccer there. When we got a little unorganized, Houston responded.

In the second half, it was totally opposite. We controlled the tempo of the game, [knowing] they wanted to come [to gain] territory and options. We looked mature. We understood what we needed to do as a team and that's going to help us as we look forward.

On clinching a playoff spot...

Congratulations to this group of players, the coaching staff and the whole organization for accomplishing one more goal. There is nothing but happiness. At the same time, what is coming [ahead] is a big responsibility. We are very proud. It is not easy to say that you are clinching to the playoffs with four games to go - that is a big accomplishment that [reflects] what the boys have done. Qualifying in the Western Conference is not easy and they have done it. Now they have a chance to fight for bigger things and they deserve it. The whole club should be very proud of what they have done this year.

On David Texeira's performance...

[David] Texeira did not stop working when I didn't call his name to the lineup last week. He had a terrific week of training and made us think that this was his game. He proved us right. I have to recognize that [David] Texeira, Tesho [Akindele] and Blas [Perez] understand the position they have in the team and what they bring to the table. I'm a happy coach having the versatility and flexibility to go with one idea over another. Their professionalism was proven one more time today.

FC Dallas forward David Texeira

General thoughts on the match...

I think we did a great job as a team today. That was exactly what we needed, the three points to get into playoffs. We are happy. We are happy and hopeful we can continue playing this way and getting results.

On his first goal...

I can't believe it. I still can't believe that I scored that goal. As a striker you try to create chances. To shoot from outside the area? That is what I did today. I tried to score. I try to score every time I get a chance. That one was great, I think.

Was that the best goal you've ever scored?

Yea, it was one of the best goals I have ever scored. Since I started playing professionally, I think today's goal was my favorite.

On playing well in October...

I don't know what it is... I am always trying to improve. I always try to work hard and get better over the years. I don't know. Maybe it is a coincidence, that last year I was able to also score at this time in the year. My focus will remain on working hard, like I have all year, every day. I got my chance today and I am glad I was able to do well.

On the upcoming series against Vancouver...

We know for sure they're important games. Now until the end of our season, every game is a final for us. These next two games are against our direct rival, Vancouver. We are going to try to win away and home. We will do our best. We will do our best to get every point we can. We are going to fight for the Supporters' Shield.

FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd

On making the playoffs...

It's huge. It's exciting for us. We mentioned it before the game, if we can win tonight, we can put ourselves in the playoffs and our next focus is the shield. I think the guys did a great job tonight. We have been very strong at home all year. I thought we came out and played great soccer.

On the team's play recently...

I feel the last two games for us kinda felt like the playoffs. We went to LA. They have a competitive environment. Now we are getting ready to face Vancouver both home and away. We are both fighting for the top of the West and the Supporters Shield. So for us it is just a great opportunity to tune up and get ready for the playoffs. We're looking to head up there and get a result and come back home and get another one.

Thoughts on Texeira's strike...

Yeah, that was amazing. Texeira is one of our best finishers. All year, anytime he gets a look, it's either on frame or in. It's just the quality player he is.

Texiera playing great in the month of October...

I don't know if it's October or Houston. He's on fire against Houston.

Current teams' comparison to last year's team...

I think we are growing. Last year, Oscar came in and we had a lot of new pieces. We were really trying to find our identity and who we were throughout the season. I think this year we came in and we knew how we wanted to play. We progressed a lot more than last year, especially during this time of the season.

Thoughts on defeating Houston...

It's nice to win that interstate rivalry and keep El Capitan, especially here at home. To be able to clinch in front our fans is awesome. They get to be a part of it, and it's an exciting time here at FC Dallas.

Houston Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle

On today's game...

Obviously, disappointed to lose any game. We find ourselves a goal down, and I don't think there's any debate about the penalty. For me, it was a penalty and well finished. Dallas has got fantastic players and a very good team, but we then have to get a foothold on the game, which we did. We grew into the game and scored a wonderful goal. We come in at one each with the same chance as Dallas to win the game and we started the second half in tremendous fashion. The opening period was as good as we played in the game, but we gave away cheap possession in the middle of the park, and Dallas do what they do very well: they break quickly with real pace and for all the pace, that's just an unbelievable finish from Texeira. Just a world class finish in the top corner off the other side of the bar. Then within a minute, we shoot ourselves in the foot by losing a soft goal. Dallas will feel it was solid from their point of view, and I have no argument with that, but it could have been defended better. Now we find ourselves with a mountain to climb at 3-1, but having said that, we battled away with one or two half chances to get back in the game except Dallas are always dangerous on the counterattack with the pace that they have in all the attacking areas. Then we get the red card in injury time, whether it is or not, it's been compounded, for me, by poor defending on the fourth goal on another clinical finish. I think Tyler (Deric) only had two saves on the game, the rest Dallas have been lethal and that's what they do. They're a terrific side, one of the best we've played this year.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark

On today's game...

It was a little disappointing starting off letting in that first goal, but I think we did really, really well to respond and put ourselves in it. There's not much to say. We had some lapses that were really hurtful for us. We responded well, but just weren't able to finish off and make a comeback. After the red card, it was pretty much over after that. It was a tough loss on the road in the derby, but there's nothing we can do but keep moving forward.

Next FC Dallas home game is Wednesday, October 14th at 8:00 PM vs Whitecaps FC at Toyota Stadium. Purchase your tickets at www.fcdallas.com. [cid:image001.jpg@01D0FEE0.E7746A00] FC Dallas clinches playoff berth with 4-1 win over rival Houston Dynamo Second-half brace from David Texeira propels Dallas past Dynamo FRISCO, Texas (Sunday, Oct. 4) - FC Dallas (15-10-5, 50 points) clinched a trip to the MLS Playoffs, presented by Audi, with a decisive 4-1 win over in-state rival Houston in front of 16,744 fans at Toyota Stadium today.

Mauro Diaz unlocked the Houston defense in the ninth minute with a quick turn to his right in midfield. The Argentine spread the ball to the opposite flank for Michael Barrios, who took the pass in stride and tried a low, hard strike to the near post. Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric was equal to the task. He made a diving save low to his left side to keep the match scoreless through 10 minutes of play.

Fabian Castillo, who had three goals against Houston heading into today's match, set up Dallas' first goal when he cut into the area and was brought to the ground by Houston's Rasheed Olabiyi. Diaz opted to take the penalty kick for Dallas. He sent Deric to his left side before kicking a right-footed shot into the opposite side of the net to make it 1-0 in favor of FC Dallas.

The Dynamo leveled the match, 1-1, in the 36th minute. The midfielder opened up a shooting lane with his first touch after receiving a pass from Boniek Garcia in the middle of the field. Clark hammered a volley low to the far post with his second touch, just beating the outstretched right arm of Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez to the far corner.

Gonzalez was alert a few seconds into the second half. He made his first save of the afternoon on Houston's second shot of the day - a right-footed blast off the foot of Leonel Miranda that was destined for the top corner of the goal. The Homegrown goalkeeper deflected the shot after laying out high to his right side, keeping the score, 1-1, with 44 minutes left to play.

David Texeira put his foot through the ball and FC Dallas in the lead with the best goal of his MLS career in the 51st minute. The goal was set up by center back Zach Loyd, who stole the ball in his own half, dribbled 40 yards and found Texeira with space in the center of the pitch. Texeira loaded up the cannon and crushed a shot from 25 yards out. The ball caught the bottom of the crossbar before deflecting up into the top of the goal, giving FC Dallas a 2-1 lead.

Two minutes later, FC Dallas made it a two-goal advantage when Diaz played a ball over the top of Houston's defense to Castillo. The Colombian cut down the end line and picked out Plano-native Kellyn Acosta at the top of the six-yard box. The 20-year-old slammed home the third goal of the afternoon with his left foot. Seconds before the final whistle, Texeira capped the scoring with his second of the afternoon after Barrios regained possession in front of the Dallas bench, took a touch toward goal, then flicked the ball ahead for an on-rushing Texeira. The Uruguayan tied a bow on it for a 4-1 final in favor of the home side. The victory clinched a berth for FC Dallas in the 2015 MLS Playoffs presented by Audi. With four matches remaining and 50 points, Dallas now hits the road for the first leg of a home-and-home series with Vancouver and a chance at the Supporters' Shield. Tickets to FC Dallas playoff matches, presented by Toyota, are on sale now. For more information, or to purchase, fans can visit fcdallas.com/playoffs.

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