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FC Dallas

FC Dallas Downs Costa Rica's Cartagines, 3-1, in Preseason Friendly

February 10, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


Reggie Cannon of FC Dallas
Reggie Cannon of FC Dallas
(FC Dallas, Credit: Jessica Tobias)

FRISCO, Texas - (Saturday, February 10) - FC Dallas defeated CS Cartagines, 3-1, today at Toyota Stadium.

Defenders Ryan Hollingshead, Matt Hedges and Reto Ziegler scored for FC Dallas while Cartagines' Dylan Flores converted a penalty kick in the 44th minute.

Hedges stepped into the offensive third of the pitch to win the ball back for FC Dallas in the fifth minute of the match. He quickly passed the ball to Mauro Diaz, who faked a shot, dribbled past a defender and fired a shot towards the upper corner of the net. Fortunately for Cartagines, goalkeeper Luis Rivas dove high to his right side to slap away the attempt and keep the score tied, 0-0.

One-minute later, Reggie Cannon came up the right flank from his position at right back and was rewarded, when a loose ball fell to him at the top corner of the area. Cannon had Rivas beat, but Cartagines defender Itevin Vega slid in at the last second to deflect the shot over the crossbar.

Cartagines nearly went up a goal in the 23rd minute on a set piece that was played across the box by Flores. The cross found streaking defender Joan Arley, but his headed shot sailed just wide of the post to FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez's left side.

FC Dallas answered in the 26th minute. Again, Hedges won the ball and got it to the feet of Diaz. Dallas' No. 10 pushed a ball into space, where Tesho Akindele could collect the pass and walk in on Cartagines' Rivas. Akindele chose to fire a shot towards the near post, but his attempt hit the outside of the goal, inches wide of the post.

FC Dallas took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute, when Diaz sprang Cannon down the right flank. Cannon dodged a slide-tackle attempt before centering a pass to Carlos Gruezo. The Ecuadorian then used a first-touch pass to put left back, Hollingshead in on goal. The 2017 MLS Humanitarian of the Year finished well, sliding a shot under Rivas and into the far corner of the net.

Cartagines was awarded a penalty kick in the 44th minute, when defender Anton Nedyalkov was whistled for a hand ball in the box. Flores stepped up to take the penalty for Cartagines, firing a hard shot to the left of Gonzalez to make it, 1-1.

Jacori Hayes earned a free kick for FC Dallas, just outside the area in the 64th minute. Diaz opted for a quick restart, playing a ball to substitute, Michael Barrios. Dallas' leading assist man in 2017, Barrios snuck a short pass across the face of goal, where defender Matt Hedges pounced on the loose ball to score his second goal of the preseason.

Fellow centerback, Ziegler also found the back of the net in the 76th minute. The Swiss defender found himself in space next to the near post on a FC Dallas corner kick. From a difficult angle, Ziegler smacked a hard shot off the bottom of the bar to beat Rivas and put FCD ahead, 3-1.

Scoring Summary: DAL: Ryan Hollingshead (Carlos Gruezo) 34 CAR: Dylan Flores (PK) 44 DAL: Matt Hedges 64 DAL: Reto Ziegler 76

Lineups: FC Dallas - Jesse Gonzalez, Reggie Cannon, Matt Hedges, Reto Ziegler, Anton Nedyalkov, Jacori Hayes (Victor Ulloa 80), Carlos Gruezo, Ryan Hollingshead, Mauro Diaz, Tesho Akindele (Michael Barrios 46), Maxi Urruti (Jesus Ferreira 80).

Substitutes not used: Maynor Figueroa, Kris Reaves, Paxton Pomykal, Brandon Servania, Ema Twumasi.

CS Cartagines - Luis Rivas (Yonathan Chavez 86), Joan Arley (Paolo Jiminez 46), Randall Alvarado, Jameson Scott (Sadier Camacho 87), Itevin Vega (Randall Cordero 84), Danny Fonseca (Verny Ramirez 46), Ricardo Blanco (Gustavo Diaz 75), Christopher Nunez (Nestor Monge 46), Dylan Flores, Hernan Ferner (Randall Brenes 59), Gio Clunie (Johnny Woodly 69).

Misconduct Summary: CAR: Gio Clunie (caution) 55 CAR: Nestor Monge (caution) 75

Referee: Jorge Luna Assistant Referees: Jennifer Garner, Adam Garner 4th Official: Lorenzo Hernandez Weather: Cloudy, 31

FC Dallas Head Coach Oscar Pareja

General Thoughts on the Match...

We were facing a team that has some rhythm. They're in the middle of their season and we are just starting so the challenge is bigger in that regard. Today our team was much more dynamic. The movement of the ball was much better. Our finishing was much better as well. We kept creating. We had more rhythm. We had more frequency in opening their backs. So, it's a lot of positive things. I finish thinking that we are going in a good direction. How does your squad look at the midway point of the preseason?

Good, today the game told us we are much better. In every game I see a lot of progress, especially in the players who came in and are gelling together with our squad. I see more cohesiveness. I see more chemistry. Today was way much better and that's progress. On playing in a 3-5-2 formation with wingbacks...

It provides us flexibility, for sure. Also, because we are identified in our positions... The players we have and the players that are just now coming in have their own special characteristics. I think it's the coaches' responsibility to use them in the best way possible and put them in a spot where they can have success. That's why we are trying these models. We are trying different formations to see what will suit us the best.

FC Dallas midfielder Carlos Gruezo

Thoughts on tonight's game... Our work is showing results. We had a good preseason and now we are adding rhythm, which is very important. We had a new formation today that worked well for us. There are new teammates and a new system, so it's important that we are improving. We know that we have our first official game of the season in 10 days. It's going to be difficult going down to Panama and getting three points.

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Reggie Cannon of FC Dallas
Reggie Cannon of FC Dallas
(Jessica Tobias)		   

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