MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Downs Philadelphia Union 2-0

Published on March 6, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas' Mauro Diaz assisted on goals in the 22nd and 79th minutes as FC Dallas (1-0-0, 3 points) opened the 2016 season with a 2-0 victory against the Philadelphia Union today at Toyota Stadium.

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake kept the match scoreless with a diving save on Max Urruti in the 13th minute. It was the first of eight saves for Blake on the afternoon. The play was set up by Atiba Harris, who got by his man on the right flank and centered the ball for Urruti at the top of the six-yard box.

Three minutes later, Union defender Fabinho made another diving save with his chest to deny Fabian Castillo of a goal on a shot from a similar position. Michael Barrios created the opportunity, and nearly had a goal on a breakaway but Blake came off his line to push the midfielder wide. Barrios retained possession of the ball and picked out Castillo with a pass but Fabinho read the Colombian well and reacted instantly to the shot.

Dallas' biggest offseason acquisition, 20-year-old World Cup veteran Carlos Gruezo, made the play that led to the first goal of the match, scored by Castillo in the 22nd minute. The Ecuadoran made a sliding tackle to steal the ball from a Union midfielder. The loose ball ended up at the feet of U.S. National Teamer Kellyn Acosta. The Plano native quickly moved the ball forward to Diaz, who saw a streaking run from Castillo and played the ball forward into space. Castillo picked up the ball in open space and slid a shot underneath Blake from 17 yards out to give Dallas the 1-0 lead.

Blake started off the second half with another strong save to keep the visitors in the match. On a FC Dallas corner kick, redirected on goal by Maynor Figueroa, Blake was able to track the ball through heavy traffic and snatch the ball out of the air just before it crossed the goal line, near the left post.

Diaz picked up his second assist of the day in the 79th minute. After just missing on a through ball to Urruti, Diaz switched to defense and picked the pocket of Fabinho at the top of the area. The Argentine walked the ball to the end line before sliding a pass inside to his countryman, who struck a first-touch shot off the bottom of the crossbar to make the score, 2-0.

The two-assist match was the fourth of Diaz's MLS career.

FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja

It was a good start for us. We have three points and we had a good performance overall. We created a lot of chances and although we could have probably been cleaner in front of the goal, it's a good sign that we're creating [chances] and we're putting ourselves in good spots.

The most remarkable part of today is the solidness that we showed defensively. It's one of the aspects that we need to get much better this year, and the boys did a good job.

One of the highlights of the game today was the goal from [Maxi Urruti]. One of the things that we wanted was that our number nine could put the ball in the back of the net. First, because he was the new signing, and second, because we are creating this need for a number nine, and we have proof today that he has the presence and he can score goals. Today it was very important that Maxi could put his print on the squad.

This is a long journey and this is just the first game. As much as I want to feel happy for the performance and the results, we still need to correct things and we have to be better.

FC Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman

On FC Dallas' preseason...

This preseason has been the most competitive preseason that we as a whole group have had. No one is safe. No one is complacent with their job, so it was a grind.

FC Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz

General thoughts on the match...

I feel very happy with today's victory. We knew it was going to be a tough game and we felt motivated to get the season underway. The wind today made it a bit more difficult, but the team fought through it and we hope to continue winning matches. We picked up several strong players this offseason. I feel very comfortable playing alongside Carlos [Gruezo] and Maxi [Urruti]. I am happy they are here.

FC Dallas midfielder Carlos Gruezo

General thoughts on the match...

I still think our legs are a bit heavy from the preseason but as a group, we enjoyed the match today. As the season continues, hopefully we can get stronger and stronger.

On his match today...

My main objective is to recover the ball. Besides covering as much ground as I can, my job is to make life easier for my teammates... Get the ball back... Regardless of who is scoring the goals, I'm the type of player that will be there running, supporting my teammates, in any way I can.

The most important aspect of why I chose to come here was playing time. I was losing a few minutes during my time in Germany. I wanted to get my form back again. Also, the offer was pretty interesting, I must say. My family is happy here. I love this place. I love this league. I like my teammates and I like my coaches. It's going to be a really interesting season.

Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin

General thoughts on the match...

We knew it would be a very tough test. FC Dallas is a good team. It was a very good test for us. You can talk about Barrios, Castillo Diaz... We knew it would be a difficult day. I thought we were a little timid to start the match. They put us on our heels. We survived the first 15 minutes but... If you look at both goals they came on bad giveaways in bad spots. It's difficult. It's a learning experience but I was happy, for the most part with our younger guys. We made two big mistakes and a team like Dallas will punish you for that. We learned a bunch from this game. Andre Blake bailed us out a lot tonight, you need that in this league, especially when you go on the road. We knew it was Dallas' home-opener. We knew it would be difficult. We knew they would be aggressive going forward. We were a little better in the second half, with the ball. We had a few guys injured here but we need to have the mindset that the next guy up will do the job. I think we are in a better spot than we were last year. Again, this was a tough test. We'll learn from it and move on to Columbus next week.

On Dallas' pace...

Oscar [Pareja] does a great job. He is a great coach. He has a group of guys now that are dangerous in transition. They are probably the most dangerous team that we will face in this league. [Max] Urruti gives them a different look up top... Not the big physical presence that they would have up there but he is clever. He moves in the box, very well. With Castillo and Barrios looking to get to the end line , they were able to do that tonight. I thought we did ok against them but at the same time, we walk away with nothing so it is a tough one.

The 2016 FC Dallas home opener vs. Philadelphia Union, presented by AdvoCare, will be at Toyota Stadium on Sunday, March 6th at 2:00pm. For tickets and match details go to www.fcdallas.com [cid:image001.jpg@01D177D1.513F2CE0] FC Dallas downs Philadelphia Union 2-0 Diaz sets up both goals in season-opening win for Dallas FRISCO, Texas (Sunday, March 6) - FC Dallas' Mauro Diaz assisted on goals in the 22nd and 79th minutes as FC Dallas (1-0-0, 3 points) opened the 2016 season with a 2-0 victory against the Philadelphia Union today at Toyota Stadium.

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake kept the match scoreless with a diving save on Max Urruti in the 13th minute. It was the first of eight saves for Blake on the afternoon. The play was set up by Atiba Harris, who got by his man on the right flank and centered the ball for Urruti at the top of the six-yard box.

Three minutes later, Union defender Fabinho made another diving save with his chest to deny Fabian Castillo of a goal on a shot from a similar position. Michael Barrios created the opportunity, and nearly had a goal on a breakaway but Blake came off his line to push the midfielder wide. Barrios retained possession of the ball and picked out Castillo with a pass but Fabinho read the Colombian well and reacted instantly to the shot.

Dallas' biggest offseason acquisition, 20-year-old World Cup veteran Carlos Gruezo, made the play that led to the first goal of the match, scored by Castillo in the 22nd minute. The Ecuadoran made a sliding tackle to steal the ball from a Union midfielder. The loose ball ended up at the feet of U.S. National Teamer Kellyn Acosta. The Plano native quickly moved the ball forward to Diaz, who saw a streaking run from Castillo and played the ball forward into space. Castillo picked up the ball in open space and slid a shot underneath Blake from 17 yards out to give Dallas the 1-0 lead.

Blake started off the second half with another strong save to keep the visitors in the match. On a FC Dallas corner kick, redirected on goal by Maynor Figueroa, Blake was able to track the ball through heavy traffic and snatch the ball out of the air just before it crossed the goal line, near the left post.

Diaz picked up his second assist of the day in the 79th minute. After just missing on a through ball to Urruti, Diaz switched to defense and picked the pocket of Fabinho at the top of the area. The Argentine walked the ball to the end line before sliding a pass inside to his countryman, who struck a first-touch shot off the bottom of the crossbar to make the score, 2-0.

The two-assist match was the fourth of Diaz's MLS career.

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