MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Downs Seattle Sounders FC, 3-0

Published on March 18, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas (1-0-1) picked up its first win and shutout of the 2018 season in a 3-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC (0-2-0) today at Toyota Stadium.

FC Dallas controlled the match throughout the opening 15 minutes, creating four shots while holding Seattle without an attempt on goal. Carlos Gruezo's long drive, 30-yards from goal, was FCD's clearest opportunity to go ahead early, but the well-struck ball was hit directly at Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Roland Lamah found the back of the net for FC Dallas in the 20th minute. Mauro Diaz started the attack with a perfectly weighted pass up the right flank to Michael Barrios. The Colombian got inside position on his defender and worked his way to the end line before passing the ball across the goal line, beyond the reach of Frei, to Lamah, who tapped the ball over the end line.

FC Dallas center back, Reto Ziegler stepped in front of what looked like a sure goal for Seattle attacker Magnus Wolff Eikrem in the 26th minute. The stop led to a counter-attack for FC Dallas but Maxi Urruti's back-pass was just out of the reach of Barrios at the other end.

FC Dallas gained a one-man advantage in the 38th minute when referee Christopher Penso used video review to determine Seattle forward Clint Dempsey elbowed FCD midfielder Jacori Hayes. Penso ejected Dempsey from the match after reviewing the play on the field monitor.

FC Dallas increased its lead to two goals in the 58th minute, when Lamah found Urruti with a through ball. The striker collected the pass near the top of the box with the outside of his right foot, turning his run into the middle of the field before firing a hard shot low towards the back post. Urruti's shot skipped up off the grass and bounced over Frei's left arm to give FC Dallas a 2-0 lead.

FC Dallas left back, Anton Nedyalkov combined with Lamah on the left flank, dribbled towards the middle of the field, and found the left winger with a return pass to put Lamah in alone on goal. Lamah finished his second of the match by chipping a shot over a sprawling Frei to give FC Dallas a 3-0 advantage.

Lineup:

FC Dallas - Jimmy Maurer, Anton Nedyalkov, Reto Ziegler, Matt Hedges, Reggie Cannon, Carlos Gruezo, Jacori Hayes (Paxton Pomykal 68), Roland Lamah (Santiago Mosquera 80), Michael Barrios, Mauro Diaz (Cristian Colman 80), Maxi Urruti.

Substitutes not used: Kyle Zobeck, Maynor Figueroa, Ryan Hollingshead, Tesho Akindele.

Seattle Sounders FC - Stephan Frei, Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres (Kim Kee-Hee 74), Chad Marshall, Nouhou Tolo, Gustav Svensson, Cristian Roldan, Harry Shipp (Lamar Neagle 52), Handwalla Bwana (Alex Roldan 64), Magnus Wolff Elkrem, Clint Dempsey.

Substitutes not used: Bryan Meredith, Jordan McCarty, Henry Wingo, Jordy Delem.

Scoring Summary:

DAL - Roland Lamah (Michael Barrios, Mauro Diaz) 20

DAL - Maxi Urruti (Roland Lamah) 58

DAL - Roland Lamah (Anton Nedyalkov) 63

Misconduct Summary:

SEA - Clint Dempsey (ejection) 36

SEA - Gustav Svensson (caution) 45+2

SEA - Kevin Leerdam (caution) 65

DAL - Anton Nedyalkov (caution) 65

SEA - Kim Kee-Nee (caution) 77

SEA - Lamar Neagle (caution) 89

Weather: Cloudy, 75 degrees

Attendance: 13,310

Referee: Christopher Penso

Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Hosking, Apolinar Mariscal

4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal

VAR: Kevin Stott

FC Dallas Head Coach Oscar Pareja

General thoughts on the match...

After games, as coaches, we see things that need to improve. We generalize the game. We walk off the field thinking something needs to be better. But I want to thank the players, the whole organization, the club and everybody for this victory. It has been difficult, winning is not easy and today the team had a very complete performance.

What did you focus on in the extra week of training since your last match...

Discipline. I asked them after the game that we won here in the CCL [3-2 vs. Tauro FC]. Unfortunately, we conceded those two goals that kicked us out. They worked and worked, and we said in the locker room, "let's get back to our discipline first.' Then sometimes we just let the game fool us because we scored six goals in four games. That was not the team we are. It was simply because we allowed three goals, two here and one in Panama. It sent us a message about our discipline. I wanted to show that today. And when we were a man up, "let's continue with the same discipline.' Let's not take anything for granted. The game thought us today that it is rewarding. I saw a lot of character and discipline.

On the defensive shape and discipline...

It is much better. The boys worked three or more sessions with Marco Ferruzzi about just getting back to that discipline. I saw them standing in a line today, just looking at them to see if they can keep that concentration all the time. Despite of the advantage because it is not easy, knowing you have one more man then them, and you still be organized. I saw that today.

FC Dallas forward Maxi Urruti

Thoughts on tonight's match...

We needed a triumph. We knew it was an important game to get three points. They were coming from a loss from an important match earlier this week, but doing great work today gave us a win.

Thoughts on the importance of FC Dallas' offense scoring...

Very important... We know we have to score and we got lucky today. We maintained the shutout and that was important as well. It shows we are doing well. I'm happy for Roland Lamah to be able to come into the game and score. For me, this is a team, and anyone can score. I did. We did a good job and we are all very happy.

On FC Dallas' boat celebration...

I told the guys that that celebration brought us luck last time we did it and that we should do it again. When this group plays happy and cheerfully, good things happen. So we were able to celebrate and get three points at home.

FC Dallas winger Roland Lamah

General thoughts on the match...

I knew I needed to be ready for today's game. We started well. We defended as a team. Most importantly, we got the three points.

On all the attacking chances...

Good. We worked on these types of things in practice all week. We have good strikers... good attacking players on this team. In this game, we had a lot of chances to score. Three goals is good.

On getting the start in the second match of the season...

Yea, I just need to keep going. Our next game is five days away. We have to be ready. We know Portland is a strong team. We'll be ready.

Seattle Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer

On today's game...

Well, it's not good enough, number one. We need to play better. I don't mind if teams beat us and they play better than us, but before the red card, we didn't play up to our potential. That's something I have to take responsibility for, making sure the team comes out right, plays better, and away from home it's always difficult. There are always challenges here in Dallas, and after the red card it was an uphill battle, for sure.

On his message at halftime...

Just to stay with it, stay 1-0. See if we couldn't catch them on a counter, catch them on a set piece, just try and manufacture a goal... A long throw in, something to just be goal dangerous, but their second goal did us in.

On the MLS debut of Handwalla Bwana...

It was ok. He needs to grow into the game a little bit. It certainly wasn't a good as a performance as against Chivas, but you can tell he's a good player. He's going to be a good MLS player. He's just got to go through a little bit of a learning curve.

On the first MLS minutes for Alex Roldan...

Good. [He] came in and did exactly what I asked. [He] brought some energy and effort in to the game. I love the fact he tried to [beat] the goalkeeper [from distance]. That shows that he's got good vision. He was dangerous there with another shot, so I was pleased with that.

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Harry Shipp

On today's game...

Obviously, we didn't start well. I thought we could have been sharper all the way around starting with me and connecting passes. We started to get into the game in the first half and created a few chances. It's tough once you go down a man, playing against a team that's confident in warm weather. There was a lot of chasing the last 60 minutes or so, but we've got a few days off now to hit reset, come back in a refreshed state of mind.

On the mentality going into the second half down a man...

Keep it close. Take advantage of little things like set piece opportunities. We created some chances in the first half. We thought if we were able to keep it 1-0, maybe sneak a goal, but obviously after they got the second, then the third, it was tough. You have to keep fighting. It wasn't the easiest, most enjoyable game to be playing, but that's the times you have to be most mentally tough.

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Christian Roldan

On today's game...

A difficult one. We keep shooting ourselves in the foot, a little bit. I thought that we were getting into the game and when something happens like that [red card] it alters the game completely, just like a goal. We kept grinding. That's what the season is all about. MLS is about grinding out games, but unfortunately we didn't come out with the win, but you can see the resilience the team has. At some point, though, we probably should have just stayed back and defended a little bit, try to keep the ball so we don't tire ourselves out.

After the red card...

We tried. We tried to go for the game. It's not like we tried to sit back and hope to keep it at 1-0, but at some point the damn broke and the second and third goals come along. In that sense, we hit the reset button at halftime. We felt like we could get them on set pieces and corner kicks. I thought we were effective on those. You're heart drops at 3-0 and you just have to grind out the rest of the game.

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Alex Roldan

On debuting in today's game...

It's always a downer when the team is losing, especially in the way that we did, but I was glad to get my feet wet with the first couple minutes today and just try to bring some energy to the game.

On playing with his older brother, Christian Roldan...

It was a good feeling. Not many people get to do that.

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