MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Earns One Point in 2-2 Draw with Charlotte FC to Open Leagues Cup

Published on July 21, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


Frisco, TX - FC Dallas levels 2-2 with Charlotte FC in regulation, but the visitors come out on top in the extra point shootout 4-2 on Friday night at Toyota Stadium in Dallas' inaugural Leagues Cup match.

LEAGUES CUP FIRST

Forward Bernard Kamungo scored FC Dallas first goal in Leagues Cup play after being set up by Jesús Ferreira. It was the second straight game Kamungo has scored giving him four goals for the season across all competitions. Ferreira has three assists across all competitions with FC Dallas in 2023.

FIRST EVER MATCHUP

The inaugural matchup between FC Dallas and Charlotte FC ended 2-2 in Leagues Cup play before Dallas fell 4-2 in penalty kicks. Both teams are yet to face each other in MLS competition since Charlotte joined the league as the league's 28th franchise in 2022.

DA BOY SCORES

Sebastian Lletget scored his first goal of the season for FC Dallas. His last goal came against Sporting KC on October 9, 2022 in the 2-1 win. Tonight's goal was Lletget's second career goal for Dallas since joining the club on August 3, 2022 from the New England Revolution.

FERREIRA RETURNS

Jesús Ferreira appeared in his first match for FC Dallas since June 11 and registered two assists for Dallas. The forward competed for the United States Men's National Team during Gold Cup competition and with the MLS All-Stars in Wednesday's All-Star Game against Arsenal in Washington D.C. Ferreira has played across three different competitions for three different teams within the past 10 days.

UP NEXT: LEAGUES CUP MATCH II

FC Dallas hosts Club Necaxa on Tuesday, July 25 in a South Group 4 League Cup matchup at Toyota Stadium. The match kicks off at 8:30PM CT on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, the FC Dallas App, Talk Radio 1190AM and Zona MX 99.1FM.

Lineups

FC Dallas - Jimmy Maurer; Marco Farfan, Sebastien Ibeagha, Nkosi Tafari, Geovane Jesus (Sam Junqua - 79'); Facundo Quignon, (Edwin Cerrillo - 66') , Alan Velasco (Eugene Ansah - 86'), Sebastian Lletget, Jáder Obrian, (Tsiki Ntsabeleng - 66') , Jesús Ferreira, Bernard Kamungo (José Martínez - 86').

Substitutes not used - Antonio Carrera, Amet Korça, Ema Twumasi, Paxton Pomykal, Dante Sealy, Paul Arriola.

Charlotte FC - Kristijan Kahlina; Jaylin Lindsey (Patrick Agyemang - 89'), Andrew Privett, Jan Sobocinski, Nathan Byrne; Ashley Westwood, Brandt Bronico, Scott Arfield, (Ben Bender - 79') Kamil Józwiak (Brandon Cambridge - 85') , Karil Swiderski, Justin Meram (Kerwin Vargas - 79') .

Substitutes not used - George Marks, Christopher Hegardt, Harrison Afful, Joseph Mora, Hamady Diop, Jack Neeley.

Scoring Summary:

DAL: Bernard Kamungo (Jesús Ferreira, Jáder Obrian) - 45'

CLT: Karil Swiderski (penalty kick) - 61'

DAL: Sebastian Lletget (Bernard Kamungo) - 75'

CLT: Ben Bender (Ashley Westwood) - 90+7'

Misconduct Summary:

CLT: Scott Arfield (caution) - 52'

CLT: Andrew Privett (caution) - 55'

CLT: Ashley Westwood (caution) - 68'

DAL: Geovane Jesus (caution) - 69'

Weather: Sunny, 99ºF

Attendance: 10,424

FC DALLAS POSTGAME QUOTES

Head Coach Nico Estévez

Thoughts on tonight's game...

"It is very disappointing because it is a game we have to win, especially with the amount of good and clear chances that we had. We put ourselves in this spot, as we could have controlled this game but now we have to play our next game and depend on other results. It is disappointing to see that we tied a game that we should have won and especially in penalty kicks. We were not as confident when it came to shooting them and it reflected on the field."

On the team's attacking performance...

"We have been analyzing the way we attack and how aggressive we come out and we are seeing the results. These changes are going to help us a lot especially to score goals and it is working pretty well as that is how we managed to score today. There are things that we are changing and training on and these changes are going to help us a lot in the future."

Forward Bernard Kamungo

On his growth as a player...

"I'm growing and I think I'm growing in the right way. And my team has helped me a lot, all my teammates just keep pushing me all the time. And I feel it is something that you can see on the field or on watch. I just try to be a good player and just try to help the team. So I think I'm heading in the right path. I'm just so proud of myself for being able to score and assist in the same game."

On the team regrouping for Tuesday...

"It's all about the team and the players as well. We're just going to regroup and try to go back to basics and just try to finish our chances. We had the game in our hands, we kind of gave it away. But that is just sports and you can't really do anything about that. Just kind of make sure you play your part. So I think the next game we show our character and who we really are."

Forward Alan Velasco

Thoughts on Tonight's performance...

"It is a bittersweet game, we had the opportunity to win and take the three points and also several opportunities to score one or two more goals. Now we have to move on and focus on the upcoming game we have this Tuesday as we are obligated to win this match in order to move on in the group. We have to take advantage that we get to play at home again and fix the mistakes that we made tonight."

On the upcoming match against Necaxa...

"It is not going to be an easy match and if there is one thing I know is that Liga MX teams are very strong and with many dynamics. We play at home and we have to win, as we need those three points."

Midfielder Sebastian Lletget

On creating chances...

"Yeah, we created a lot. It's just crazy the amount of chances we have, we were in a winning position. And so once we get to penalties, I think it's hard to just mentally stay in it when you should have won the game ready. So yeah, it's a shame."

On the quick turnaround for Necaxa...

"Yeah, I mean, we'll use this experience and try to get everybody together. Now we have Necaxa, it's a quick turnaround, thankfully, because after something like this, you always want to do that quick turnaround. So it's all about winning now. That's it."

On his goal...

"It was super nice. It was something we worked on in training as well, just that type of play. And again, creating chances is definitely a positive takeaway from today. But yeah, it's hard to look, it's hard to look past those penalty kicks."

CHARLOTTE FC POSTGAME QUOTES

Head Coach Christian Lattanzio

On fighting back and getting the win...

"It's a good feeling, but I think there is good and bad to take from the result. Our boys played really well and controlled a large part of the game. We know FC Dallas are good on the counterattack and we know they have very dynamic and technical players. I think our boys deserved the shootout win because to play on the road in this style against Dallas is impressive. I haven't seen many teams have the ability to come here and play well against them."

On Ashley Westwood's impact...

"Ashley is a player with great qualities. When we acquired him, I had been a longtime admirer of his, so it's good to have him here now. Ashley comes from a different league, with a different style of play, and different teammates. I think he's shown that he's important to the team because of his quality, experience, and he serves as a key player for the style that we want to play."

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