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MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Opens CCL Play with 2-1 Win over Real Esteli

August 4, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas defeated Real Estelí of Nicaragua, 2-1, tonight at Toyota Stadium to open group play in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League tournament. FC Dallas broke through just before halftime after Atiba Harris won a header at the back post, nodding a pass to Michael Barrios. The Colombian struck a hard shot at Justo Lorente, and the goalkeeper punched the shot away. A Real Estelí defender attempted to clear the ball away only to mishit it to the opposite side of the area. Ryan Hollingshead took control there, dribbling past a pair of defenders before centering a pass into the six-yard box. Barrios remained dialed in throughout the play and beat his defender to the pass, redirecting the ball just over the goal line with his thigh while sliding through the goal mouth. Barrios nearly opened scoring 15 minutes earlier when FC Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz sprung him in on goal with a long pass over the top of Real Estelí's back line. Barrios cut inside and ripped a hard shot towards the back post. Real Estelí's Justo Lorente attempted a diving save to his left side, but Barrios' hard strike trickled through the goalkeeper's hands before connecting with the post and rebounding away from goal. Similarly, Estelí nearly answered in the 29th minute, when Gregorio Torres cut through a pair of FC Dallas defenders in the middle of the pitch and hit a line drive shot, 30 yards from goal. The attempt sailed over the head of FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez but caught the crossbar before rebounding over the end line for a goal kick.

Real Estelí made it a 1-1 game just after halftime when substitute Juan Berdun chased down a long pass near the end line, dribbled towards Gonzalez and struck a hard shot that caught the underside of the crossbar and the far post before settling into the back of the net.

FC Dallas regained the lead in the 84th minute, when substitute Mauro Rosales received a pass on the right flank. The Argentine sent a ball into the box that was deflected to Maxi Urruti at the back post. Well behind the play, Urruti had time to wait for options. Defender Maynor Figueroa, charging forward from his spot at left back, gave him his best choice. Figueroa pounded a ball past Lorente from the top of the box off a feed from Urruti, giving Dallas a 2-1 lead late. FC Dallas travels to California next week to take on the LA Galaxy in the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, before returning home to Toyota Stadium versus Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 13, presented by Elephant Auto Insurance. Scoring Summary: DAL: Michael Barrios (Ryan Hollingshead) 44 REA: Juan Berdun 48 DAL: Maynor Figueroa (Maxi Urruti) 84

FC Dallas - Jesse Gonzalez, Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges, Walker Zimmerman, Atiba Harris, Kellyn Acosta (Mauro Rosales 82), Carlos Gruezo, Ryan Hollingshead (Tesho 56), Mauro Diaz, Michael Barrios (Victor Ulloa 90), Maxi Urruti. Substitutes Not Used: Chris Seitz, Aubrey David, Getterson, Norberto Paparatto.

Real Esteli - Justo Lorente, Luis Copete, Johnathan Mosquera, Manuel Rosas, Samuel Wilson, Rudel Calero (Elmer Mejia 66), Franklin Lopez, Jabis, Maycon Santana (Juan Berdun 46, Francisco Paz 75), Gregorio Torres, Josue Quijano.

Substitutes Not Used: Henry Maradiaga, Marlon Lopez, Luis Galeano, Jason Casco.

Misconduct Summary: REA: Gregorio Torres (caution) 62 REA: Franklin Lopez (caution) 77 DAL: Mauro Diaz (caution) 90

Referee: Rodphin Anthony Clyde Harris AR1 (bench): Ainsey Rochard; AR2 (opposite): Caleb Josef Wales; 4th: Elmer Arturo Bonilla Ruiz. Weather: Sunny, 99 Attendance: 7,466

Match preview footage available @ https://mlssoccer.box.com/soundbytes Postgame reactions available @ https://mlssoccer.box.com/postgamesoundbytes Videos from Special Events and other team related events here: https://mlssoccer.box.com/media

FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja

General thoughts on the game: It was the first game, internationally, that we played, and to come out with a win is huge. We played against a good team, whose performance surprised us. The first half I thought we had some options, (although) not with the frequency that we normally have, and it was difficult to get a good rhythm. They sat back and made it difficult for us. We found a goal in the first half, and that made it a little easier for us. We came out in the second half flat and we gave up the space in behind and they hurt us. They tied the game. After that, I thought something happened for us that clicked for our team. There was an intensity change. The urgency changed, and we started looking more like us. At the end we found a goal that was very well deserved by the boys. I think we did good things today; as I said, not with the frequency that we normally do, but we adapted and had a good game against a good team.

On Castillo to Turkey announcement... The team is first. Players, and us as coaches, come and go, but the club will stay forever. At this moment, I am training and playing (matches) with the players I have here. They are collecting results. They are first in the league, and we will move on. I don't want to elaborate too much. (Loans/transfers) are things that happen in the clubs, in the game, in the leagues. We love Fabian (Castillo) and wish him the best.

On Figueroa's goal... I'm very pleased with him. Maynor has been adjusting a lot into what we want from him as a left back, giving us experience, giving us structure. There are many things he has with his experience in international competition. FC Dallas defender Maynor Figueroa On his goal... I think that more than the goal, it's more important to have won the match. We are all happy with the result. Oscar [Pareja] congratulated you in the press conference saying that it was an enormous achievement for all the work you put in, that you're quiet and on top of that a leader in this squad... It's an achievement for all of us because we have all been working hard. This is only the beginning. We need to keep going with the same drive and the same intensity.

FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges

On heading to LA to play for the chance to host a final at Toyota Stadium after a big win tonight... We needed to start this competition by getting three points. Our focus now is on recovering from today and getting ready for one of the biggest games of the season. We need to be ready. We need to be rested and focused. It's difficult to play this many games, kind of all jammed together but that's what you do when you want to play in these high-profile games. The fact that they are coming back-to-back is no problem for us. We'll be ready for all of them.

On Real Estelí... It's difficult. We didn't see a lot of video on them. We were not familiar with them. We knew they played pretty technical and liked to keep the ball. They did. We had to be smart about that. Other than that, we just tried to play our game.

On Maynor Figueroa's goal... He strikes the ball well. When he gets into a position like that, it is kind of what we expect. He came in here [this offseason] and adjusted right away. I think he has been fantastic out there on the left side. He is easy to play with. He scores goals like he did tonight and he sets up chances for other guys. He plays a good ball in-behind all the time. He also has a lot of experience, which helps us a ton. Real Estelí head coach Otoniel Olivas General thoughts on the match... I would've liked the scoreboard to look different. We would've liked a different result, but that's how soccer is... A couple of maladjustments gave the triumph to Dallas. It was a great game for us, but nevertheless we're going to keep working hard in the upcoming matches. What impression did FC Dallas leave, and the fact that they came out with their starting squad? Do you think that was in respect to your team? The truth is there are some people who may underestimate/under appreciate the level of the team (FC Dallas) we faced tonight. They are the (current) leaders of the MLS. Today we were facing a great team, we respect them very much but nevertheless the goal is always to win. It was an excellent game with some adjustments that we need to try and correct. This competition just started and it isn't over. We are going to drive forward and keep working to keep competing.

Next FC Dallas home game, presented by Toyota, is Thursday, August 4th at 7:00 PM vs Real Esteli FC at Toyota Stadium. Purchase your tickets at www.fcdallas.com.

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