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MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Reserves Shut out Montreal, 2-0, in First Match of Season

March 9, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Sunday, March 9) - FC Dallas Reserves (1-0-0, 3 points) defeated the Montreal Impact Reserves, 2-0, today on AdvoCare Field 1.

Andres Escobar opened the scoring for FC Dallas in the 45th minute before Stephen Keel added an insurance goal in the second half. Peter Luccin had a hand in both goals. The veteran midfielder picked up an assist on Escobar's goal and tagged the crossbar on a free kick attempt seconds before Keel nodded home the second goal of the day. FC Dallas Homegrown goalkeeper, Richard Sanchez also earned his first win and clean sheet of the season.

But it was Montreal that looked to have control of the game early. Heath Pearce rattled the woodwork in the 18th minute when he came free of his marker on a corner kick taken by Andres Romero and nodded a well-placed header off the post to Sanchez's right side. Fortunately for Dallas, the ball caromed straight back off the bar to Sanchez, who gobbled up the rebound.

FC Dallas had most of its success down its left side via crafty Homegrown midfielder Danny Garcia and well placed balls played over the top from left back Michel, but the home side could not create any clear goal-scoring opportunities.

Working on the left flank, Montreal's Blake Smith sent a quality cross into the area for Marco Di Vaio in the 25th minute. The Italian forward did well to redirect a header on net, but Sanchez was there to intercept.

Di Vaio came free on a breakaway in the 29th minute, and would have put the Impact up, 1-0, if not for Keel, who's perfectly timed slide tackle sent the ball over the end line for a Montreal corner kick.

Just before halftime Escobar made his mark on the game when he collected a pass near midfield from Luccin and dribbled at the Montreal defense. Roughly 30 yards from goal, Escobar pulled up and unleashed a right-footed blast that gave Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush no chance to make a save. The line drive dipped just under the crossbar and into the side netting to give the FC Dallas Reserves a 1-0 lead at halftime.

FC Dallas doubled its lead in the 52nd minute, when Jonathan Top and Garcia combined to earn a free kick opportunity just outside the box. Luccin opted to take the free kick, cracking a hard shot off the crossbar and back into the six-yard box. There, Keel cleaned up the loose ball with a simple header into the back of the net from five yards out.

FC Dallas Reserves are back in action again on Sunday, March 23. That match against Chivas USA's Reserves is set to kick off at 11:30 a.m. CT on AdvoCare Field 1. The Montreal Impact Reserves are off until Sunday, April 6, when they host the New York Red Bull Reserves at Olympic Stadium. That match is scheduled to kick off at 10:30 a.m. ET.

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