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It was a quick turnaround for FC Dallas after coming off of their win against Toronto FC as they traveled to the opposite end of the continent to face the LA Galaxy. The Galaxy is the first team the FCD has faced for a second time with as the previous meeting ended with a 3-2 win with a red card for the good guys. FCD fans know that Huntsmen can have consistency issues at times. Well, it doesn’t any more consistent than this with another 3-2 with a red card for the good guys. Let’s look in detail.

For the second game in a row, Oscar Pareja decided to go with the 4-3-3 that got him the road win last week with some new changes.

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FC Dallas Lineup “Photo: FC Dallas”

This lineup saw the return of Ryan Hollingshead to the back line filling in for the injured Anton Nedyalkov and Maynor Figueroa slotting into the center for the suspended Matt Hedges. Carlos Gruezo also made a start after sitting against Toronto FC. Now for what every FCD fan has been calling for: Cristian Colman and Mauro Diaz both starting together though it was Diaz working the left flank.

In comparison to last week’s game against Toronto, the tactics were very similar, sit back and absorb the attacks that the Galaxy threw an attack on the counter. Though FCD did show more of a will to get forward and attack I think this is due to the fact that Toronto has more quality players in their midfield and backline versus the Galaxy who are missing players due to World Cup duty. I liked how quick Dallas was on their attack which did catch LAG off many times. As a result, it looked like a more even match that Dallas was taking control off.

In the 33′ Maynor Figueroa made a nice long ball cross to Mauro Diaz who worked his unicorn magic setting up Ryan Hollingshead for his first goal in two years making it 1-0. While the goal itself was a classic goal, the build-up and passing that FCD displayed was just sublime

Now Hollingshead wanted to remind FCD fans that despite his accident in 2017 that he has not missed a beat by darting down the left flank and after off of a Diaz assist, first time crosses the ball into the box where Cristian Colman heads the ball into the goal making it 2-0. It was truly a strikers goal and gave Colman his second goal of the season and third of the year.

After going into the half with a 2-0 lead FCD kept the intensity in the half and off a great break Barrios makes a nice run and attempts to chip the keeper but Bingham got a touch to it. It was smart on Carlos Gruezo to continue following the play and is rewarded for his efforts by scoring his first MLS and FC Dallas goal giving a very nice 3-0 lead.

Not long after Gruezo’s goal did Zlatan Ibrahimovic score to make it 3-1 While still having the lead Papi opted to bring in Jacori Hayes for Diaz and Santiago Mosquera for Barrios. Dallas started to play more defensive to protect the lead and attack solely on the counter.

The big talking point of the game was the red card that Cristian Colman received after a scuffle arose when Colman started to cramp up. For me, it was a very hard harsh red card and for Colman and should have been awarded to Ciani as he is the one that hits Colman and puts an arm up to Kellyn’s head/throat. See for yourself:

In 8+ minutes of stoppage, Zlatan again scored to bring the game to 3-2 and making it final.

Dallas played smart on the road against the Galaxy and what I enjoyed the most was the intensity that Dallas played with intensity and wanted to control the game. FCD has come away with 6 huge points from these two away games. The Huntsmen will face LAFC and former FC Dallas player Walker Zimmerman at Toyota Stadium June 2 at 7:00 pm and can be watched on TXA 21 at the same time.

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