DALSportsNation

The game review is a little late this time as with the World Cup drawing much of the soccer attention. Many teams took advantage of the World Cup break and played their US Open Cup game during this past weekend. FC Dallas playing Kansas City in Kansas City is no easy task as FC Dallas fell 2-3 and were eliminated from Open Cup play. Let’s see how it went down

Tactics

Oscar Pareja brought out the 4-4-2 this time and switched it up for a change.

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FC Dallas starting XI vs. Sporting Kansas City in USOC. “Photo: FC Dallas”

With having a break from MLS season, I was expecting the normal starting XI. It was interesting that Mauro Diaz did not travel and we say Maynor Figueroa get the start over Ryan Hollingshead. Roland Lamah played in the midfield again and I wonder if that was the reason that Figueroa got the start as Lamah’s defensive play isn’t that strong for an attacking player. Dallas looked to hit on the counter and it was evident from the first 30 minutes of the game.

Events

FCD’s Carlos Gruezo scores his second FC Dallas goal to make it 1-0

Kansas City pulls on back to make it 1-1 going into the half and another at the 66′ making it 1-2

Roland Lamah scored from difficult position to make it 2-2

In the dying moments of the game SKC scores off of a very nice volley. I’ve included the goal because it was a quality finish.

Thoughts

FC Dallas playing Sporting in Kansas City is never an easy task and that was against Dallas the instant the draw was announced. Jesse did a good job for the night and recorded 5 saves and had an amazing save

The back line did great and Reggie continues to progress excellently. It might be premature but when your coach mentions multiple times to the press that you should be playing for your national team at only 20 years old, your doing things right. Figueroa got forward a bit this match which was a surprise. Reto Ziegler played a few long passes straight to the attack which is something that I loved watching him do in pre-season and wished he would do more. I don’t know if it is a coaching thing or he doesn’t attempt those passes anymore but it feels like that is the reason Ziegler was brought in along with his defending capabilities and experience.

The midfield was an interesting mix with having 3 holding mids and unfortunately that is were Sporting was able to excel with the three goals coming from their midfield as they played most of the time in Dallas half. Lamah was kinda just their but he did score so that was nice. Gruezo and Victor had a good defensive game with some good passing. Kellyn (from the eye test) looked a little muffled and couldn’t really get set into the game. Maxi and Barrios did a job nice keep the SKC backline occupied but couldn’t connect.

The first 30 minutes of the game were excellent for Dallas as they went straight at Sporting on the counter and almost scored in the opening minutes. After those 30 minutes though, they just weren’t the same threatening FCD and tried getting the ball upfield and hoped for the best. The defense looked out of sync and rhythm with each other and as a result of this SKC was able to score. The second and especially third goal that SKC scored came as no one was putting pressure or rushing the scorer.

The overall play of the team was below what the average we have seen from this team so far which is disappointing because Dallas was doing so well and it really did look like they could have come away with a result. Kansas City really wasn’t that threatening and just exploited FCD’s mistakes.

It was a tough loss to swallow when it felt like there was so much more from the game. On the positive, it is the 3rd loss in this year and Dallas has learned from each loss and bounced back well. Maybe a loss is what the doctor prescribes but it does come at the expense of playing the US Open Cup. FC Dallas returns to action this Saturday, June 23 at 5 pm to take on the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey and can be viewed on Univision Deportes.

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