FC Dallas and San Antonio FC met in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Darren Abate | USL
FC Dallas (MLS) advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over San Antonio FC (USL) in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio has never advanced further than the Fourth Round while FC Dallas, four-time finalists and two-time winners of the tournament, advance again to the Round of 16.
The first half featured quality chances by both squads. The first dangerous chance came in the 26th minute when San Antonio’s Omar Gordon juked Dallas’ keeper, but his shot was stopped just in front of goal by defender Jordan Cano to keep it scoreless.
Dallas’ Emmanuel Twumasi took a chance for the visitors in the 34th, but SAFC’s GK Matt Cardone handled it easily.
San Antonio nearly scored the opener in first half stoppage time but was cleared off the line again. The match went into halftime with nothing between the two sides.
The second half had barely gotten underway when FC Dallas’ Tesho Akindele, fed by Michael Barrios, slotted home the opening goal in the 46th minute. Dallas then focused their defensive efforts mainly on San Antonio FC’s Omar Gordon, who was the most dangerous man on the pitch in the first half. Gordon had all three of SAFC’s shots on target and four overall coming out of halftime.
It only took seconds for number 1️⃣3️⃣ to score in the second half. #USOC2018 Recap: https://t.co/rP1kJjKDik pic.twitter.com/LfpVlP729i
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 7, 2018
Instead of sitting on their one-goal lead, the visitors continued pushing for an insurance goal, forcing San Antonio’s Matt Cardone to make a few point-blank saves, keeping the home side within striking distance. Gordon had San Antonio’s best second-half chance in the 80th minute as he danced around the Jimmy Mauer’s box, but his shot just went over the crossbar. Dallas nearly iced the match in the 87th minute as Michael Barrios’ effort bounced off the upright and rattled in front of San Antonio’s goal before being cleared.
The match ended 1-0 in favor of visiting FC Dallas who extend their opening round winning streak to six games. will find out their Round of 16 opponent on June 7.