FC Dallas

2016 US Open Cup Semifinals: FC Dallas’ two late OT goals stun LA Galaxy, send them back to the Final

August 10, 2016 by Dennis Pope

FC Dallas celebrate the game-winning goal in extra time stoppage time against the LA Galaxy in the 2016 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: FC Dallas

Oscar Pareja knew his team had goals in them.

Trailing in the second overtime, FC Dallas scored twice after the 115th minute to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1, in overtime on Wednesday, Aug. 10, in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal round game at the StubHub Center. For the Galaxy, it snapped a 17-game home winning streak in the tournament. Their last loss came in the 2000 Semifinals against the Chicago Fire.

“I could see that coming; Not just the second one but the first one, too,” Pareja said. “Our players were pushing, we were all heart there, and I thought the game rewarded them in the best way.”

Matt Hedges headed in a goal in the 116th minute, and Victor Ulloa tallied at the death for FC Dallas, which advances to play New England Revolution in the Open Cup Final in September.

“We’ve proved that this team is full of spirit. The boys are doing great stuff,” Pareja said. “They deserve to be in the final for sure.”

A rematch of the 2005 Open Cup Final, the Galaxy led 1-0 after a penalty kick by Mike Magee in the 10th minute over the first overtime, but both teams were slow to get started.

Alan Gordon, starting as L.A.’s only forward, had his shot on goal in the 17th minute stopped by Chris Seitz, and FC Dallas replied with a pair of shots that challenged Galaxy keeper Brian Rowe to make reactionary saves.

Ryan Hollingshead of FC Dallas races to the ball in a 2016 US Open Cup Semifinal match against the LA Galaxy. Photo: LA Galaxy

The visitors had the better of the play in the second half, but the Galaxy’s Baggio Husidic nearly won the game with a long-range effort in second-half stoppage time. However, his shot was a little high of the mark.

Neither team gave an inch during the start of the first overtime period, but Giovani Dos Santos was tripped in the area in the 100th minute, and Referee Ted Unkel saw enough contact to award the Galaxy a penalty.

Magee stepped up to take the spot kick, faked Seitz right and easily beat the keeper on his weak side.

L.A. did its best to defend into the closing minutes, but FC Dallas earned a corner kick five minutes from full time that Matt Hedges headed in for the late equalizer. It was Hedges second career Open Cup goal, the first coming in 2013.

Dallas got another corner in stoppage time, and Mauro Diaz placed another dangerous ball into the box to get his second assist as Victor Ulloa snuck in to score the game-winner.

“Certainly frustrating,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. “We did a terrible job, obviously, in the last five minutes of the game.”

For Dallas, it continues a string of dramatic victories in the tournament. They opened the tournament by getting taken to penalty kicks by the USL’s Oklahoma City Energy and followed that up with a 2-1 extra time win over the Colorado Rapids. In the Quarterfinals, they played their first road game, beating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 on a second half stoppage time winner by the recently departed Fabian Castillo.

Now, with the win, they will host the Revolution in the Final, just like they did in 2007. That year, the Revs won 3-2 to win their first major trophy.

NOTES:

* This was just the third US Open Cup match of the Modern Era (1995-present) to be decided on a goal scored in the 120th minute or later. The Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-1) avoided an upset by the PDL’s Carolina Dynamo with a 3-2 win in the 2004 Third Round. A year later, Chivas USA were nearly taken to penalty kicks by the Charlotte Eagles (USL-2), but scored in stoppage time to escape with a 3-2 victory.

* This was the 30th all-time US Open Cup win by FC Dallas, which moves them into fifth place in the Modern Era in victories behind the Chicago Fire (39), Rochester Rhinos (36), Seattle Sounders (35), and DC United (31).

* Dallas will be the sixth Texas-based club to reach the US Open Cup Final, and the fifth team from North Texas. Of those six teams to reach the Final, FC Dallas represents four of them (1997, 2005, 2007, 2016).

HIGHLIGHTS: FC DALLAS AT LA GALAXY

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: FC Dallas needs OT to edge Colorado Rapids, earn 15th trip to Quarterfinals

June 30, 2016 by Adam Uthe

In a battle of the teams with the two best records in Major League Soccer, FC Dallas came out on top thanks to a 96th minute goal from offseason acquisition Maximiliano Urruti. The game went to extra time after the teams traded goals in regulation; one in the first half from Colorado’s Dominique Badji and one the second half from Dallas’ Mauro Diaz.

With the win, FC Dallas advances to the Quarterfinals for the 15th time in club history. Only one club in the 103-year history of the tournament has more appearances in the Quarterfinals (Kutis SC from St. Louis with 17 from 1953-1986.)

The game was a bit lackluster given the league records of both teams and Colorado only brought four outfield substitutes with them to go with a backup goalkeeper. They were also missing midfield stalwart Jermaine Jones, who did not travel upon returning from international duty with the US Men’s National Team at the Copa America. Urruti didn’t even come off the bench for Dallas until the 77th minute.

There were goals to be had right from the start. Dallas got things going in the eighth minute when Diaz played striker Tesho Akindele through into the box, only for Akindele’s shot on goal to be denied by Rapids goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

Not too long afterwards, Colorado homegrown product Dillon Serna was fouled hard by Dallas defender Agustin Jara, who earned a yellow card for the play in question. Colorado fullback Jared Watts had words with Jara and got a little too heated in defense of his teammate and earned a yellow card himself. Serna was forced exit and was replaced by Hairston in the 21st minute, several minutes after the initial foul.

The Rapids had a pair of chances shortly thereafter, including a Marco Pappa free kick that ended up being hit right at Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez. Dallas responded in the 30th minute with a chance of their own as defender Atiba Harris, a former Rapids player, found himself inside the box on the right side with options. Instead, he skied a shot over the crossbar.

Colorado had a couple more half chances before the 38th minute when Hairston got free down the right hand side and played a low cross far post to Badji for the goal. Dallas threatened just once again before halftime when Mauro Diaz had a free kick opportunity, but it failed to find a red shirt in the box.

The second half got off to a rough start Badji was shaken up after a foul right out of the break, but stayed in the game.

Dallas didn’t wait long to bring on super sub Michael Barrios in the 52nd minute and he made his presence felt two minutes later when he played Fabian Castillo into the box, only for MacMath to get to it first.

Pappa and Badji tried to mimic the play at their end of the field, only for Gonzalez to the ball first as well. The second half continued with both teams trading similar half chances until the 64th minute. Fabian Castillo made an excellent play on the counter to keep the ball in play in front of his team’s bench and beat two Colorado defenders at the same time. The Colombian winger streaked in alone and played a crisp centering pass to Diaz for the easy finish. It was the kind of individual effort that has kept Castillo’s name in various transfer rumors as the international transfer window prepares to open this Friday.

Colorado went for the win in the 83rd minute, bringing on Designated Player Kevin Doyle, who got his head on a cross in the box but saw his effort skim wide of the goal. The deadlock remained and the game went to extra time.

Doyle missed near post on another chance in the 93rd minute after extra time got underway and would rue the chance he missed. Three minutes later Urruti got into the box and took his chance near post from what seemed like an impossible angle. The ball seemed to take an awkward deflection off the near post that left MacMath stranded as the ball skipped past him into the net.

Colorado emptied its bench and brought on Conor Doyle at the extra time break, but Dallas kept the pressure up throughout the final 15 minutes and came away with the win.

The loss by Colorado means the Rapids have now gone 13 straight US Open Cups without winning multiple games; a Modern Era record. Dallas will take the trip down I-45 to Houston to battle in-state rivals Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals next month.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2016 US Open Cup Round 4: Weather delay helps Columbus Crew adjust, beat Tampa Bay Rowdies, 4-0

June 16, 2016 by Ben Ferree

The Columbus Crew began their 2016 US Open Cup run with a meeting from the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies. Playing in Columbus but away from home at nearby Jesse Owens Stadium, Crew SC thrived after a two-hour weather delay in the first half, topping the Rowdies 4-0, despite only having 16 healthy players to create a lineup from.

The Crew, who won the tournament in 2002, picked up the win despite playing with mostly substitutes in an unfamiliar venue and fighting the elements. They will look to continue their run in the Round of 16 as Columbus attempts to win multiple games in a tournament for the first time since their runner-up finish in 2010.

After 25 minutes of listless play from both sides, high winds, lightning, and eventual sheets of rain caused the referee to suspend play. It couldn’t have come at a better time for Columbus, as they hadn’t registered a shot on goal yet. Tampa Bay had three shots to their credit, although none were particularly dangerous.

After play resumed, it was all Crew SC. Justin Meram began the scoring with a goal in the 41st minute. Though it goes down as unassisted due to a defender getting a foot on the ball, the pass was from Emil Larsen. The Rowdies thought Larsen was offside and stopped running as the defenders raised their hands and looked towards the assistant referee. The flag stayed down, leaving Larsen able to pass the ball easily to a centered Meram who slotted it past the diving keeper, Matt Pickens.

“The rain lowered the temperature, it was one of those slow starts,” Meram said, “once we got back out there we took it to them and they couldn’t recover.”

The Crew took it to the Rowdies in the second half. Cristian Martinez, 19, scored his second goal in as many games in the 48th minute with a backheel assist for Ethan Finlay, and secondary assist by Waylon Francis. Finlay then picked up a goal of his own just four minutes later on a penalty kick after Rodrigo Saravia was fouled in the box. Columbus struck for their final goal of the night in the 65th minute as Marshall Hollingsworth scored his first-ever goal for the club.

Columbus advances to the Round of 16 for the fourth year in a row.

“We looked at video and saw some things we thought we could take advantage of,” Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter said, “It was clear… and luckily we took advantage of that.”

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2016 US Open Cup Round 4: FC Dallas uses recalled players to eliminate OKC Energy in PKs

June 16, 2016 by Adam Uthe

It’s one thing for a player to be loaned out by one team and then made ineligible for any competitive matches against the team loaning him. It’s quite another for said player to be recalled altogether, start, and record two assists against his “former” team.

Coy Craft had been on loan with OKC Energy, FC Dallas’ USL affiliate, but was called back to Dallas for the purpose of starting out wide on the left against the team he had been playing for so far this season. The move paid off big time for Dallas as Craft provided not one, but two assists to midfielder Carlos Lizarazo to help propel the home side to a 2-2 draw, which led to a successful penalty kick shootout.

But Craft didn’t even end up being the former OKC Energy player with the greatest impact for FC Dallas on the night. Dallas also recalled Colin Bonner from OKC for this particular match and the target forward came off the bench in the 65th minute, replacing Max Urruti, and scored sixth and final penalty kick to help the Hoops advance to the Round of 16.

With a temperature in the mid-90s at kickoff, the game got off to a sluggish start in every sense of the word. Neither team managed to get a touch in the opponents’ box for the first ten minutes. Even the crowd at SMU’s campus took its sweet time filling the stands in the 1,500 seat facility. Finally FC Dallas got things started in the 11th minute when Max Urruti managed to get a shot off inside the 18, but it was right at OKC keeper Carl Cochran. The home side got a couple corners in quick succession moments later and produced several shots from Mauro Diaz inside the box, none of which ended up on goal.

Then the Energy opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Daniel Gonzales slipped into the box and put a shot on frame that was parried by Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzalez. Unfortunately for him, his stop ended up at the feet of OKC forward Jordan Rideout, who slotted home near post. But the hosts quickly woke up after Juan Esteban Ortiz’s 33rd minute yellow card and in the 37th minute Coy Craft got the ball to Carlos Lizarazo inside the box. Lizarazo proceeded to turn and fire past Cochran to level the score. Not satisfied with just one connection for a goal, Craft found Lizarazo again, this time at the edge of the box in the 43rd minute, and Lizarazo turned and fired for his second of the evening to make it 2-1 Dallas.

The second half continued at a much more entertaining pace as the teams traded intermittent chances throughout. Lizarazo almost had a third as he got a free look in the box, but missed wide. Jose Cuevas had an excellent curling effort that just barely missed moments later in the 70th minute. Dallas would end up regretting not capitalizing on their chances through the game as OKC hung in until the 89th minute when Energy midfielder Michael Thomas got on the end of a corner kick to level things up and force extra time.

Neither team looked particularly interested in playing extra soccer. The two sides exchanged a few half chances in the first 15 minutes of extra time without ever really presenting a threat. Then things picked up at the end of the first 15 minutes when OKC defender Michael Harris earned a yellow card off a corner kick clearance for undercutting Dallas defender Zach Loyd, who fell awkwardly on his head and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher with a suspected concussion. Dallas would end up having to play a man down the rest of the way, having exhausted all three of their substitutions.

Despite the disadvantage, the home team ended up being the more dangerous side for the final 15, earning several corners and free kicks, but they failing to capitalize on any of them and so the game went to penalty kicks.

Each team converted their first three and then each proceeded to see their fourth effort saved before going back to alternating goals until OKC defender Cyprian Hedrick did his best Roberto Baggio impression and skied his attempt high. Bonner proceeded to step up to the spot and converted his chance to give Dallas the win 6-5 on PKs.

Dallas awaits Thursday’s Round of 16 draw to know who they will play next.

Scoring Summary:

OKC – Jordan Rideout 26
DAL: Carlos Lizarazo (Coy Craft) 37
DAL: Carlos Lizarazo (Coy Craft) 43
OKC – Michael Thomas (Kyle Hyland) 89

Penalty shootout:

OKC: Danny Konig (goal), Jose Cuevas (goal), Michael Thomas (goal), Wojciech Wojcok (saved), Peter Toth (goal), Coady Andrews (goal), Cyprain Hedrick (miss).

DAL: Carlos Lizarazo (goal), Kellyn Acosta (goal), Mauro Diaz (goal), Matt Hedges (saved), Atiba Harris (goal), Juan Esteban Ortiz (goal), Colin Bonner (goal).

FC Dallas – Jesse Gonzalez, Agustin Jara, Zach Loyd, Matt Hedges, Aaron Guillen, Victor Ulloa (Kellyn Acosta 68), Juan Esteban Ortiz, Coy Craft (Atiba Harris 84), Carlos Lizarazo, Mauro Diaz, Maxi Urruti (Colin Bonner 65).

Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Herman, Walker Zimmerman, Fabian Castillo, Timo Pitter.

OKC Energy FC – Carl Cochran, Michael Harris, Coady Andrews, Cyprian Hedrick, Kalen Ryden (Wojciech Wojcik 74), Kyle Hyland, Michael Thomas, Daniel Gonzalez, Frimpong Evans (Peter Toth 79), Jose Cuevas, Jordan Rideout (Danni Konig 74).

Substitutes Not Used: Jacob Lissek, Michael Byskov, Luis Martinez, Tim Janssen.

Misconduct Summary:

DAL: Juan Esteban Ortiz (caution) 34
OKC: Danni Konig (caution) 87
OKC: Michael Harris (caution) 105
OKC: Coady Andrews (caution) 119

Referee: Guido Gonzalez Jr.
AR1 (bench): Tony Obas; AR2 (opposite): John Dearmond; 4th: Travis Haight
Weather: Clear, 95

Konig (OKC) – GOal (1-0 OKC)

Lizarazo (DAL) – Goal (1-1)

Cuevas (OKC) – Goal (2-1 OKC)

Acosta (DAL) – Goal (2-2)

Thomas (OKC) – Goal (3-2 OKC)

Diaz (DAL) – Goal (3-3)

Wojcok (OKC) – SAved (3-3)

Hedges (DAL) – Saved (3-3)

Toth (OKC) – Goal (4-3 OKC)

HArris (DAL) – Goal (4-4)

Andrews (OKC) – Goal (5-4 OKC)

Ortiz (DAL) – Goal (5-5)

Hedrick (OKC) – MISS (5-5)

Bonner (DAL) – Goal (FCD wins 6-5

2015 US Open Cup Round 5: Dom Dwyer scores 4 to lead Sporting KC over FC Dallas, 6-2 (video)

July 1, 2015 by Matthew De Witt

Dom Dwyer of Sporting Kansas City became the first England native to score a hat trick in the US Open Cup's Modern Era. Photo: Gary Rohman | Sporting KC — Dom Dwyer of Sporting Kansas City became the first England native to score a hat trick in the US Open Cup’s Modern Era. Photo: Gary Rohman | Sporting KC

UPDATE: Dom Dwyer of Sporting Kansas City was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

It’s a first ever in Lamar Hunt US Open Cup history for Sporting Kansas City.

Dom Dwyer produced Sporting’s first-ever quad in the tournament, knocking in Kansas City’s first three goals and adding a tally in the second half en route to a 6-2 win over FC Dallas.

“We’re a hungry team. We want to win every game,” Dwyer said. “It’s easier to get this across to the rest of the team when this is a Cup game. Every game is a final for us.”

Entering the match with three Open Cup goals in his career – all three while on loan to Orlando City SC in 2013 – Dwyer added four more to his output in the Round of 16 matchup. His tally was the most by any Sporting player in the Open Cup in team history and first four-goal game by any player in the Open Cup since 2013 (Fredric Piquionne, Portland Timbers).

Kansas City’s first three goals came from set pieces. In the 5th minute, Benny Feilhaber found Dwyer on the back post. Dwyer’s header snuck just over goalkeeper Chris Seitz’s outstretched hand and under the crossbar for the early lead.

Dom Dwyer scored the first hat trick in Sporting Kansas City's Open Cup history. Photo: Gary Rohman | Sporting KC — Dom Dwyer scored the first hat trick in Sporting Kansas City’s Open Cup history. Photo: Gary Rohman | Sporting KC

Sporting doubled the lead when Feilhaber and Dwyer linked up again, this time off a free kick on the left wing. The delivery curled toward the back post once again, and Dwyer beat Seitz, who was coming out to punch the ball and inadvertently caught one of his own players. Dwyer’s header bounced once and into the net.

Dwyer dribbled into the penalty area and was fouled and later scored his third on a penalty kick as he became the first England native to score a hat trick in the Modern Era (1995-present).

Later, Krisztian Nemeth added a goal in first-half stoppage time. Jacob Peterson drove the endline and found Nemeth unmarked in the center of the box to make it 4-0 heading into halftime.

“You might not believe this, I bumped into Krisztian in the locker room, and I told him I was going to get five and he was going to get three,” Dwyer said. “That’s why we were laughing on the pitch. We were saying one more each.”

Dwyer’s prediction may have come up one goal short on each end, but Nemeth’s last goal would have been tough to top. His shot – less than two yards from the endline on the right side of the goal area – chipped Seitz and floated over the goal line before Dallas could get a head on the ball. He celebrated by striking an “are you not entertained?” pose from the movie Gladiator.

“The thing is on Krisztian’s second goal, I’ve been working with him all week on that – the way he chipped the ball in there,” Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes said with a laugh. “I’m surprised he picked it up that quickly.”

Dwyer sandwiched his fourth goal, this coming from his own free kick, in between FC Dallas tallies. Michael Barrios and Kellyn Acosta provided the goals for Dallas, despite the five-goal deficits at the time.

“I’ve wanted a hat trick for this club for a while,” Dwyer said. “I’m very happy to get one, and I got an extra one and finally scored a free kick.”

The big night for Dwyer and Sporting came in a big game. The game was riddled with Lamar Hunt ties. Hunt, of whom the tournament is named after, was a major player in getting the Kansas City Wiz into the inaugural season of MLS in 1996. His name is enshrined in Sporting’s Legends Wall. After his stint with Kansas City, Hunt spread his wings and bought the Dallas Burn in 2002.

Sporting’s six-goal output was the most by Kansas City since 2005 when the Wizards defeated the Des Moines Menace (PDL) 6-1 on Aug. 3.

Dwyer and company will look for another explosive game in the Quarterfinals. The next match in the Open Cup for Kansas City is on July 21, when it hosts the Houston Dynamo at Sporting Park.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: FC DALLAS AT SPORTING KC

2015 US Open Cup Round 4: FC Dallas ignores league form, dominates Oklahoma City Energy 4-1

June 16, 2015 by Adam Uthe

UPDATE: The Round of 16 draw was conducted by the US Soccer Federation and it was determined that Sporting Kansas City will host FC Dallas in the next round.

A wise man once said “Form is fallacy.”

That particular saying held true in Tuesday night’s Fourth Round US Open Cup matchup between Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas and United Soccer League side Oklahoma City Energy FC.

OKC was riding a seven-game winning streak, five of which were clean sheets, while Dallas hadn’t won a league game since early May.

No one told Dallas’ Colombian playmaker Michael Barrios though. He scored twice in a span of three minutes in the first half to help Dallas defeat OKC 4-1 in a “home” game on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja was relieved to see his team earn the win and advance.

“Obviously, it’s great to see the boys smile again and get a victory,” Pareja said.

The first half was an even affair through the first 10 minutes with both sides exchanging half-chances and Dallas holding a slight edge in possession. Then in the 20th minute, the floodgates opened for Dallas when Fabian Castillo weaved his way down the end line before cutting back to a wide open David Texeira for the opening goal.

Barrios scored twice before the break for FC Dallas to put the game out of reach.

Although Barrios stood out, OKC head coach Jimmy Nielsen was impressed with Barrios’ countryman Castillo, who was arguably the most dangerous player on the field in the first half.

“He was sharp. He was unstoppable,” Nielsen said.

Barrios scored his first goal in the 33rd minute off a rebound from a shot by Dallas midfielder Alex Zendejas. Barrios needed just three minutes to add his second to make it 3-0.

Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz gobbled up an OKC corner and then quickly got the ball up to Barrios, who turned on the jets and finished nicely at the other end just moments later.

Although it was probably little consolation to his team, Nielsen was pleased with the way his players came out for the second half with their heads held high against a quality MLS side.

“We played a respectable second half,” said Nielsen.

Indeed, OKC created some dangerous chances throughout the second half and earned a handful of corners before Danni Konig finally got the visitors on the board in the 81st minute.

That offset FC Dallas’ goal earlier in the second half, when Barrios set up Texeira for his second goal of the night in the 51st minute.

With the win, FC Dallas advances to the fifth round, which will take place June 30-July 1.

The draw to determine their opponent will take place on Thursday, June 18.

FC Dallas will return to league play when it host in-state rivals Houston Dynamo on Friday.

OKC will travel to California to take on Sacramento Republic in USL action on Saturday.

2014 US Open Cup Semifinals: FC Dallas, Philadelphia Union battle for right to host the Final (preview)

April 7, 2015 by Jon Arnold

A statue of the late Lamar Hunt on display outside of FC Dallas’ Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. Photo: FC Dallas

Two teams streaking in the league will take a break from Major League Soccer play to contest a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinal Tuesday in Frisco, Texas.

FC Dallas and the Philadelphia Union are seeking not only a spot in the Final but also the right to host the one-off championship match.

“It’s huge,” FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd told reporters after a 3-1 win against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. “I’ve been here five years and I haven’t won a trophy so there is a lot on the line Tuesday night. Especially, with it being the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, it means a bit more to this club than others. We’re really looking forward to it and we cannot wait to get out there Tuesday night.”

The host club, owned by the family of the late Lamar Hunt, rolled into the Semifinals after dispatching regional rivals the San Antonio Scorpions and the Houston Dynamo. Texas’ other MLS side pushed FC Dallas to the brink with rookie Tesho Akindele scoring an extra time winner, but there were no such heroics needed in the Quarterfinals. Blas Perez bagged a hat trick in a 5-2 thumping of the Carolina RailHawks, earning himself TheCup.us Player of the Round honor.

The Union overcame a bit more adversity to reach the final four. Both Harrisburg and the New York Cosmos pushed the MLS outfit to extra time. New arrival Andrew Wenger scored twice in extra time of the Fourth Round game, while Sebastian Le Toux was the hero of the clash with the Cosmos – a match that also saw three players and a pair of
Cosmos coaches sent off in the final moments. The behavior was better but the weather was worse with kickoff of the Union’s quarterfinal match being delayed by a dust storm. Once it settled, goals from Conor Casey and Le Toux saw the team advance with a 2-0 win against the New England Revolution. Le Toux’s 14th tournament goal put him alone at the top of the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) goalscoring chart

It was after a 2-0 league win against an injury-hit Revolution team on a losing streak that Oscar Pareja declared that his team sent a message that it could contend as one of MLS’ best teams.

It was a message met with skepticism by the majority of those who heard it, but FC Dallas has done its best to back up the coach’s bold statement. They enter Tuesday’s game with an 11-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, and have been boosted with the return of several injured elements have los Toros feeling good.

But their opponents have an unbeaten streak of their own with Saturday’s 2-1 win against the Montreal Impact making it five contests without a loss for interim manager Jim Curtin’s team. Le Toux scored both the team’s goals to extend the streak.

In addition to the good run of form, the team also was able to bring back Carlos Valdes after loan spells in South America. The center back is a welcome addition for the club which has lacked consistency on the back line.

“It’s good to be back,” Valdes said this weekend. “I’m very excited for the rest of the season and everything that’s coming our way with the Open Cup and the rest of the league games. Our fans are great and it made me very, very happy.”

Supporters of both clubs will be excited as well with the prospect of a title becoming more real. The Union, which began play in 2010, have yet to win a piece of major silverware while MLS original FC Dallas looks to add to the 1997 Open Cup in its trophy case.

#USOC2014 News and Notes

* The referee assignments were announced for this game and 2014 FIFA World Cup official Mark Geiger will be the man in the middle

* For those unable to attend the game in person, there will be a live video stream available through the FC Dallas website.

* This will mark the first time in the 101-year history of the tournament that a Pennsylvania-based club team will face a Texas-based team in the Semifinals.

* FC Dallas ranks third among MLS teams in Semifinals appearances with eight. Only the Chicago Fire (10), DC United (9) have more. Dallas is 3-4-0 in their previous semifinal matches with wins coming in 1997, 2005 and 2007.

* If the Union win, the Philadelphia area hasn’t hosted a championship game since 1994 when the United German Hungarians (Oakford, Penn., just north of Philadelphia) were the host, but didn’t reach the Final. The last time a Philadephia area team hosted and took part in the Final was when the Ukrainian Nationals won the 2nd leg and lifted the trophy at Cambria Stadium in 1966.

2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Blas Perez’s hat trick sends FC Dallas to Semifinals, earns TheCup.us Player of the Round (video)

July 18, 2014 by Adam Uthe

Blas Perez scored the third hat trick in FC Dallas' US Open Cup history in a 5-2 win over the Carolina RailHawks. Photo: FC Dallas — Blas Perez scored the third hat trick in FC Dallas’ US Open Cup history in a 5-2 win over the Carolina RailHawks. Photo: FC Dallas

For the second time in the last three rounds, a Major League Soccer player has turned a hat trick into TheCup.us Player Of The Round honors.

Several weeks ago it was Deshorn Brown of the Colorado Rapids securing the honor in Round 4. This time, in the Quarterfinals, it was FC Dallas striker Blas Perez, who found the back of the net thrice to help his team come away from Cary, North Carolina with a 5-2 win over the NASL’s Carolina Railhawks.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

In the voting, Perez pulled away from the field with Sebastien Le Toux’s record-breaking goal being the biggest threat. Blas’ teammate Fabian Castillo and Seattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso also received votes.

#USOC2014 LINKS

Support TheCup.us: Buy #USOC2014 gear

2014 Player of the Round winners

2014 US Open Cup results

Things you should know about the Quarterfinals

2014 US Open Cup bracket

2014 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders

2015 US Open Cup qualifying news

The First Cup series (1913/14)

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The final score didn’t necessarily reflect the game itself. Carolina actually drew first blood in the ninth minute. Perez’s first goal came in the 23rd minute, courtesy of rookie teammate Tesho Akindele, to level things up at one goal apiece. Perez’s second goal was also Dallas’s second. His 34th minute strike put the Hoops up 2-1. Carolina would equalize only to see Dallas net another and take a 3-2 lead into halftime. Perez’s final tally, which came during second half stoppage time, wasn’t the game-winner but it did seal the deal.

Perez became the first Panamanian player in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) and the third FC Dallas player to score three goals in a single game, joining Dallas fan favorites Bobby Rhine (1999) and Kenny Cooper (2006). The first question Perez received after the game was how it felt to score the hat trick, but he was quick to talk about the team’s win.

“Happy, first of all, for the win because it’s what the team wanted, what the team was looking for.”

Perez had been experiencing a bit of drought coming into the game and was asked if he felt his hard work, despite not scoring, had finally been validated.

“When you work hard, the goals are going to come. The most important thing is if I don’t score, I put in the work.”

Perez has been somewhat underappreciated by MLS in general ever since he arrived in 2012, but it’s easy to see why the 33-year-old veteran is held in such high regard among the fans in Dallas. This was his first hat trick for FC Dallas in any competition.

Dallas, who clinched their eighth US Open Cup semifinal berth, will travel to Philadelphia to face the Union on August 12.

2014 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 1: Vlad Baciu (RWB Adria – USASA)
Round 2: Luke Winter (Chattanooga FC – NPSL)
Round 3: Earl Edwards Jr. (PSA Elite – USASA)
Round 4: Deshorn Brown (Colorado Rapids – MLS)
Round 5: Scott Goodwin (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
Quarterfinals: Blas Perez (FC Dallas – MLS)

HIGHLIGHTS: FC DALLAS AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

MATCH REPLAY: FC DALLAS AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Blas Perez scores three as FC Dallas ends Carolina RailHawks’ home unbeaten streak (video)

July 10, 2014 by Neil Morris

UPDATE: Blas Perez of FC Dallas was named TheCup.us Player of the Round of the Quarterfinals

The first question posed to Enzo Martinez after FC Dallas’ 5-2 win over the Carolina RailHawks Wednesday night in Cary was whether the RailHawks’ early opening goal conjured confidence that the WakeMed Soccer Park magic would again propel them to victory over a Major League Soccer opponent.

Before the Carolina midfielder could respond, florescent light bulbs flicked off, temporary cloaking the media room in darkness.

No further response was really necessary.

After surrendering one goal and nearly another over the opening 20 minutes of their quarterfinal match in the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, a speedy, technically proficient FC Dallas turned out the lights on both the RailHawks’ tournament hopes and their 23-match home unbeaten streak.

FC Dallas opened the game with a three-man back line, a tactical decision that manager Oscar Pareja later admitted was in error. While Dallas’ formidable forwards would eventually feast on the RailHawks’ defense, their initial lack of cover in the defending third afforded Carolina’s own potent attackers space to make runs into the box.

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That paid early dividends in the 9th minute. Jun Marques Davidson played a nifty chip pass ahead to a streaking Martinez in the box. Martinez centered the ball over to Zack Schilawski, whose left-footed toe poke flew past FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez for an early 1-0 lead.

“We decided to go with some pressure ,” Pareja said, “but they made us change the plan quick due to their technical ability.”

FC Dallas center back Matt Hedges deferred a question about why the team started out with a three-man back to his manager.

“We tried it and it didn’t work as well as we wanted it to,” Hedges said. “So we made some changes, and we got much more organized afterwards.”

Carolina attempted to keep up the attack, with another Martinez blast in the 20th minute bounding just wide of the goal. But in the 23rd minute, Tescho Akindele drove along FC Dallas’ right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box that found an unmarked Blas Perez, whose header found the upper netting and knotted the score at 1-1.

Unfortunately, the RailHawks’ offensive eagerness eventually played into FC Dallas’ plan. Too often midfielders Cesar Elizondo, Ty Shipalane and Martinez would dribble into a sure-footed defender and get dispossessed, triggering counterattacks that allowed Fabian Castillo, Andres Escobar and others to carve up and break down the Carolina defense all evening.

In the 34th minute, Carolina center back Austen King attempted a slide tackle to clear out a FC Dallas through ball intended for JeVaughn Watson. However, King’s clearance ricocheted off Watson and behind King, allowing Watson to regather the ball and center it to Perez stationed atop the box. Perez’s strike somehow dissected Daniel Scott and Kupono Low before skimming past goalkeeper Scott Goodwin to give Dallas a 2-1 lead.

However, just two minutes later an Elizondo dribble was handled in the area by Moises Hernandez, drawing a penalty call from referee Ricardo Salazar. Martinez stepped to the spot and hammered his PK past Fernandez to level the score at 2-2.

With Carolina harboring hopes of carrying a tie score into halftime, a RailHawks miscue gave FC Dallas the eventual game-winner in the 44th minute. Another Elizondo dispossession, this time to Watson, launched a Dallas counter led by Escobar, who galloped into the attacking third before sending a seeing eye through ball ahead to Castillo. All Castillo did was beat Low to the ball, maneuver past Scott and then round Goodwin before calmly depositing the ball into an open goal for a 3-2 lead at intermission.

It was a moment of technical class that epitomized the talent gap between FC Dallas’ speedy, skilled attackers and an outmatched RailHawks back line, whose output was a far cry from their flawless performance two weeks ago during Carolina’s Open Cup win over the LA Galaxy.

After halftime, FC Dallas subbed in defender Stephen Keel and retreated to a flat four-man back line with a compact midfield. Dallas remained content to surrender much possession to Carolina, but the RailHawks were unable to convert their chances.

As Carolina threw players forward late in the match in search of another equalizer, it opened space for FC Dallas to ultimately pad their lead. In the 89th minute, another Martinez turnover near midfield triggered yet another Dallas counter. Mauro Diaz drove past the center line before playing the ball wide left to Castillo. Castillo drew defenders before calmly passing the ball back to Diaz for a professional finish.

Then a couple of minutes later during added time, another dynamic drive up the left side by Castillo ended with him driving toward the top of the 18-yard box, rounding a helpless Scott, and then laying the ball to an unmarked Perez. All that remained was for Perez to complete his hat trick and account for the final scoring tally. Perez became just the third Dallas player to score three goals in a game, joining Kenny Cooper (2006) and Bobby Rhine (1999).

The sad irony is while Carolina had more possession and attack against FC Dallas than the Chivas USA and LA Galaxy games combined, the ultimate result was very different.

“I thought we played pretty well,” said RailHawks manager Colin Clarke. “I thought we competed with them. I thought we passed the ball and moved the ball. Just the little details in each box, defensively and being clinical in the other box. They were better than us tonight at that.”

The match carried a sense of occasion and connections about it. Jason Kreis, the new manager of New York City FC and a former Duke University standout, was on hand for a scouting expedition — before the game he was at a nearby bar watching the Netherlands-Argentina FIFA World Cup match with RailHawks’ supporters.

Also, Pareja both played for and served as an assistant coach under Clarke when Clarke managed FC Dallas from 2003-2006.

“It was good to see them, good to catch up with them,” Clarke said. “I think they’re doing good things down there. They’re a fun team to watch … and have some great players.”

And, there was another reunion of sorts between Martinez, Goodwin and Hedges, who were teammates on the 2011 North Carolina Tar Heels men’s national championship team.

“Obviously, it was the kind of reunion I hoped we’d have,” Hedges joked about getting the win over his former college mates.

The loss to FC Dallas squanders Carolina’s chance to host an Open Cup semifinal tie against the Philadelphia Union next month. However, with this year’s Open Cup run now over, the RailHawks’ attention turns squarely toward the NASL fall season, which kicks off this Saturday in Cary against Indy Eleven. Indy finished at the bottom of the league’s spring season standings, failing to win any of their nine games. However, one of their four draws came against the RailHawks.

Saturday’s match presents Carolina a chance to kick off the fall campaign with a home win and maybe exorcise a few demons in the process. That said, three of the team’s ensuing four games after this weekend will be on the road at Minnesota, San Antonio and New York, the three top teams in the NASL spring season.

Fortunately, the RailHawks spent the NASL “midseason” World Cup break playing three competitive matches against MLS teams an additional friendly against Puebla FC from Liga MX, winning three of those four contests. Clarke says his team enjoyed the much-needed preparation, and he learned a few things about them in the process.

“We need to be more clinical,” Clarke said. “We also need to be a little nastier in some ways, a little more professional. There were a few times tonight when we could have stuck in some tackles tonight and we didn’t. They didn’t mind giving us a kick from time to time, and we’ve got to get that into our game, particularly when we go on the road.”

After punching their ticket to the Semifinals for the 8th time, FC Dallas will enjoy a 10-day break before returning to league play at home against the New England Revolution on July 19.

Neil Morris writes for indyweek.com and you can follow him on Twitter @ByNeilMorris

HIGHLIGHTS: FC DALLAS AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

MATCH REPLAY: FC DALLAS AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: FC Dallas wins Texas-size extra time battle with Houston Dynamo, 3-2 (video)

June 25, 2014 by Chris Hockman

FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele (13) and Houston Dynamo midfielder Giles Barnes (23) battle for the ball during. Photo: FC Dallas

Houston Dynamo twice came from behind but it wasn’t enough in a thrilling Texas derby as FC Dallas advanced in the US Open Cup following a 3-2 extra-time win.

Dallas’ Tesho Akindele scored eight minutes into extra time and the side held Dynamo off the board through the final 30 minutes after Omar Cummings had evened the score in the 62nd minute.

Houston was going to struggle as the match wore on, with only three substitutes, no goalkeeper among them, surely making life tough.

Houston started the match well but for all their impressive early possession they struggled to put chances away.

After the quarter-hour mark Dallas started to take charge and if not for Tally Hall, Fabian Castillo could well have put his side in front, but his effort was too tame.

In the 23rd minute disaster struck for Dynamo as they had to use a sub early as Will Bruin succumbed to an injury after a hit to his hip, forcing him from the field.

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Chris Seitz kept Dynamo out in the 24th minute as Kofi Sarkodie was able to get space and shoot, after a good ball from Omar Cummings, but Seitz got down well and low to keep it scoreless.

Castillo was looking dangerous and in the 34th minute it was his work that gave Dallas the lead as he broke through the Houston defense and slot past Hall to open the scoring.

In the 40th minute, Dallas should have doubled their lead as Andres Escobar made a run in on goal, and instead of passing to one of three open men, chose to shoot but was denied as Hall saved easily.

Dallas paid the price for failing to clear a Houston corner, as a scramble lead to a handball which allowed Giles Barnes to step up and slot past Seitz, who guessed correctly but was denied.

Late in stoppage there was controversy as a foul on the edge of the area gave a penalty to Dallas, after the referee consulted with his assistant, allowing Blas Perez to step up, but he launched his effort letting Houston off the hook and keeping it 1-1 at the break.

Dynamo started the second half well again as they attacked at Dallas but struggled to get those chances put away.

Just before the hour Escobar made his presence felt again as his shot from the edge of the area was hit with a swerving effort which left Hall with no chance.

Houston responded two minutes later as Cummings was played through, behind Zach Loyd before he shot from a tight angle to level the scores.

In the 72nd minute a free-kick gave Houston a good opportunity as a goal mouth scramble allowed AJ Cochran a chance to head at goal but his effort went over the bar.

A quick 79th minute counter gave Castillo another great opportunity but he was again denied by an impressive Hall save.

Dallas kept on knocking but time and time again Hall was immense to keep their rivals out and keep their US Open Cup hopes alive as the match headed to extra time.

Eight minutes in to the extra-time period Dallas got the crucial goal as Akindele made the turn and shot past Hall to restore Dallas’ lead.

Dynamo pushed in the second-half of extra time, forcing Seitz into several saves but the Dallas keeper did the job to give his side the win.

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS (HOUSTON)

POST-GAME INTERVIEW (TALLY HALL)

MATCH REPLAY: FC DALLAS AT HOUSTON DYNAMO