Curitiba, Brazil - FC Dallas' Brazilian duo of André Rocha and Ricardinho each scored first-half goals against their former teammates, giving FCD the 2-0 win over Clube Atletico Paranaense in the first-leg of the 2008 USA-Brazil Challenge. For both players, who are on loan to FC Dallas from Atletico Paranaense, it was the first time playing at Kyocera Arena since joining FCD. The return-leg of the second USA-Brazil Challenge will be played at Pizza Hut Park on March 22.
"We were certainly looking to step it up another level," said Steve Morrow, FC Dallas head coach. "The level of competition was obviously higher than it's been so far, so we were looking to raise our game a little tonight, and I was delighted with the outcome."
FC Dallas employed a 3-4-1-2 formation, with André Rocha playing behind forwards Kenny Cooper and Ricardinho, and in front of center midfielders Marcelo Saragosa and Pablo Ricchetti. Bobby Rhine played wide right and David Wagenfuhr on the left. Aaron Pitchkolan anchored the backline, flanked by Drew Moor on the right and Adrian Serioux on the left. Dario Sala played 90 minutes in goal for the first time this preseason.
Ricardinho and Rocha are on loan to FC Dallas from Atletico Paranaense, the club with which FCD formed a partnership in the fall of 2006. Ricardinho, 19, joined FCD in July 2007, while 23-year old André Rocha arrived in February 2008. Playing in front of numerous family members and friends, neither player visibly celebrated their goals, showing respect for their fans and former teammates.
FC Dallas struck before ten minutes had passed, taking advantage of an errant pass to create the opening goal. Ricchetti stepped up to defense a clearance from defender Joao Leanardo just outside the CAP area, and intercepted the pass. The Argentine quickly took the ball toward the endline to the right of the goal, while André Rocha was running in down the middle. Ricchetti sent a sharp pass to the top of the six yard box, where Rocha's header beat keeper Julian Viafara's attempted punch and hit the back of the net.
Atletico nearly equalized six minutes later. Forward Ederson broke through the defense and was running toward goal. However FCD keeper Dario Sala anticipated the play, coming out past the arc of the box, denying the forward by going down to his knees with his arms spread wide and deflecting the shot of his thigh.
After a few other chances by each side, FC Dallas began controlling possession and did so for the final 20 minutes of the half. The midfield continuously interrupted any CAP attempt at possession, and combined quick passes to keep the pressure on the home team's defensive end.
"The quality of our passing, particularly in the first half, was very, very good," continued Morrow. "I thought the midfield guys in particular moved the ball very well, created a lot of opportunities. We could've been four nil up at halftime, so it was very pleasing."
Ricardinho jumped on another Atletico mistake in the 37th minute, intercepting a backwards pass 15 yards from midfield and racing in towards goal. Viafara came out to cut off the angle; however the young Brazilian took one touch to his left and sent a passing shot around the keeper, watching it roll in for his second goal of the preseason.
"It's a great story, and very ironic in many ways," said Morrow of Ricardinho and André Rocha scoring against their former team. "I was really pleased for those two; I think the game meant a lot for those two players tonight. It was good to see them scoring goals, and both of them played very good as well."
Before the half ended, Bobby Rhine had entered the area twice more, with one possession cleared away at the last second, and another shot saved by the diving keeper. As the teams went to the break, the crowd showed their displeasure with loud whistles and boos.
The Dallas defense carried the team in the second half. Dario Sala made three diving saves off long-range blasts to earn the clean sheet. With less then ten minutes to go, FCD put together a long passing sequence around the field to effectively kill off the game.
"It was very pleasing for me in the second half, especially to see the stadium filling up and the crowd applauding us at times for the way we moved the ball," added Morrow. "I think it was a great experience for the boys, and they showed a lot of maturity."
FCD played without defender Duilio Davino and midfielder Juan Toja, who picked up minor injuries earlier in the week and were held out as a precaution. The team was also missing midfielders Arturo Alvarez and Dax McCarty, who are in camp with the U.S. U-23 MNT. According to CAP officials, nine of the 11 starters are regular members of the Atletico first team roster, with two others and the substitutes coming from the U-20 team.
The game was the first of two on the night. The remaining members of CAP's first team played the nightcap versus Corinthians Alagoano in the Copa de Brazil. The teams tied both legs 1-1; however Atletico was eliminated tonight by losing 4-3 on penalty kicks.
FC Dallas will travel to Florianopolis on Friday ahead of its final preseason game in Brazil on Saturday, March 8 versus Avai FC of Brazil's Serie B.
SCORING SUMMARY:
FCD - Andre Rocha (Pablo Ricchetti) 15'
FCD - Ricardinho (unassisted) 37'
FC DALLAS (3-4-1-2): 44-Dario Sala, 14-Drew Moor, 17-Aaron Pitchkolan, 15-Adrian Serioux (21-Alex Yi 62'), 19-Bobby Rhine (C), 6-Pablo Ricchetti (26-Anthony Wallace 75'), 5-Marcelo Saragosa, 16-David Wagenfuhr, 11-Andre Rocha, 10-Ricardinho (Dominic Oduro 75'), 33-Kenny Cooper (7-Abe Thompson 85').
CLUBE ATLETICO PARANAENSE (3-5-2): 1-Julian Viafara, 2-Douglas Maia (16-Deivid 75'), 3-Leandro (13-Carlao 55'), 4-Matheus, 5-Joao Leonardo, 6-Michel (17-Dudu 87'), 7-Renan (15-Vinicius Hess 87'), 8-Chico, 10-Rodrigao (18-Fagner 75'), 10-Kaio (14-Robert 60'), 11-Ederson.
