FRISCO, Texas — Amidst the onslaught of goals Saturday night in FC Dallas' 4-0 rout of the Portland Timbers was the first career tally for Zach Loyd.
The second-year player, who last scored in his senior year at the University of North Carolina, fought through the Timbers defense on a corner kick, heading home the game’s first goal — the eventual game-winner — in the 33rd minute.
“Daniel [Hernandez] played a great ball — he was playing great services all night,” said Loyd. “He just put it in the right spot and I managed to get a head on it and it went in. I’m very excited but happier with the result the team got.”
In a bit of good fortune for the Oklahoma native, there were also some welcome visitors at Pizza Hut Park Saturday night.
“My family was here, so it was pretty exciting to talk to them and for them to see my first professional goal,” Loyd added.
SHEA ARTWORK RAISES NEARLY $10,000
Followers of MLS are quickly becoming fans of FC Dallas’ high-scoring midfielder Brek Shea. But he also has fans for another one of his skill sets.
The 21-year-old — who scored his team-leading seventh goal Saturday — has his own art studio, Left Foot Studio, in his garage and most often paints the day after a game or on Mondays and Tuesdays before training picks back up.
Sunday night, Shea showcased 10 of his abstract pieces to the “Controlled Chaos” Art Show and Auction at NYLO Hotel in Plano, raising almost $10,000 for the FC Dallas Foundation benefitting disadvantaged youth through soccer.
FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt attended the event and quickly took a liking to one of the masterpieces, Shea said.
“One [painting] that was not in the auction was there and Dan Hunt actually bought it when he first walked in,” said Shea after Monday’s regeneration session. “He was the first one and he liked it right when he saw it. Someone tried to buy it off him for more but he wouldn’t do it.”
JACKSON SCORES ANOTHER
Since returning from his wedding in Brazil in early June, Jackson Gonçalves has been nothing short of a revelation for FC Dallas.
The 23-year-old struggled early in the 2011 campaign with a red card against the Columbus Crew and some questionable defense, but has rebounded to provide FCD with a dangerous offensive weapon.
Jackson scored his second goal in as many weeks Saturday night against Portland on an 18-yard blast late in the game.
The Brazilian also hit the crossbar once off a spectacular volley, and provided the through-ball to Eric Alexander that set up the game’s third goal.
When asked about his current level of play, Jackson’s response was brief and to the point.
“I’m always looking for more,” said a smiling Jackson.
