FRISCO, Texas – In the biggest game to date as FC Dallas head coach, Oscar Pareja put his money on a player who had not started for the club since Aug. 12.
And Mauro Diaz returned his coach’s faith in a big way, setting the tone for much of Dallas’ 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference Knockout Round game of the MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T, at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday.
“The decision on bringing Mauro in today, I think it changed the whole thing,” Pareja said. “I’m very happy to see Mauro back in the team.”
Considering Diaz was named the March MLS Player of the Month, the question was not one of quality but rather of fitness and effectiveness. The Argentine had returned from an April knee injury in July, only to suffer more injury woes after starting in a league match Aug. 9 and a US Open Cup game Aug. 12.
“We threw him a hard ball tonight, and he showed all that he is prepared for it,” Pareja said. “I thought he came up and turned the light for us. When Mauro is on the field, lights are on more frequently than others. I’m very happy, and I know the boys are very happy to have him back.”
The Argentine was once again the midfield maestro that had led Dallas to the best record in the league early in the season, pulling the strings that allowed FCD to dominate key stretches of the first half against Vancouver and assisting on the first goal of the game in the 40th minute.
“He is a great passer of the ball,” said Rookie of the Year candidate Tesho Akindele, who was the beneficiary of his assist on the opening goal. “You give him the ball under pressure, he’s always going to hold it, and he’s always going to find whoever is in the most open space. Having him on the field for us is huge. He’s just the perfect link player on our team.”
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On the opener, Diaz dribbled past three Vancouver defenders while running at goal, then laid off the ball to Akindele, whose solid finish beat Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted, putting Dallas up 1-0.
“I knew he was going to pass me the ball once he broke through, so I was just trying to get as open as I could, so when I controlled it I wouldn’t be under pressure right away,” Akindele said.
Veteran midfielder Michel, who banged home the winner on an 84th-minute penalty kick, said Diaz “makes the difference.”
“When he is on the field, we have a lot of quality with the ball,” Michel said. “We need him on the field. Today, with all he gave for us, we are so glad.”
