FRISCO, Texas – As FC Dallas prepare for a huge match against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (3 pm ET; NBCSN), the goal of getting the third seed in the Western Conference Playoffs is within reach: a win in Colorado, coupled with a Real Salt Lake loss or tie in their Friday night trip to Portland, would put them in pole position to avoid a one-game Knockout Round playoff.
And Uruguayan forward David Texeira could be the man that pushes Dallas over the edge, the Young Designated Player coming on strong with three goals in his last three games – also his first three starts since May 7.
Texeira was a major offseason acquisition, but for much of the season he was behind veteran forward Blas Perez and rookie standout Tesho Akindele on the depth chart. He has made the most of his latest opportunities, though, scoring a brace in a 3-1 win over Seattle on Sept. 24 and getting Dallas’ opening goal against the Galaxy in a 2-1 win on Sunday.
“His persistence has been excellent,” said Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja. ”He had to wait because Blas was scoring and Tesho was scoring. Now he is the one who is scoring. That effort is remarkable from him. Now we have another great tool.”
Texeira relied on his professionalism to continue to work and wait for his opportunity, knowing that his ability to stay in the lineup would depend on his ability to perform. Three goals in three games will help his cause.
“It was tough, but the most important thing is to not give up and looking forward,” Texiera said.
Now, for a team that has endured some difficult stretches in 2014 to clinch a postseason berth, looking forward means trying to earn a little bit more rest ahead of a rigrous playoff exam.
“We’re going to try to get six points in these two games,” Texeira said. “If we can make the third position, it would be nice. We can rest a few days more.”
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Considering the team that has been out of the playoffs since 2011, just getting in might seem good enough, but that is not the attitude Texeira and Dallas are taking.
“We are there, but we know it is a long way to the final,” the forward said. “We have to win, we have to concentrate. Everybody is feeling good. The most important thing is to get confidence.
One tool that that Pareja will not be able to utilize for the game against Colorado will be midfield maestro Mauro Diaz. The Argentine midfielder will remain in Dallas in order to be as strong as possible for FC Dallas’ final game of the regular season against the Portland Timbers on Oct. 25 and into the playoffs.
“We are not going to take him to Colorado, but he is in the 90 percent strength now and we look forward to having him against Portland,” Pareja said.
