FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas handed SMU a 3-1 defeat on Friday in what was their final preseason game at home before heading to Florida on Sunday.
The scrimmage marked the first preseason action for team captain Daniel Hernandez, who returned to practice earlier this week after recovering from offseason knee surgery.
“[I feel] good … I think for the first game, I feel fairly well physically,” Hernandez said. “I know I still have a long ways to go. I’m still trying to watch the knee and make sure I can control the swelling."
Rookie forward Ruben Luna had a goal and an assist in the win while veteran striker Milton Rodriguez scored his third goal in two games.
FCD had trailed the Mustangs 1-0 after midfielder Arthur Ivo put SMU ahead 15 minutes in. Ivo made a wicked move on Dallas center back Zach Loyd before firing off a well-placed shot past FCD goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
But the Ponies’ edge held up for just three minutes when left midfielder Brek Shea hit a great ball into the box that Rodríguez headed home for the equalizer in the 18th minute.
[inline_node:323904]The game was tied 1-1 at the break but FCD went ahead for good in the 56th minute when Luna converted from the right side to make it 2-1. The up-and-coming striker also assisted on FCD’s third goal, which was finished by Supplemental Draft pick Paul Ogunyemi in the 77th minute.
“[Luna had] a great goal," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "It wasn’t something that we developed. It was just his intensity and his determination. He fought to get the ball loose from an SMU defender and what a great finish.”
FCD’s starting lineup looked much like the first XI that played in last November’s MLS Cup final. Besides Hartman in goal, the back line consisted of Jackson Goncalves on the right, Loyd and rookie Alexis Pradie in the middle and Jair Benitez on the left.
The midfield featured Hernandez at the holding spot, reigning league MVP David Ferreira at the attacking spot alongside Eric Alexander as the linking midfielder, while Shea manned the left side with Marvin Chavez on the opposite flank.
Rodríguez was the lone striker up top.
"We have a ways to go, both me and the team," Hernandez said. "I thought it was a good showing by the team. The more and more games we can play, I think that’s the best thing for us.”
FCD now embark on a seven-day trip to Florida, where they'll prepare for the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic in Buena Vista. The tournament, which also features Toronto FC, the Houston Dynamo and USL side Orlando FC, begins Thursday, Feb. 24, and will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com.
Before then, though, FCD will scrimmage against Seattle Sounders FC on Monday, Feb. 21.
Lineups:
FCD: Kevin Hartman, Jackson, Zach Loyd, Alexis Pradie, Jair Benítez, Daniel Hernandez, Marvin Chávez, David Ferreira, Eric Alexander, Brek Shea, Milton Rodríguez
SMU: Juan Robles, Ryan Rosenbaum, Adam Still, Diogod Almeida, Ian Kalis, Arthur Ivo, Max Rockwell, Zach Barnes, Robbie Derschang, T.J. Nelson, Juan Castillo
FCD 2nd half: Chris Seitz, Andrew Wiedeman (Victor Ulloa 70), Bobby Warshaw, Scott Gordon, Moises Hernandez, Eric Avila, Bruno Martins (Bim Ogunyemi 70), Bruno Guarda, Bryan Leyva (Alexis Pradie 70), Maykel Galindo (Peri Marosevic 70), Ruben Luna
