For the third straight game, David Ferreira was the hero for FC Dallas. After draining game-winning penalty kicks in each of his side’s last two games, the Colombian midfielder delivered a scintillating game-tying goal in the 87th minute on Sunday that allowed FCD to leave Seattle with a point.
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“He’s a special player in this league,” FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said by phone, but added he was pleased with his team’s performance across the pitch in securing a 1-1 draw and extending its unbeaten streak to five games.
The visitors overcame a goal by Seattle’s Fredy Montero in the 14th minute that came after great service from the right flank by James Riley.
But if there were a moment that changed the entire complexion of this Western Conference contest, it came when Seattle rookie midfielder Miguel Montano was sent off in the 56th minute for a blow to the back of the head of FCD’s Brek Shea.
“We were lucky to get the call, a straight red on an elbow to the head,” Hyndman said. “From that moment on, things really started lightening up for us.”
Shea was also booked, getting a yellow card on the play. But Hyndman commended the 20-year-old midfielder for the tough demeanor he showed throughout the entire 90 minutes.
“I thought Brek Shea really played a man’s game tonight,” he said. “He was dishing out as much as he was getting.
And even though the equalizing goal came from the scintillating Ferreira – his fourth goal of the season, which ties him for the team lead with Jeff Cunningham – the Colombian playmaker got a nice assist from teammate Heath Pearce, which didn’t escape the watchful eye of his head coach.
“It was a great combination play with Heath laying the ball off for David, who has really been a man for the month,” Hyndman said. “It took a great finish to beat Kasey [Keller].”
In all, the FCD manager admits this draw was far from pretty, but he’ll take the point heading into a match with reigning MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake next Saturday night at Pizza Hut Park.
“I’m proud of the guys’ never die attitude,” Hyndman said. “We fought all the way to the end and I am very happy to come away with a point.”
