FRISCO, Texas – The FC Dallas locker room was a far different scene after a 3-0 win over 2010 MLS Cup champions Colorado Rapids than it had been at the end of the three games before.
WATCH: FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
The music blared, the players laughed and 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira addressed each and every one of the media’s questions, including those about his goal celebrations.
After chipping a goal over a diving Matt Pickens for his first score of 2011, Ferreira reached into his shorts, pulled out a pacifier and put it in his mouth. For his second goal – a tap-in just 25 seconds into the second half – the Colombian celebrated by rocking the baby.
[inline_node:333381]“My wife is pregnant and the goals were dedicated to her,” said Ferreira after the game.
Not only is the 31-year-old midfielder set to become a father again, but his team also finally got the three points they had been seeking.
During training leading up to Friday’s game against the Rapids, Ferreira continually mentioned staying calm, staying in the moment of the game and not letting the pressure get to the team.
His message was no different afterwards.
“It was a good night and, most importantly, in the moment where we had to be calm, the team was there to do the job and we are happy for the result,” Ferreira said.
After a frustrating opening three weeks to the 2011 season, where opposing teams man-marked and harassed the league's most fouled player to prevent him from finding any space to create, some may have been questioning Ferreira's confidence.
But through it all, he said his confidence never wavered.
“I always have confidence, [even] when things don’t go my way,” Ferreira said. “That happens in soccer. The most important thing is that when things aren’t going well, I stay strong. Luckily, tonight, I had a lot of patience and my teammates helped me to have the day I did.”
WATCH: Ferreira chips over Pickens for the lead
After the match, Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman praised his attacking midfielder, citing his intelligence and ability to “fit in between the midfield and defense” as they keys to FCD's shutout win against Colorado.
“I really think that he is such a good player and he figures things out very quickly,” said Hyndman. “We talked about him getting up higher so that the defenders have to worry about him and I think you started to see a David that we have seen in the past.”
