FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas were back on the training pitch on Monday just two days after escaping the Home Depot Center and Chivas USA with three points thanks in part to an instinctive play by late substitute Jackson Gonçalves.
The Brazilian nodded in the game-winner five minutes from time after a miscommunication by the home side. While that was the big story, there were several more around the club as they went back to work:
Jacobson notches two assists Saturday night against Chivas USA
One of the side plots from the 2-1 win in Carson, Calif., was the two-assist performance from Andrew Jacobson.
“The second one was probably a bit of luck,” said Jacobson of his chip into the penalty area that was misplayed by the Rojiblancos defense. “I don’t think I put it on a platter for Jackson, but I’ll take it for sure.”
Jacobson was acquired from the Philadelphia Union in February for a second round pick in the 2013 SuperDraft and currently leads the team with four assists.
“The more we see him, the more we like him,” said FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman, who had particular praise for Jacobson’s first assist on the night. “That was a brilliant ball that he gave to Brek [Shea]. He does a lot of things people don’t see so we got quite a steal there but we know he has talent.”
Sánchez, Acosta shine for Under-17 teams
FC Dallas were well-represented as the FIFA U-17 World Cup kicked off this past weekend in Mexico.
The club’s latest Academy signee, goalkeeper Richard Sanchez, played 90 minutes in helping the host nation to a 3-1 defeat of North Korea in Group A play.
“It’s great that he’s starting at home,” Hyndman said. “It’s his dream, his family’s dream. The first shot they had they scored, but he kept his composure. He showed great recovery and I thought he had a good performance for Mexico.”
Also representing FC Dallas was academy player Kellyn Acosta, who suited up for the USA at left back and played the full 90 against the Czech Republic in a 3-0 win.
“He’s a young player that’s been in residency but came through the FCD Academy,” said Hyndman. “He’s another player that we are really proud of.”
Chávez thrilled for Honduras
In late May, as CONCACAF teams were announcing their rosters for the Gold Cup, Honduran Marvin Chávez declined the invitation to join los Catrachos for the regional tournament, citing FCD’s injury crisis in the attacking corps.
When Honduras advanced to the semifinals on Saturday after outlasting Costa Rica on penalties, Chávez couldn’t have been happier for his countrymen.
“It was an enormous win,” Chávez told MLSsoccer.com on Monday morning. “The national team had a great game. It was a very complicated game. We knew that Costa Rica was going to be a tough opponent, but Honduras was up for the challenge.”
Honduras’ best finish in the Gold Cup came in 1991 when they advanced to the final. They will have to beat a tough Mexico side on Wednesday evening in Houston if they are to match that accomplishment.
