FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman was extremely satisfied with the way his team jumped out on the New York Red Bulls early and dominated on both sides of the ball en-route to a 2-1 victory in the teams’ season opener on Sunday.
“We played with a lot of energy. We created scoring chances and were able to strike early,” Hyndman said. “In the second half we did a great job of creating opportunities. [Ricardo] Villar was able to get the ball over the keeper and score. I thought Blas [Pérez] had three chances to score, but their goalkeeper did a good job stopping them.”
Hyndman said he was impressed with Pérez and expects the new striker to be effective this season. Pérez had multiple opportunities on Sunday but failed to convert, but he did assist on both goals and gave New York fits all day.
The only drawback to the win was an injury to forward Fabián Castillo, who was unstoppable before limping out of the game in the 32nd minute.
“He got a pretty good hit on the inside of his knee. My first thoughts are a knee contusion or maybe a strained ligament,” Hyndman said. “He’s a very good young player. As he continues to mature, he’ll make better decisions. They didn’t really have an answer for him today.”
With midfielder David Ferreira already out with an Achilles injury he suffered during the preseason in Orlando, FC Dallas’ roster is already getting thin. Castillo may not be ready by next Saturday’s match against Portland and star midfielder Brek Shea may be held out as well ahead of the US Olympic team’s qualifying schedule, which begins March 22.
“We try to help out the national team as much as we can so Brek Shea may not play next week,” Hyndman said. “There is a possibility that we may be without Castillo and Shea next game.”
WATCH: Hyndman speaks with MLSsoccer.com
