Maybe the downpour of rain is exactly what FC Dallas needed at Rio Tinto Stadium to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Through the entirety of a dry first half, the visitors seemed completely out of sync, losing the possession battle to Real Salt Lake 70-30 and failing to get a single shot on goal.
But when the rain started falling in the second half, FC Dallas found their groove and managed to escape Salt Lake with a 1-0 win, a top seed in the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and a berth in the 2016-2017 CONCACAF Champions League.
“The reaction in the second half was incredible,” said FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja. “They deserve it. They were a team who is tough to play against, and most importantly we created some chances to give us a result. I’m very proud of this moment and the willingness they have to win.”
The lone Dallas goal came in the 57th minute from the feet of the club’s South Americans. David Texeira, Ezequiel Cirigliano and Mauro Diaz connected on a series of passes in the Salt Lake half to create the opportunity, which finished with Diaz threading a ball between three spread-out RSL defenders right to the feet of Texeira. The Uruguayan set his feet and fired the shot above Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Jeff Attinella.
Not only was it the striker’s third goal in four games, but it was also another clinching goal after he also scored the game-winner when Dallas booked their ticket to the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs against Houston two weeks ago.
“We were talking about winning the second balls, and that was the difference in the second half,” Texeira said of what switch was flipped at halftime. “We were winning those second balls, and we started getting the ball to Mauro [Diaz]. And then Mauro made the plays.”
Even though FC Dallas was outplayed in every facet of the game in the first half, FC Dallas was able to prevent a halftime deficit thanks to the play of homegrown ‘keeper Jesse Gonzalez. The 20-year-old made four saves in the first half, including a point-blank stop in the 36th minute when Gonzalez stuck out his right arm while falling back on his heels.
Without Gonzalez's play in the first half, three points may not have been achievable.
“In the first half, they played much better than us. But he kept us in it,” defender Matt Hedges told MLSsoccer.com about his young 'keeper. “That’s what we needed. We knew going in 0-0 that we’d have a chance to get a goal, and if we could defend well for the last 45, then we’d get three points. And that’s what happened.”
The win puts pressure on the New York Red Bulls to grab three points on Sunday against Philadelphia to keep pace in the race for the Supporters' Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular season record. If the Red Bulls lose or draw, FC Dallas will control their own destiny for the Shield in the regular season finale next Sunday when they host the San Jose Earthquakes.
Both Hedges and Texeira said they will be scoreboard-watching on Sunday.
“It was one of the goals we made to be in the playoffs and to win the conference,” Texeira said. “Now we have one game more to fight for the Supporters’ Shield.”
Even if New York win on Sunday, Dallas still have a chance to win the Shield at home with a victory against San Jose on #DecisionDay – Sunday, October 25.
And even if the Shield doesn’t fall their way, Dallas know a gritty game like Saturday's is a good test for the level of competition coming their way in the playoffs.
“There were many moments that weren’t very pretty, but they understand the game,” Pareja said. “And to win it [all] is going to require moments like that tonight.”
Scott Sidway covers FC Dallas for MLSsoccer.com.
