FRISCO, Tex. – For the second time this year, FC Dallas were forced to play an extra 30 minutes in a U.S. Open Cup game.
The difference this time, however, was the lack of penalty kicks, with the hosts grabbing the go-ahead goal in the first extra time frame to send the MLS-leading Colorado Rapids home following a 2-1 result on Wednesday.
FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja called the match “one of the best” games in Frisco this season.
“We kept our composure and controlled the game in the second half,” Pareja said, referencing a difficult first half where FC Dallas failed to create many opportunities. “I thought we came back to a higher rhythm and higher intensity, and we created a lot of chances getting behind with the speed we have with our wingers.”
It’s no coincidence that the hosts’ success coincided with Pareja’s second half substitutions, which included three players that are typical starters: Maxi Urruti, Victor Ulloa, and Michael Barrios.
Barrios had his share of chippy moments with Colorado defender Marc Burch, but it was the fresh legs of Urruti who ultimately made the difference on the scoreboard, bouncing in the go-ahead goal in the 96th minute, as it took a fortunate deflection off the front of the left post to squeeze by Zac MacMath and put Dallas on top for good.
Even Dallas’ first goal, while highlight reel worthy, was perhaps a bit fortunate in the build-up, with two Colorado defenders colliding while Fabian Castillo took advantage and sped around their wreckage to find Mauro Diaz for an easy tap-in.
And while Pareja acknowledged there may have been a small portion of good fortune on their side, he recognized his squad’s ability to create their own luck.
“I thought the creation of the goals had their difficulties,” Pareja said. “Maybe the final pass you can see in a different way, but the creation of those options were very good. I have to give credit to the guys who were present and scored tonight in a game where we needed them.”
Added Castillo on his equalizer, via translator: “I noticed that one of the defenders was trying to get behind the other one, and they bumped into each other. I just tried to pass it as far along as I could. I saw Mauro running and hustling, and the only logical thing was to pass the ball to him and let him have the goal.”
The win puts FC Dallas in the quarterfinals of the Open Cup – one game deeper than they made it last season after getting blown out in Kansas City by eventual champions Sporting KC.
And even with a full schedule ahead with a grueling battle for the MLS Supporters’ Shield and the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, Pareja and company aren’t taking their feet off the gas.
“I have a group of players who don’t want to give up any tournament,” Pareja said. “We have a semester full of traveling and games and a lot of activity, and the boys are committed to fight every single game, like the last one. We’re not going to give up this tournament or the interest in winning it.”
