FRISCO, Texas ā FC Dallas midfielder Michael Barrios recorded two assists in Tuesday nightās 4-2 win over D.C. United, putting him atop the MLS assist leaderboard with 10 total.
Barrios has four assists in the last three league games, helping power Dallas' recent offensive surge of eight goals over that timespan. More known for his goalscoring, the Colombian had just four total assists in his first two seasons with Dallas.
āOur team is getting a Michael Barrios who is [all over] the game,ā head coach Oscar Pareja said. āHeās constantly assisting players. At this point, he hasnāt scored many goals, but heās putting other guys in front of the goal constantly. A tremendous job for Mikey.
āWeāre delighted to see him as a player that is a team player. Heās well-deserved for the position that heās in, leading in assists.ā
Barriosā first assist Tuesday came early in the second half, a leading pass toward the goal was put in by Maximiliano Urruti from the end line to push Dallasā lead to 3-1.
In the 55th minute, Barrios moved down the right side and delivered a perfect crossing pass to the middle, where Roland Lamah put the ball in the back of the net.
āHe gets to the end line more than anybody Iāve ever seen,ā defender/midfielder Ryan Hollingshead said. āThe amount of times he gets past his defender, is able to cut a ball back is absurd. The guyās crazy quick. Thatās huge to have a guy like that on our team.ā
Lamah knows you have to be ready for a pass from the 26-year-old Barrios at any time.
āHeās a good player. Heās fast, and we know that when he runs in space, we have to be there,ā Lamah said. āWe know when Barrios has the ball, you have to be ready.ā
Tuesdayās win moved Dallas to the top of the Western Conference standings, above Sporting Kansas City. With Barrios playing at this level, thereās no sign of him or the team slowing down.
āWeāve been creating chances all season long. Sometimes, it just clicks,ā Hollingshead said. āNow weāre on a stretch where itās clicking. Guys are getting in good spots. Those are some things. Weāve got a squad that can score goals. There was a little cold stretch, but thatās not who we are. Weāre showing now who we are.ā