FRISCO ā For FC Dallas, the gang appears to be back together.
The trio of FCDās most potent attackers ā Maxi Urruti, Michael Barrios and Mauro Diaz ā hadnāt started a game together since an Aug. 5 trip to Philadelphia before Saturday night. Reunited, though, they took their team to a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls.
Diaz converted a PK in the 75th minute, which proved extra-special -- he hadnāt found the back of the net in nearly a year.
All of this added up to a similar result as Dallas' previous six matches, all either draws or losses. But Saturdayās result and offensive performance -- which saw them playing much of the match with 10 men -- can be seen as a positive trend at a critical time in the season, even if the team is still thirsting for the elusive win.
āWeāre not in a good place,ā Urruti via translator said of the teamās past month. āWeāre not finding triumph, but we have to find the positives.
āWeāre not getting wins and it hurts because weāre a team that is used to winning,ā he added. āBut we have to be strong. It doesnāt show in the points, but we demonstrated we are willing to fight.ā
While Diazās goal was his first in 364 days, it canāt be argued how important it is for the trio of South Americans to be on the field together. Even with Diazās injury this season, and Barriosā short stint of being a spark plug off the bench (four times in a month at the beginning of the season), the three are still the teamās top assist leaders. Barrios boasts 13, Urruti five and Diaz four. Barriosā 13 is also good for second-most in MLS, behind only Toronto FC's Victor Vazquez and the New England Revolution's Lee Nguyen.
Scoring is slightly different, given Barriosā tendency to set plays up this season rather than fire the ball at the net. (He currently has 48 shots, 15 on goal, two goals). But he still sits behind only Urruti on the team in total shots (85), and they hope to once again add the element of Diazās scoring.
āWe know that to be at the top, we have to show our best,ā Urruti said. āAnd itās important to have Mauro Diaz, because he has great assists and heās shown it in this league, which is important.ā
Added Diaz on ending his drought, āIām very happy. Itās always a boost of confidence when a player scores a goal. Unfortunately, we werenāt able to win, but if the team continues in this direction, weāll get the results we need.ā
While Diaz made a triumphant return to fill out FC Dallasā star trio, the other two corners of the triangle nearly left for good. Urruti and Barrios were the center of a transfer to Argentine side San Lorenzo, with the club declining both offers and releasing a statement saying both players wanted to stay.
According to Dallas Spanish publication Al Dia, Urruti was displeased with the clubās action, stating himself he wanted to go be with the mother of his soon-to-be child, who is in Argentina and due in December.
But it appears the quick stir-up is behind Urruti, and he's instead focusing his energy on what FC Dallas sought at the beginning of the season.
āIt was important that the team showed character and the effort, which shows that weāre all going after the same goal,ā he said, "the MLS Cup."