FCDallas Vaults Into 3rd!

Photo by Willie Martin "Mr. Will"

With Real Salt Lake playing to a draw October 17 FCDallas knew it only needed to get the victory in Colorado to collect three points and have third place all to themselves. 

The importance of third place would mean hosting a playoff game on the weekend instead of doing so during the weekday.

As quickly as the third minute FCDallas had an opportunity to get on the board first as David Texeira got in behind the Rapid line for a scoring chance after a crisp cross from Jair Benitez. 

Goalie Clint Irwin forced Tex to shoot wide of the net.

After a scoreless first half and two substitutions made by Coach Oscar Pareja (Tesho Akindele and Kellyn Acosta for Tex and Benitez) it was in the 55th minute that FCDallas was awarded a penalty kick after Rapid defender Dillon Serna was caught handing the ball.

Blas Perez put FCDalls on the board with a blast that found the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute. 

Jared Watts in the 79th minute was hit with a caution which placed the Rapids in the one man advantage. FCDallas held on for the win and shutout to improve to 16-11-6 54 points and third place!

A big win for Team Pareja played in under two hours before a crowd of 15,274 in sunny 63 degree weather.

Oscar Pareja was relieved after the match and win.

I was really worried about this game. The urgency of this game was much different for the teams. We needed to get three points. A tie didn’t work for us. Having the responsibility to gain three points was tough considering we just played another important game against LA last weekend. Today was one of those games where you can get exposed. I have to say that Colorado played a very good game. They came out sharp and gave us a lot of trouble, especially in the first half. In the second half, I thought we were able to control the game. The changes we made with two players enabled us to level the game. We created a couple of changes and handled [Colorado] better.

Keep in mind that Colorado was home for two years prior to coming home to Texas. Pareja also addressed the Rapid struggles.

The friends that I have here and the club, the way they treated me, the players and everything that I left here after two years… All of it was incredible. For me, I will always wish the best for [the Rapids], the group of players they have here. They’re working hard. Things will turn around for the club. They have people in the locker room capable of doing the job. It was a rough first season [in Colorado] for me. The second season, with the youngsters… Those guys exposed us [FC Dallas] a bit here today. You have to be patient.

What was the mindset about playing Tesho in Colorado?

Coming here to Denver was special for Tesho. I wanted him so bad to score but he works very hard. I thought what he did in the second half was great. I’m proud of him. He is all heart. He is committed to the tactical work. Normally, I play him as a striker but today I needed his work rate on the flank. It worked well. When he has chances, he puts the ball away and that makes him special.

How does being able to say third place sound?

It was our goal today. Getting three points was crucial. Having it in our control, going against Portland at home next weekend in Frisco will be good. Our boys deserve it.

Defender Matt Hedges definitely had some thoughts about third place.

It’s huge. Salt Lake had a chance to secure third place last night, but they ended up drawing against Portland so we understood that three points for us here would put us in a really good spot. That’s what we did. Now it’s in our control. We control our own destiny and that is a good feeling.

Lastly. playoff talk aside there is the talk of Tesho Akindele being a possible Rookie Of The Year. What about it Tesho?

Everyone here is a competitive person, that’s part of being a professional athlete. Any type of professional award or recognition you can get… I’m obviously going for it. I cannot just focus on that though I’m more focused on the team.

Next weekend the regular season shall end with the Portland Timbers in Frisco for a 7:30 start. Simply put if FCDallas can secure a win third place shall be theirs.

Any way you slice it November means a return to the playoffs for FCDallas.

Red For 90.

Dallas Til I Die.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will