Frisco, Texas – For the second time this season at Toyota Stadium, a stoppage-time goal earned the home team three points.
FC Dallas overcame league-leading D.C. United’s stout defense to steal a 2-1 victory on Saturday night, thanks to some late heroics from electrifying midfielder Fabian Castillo.
With the game tied 1-1 in stoppage time, midfielder Victor Ulloa fired a shot from the end of the penalty box that was blocked by Taylor Kemp. But Castillo was in the right place at the right time, recovering the rebound and firing the ball above the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra to put Dallas on top.
It was FCD's second lead of the night, as 19-year-old midfielder Kellyn Acosta had given the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 73rd minute after long periods of sustained pressure. Michael Barrios worked the left flank and found David Texeira at the corner of the goal box, leading to Acosta's close-range finish past Dykstra.
Just four minutes later, Kemp broke clear on the left flank and fired a cross to a streaking Jairo Arrieta. The teasing ball banged off Dallas defender Matt Hedges’ right foot and into the net to knot the game up at 1-1.
Prior to those back-to-back goals, Dallas were the aggressors throughout the match. In the first half alone, FCD outshot D.C. 8-2 and saw three on-target chances alertly saved by Dykstra.
In the 16th minute, Mauro Diaz's strike from the edge of the United penalty box was denied by a leaping Dykstra. Near the end of the half, Acosta found Castillo streaking toward the goal box, but Castillo headed the well-placed pass right into the chest of Dykstra. Castillo weaved his way into the left side of the penalty box in the next minute, but a Dykstra made a sliding save to thwart him yet again.
Although Dallas dominated the opening half, it was D.C. who had the first clear opportunity of the evening, in the 6th minute. Kemp sent a corner kick into the Dallas box and over the head of a leaping Texeira, where Bobby Boswell connected solidly, but sent his header wide right of the net.
D.C.’s winless streak now extends to June 24 with the result, while FC Dallas have now won four straight.
Dallas will stay home next Saturday to host the Portland Timbers, while D.C. get an extra day of rest before hosting Philadelphia next Sunday.
