For the first time since May 1, FC Dallas have won away from the DFW Metroplex.
With FCD’s 2-0 win over Orlando City SC at the Citrus Bowl Saturday, they now sport a 3-4-3 road record after going winless in their last five road games. The win also marks the squad’s first win outside of the state of Texas since March 21 in Philadelphia.
“We knew we came from a tough stretch, especially away [from home], so we were mentally very prepared,” midfielder Victor Ulloa told MLSsoccer.com after the match. “I think we showed that on the field. We were aggressive and we won the game and got three points.”
Dallas bucked the trend against an Orlando squad that before tonight were undefeated in their previous seven home starts. And they can thank the lethal combination of midfielders Mauro Diaz and Fabian Castillo for overcoming this recent roadblock.
In fact, the South American duo has had a hand in each of Dallas’ last seven goals, spanning their current three-game win streak.
“We know they’re our difference-makers,” Ulloa said. “And when they’re on, they’re on fire.”
Diaz’s goal, his fourth of the season and tenth of his MLS career, came during stoppage time at the end of the first half and concluded an opening half that Dallas dominated, firing nine shots versus only three for OCSC.
The Argentine’s goal came on a penalty kick, the club’s first of the season, after Castillo worked his way into the penalty box and was tripped up. It’s the second straight week that Diaz has scored from a set piece for FCD – an area of the game that Dallas has struggled with this season compared to last.
“It gives us a lot of positive thoughts getting back to being strong on the set plays,” said head coach Oscar Pareja after the win. “I thought we had concentration, [and] defensively was much better too. So we’re very pleased.”
Castillo was the lynchpin for the club’s second goal, as he alertly found Ulloa cutting inside the box in the 64th minute. Then Ulloa quickly tapped the ball to an open David Texeira – starting his third straight match in Blas Perez’s absence on Gold Cup duty with Panama – who sealed the deal with his second goal of the season.
The assist for Castillo puts him back into a tie with Diaz for the team lead with six.
“They have been a huge part of our scoring, which is what they have to do,” Pareja said of his dynamic South American duo. “At the end of the day, it’s a unit and collective effort. But I’m glad to see Fabian and Mauro carry that responsibility and make the team happen.”
Not only did the club pick up its first road win in over two months, but the victory gives FC Dallas 32 points on the season and vaults them back toward the top of the Western Conference standings – somewhere they have not been since that May 1 road win in Houston.
“Today gave us a lot of confidence,” Pareja said. “We looked very mature today after the last series of games that we went on the road. But now, we’ve got a team who was all energy and determination.”
Scott Sidway covers FC Dallas for MLSsoccer.com.
