No Blas Perez? No problem for FC Dallas.
Despite missing their starting striker due to a suspension, midfielders Fabian Castillo, Mauro Diaz, and Ryan Hollingshead registered three goals and three assists in a 4-1 blowout of the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday.
And while Castillo’s talents have been creating opportunities for the club all season long – with tonight’s totals putting him in the MLS lead for assists and a tie for the club lead in goals – the contributions from Diaz were arguably the most notable, given his inconsistent availability throughout his two seasons in the league. And the club has yet to lose a game (4-0-1) that Diaz plays this season.
“He turns the lights on. I just keep saying it,” Pareja said of the Argentine, whose goal tonight marked the first time in his MLS career that he logged goals in back-to-back games. “He glues people in there, so he brings the best out of every other player. He’s one of those guys that’s always thinking, and that’s important for us. It’s great to have him back, the players are happy to have him back.”
Diaz showed why he is so important to the Dallas attack after blasting a goal to the upper corner of the net in the 52nd minute and also assisting on forward David Texeira’s goal in the 21st minute by quickly transitioning to attack.
And while what he brings to the club is becoming more evident as he continues see his minutes increase, both Pareja and the club understand that Diaz's durability concerns mean they need to be careful with his playing time.
“We need to take care of him because it is a long season,” Pareja said after the game. “But definitely the team looks different when he’s on the field.”
Castillo echoed his coach’s sentiments after the win and praised the young Argentine’s talents while also acknowledging his struggles to stay healthy since joining MLS.
“He’s the type of player that is the reference of the team,” Castillo said after the game through a translator. “He knows when to pass, when to accelerate, and when to give really good passes. Right now, we just want to take advantage and enjoy him because at any time, he could be gone.”
Castillo’s performance in the opening round of the Texas Derby was equally as impressive, as he yet again turned on the jets and the fancy footwork to contribute towards three of Dallas’ four goals on Friday night.
But according to his head coach, there is more than what meets the eye when observing how the Colombian winger is able to sustain his success.
“Fabian will score goals and assists naturally because that is his talent. But now he is learning to play for his team, and the game rewards him,” Pareja said. “As happy as we are with the goals and assists, what I certainly got today from Fabian today defensively was amazing.”
Dallas went into the match knowing a rivalry game on the road is never easy to play. But after firing on all cylinders yet again in this young season, Dallas can rest easy after taking round one in the battle for El Capitan.
“It’s extremely difficult to win rivalry games like this, but I feel that we’ve been doing things better than Houston,” Castillo said. “That’s why we won. Hopefuly we can keep it going.”
