FRISCO, Tex. -- There are times when a team in form gets a heat check. FC Dallas' potent attack got one of those on Friday when they met the New York Red Bulls.
In a match-up between the home team, that leads the MLS in scoring, and a team that ranks tied for second-best in goals allowed, defense yet again prevailed at Toyota Stadium.
Both teams played a strong preventative game to churn out a 0-0 draw, and FC Dallas gave credit to the Red Bulls after the match. There were countless times throughout evening where a Red Bulls defender would be in the right place at the right time to block a shot or even prevent a clear look at goal.
“They were neutralizing tactically as well what they’re good at because they have good midfielders,” Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “They have players with good feet, they have players who are smart in the middle that clog the middle.”
It was in fact New York midfielder Felipe who ultimately made the most crucial game-saving block of the night, standing on the goal line when Dallas winger Michael Barrios fired a would-be goal from the right side of the box, only to be kicked away by the alert Brazilian.
But even with the Red Bulls thwarting the usually-potent Dallas attack throughout the evening, the home team still had their chances, but could not convert any.
“It was a very well-played game tactically by both teams,” FCD forward Blas Perez said via translator. “There were very few chances on each side – clear chances. The times that we had the ball at our feet, we didn’t have the quality that we usually have when we go forward with the ball at our feet.”
Fabian Castillo, who is on a blistering pace so far this season, was bottled up for much of the game, despite firing three shots. And despite a stout gameplan by New York, he was especially critical of his performance following the game.
“I feel I wasn’t as patient as I have been in other games,” Castillo said after the game via translator. “I didn’t have that coolness on the field to make the right decisions and put the effort and timing on the runs. Nevertheless, New York has a very clear understanding of what we do best, and they put in a back line that was not allowing us to counterattack, not giving us much space.
“So all the credit to them for playing their game.”
According to Pareja, a lack of sharpness on the attack, along with running into a defensive buzzsaw, was the difference in the match.
“That for our team is [usually] enough to put the game away and get the points,” Pareja said of his young midfielder’s ability to create chances. “That’s who we are. But it was not as frequent as we do it in other games.”
