On the road in international play, it doesn't have to be pretty. You just have to get the job done.
FC Dallas did that in Nicaragua on Wednesday night escaping Real Esteli with a 1-1 draw in their second CONCACAF Champions League group stage match and first road international match since 2011.
Just five minutes into the match, FCD conceded via set piece to Elvis Pinel, but just about 90 seconds later, Atiba Harris' header on Mauro Rosales' set piece equalized the match and rounded out the scoring.
"It was awesome," said Oscar Pareja about finding a quick equalizer. "It is great to have something that characterizes this group. The response after the mistake we made in the first few minutes was phenomenal. There are still a lot of things we need to get better at though. We should not be giving up that type of goal so early in the match. It is something that frustrates us for sure but the response was great."
The point ensures FC Dallas controls their advancement destiny with a pair of matches against Guatemalan side CSD Suchitepequez remaining. The Guatemalans play Real Esteli on September 13th and if they lose that match, FCD could ensure group stage advancement with a win over Suchitepequez in Frisco on September 28th. If the Guatemalans win or draw against Esteli, FCD can ensure advancement with at least 4 points in their two matches against Suchitepequez.
It's another quick turnaround for FCD as they head to Houston for Saturday's final Texas Derby of 2016.
"It is an important match for us. We have to turn our mind around again. We have been shifting from one competition to the other for a while now," said Pareja. "We are fortunate to be able to say we are in the final of the U.S. Open Cup. We are first in our group in CONCACAF Champions League. We are still fighting for the first position in the league table. It’s not an easy task for the boys. They are doing a terrific job. We need to turn around again, quickly."