“The game talks and we need to listen.” - FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja.
FRISCO - When Oscar Pareja talks, we should all listen. He said those words of wisdom in reference to his decision to start goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez on Saturday night against Minnesota. The move worked. Gonzalez recorded five beautiful saves in FC Dallas’ 2-0 win over the Loons. You could easily make the case that some of the balls would have found the back of the net if it weren’t for the 6-foot, 4-inch 21 year old.
Pareja made the decision after FC Dallas lost to Pachuca in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal. Chris Seitz gave up three goals in the 3-1 loss, including a dagger in stoppage time which ended FC Dallas’ CCL dreams.
“I've got to raise my hand first and foremost,” Seitz told Carter Baumabout the performance in Pachuca. “I think there’s a couple times I need to be better.”
With Gonzalez posting two shutouts in his two starts (he had two saves in a scoreless draw versus Sporting KC), the question now becomes could we see him be elevated to the role of consistent starter in goal? He was a consistent starter to end 2015, moving past Seitz and Dan Kennedy. Seitz resumed the job last season.
I think it’s fair to say the competition is a healthy one and one that is good for the club. One thing is for sure, Oscar Pareja will be watching…listening. We should be as well.