FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas earned a 2-1 win over rivals Houston Dynamo FC in its final preseason test Saturday night at Toyota Stadium.
"Overall I think it was the perfect last game of the preseason because we had good moments, things that we've been working all preseason things that we've seen in other games, it were there," said head coach Nico Estévez. "But we also had moments that we struggled. And this is about what is going to happen as soon as the league start. The moment that your opponent is gonna chase you, you're gonna try to score because they also have quality. We have to know how we're going to learn about it and how we're going to be better. Also, knowing that and sticking together will be crucial to get the points at home and on the road."
Estévez fielded the same lineup that drew 0-0 with Chicago Fire on Wednesday and Homegrown Designated Player Jesús Ferreira opened the scoring early on after receiving a pass from Jáder Obrian and slipping it past Steve Clark in goal thanks to a deflection off Tim Parker. Dallas controlled much of the first half and nearly doubled the lead when Paul Arriola found Obrian behind Houston's backline but the Colombian's shot was saved by Clark from close range.
Paxton Pomykal continued his strong start to 2022 and added his first goal of the preseason in the 57th after playing a quick one-two with Obrian and placing it into the side netting. Houston pulled one back late on after Fafa Picault beat his defender swung in a cross that deflected off substitute Nkosi Tafari and fell to Corey Baird to nod home in the 76th minute.
"I feel good. And I think the team feels good," Pomykal said afterwards. "It was an open game tonight. So it was a good battle and challenge for us in our last game to get fitness. And a lot of guys went 90 (minutes) and word around the locker is everybody's feeling really good and fit. So I was happy to see that and going into Toronto. We're all healthy and ready to go."
FC Dallas opens its 2022 MLS season next Saturday, Feb. 26 against Toronto FC at Toyota Stadium.
