While the score line hasn’t changed in three games between FC Dallas and the Seattle Sounders this season, Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the home team Sounders in the semifinals of the 98th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will certainly leave a sour taste in FC Dallas’ mouth.
“We’re a team that really has ambitions and wants to win championships but unfortunately tonight we weren’t able to get a result,” goalkeeper Kevin Hartman told reporters after the 1-0 loss at Starfire Sports Complex.
The difference-maker was a left-footed curling effort by Fredy Montero from 18 yards that Hartman couldn’t do anything with, and Seattle halted each subsequent FC Dallas assault to preserve the victory.
“It was a great goal by Montero,” said head coach Schellas Hyndman. “They created quite a few chances in the first half and we were, I think, a little intimidated with the whole event and a lot of things just weren’t going our way.”
The young Colombian's goal came just five minutes before halftime following two failed attempts by midfielder Mauro Rosales, forcing Hyndman to make some changes at the break.
First-half central defender Andrew Jacobson moved up to his usual central midfield spot in place of Daniel Cruz, who was holding a yellow card, and George John played the last 45 minutes at center back alongside Ugo Ihemelu.
“What we wanted to do was get Marvin Chávez more into the attack,” said Hyndman, “and I thought he really livened up and created a lot of problems.”
The result was a more stable FC Dallas attack that nearly generated a goal when Chavez clanged one off the post early after the restart. The Honduran also launched an open opportunity in stoppage time high over the crossbar when a broken chance fell at his feet in the box.
“We made adjustments at halftime, going with two up front and trying to get the ball wide a little more,” said midfielder Brek Shea of the tactical changes, “and it definitely opened up and we created a lot more chances in the second half.”
But similar to their 1-0 home loss to the Sounders less than two weeks ago, FC Dallas just couldn’t do enough during the 90 minutes.
“I talked to the team and my thing was sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce right for you,” said Hyndman. “I think we had some scoring chances that we didn’t convert on.”
Hartman gave credit where it was due after seeing scoring chances fall through their fingers late in the match.
“Marvin [Chavez] had that follow-up, and I think when we didn’t see any one of those go in we felt like it might not be our night,” Hartman speculated. “You've got to give credit to Seattle. I mean they play really well on the turf and they compete.”
