FRISCO, Texas – As we approach the halfway mark of the 2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage, it’s fair to say that FC Dallas has dealt with its fair share of challenges through the first two games.
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First they ventured south of the border, where MLS teams were previously winless in 25 attempts, to face Pumas UNAM in Mexico City. FC Dallas came out of that match as history-makers after earning a 1-0 victory to become the first American team to win a competitive match in Mexico.
RECAP: Pumas UNAM 0, FC Dallas 1
The team’s next CCL action took them north of the border to face familiar MLS foes, Toronto FC. After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime of that match the game was postponed due to torrential rainfall and eventually declared unplayable, with a restart ordered to take place the next morning, erasing FCD’s one-goal advantage.
On top of that, the next morning center back Andrew Jacobson suffered a peanut allergy attack requiring him to be taken to a hospital literally minutes before kickoff, forcing a last minute insertion of recently acquired defender Jack Stewart into the starting XI. Despite the adversity, Dallas earned another 1-0 victory in that match, with the lone goal coming off the head of none other than Stewart.
WATCH: Schellas Hyndman
RECAP: Toronto FC 0, FC Dallas 1
So now FC Dallas own the top spot in Group C with six points as they prepare to face their next CCL challenge in 2010 Panamanian Apertura champions Tauro FC at Pizza Hut Park on Wednesday night (7 p.m., Buy Tickets). The team knew the daunting task they were up against when they faced Pumas in Mexico City, and they had the convenience of familiarity when they battled through three halves in Toronto last month, but in Tauro they face an opponent difficult to prepare for simply because of the unknowns.
What they do know is that Tauro FC represents a historically successful side that is currently doing very well in its league despite struggling through its first two games in this year’s CCL Group Stage.
Founded in 1984, Tauro FC competes in Panama’s top league, Liga Panameña de Fútbol, and is the most-titled club in league history, winning eight since 1989. Through nine games this season the team sits at the top of the table with 19 points from six wins, one draw and two losses. Tauro also own a plus-nine goal differential this season, having outscored opponents 15-6.
Team scoring leader Luis “Lucho” Moreno has three goals on the season – two of which came from the penalty spot. Teammates Marcos Sanchez, Victor Mendieta and Reinel Garces are all tied for second in scoring with two goals apiece.
League superiority not withstanding, Tauro FC have gotten off to a slow start in the CCL Group Stage. They lost their first match to Toronto FC 2-1 at home, with the lone goal for the home team being scored by Deigo Nicolas Canali. They hosted Mexican club Pumas UNAM in their second match that ended in a 0-0 draw to yield the Panamanian club’s lone point in the competition, good enough for third place in Group C.
Despite the stark differences in CCL performances to this point, FC Dallas won’t be taking Tauro FC lightly, and will likely benefit from hosting their unfamiliar opponents – as opposed to having to travel to Panama for the first leg of this series. With a win on Wednesday night, FCD can strengthen their hold on the top spot in Group C and get one step closer to clinching a berth in the tournament quarterfinals next March.
