MIDLAND, Texas – FC Dallas’ Reserves fell for the first time this season, 3-2 in an exhibition match against the West Texas United Sockers of the USL Premier Development League, on a stoppage-time goal by midfielder Lukas Garcia.
Despite the loss Tuesday night at Grande Communications Stadium, FC Dallas Reserves got its fourth goal of the year from Home Grown player Ruben Luna and its third from 2010 SuperDraft selection Andrew Wiedeman.
The action started early when West Texas United took a 1-0 lead in just the fourth minute. On the play, Oswaldo Valdivia accepted a pass from Dominic Furness 40-yards from goal. With plenty of space to maneuver, Valdivia looked up and had a go from distance, sending a looping shot to the back post that dipped just under the crossbar.
FC Dallas battled back, playing several dangerous balls in to Luna on the floor, but could not get a clear shot at West Texas United goalkeeper Leif Craddock until the 30th minute. Coming free of his marker, Luna used his first touch to avoid Craddock, who was charging off his line. As Luna chased the ball he put into space, Craddock caught the foot of the 19-year old striker prompting referee Matthew Foerster to point to the spot. Luna waited for Craddock to move to his left before sending a shot low to the far post to even the score 1-1.
The Sockers pressed early in the second half, forcing a quick save from goalkeeper trialist Carsten Christiansen, who came on for Chris Seitz at halftime. Eventually FC Dallas fell victim to the high pressure from West Texas and turned the ball over in its own half in the 59th minute. On the play, Sockers’ forward Monty Urias collected the ball and ran at the heart of the FC Dallas defense before dishing left to Joe Munoz, who made a well-timed run at the back post. Christiansen came out to cut down Munoz’s angle on goal, but the midfielder faked a shot and avoided the goalkeeper before walking the ball into the empty net for a 2-1 lead.
Wiedeman brought the Reserves back again in the 66th minute when he headed home a cross from FC Dallas trialist Ravid Gazal. The play began with some nice individual skill from Gazal on the right flank. The midfielder went by two defenders before delivering a perfectly lofted pass to the back post for Wiedeman to finish off.
Following a flurry of substitutions from both sides, the match looked destined to end in a draw before West Texas United’s Garcia beat a defender and let a shot go from just beyond the area in the second minute of stoppage-time. The line-drive shot went roughly 10 yards towards goal before hitting an FC Dallas defender and looping high over the head of Christiansen and just under the crossbar for the win.
Grande Communications Stadium – Midland, Texas
Attendance: 2,523
Scoring Summary:
WTU - Oswaldo Valdivia (Dominic Furness) 4
FCD – Ruben Luna (penalty kick) 30
WTU – Joe Munoz (Monty Urias) 59
FCD – Andrew Wiedeman (Ravid Gazal) 66
WTU – Lukas Garcia 90+
FC Dallas Reserves – Chris Seitz (Carsten Christiansen 45), Bobby Warshaw, Jack Coleman, Moises Hernandez (Cody Adams 88), Victor Ulloa, Bruno Guarda (Peri Marosevic 74), Ravid Gazal (Emerson Hyndman 86), Andrew Wiedeman (Jesus Garcia 84), Ruben Luna (Maykel Galindo 76), Bryan Leyva (Jonathan Top 58).
West Texas United Sockers – Leif Craddock (Jamie Ibarra-Perez 69), Dishon Isaac (Cody Langley 72), Sergio Rios (Pat Salgado 83), Tyler Tarango (Farid Sapien 45), Michael Stewart, Monty Urias (Ramon Martinez 77), Isaias Miramontes, Dominic Furness (Lukas Garcia 53), Wally Valdivia (Jose Anchondo 66), Mariano Sapien (Abel Olivas 45), Joe Munoz.
Misconduct Summary:
WTU - Farid Sapien (caution; reckless foul) 74
Referee: Matthew Foerster
Referee’s Assistants: Jeffery Greeson, Brady Zirkle
4th Official: Eric Martinez
Weather: Sunny, 95 degrees