FRISCO, Texas (Thursday, Aug. 4) – FC Dallas defeated Real Estelí of Nicaragua, 2-1, tonight at Toyota Stadium.
FC Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz sprung Michael Barrios in on goal with a long pass over the top of Real Estelí’s back line in the 20th minute of the match. Barrios cut inside and ripped a hard shot towards the back post. Real Estelí’s Justo Lorente attempted a diving save to his left side, but Barrios’ hard strike tricked through the goalkeeper’s hands before connecting with the post and rebounding away from goal.
Estelí answered in the 29
th
minute, when Gregorio Torres cut through a pair of FC Dallas defenders in the middle of the pitch an hit a line drive shot, 30 yards from goal. The attempt sailed over the head of FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez but caught the crossbar before rebounding over the end line for a goal kick.
FC Dallas broke through just before halftime after Atiba Harris won a header at the back post, nodding a pass to Barrios. The Colombian struck a hard shot at Lorente and the goalkeeper punched the shot away. A Real Estelí defender attempted to clear the ball away only to mishit it to the opposite side of the area. Ryan Hollingshead took control there, dribbling past a pair of defenders before centering a pass into the six-yard box. Barrios remained dialed in throughout the play and beat his defender to the pass, redirecting the ball just over the goal line with his thigh while sliding through the goal mouth.
Real Estelí made it a 1-1 game just after halftime when substitute Juan Berdun chased down a long pass near the end line, dribbled towards Gonzalez and struck a hard shot that caught the underside of the crossbar and the far post before settling into the back of the net.
FC Dallas answered in the 84
th
minute, when substitute Mauro Rosales received a pass on the right flank. The Argentine picked up his head and sent a ball into the box that was deflected to Maxi Urruti at the back post. Well behind the play, Urruti had time to wait for options. Defender Maynor Figueroa, charging forward from his spot at left back, gave him his best choice. Figueroa pounded a ball past Lorente from the top of the box off a feed from Urruti, giving Dallas a 2-1 lead late.
Scoring Summary:
DAL: Michael Barrios (Ryan Hollingshead) 44
REA: Juan Berdun 48
DAL: Maynor Figueroa (Maxi Urruti) 84
FC Dallas – Jesse Gonzalez, Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges, Walker Zimmerman, Atiba Harris, Kellyn Acosta (Mauro Rosales 82), Carlos Gruezo, Ryan Hollingshead (Tesho 56), Mauro Diaz, Michael Barrios (Victor Ulloa 90), Maxi Urruti.
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Seitz, Aubrey David, Getterson, Norberto Paparatto.
Real Esteli – Justo Lorente, Luis Copete, Johnathan Mosquera, Manuel Rosas, Samuel Wilson, Rudel Calero (Elmer Mejia 66), Franklin Lopez, Jabis, Maycon Santana (Juan Berdun 46, Francisco Paz 75), Gregorio Torres, Josue Quijano.
Substitutes Not Used: Henry Maradiaga, Marlon Lopez, Luis Galeano, Jason Casco.
Misconduct Summary:
REA: Gregorio Torres (caution) 62
REA: Franklin Lopez (caution) 77
DAL: Mauro Diaz (caution) 90
Referee: Rodphin Anthony Clyde Harris
AR1 (bench): Ainsey Rochard; AR2 (opposite): Caleb Josef Wales; 4th: Elmer Arturo Bonilla Ruiz.
Weather: Sunny, 99
Attendance: 7,466