FC Dallas Reserves Beat Chivas USA
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FRISCO, Texas (Sunday, March 23) – The FC Dallas Reserves improved to 2-0-0 with a 2-0 victory over Chivas USA today on AdvoCare Field 1.
FC Dallas’ first-round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, Tesho Akindele scored both goals for FC Dallas on assists from Homegrown midfielder Danny Garcia.
FC Dallas had a chance to go ahead 1-0 in the 15th minute following a solid buildup that began in the back with Michel, who was playing as a defensive midfielder. The Brazilian lofted a ball over the top of Chivas USA’s back line, where Akindele ran the ball down and played negative to right back Zach Loyd. Loyd dropped the ball to Victor Ulloa, who had time to pick up his head and deliver a cross to the back post for Garcia. In space, Garcia attempted to beat Chivas USA goalkeeper Tim Melia high, but was unable to keep his shot under the crossbar.
FC Dallas Reserves continued to have an edge in possession until the 34th minute when Chivas USA earned a trio of set pieces in their attacking third of the field. Chivas USA’s best opportunity came via corner kick when Daniel Fragoso knocked a cross to the back post. Agustin Pelletieri was there to win the ball, but also sent his header over the crossbar behind FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez, who was making his first appearance of the 2014 season.
FC Dallas Reserves got its first goal in the 39th minute when Garcia collected a
sliding pass from Michel near midfield. Garcia carried the ball through midfield before splitting a pair of Chivas USA defenders with a through ball that was directed towards Akindele. The Colorado School of Mines product won the ball from a Chivas USA defender and patiently dribbled around Melia before striking a sharp ball to the back post for the 1-0 lead.
Chivas USA had another scoring chance via corner kick in the 50th minute. This time it was Caleb Calvert that came free at the back post. His first-time volley had goalkeeper Richard Sanchez beat, but FC Dallas center back Nicholas Walker was in perfect position to knock the ball off the goal line and preserve the lead.
Chivas USA’s Fragoso continued to serve dangerous balls into the area from the corner flag near the 54th minute. Trialist Michael Nwilloh got on the end of one of Fragoso’s crosses inside the six yard box, but a last-minute challenge from Akindele put his shot off target.
Chivas USA’s Kristopher Tyrpak had an opportunity to even the score in the 62nd minute. He struck a low, hard shot on net with his first touch but Sanchez was in position to make an easy save and deny the visitors of any rebound.
Akindele should’ve had his second of the game in the 80th minute, when UCLA product Ryan Hollingshead and Garcia worked down the left flank and delivered a great ball into the area. Akindele caught the cross on the volley, hammering a shot right at the center of the goal but Chivas USA goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg flashed across the goal line to make an excellent diving save and keep the deficit at one goal.
Akindele did get his second of the match one minute prior to the final whistle. Garcia, again, set up the goal when he dribbled out of danger following a Chivas USA corner kick and played a ball into space for Akindele. The rookie forward held off a hard challenge from behind by a Chivas USA defender and cracked a low, hard shot that beat Spangenberg to the back post to make the final score 2-0 in favor of FC Dallas Reserves.
