FRISCO, Texas — Welcome to Keeping Score: Your complete FC Dallas match day experience.
With "Keeping Score," throughout the 2023 season, we're striving to bring you complete FC Dallas match day coverage, covering everything from the game itself, to the food, to the fans that make the game so great, our "Becky G forecast" (yes, really) and everything in between in a fun, digestible way.
FCD floundered in the season opener in a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United FC. On Matchday 2, FC Dallas returned to its winning form, lighting up the Galaxy 3-1. With the win, FC Dallas has beaten LA Galaxy in its last seven home matches.
LA Galaxy took an early 1-0 lead in the 35th minute on a deflected goal by Dejan Joveljic. FC Dallas fired back just before the first half ended with a 45th minute goal by Argentinian winger Alan Velasco.
FC Dallas' striker, Jesus Ferreira piled onto the lead by scoring two unanswered goals in the 56th and 64th minutes.
The win gives FC Dallas three points in the Western Conference standings.
FC fit check
"Footloose fits" on 80s night ... very clever! Defender duo Sebastien Ibeagha and Nkosi Tafari were "in their bag" (and holding one ... again!) These two seem like they'll have a fire fit check every week.
Paul Arriola and Sebastian Lletget went with a similar look (Arriola rocked a full on three-piece suit last week), and even the same color scheme in different parts of the fit. Come to think of it ... their color schemes matched last week, too. ARE THEY DOING THIS ON PURPOSE?!?!
Ferreira makes his first appearance in the fit check thread of the season, looking super cool with the jewelry, sunglasses and Louis Vuitton bag.
Frisco Foodie Fun
OK, I put out a poll asking which item I should try first. The winner was the Birria Grilled Cheese, and I was pretty stoked. Not going to lie. I had my eye on this one ever since the club released the new additions to the menu for the season.
Before I get into my thoughts, here is the description:
Birria Grilled Cheese: Five-hour braised beef short ribs, Melted Monterey jack and cheddar slices grilled between two buttered sliced of Texas toast. Served with a side of consommé. Location: Stand 3 – Tex-Mex Q, Stand 9 – Tex-Mex Q
OK ... I won't lie; I was a bit underwhelmed. I'm not sure if it's because I had such high expectations for it, but it was (as the kids nowadays say) "mid."
The Texas toast had good texture, and the sauce had good flavor to dip the sandwich in, but the cheese wasn't melted and it was a tad cold. Not bad, but not as good as I hoped it would be.
Seems like all it needs is just a little boost in the microwave and it would be (again, as the kids would say) "bussin'."
FCD Fan of the Match
The FCD Fan of the Match is Nathan Scoggins, a member of El Matador. Scoggins told WFAA he's been a FC Dallas fan for his third season. He said initially didn't like soccer growing up, but then he started dating a soccer player.
So, as any good boyfriend would, he wanted to impress her and went took her to the USMNT Gold Cup match versus Jamaica at AT&T Stadium in 2021. Scoggins said they had a good tim. Then, he went to his first FC Dallas match right after the COVID-shortened season and has loved the club ever since.
Scoggins got involved with El Matador and the supporter's section because it reminded him of the student section of football games.
Scoggins said he loved the energy and vibe of El Matador.
"[El Matador] loves to jump around and be hype ... and that's how I am as a person, so I was all in," Scoggins said. "Ever since then, I've been going to every single El Matador tailgate, everything."
This is his first season as a season ticket holder.
Scoggins praised the soccer community and El Matador.
"They're the most welcoming people I've ever met. They could not know you and say' hey, come sit with us. I'll teach you the chants.' They're amazing."
#DTID Man of the Match
Brace yourselves. Ferreira's brace gives him this week's #DTID Man of the Match. FCD's striker was among the league's top scorers last season and this output has put him on track to do so again.
FC Dallas thought so, too:
What they said
Head coach Nico Estevez:
General thoughts on the match…
“The first game was a great learning experience for us to remind ourselves who we are and what we need to do well on the field in order to get wins. How much consistency you can have throughout the year is key. We showed up today, were consistent and we showed the identity of this team, the mentality is that we want to win. Once we start clicking and finding our mentality, you will see some of the good things you saw today.”
On Nkosi Tafari and Edwin Cerrillo making their first starts of the year…
“We knew it would take them some time to get into the game. When you look at the performance of some of the guys from today to the first game last week, it’s a big difference. And we knew that. We wanted to show that we have a roster and that everyone is important and this team can get the job done. The team had a great mentality, great effort and it helped to close this game out.”
Winger Paul Arriola:
On having played an extra game (this was LA Galaxy's 1st match of the season):
"Yeah, that was a talking point for us ... we knew how we felt after our first game of the season. This was Galaxy's first game of the season ... so how can we make them run. I'm sure they're going to be saying the same thing in their locker room: 'It was the first game.' 'It was an away game.' And they'll feel much better next week. For us, it was clear that we had to come out and win."
Difference from an offensive standpoint, having more shots on goal:
"There are so many factors that go into it. The Galaxy is a team that's really open and play a high line. They have a specific system just like we do. And it just so happened that we were able to exploit what they were trying to do. We have a really dynamic front three, and when we are going and able to find each other, running behind ... having these little connections, today it was on. It was good to be able to turn the page from the first game."
Looking ahead to first road trip of the season:
"Win. Win. We aren't going to go into any game and just worry about a tie. The mentality is to go and win. The MLS is an interesting league. You know, home teams obviously have a good advantage, but it's always possible to take three points. That has to be the mentality going into every single game."
Forward Jesus Ferreira:
On the front line all scoring or assisting…
“I think the three up front have chemistry, we're building chemistry and learning from each other every day. For it to come alive in a game and work out, then see the outcome be a goal is always amazing. We're always working to make it stronger and be able to score more goals.”
Defender Marco Farfan:
On the difference in passing fluidity…
“I go back to energy again, everybody was wanting the ball into space and into feet. We gave each other options and everybody just wanted to win the game. We were out there, we ran with energy, and we tried to dominate the game.”
Injury update
No injuries to report.
Becky G forecast match score
Each week, I'll rate the entire match day with one cumulative score of 1 through 5 "Becky Gs."
Matchday Two gets 4 Becky G's. The bounce back win was much-needed for FC Dallas, and the offensive output gives the match a boost in the ranking here. The concession left a bit to be desired, so I can't give it a perfect score. And while the food might not have been the vibes this time, the pre-game fits certainly were.
Overall, a solid night in Frisco.
80s night Drone Show
What's next/8 ball prediction
FC Dallas goes on its first road trip of the 2023 season to face the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, March 11. TV information: Apple TV+ – MLS Season Pass – 4 p.m.
"8 ball" bold prediction tracker:
FC Dallas will have three players score 12-plus goals this season: Jesus Ferreira, Paul Arriola and Alan Velasco.
- Ferreira: 2/12
- Arriola: 0/12
- Velasco: 1/12
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