FC Dallas (pictured) gathers for a team photo prior to its Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League match against visiting Suchitepéquez on September 28, 2016, in Frisco, Texas, USA. (Photo: Mexsport)
With seven days left in the year, CONCACAF.com continues its look at each of the eight 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalists.
Today, we examine the USA’s FC Dallas, which topped host Suchitepequez, 5-2, on the final day of group-stage play to finish first in Group H and earn a knockout-round meeting with Arabe Unido.
FC DALLAS (2W-2D-0L; 8GF, 4GA)
Group Stage Summary
With three of its four group-stage matches decided by one goal or fewer, it wasn’t smooth sailing for FC Dallas, but it rose to the occasion when necessary. The campaign opened at home with a 2-1 win over Real Esteli as Honduras international Maynor Figueroa struck late to break a stalemate. The sides battled to a 1-1 draw nearly three weeks later in Nicaragua, meaning that FCD’s last two matches against Suchitepequez would decide matters. A scoreless stalemate in Frisco was followed by a momentous comeback in Guatemala City. Suchitepequez jumped out to a 2-0 lead within 22 minutes, but Dallas responded with five unanswered goals for an resounding 5-2 victory.
Group Stage Highlight
Knowing that a loss at Suchitepequez in the last Group H game would signal elimination, FC Dallas roared back from a two-goal deficit to post a 5-2 win. Carlos Gruezo (27'), Matt Hedges (36'), Atiba Harris (51') and an own-goal by Miguel Gonzalez (87') gave the visitor a 4-2 lead, before Carlos Lizarazo (90') iced the cake with a 2016 CONCACAF Goal of the Year nominee strike.
Key Player
Since FC Dallas’ success can credited to its overall team play and the outstanding coaching of Oscar Pareja, deciding on a key player is a difficult task. As a result, since Atiba Hutchinson struck for a team-best two goals – both of them meaningful – it can be confidently asserted that he was biggest difference maker. The 31-year-old defender equalized in the 1-1 draw at Real Esteli and netted what proved to be the game-winner in the second game against Suchitepequez. That goal made it 3-2 came in the 51st minute, when goalkeeper Manuel Sosa pushed Mauro Rosales’ free kick directly into Hutchinson’s chest and the ball ricocheted into the net.
After the Group Stage
FC Dallas captured the 2016 MLS Supporters’ Shield after finishing with the best regular-season record (17W-9D-8L, 60 points). Its dream of lifting the MLS Cup for the first time came to an end at the hands of the eventual-champion Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference semifinals (agg: 2-4). Since then, Dallas has been busy reshaping its roster. Gone are Aubrey David and Norberto Paparatto (defenders); Carlos Lizarazo, Juan Esteban Ortiz and Mauro Rosales (midfielders); Getterson and Carlos Ruiz (forwards) and Ryan Herman (goalkeeper). In are a trio of FC Dallas academy players Bryan Reynolds and Jesus Ferreira, both 15-year-old forwards, and 18-year-old defender Reggis Cannon. Former Ecuador under-20 standout Anibal Chala (defender) was signed on December 14, while Costa Rica international Jose Salvatierra (defender) and Belgian Ronald Lamah (forward) were acquired two days later.
2016/17 SCCL MATCHES
GROUP H
04.08.16 FC Dallas 2, Real Esteli 1
Michael Barrios 44’; Maynor Figuero 84’ / Juan Berdun 48’
24.08.16 Real Esteli 1, FC Dallas 1
Elvis Figueroa 5’ / Atiba Harris 7’
28.09.16 FC Dallas 0, Suchitepequez 0
20.10.16 Suchitepequez 2, FC Dallas 5
own-goal, Tesho Akindele 6’; Wilson Morales 22’ / Carlos Gruezo 27’; Matt Hedges 36’; Atiba Harris 51’; own-goal, Miguel Gonzalez 87’; Carlos Lizarazo 90’
QUARTERFINALS
23.02.17 FC Dallas v Arabe Unido (Toyota Stadium – Frisco, Texas, USA)
01.03.17 Arabe Unido v FC Dallas (Estadio Maracana – Panama City, Panama)
STATS & FACTS
GOALS
Atiba Harris (2); Michael Barrios, Maynor Figueroa, Carlos Gruezo, Matt Hedges, Carlos Lizarazo, own-goal in favor of (1)
ASSISTS
Mauro Rosales (2); Carlos Gruezo, Ryan Hollingshead, Maximiliano Urruti (1)
- The five goals scored by FC Dallas in the 5-2 win at Suchitepequez were the most it ever netted in a SCCL game, besting the three in a 3-5 loss at Tauro on September 28, 2011.
- Prior to its 5-2 win at Suchitepequez, FC Dallas had scored 11 total goals in its previous 11 all-time SCCL games.
