FC Dallas ended a two-game slide on Saturday, defeating Orlando City SC 3-1. Dallas showed a dynamic performance late in the game to overcome an early lead by Orlando.
FC Dallas remains in second place in the MLS Western Conference with the win. Dallas is two games behind Los Angeles FC, heading into the international break.
The match was a defensive struggle early, with neither team getting many opportunities on goal. FC Dallas’ Paul Arriola took two shots, the first at the 8:00 mark that went high over the crossbar and a weak attempt that missed at the 16:00 mark.
The FC Dallas defense prevented Orlando City from taking shots until just before the half. Mauricio Pereyra took Orlando’s first shot from just outside the penalty area, but FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes got a hand on it and pushed it high.
Dallas committed a foul just a few moments later, resulting in an Orlando free-kick. Forward Ercan Kara made a spectacular header on Pereyra’s entry pass that was just out of reach for Paes to give Orlando the 1-0 lead at the half.
That goal would be the lone bright spot for Orlando in the match.
Orlando has played three games in seven days and is missing several key defenders, and it showed in the second half. The team had a flurry of attempts on goal around the 58-minute mark but was unable to get much movement.
Pereyra sent one into the side netting, and Kara had an attempt cleared by Dallas defenders. Kara also executed a near-perfect bicycle kick against a timid Dallas defense that Paes saved with a diving block.
Arriola tied the game up at 1-1 with a blazing shot off a pass from Franco Jara, who had come in as a relief player moments earlier.
The go-ahead score came with a chip from Arriola to Jara. Orlando tried to trap offsides, but the flags stayed down, and Jara made a touch on the ball to loft it just over Gallese for the 2-1 lead. This was a designed play Dallas tried several times in the first half before getting the timing right to prevent the offside penalty leading to the goal.
Orlando’s Kara had an opportunity to tie the game on a corner kick, but the cross sailed inches over his head.
Arriola earned the brace with his second goal and sixth score in five games. The shot was a line drive from just inside the box that scooted just under the diving hand of Gallese.
The score gave Dallas a 3-1 lead as the game went into bonus time. Arriola very nearly had a hat trick, but his third goal tipped off another player’s hand, and referees called a handball.
FC Dallas will be on break until June 18, when they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in Frisco. The game will be the second meeting between the teams in a month.
