FRISCO, Texas - The State Fair doesn’t open until Friday, but Big Tex arrived a couple days early.
Uruguayan forward David Texeira put a frustrating year behind him on Wednesday night, starting his first game since May 7 and scoring the first two goals in FCD’s 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC.
“David has had three great weeks. He’s been participating with the way we want to do things much more and has been growing with the group,” said head coach Oscar Pareja after the match. “His intensity and the rhythm that we want from him is there and tonight we decided to bring him in and join him with Blas.”
MATCH RECAP - FC Dallas 3 Seattle Sounders FC 1
Pareja was quick to praise his players after the match, but his surprise re-insertion of Texeira into the starting lineup made the Colombian look like a genius after the match.
“Sometimes we have those feelings, but the boys are the ones who make it happen and make it look good,” said Pareja. “To me it’s an honor to coach this group and an honor to coach David. Today he made me look smart.”
Texeira got what seemed to be a six-month-sized monkey off his back with his eighth-minute half-volley smacked emphatically past Stefan Frei. It was a finish of a player that looked in mid-season form rather than a guy who hadn’t found the back of the net since April.
“I was feeling confidence during the week and looking forward to this game,” said Texeira. “We’re playing at home so it’s important for us and we know every player has to be ready to play so I was trying to be ready to help the team. I’m so happy now because we won at home and we deserve it.”
HIGHLIGHTS - FC Dallas 3 Seattle Sounders FC 1
With just four games left, Texeira has left it late to make his mark on Pareja’s side, but perhaps the Uruguayan could end up playing a huge role as Dallas sits just one step from a 2014 MLS Cup Playoff berth.
“Forwards have good moments and bad moments in their career but the most important thing is to always be [ready] and always expecting more and wanting more,” said Texeira. “I wanted more so as I said before I just wanted to help the team and be ready and I think I did a good job.”
