FRISCO - Few things are less appealing in life than playing 30 minutes of extra time on a sweltering Houston evening.
Thankfully, Fabian Castillo exists.
As the clock struck 90 minutes of Wednesday's Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinal, the Colombian winger had the ball at his feet near the top of the penalty box before shifting over to his left foot, dribbling around and down the left side of the six-yard box before firing a low shot that deflected off Houston ‘keeper Joe Willis and into the net for the would-be game winner.
FC Dallas had played well in a very balanced game, but with time winding down and legs starting to give, a player like Castillo makes all the world’s difference in a win-or-go-home game.
“It is a privilege and an honor to coach not just Fabian, but this group of players,” coach Oscar Pareja said following the victory.
“[Castillo] has that tremendous ability and speed and it's just fantastic to count on him on a day like today when we need to stretch them and get in behind of them and obviously Fabian was that player.”
After an even first half, the second half became significantly more open and while that’s suited for a team like FC Dallas, Houston had their fair share of chances, including a fantastic strike by Mauro Manotas that clanged off the crossbar in the 60th minute.
Thankfully for his team, however, Castillo capitalized when his side needed him most for his sixth goal in all competitions, combined with another six assists.
“I’m very happy,” Castillo said. “I think scoring the goal was important but overall I’m just very glad the team won. We’re very happy and proud that we will continue to the next round of the tournament.”
After a slow start to season compared to past years, the designated player is beginning to catch fire scoring four goals with three assists in his last nine starts.
Walker Zimmerman, who managed the backline with newcomer Aubrey David, knows how important Castillo is to his side, especially when the game is on the line.
“His ability to get forward and create assists and goals,” Zimmerman said. “He’s so dynamic, and he’s someone the other team always has to do something to stop. For him to get that goal today was massive.”
While the team has lacked game-winning ability in the season’s previous games with Houston, Pareja was thankful that his team found a way to finish off their Texas Derby counterpart.
“I thought we had a level game and I saw team creating options, so Houston did in part of the second half,” Pareja said. “But, having that instinct to kill the game with Fabian, in this case, it just shows me that we're getting mature, that we're growing.”
FC Dallas will advance to the semifinals to face LA Galaxy in Carson, California on August 10th at 9:00 p.m.
