Marbella, Spain – FC Dallas closed out its preseason trip to Spain on a high with a 4-1 win over Norwegian club Odds BK Thursday afternoon.
“This trip was very private and soccer focused and oriented,” said head coach Nico Estévez. “You could see the players’ mindsets through the whole trip. It helped us learn the new formation we’re working on. We had individual meetings with the players and the players built new relationships with each other to know each other better. We’ll take a lot of information for the next few weeks.”
Thursday afternoon’s match (which was the second game of a doubleheader after a young FCD team fell 4-1 to Swedish champions Malmö FF) was once again headlined by Dante Sealy, who continued his stellar preseason by scoring two goals and adding an assist.
“It was a good team performance,” Sealy said. “This trip has helped chemistry wise. I’ve gotten to know the new guys and that’s very important on the pitch. I think that’s the main point to take away from it all. Training after training we’re improving, getting cleaner and sharper. That’s all you can really ask for.”
Bernard Kamungo got things rolling early by scoring in the 12th minute with a confident first-time finish from Sealy’s low cross into the box. Odds came close to responding six minutes later when Mikael Ingebrigtsen found space in the box but his shot looped over Maarten Paes’ crossbar.
Homegrown Nolan Norris forced a save from the goalkeeper when a clearance bounced to him at the top of the box and he directed a volley towards goal. Two minutes later, Sebastian Lletget had a chance to double the lead when he was 1v1 with the ‘keeper but his left-footed shot was saved.
There was only one change for the second half with Carl Sainte replaces Norris in central midfield. It only took three minutes to find that second goal of the game for Dallas. Homegrown Dante Sealy repeated his trick by scoring a sensational free kick from 20+ yards out, much like he did against Odense BK earlier in the week.
Farrington scored FCD’s third goal of the game with a calm left-footed finish following a great team move to break Odds down. But FCD wasn’t done. Liam Fraser played a great pass to free Bernard Kamungo behind the backline who crossed for Sealy to score his fourth goal of preseason, making it 4-0 on the day.
Sealy, who is naturally a winger or wide forward, has shifted to wing back in recent months since returning from his two-year loan to PSV Eindhoven.
“It’s a different role but attacking wise, I think it’s the same role as a winger – I’m wide and high up the pitch. And defensively he (Estévez) wants us in a certain shape so it’s something to get used to.
“My mindset has changed a little this year. Staying more consistent with things off the field, eating habits and sleeping habits, I’ve been working on that and it’s helping me do my thing on the pitch.”
