Marbella, Spain – FC Dallas played to a scoreless draw against Denmark’s Odense Boldklub Friday afternoon in its first action of the preseason training camp in Spain.
First Half Lineup: Jimmy Maurer; Sam Junqua, Nkosi Tafari, Carl Sainte; Dante Sealy, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Asier Illarramendi, Herbert Endeley; Paul Arriola, Diego Garcia; Logan Farrington
Dallas took control early on, creating a chance that fell to Herbert Endeley whose right-footed shot from the edge of the box was just wide. Seven minutes later, Endeley played creator, setting up Paul Arriola behind Odense’s backline but FCD’s captain saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper at close range. Dante Sealy, playing left wing back on the day, attempted an effort with his weaker foot that forced a diving save from the goalkeeper, who turned it around the post for a corner kick.
Defender Nkosi Tafari came close to opening the scoring 15 minutes in when he connected with Tsiki Ntsabeleng's cross but Tafari’s downward header went inches wide. After creating a handful of chances in the first 25 minutes, Dallas’ creativity waned as Odense grew into the game and closed out the first half more comfortably.
“It's good for us to be able to continue to grow our fitness in pre-season against a different opponent,” Arriola said after the game. “I think playing in a new formation, it's obviously something new that we're all trying to adjust to. We created some good chances that we weren't able to put away. But overall, I think it's a good step forward for us. A lot to learn, a lot of video to watch and hopefully get better.”
Second Half Lineup: Maarten Paes; Turner Humphrey, Omar Gonzalez, Sebastien Ibegaha; Marco Farfan, Nolan Norris, Liam Fraser, Bernard Kamungo; Enes Sali, Sebastian Lletget; Eugene Ansah
Eugene Ansah had the opening chance of the second half when goalkeeper Maarten Paes put him behind the backline with a pinpoint punt that flew 40 yards. Odense’s defenders recovered, though, and stifled Ansah’s ensuing cross. New signing Enes Sali showed a flash of skill in the 64th minute, beating two defenders with quick movement but his shot from distance was well wide.
Dallas wasn’t as dominant in the second 45, and narrowly avoided falling behind thanks to Paes who made a diving save to stop a well-placed shot from outside the box. Liam Fraser had FCD’s first shot on target of the half when Sebastian Lletget teed him up on the edge of the box but his left-footed shot was saved comfortably.
The last chance of the game fell to Ansah, who forced a good save from Odense’s goalkeeper with a 90th-minute free kick from 25 yards out.
“We had control of the game with the ball, we found really good moments and really clear chances that we should score,” Estévez said. “But you know, it's the preseason and sometimes scoring in preseason is difficult and I think it was good to see everyone playing on the same page and getting some of the concepts that we are introducing this year. We have to keep progressing and trying to get better for next year.”
