Kissimee, FL - FC Dallas capped off its preseason trip to Florida with a 1-0 win over Orlando City SC thanks to a first-half goal from Brandon Servania at Osceola Heritage Park Saturday morning.
Dallas lined up with Jimmy Maurer in goal and a back four of rookie Isaiah Parker, Matt Hedges, José MartÃnez and Ema Twumasi. The Homegrown trio of Edwin Cerrillo, Brandon Servania and Paxton Pomykal occupied the midfield with a front three of Kalil ElMedkhar, Jáder Obrian and Beni Redzic in attack.
Óscar Pareja's Orlando City fielded a strong lineup that included newly signed Designated Player Ercan Kara.
Servania scored the lone goal of the game just before halftime when ElMedkhar swung in a corner which fell kindly to Servania who tapped in from close range.
"I think it was a good game and good performance," he said postgame. "After our last game, we talked a lot about competing so it was good to get the win. I think we had really good moments and some things we could definitely improve on. But overall it was a good step for this preseason.
"We love the Homegrown midfield. It’s good having Pax in the middle again. I think me and Edwin are still building off the end of last year. It’s been good and we’re looking forward to seeing what happens in the future."
Head coach Nico Estévez made nine changes for the second half with only Servania and MartÃnez returning for the second interval.
"We're happy for the players and growth of the team in tactical aspects," Estévez said afterwards. "We had good moments, good plays, and I see the teaming growing in the right direction. There's still work to do and lots of things to improve but the mentality of the team going in the right direction.
"I told the players after, it's nice to see the things we're working on in training, like concepts, principles, spacing in attacking in defending, and they were able to execute that in the game. I think that's the part we're happiest with because the players are trying to do it. And sometimes the things go right and other plays are still coming. But I'm happy that they're trying and I think they're doing a good job."
FC Dallas will continue its preseason preparation with a friendly against San Antonio FC next Saturday, Feb. 12 at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco.
