FRISCO, Texas (Wednesday, Sept. 25) – The FC Dallas Reserves (4-6-1, 13 points) scored three unanswered goals in a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Toronto FC Reserves (3-3-1, 10 points) today on Field 1 at Toyota Soccer Center.
Honduran international Ramon Nunez scored twice in the win. The goals were his fourth and fifth of the MLS Reserve League season. Michel finished off a penalty kick in the 62nd minute to seal the win.
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FC Dallas had an early advantage in possession but Toronto FC had the first quality chance in the fourth minute when Kyle Bekker sent a free kick towards the back post. Toronto FC Academy player and left back Eli Roubas made a solid run to connect with the pass, redirecting the ball back in front of the FC Dallas goal, but two blocked shots by FC Dallas defenders kept the visitors off the scoreboard early.
Toronto FC had the majority of the ball between the 10th and 24th minutes and capitalized following a well-orchestrated buildup between Jonas Elmer and Manny Aparicio. The young midfielder picked up an assist when he centered a pass to Bekker, who took a touch and hammered a right-footed blast into the top left corner of the net from 25 yards out. The goal gave Toronto FC a 1-0 lead that would only last for five minutes.
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Nunez answered in the 29th minute thanks to some hustle from Victor Ulloa. The Homegrown player won the ball back in the central midfield and poked it to Danny Garcia. Garcia found forward Kenny Cooper with the next pass and the veteran sprung a streaking Nunez in alone on goal with a heel pass. Nunez finished easily with a sharp pass into the lower left corner of the goal to even the score, 1-1.
FC Dallas gained a 2-1 advantage just before the half when Michel knocked a simple centering pass to Nunez. The Honduran took a touch before blasting a line-drive shot into the far upper corner of the goal from 30 yards out.
Cooper worked with Nunez to start a breakout following a Toronto FC corner kick early in the second half. The forward held the ball on the left flank before switching the point of attack through Ulloa to Garcia on the opposite side. The Homegrown midfielder ran at a defender and had just entered the top left corner of the area before being tripped up by a Toronto FC defender. Referee Elie Aguilar pointed to the spot and Michel stepped up to convert the free kick. The Brazilian drove a hard shot off the bottom of the crossbar and the ball settled into the net behind Toronto FC goalkeeper Quillan Roberts, giving Dallas the 3-1 win.
FC Dallas Reserves next match is scheduled for 1115905424" tabindex="0">Monday, Sept. 30 against the Columbus Crew Reserves. That match is scheduled to kick off at 1115905425" tabindex="0">10 a.m. CT on Field 1 at Toyota Soccer Center. Toronto FC Reserves are set to take on the Chicago Fire Reserves on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.
Lineups:
FC Dallas Reserves – Chris Seitz, London Woodberry, Stephen Keel, Walker Zimmerman, Zach Loyd (Wilfred Williams* 76), Danny Garcia, Victor Ulloa, Michel (Ethan Sonis* 81), Jonathan Top (Eric Hassli 70), Ramon Nunez (Je-Vaughn Watson 70), Kenny Cooper (Diego De La Terra* 86).
Substitutes not used: Kyle Zobeck.
Toronto FC Reserves – Quillan Roberts, Eli Roubas, Ryan Richter, Michael Thomas, Jonas Elmer (Michael Krezminsk 63), Kyle Bekker, Manny Aparicio, Dylan Sacramento, Reggie Lambe (Alain Sargeant 63), Emery Welshman, Jordan Hamilton.
Substitutes not used: None.
Academy Player
Scoring Summary:
TOR – Kyle Bekker (Manny Aparicio, Jonas Elmer) 24
DAL – Ramon Nunez (Kenny Cooper, Danny Garcia) 29
DAL – Ramon Nunez (Michel) 43
DAL – Michel (PK) 62
Misconduct Summary:
TOR – Kyle Bekker (caution) 7
Officials:
Referee: Elie Aguilar
Assistant Referees: Tony Obas, William Tomlinson
Fourth Official: Tom Harlett
