FRISCO - With halftime approaching, the match needed a moment of greatness to break the deadlock.
For FC Dallas, the man expected to provide those moments of greatness stepped-up. Mauro Diaz started a quick move outside the left of the 18-yard box. Diaz, Ryan Hollingshead and Paxton Pomykal all shared just one quick touch to spring Diaz.
Diaz was bearing down on the Colorado penalty area before he was struck down from behind. A penalty was awarded to FC Dallas, and Diaz converted for 1-0 in the 44th minute.
"We had a nice build-up to the play,” Diaz said. “Then, when I had the opportunity to take the penalty, I just tried to remain calm. I knew the keeper knew me and knew where I usually put it, so I changed it up and luckily it went in.”
It was Diaz’s first goal since last year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, and signaled a definitive return to form for the Argentine playmaker.
“Mauro kept growing in his rhythm,” head coach Oscar Parjea said. “His talent is in-tact. That just made us all feel very happy for him and for the team. He had a great game. The plan to have him for 60-70 minutes today worked very well.”
After spending most of the first half of the season on the sidelines recovering from an Achilles injury suffered at the end of last season, Diaz has slowly been worked back into the FC Dallas starting XI. It has worked, as he also picked up an assist on the night to move his total to three helpers on the season.
It was an especially good night on the field for Diaz in his mind.
“Every day I feel a little better,” Diaz said. “Today I felt great. I hope to continue scoring and helping the team get the results that we want.”
Ryan Hollingshead was on the receiving end of Diaz’s assist. Diaz played a wonderful ball to Reggie Cannon who picked out Hollingshead on the run to put Dallas up 2-1 in the 57th minute for his first goal of the season.
Hollingshead and Diaz share a similar story this season, with both being sidelined to start the year and now being worked back onto the field. It appears that both are ready to hit full stride.
“These games are really important,” Hollingshead said. “It felt good just running and getting 90 minutes. I was happy with my performance. It’s so hard after being out for 7 months to get to 100 percent without playing games. This is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Pareja also believes that Dallas’ win and a trip to the quarterfinals in the Open Cup is another step in the right direction for a FC Dallas squad that has not won in league play since June 3.
“That probably was one of the more consistent games we have had in the year,” Pareja said. “I saw a lot of good things today and a lot of good performances too.”
