FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas cruised to a 6-0 win against San Antonio FC in its third preseason outing thanks to a Jesús Ferreira hat trick on Saturday afternoon at Toyota Stadium.
“We worked on how to build up against this team and how to attack, and I think the players understood that really well," said head coach Nico Estévez after the game. "We had to adjust some things but I think everything went well and the players understood all the things that we were looking for and they executed it.
“I think we knew what the opponent was trying to do to us defensively. They tried to press us so there was space in behind their backline and I’m happy our players understood really quickly where that space was. I think we were able to create a number of opportunities with good runs in behind and good passes and finishing.”
Jáder Obrian opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Ferreira latched on to Paul Arriola’s through-ball down the wing and the USMNT forward sent a low cross for Obrian to tap home. Dallas doubled the lead in similar fashion just two minutes later when Arriola broke free behind San Antonio’s backline and found Obrian’s back-post run and the Colombian made no mistake from two yards out.
Paxton Pomykal – who returned to his natural position in center midfield – earned a penalty in the 17th minute when San Antonio’s keeper gathered a high, bouncing ball but caught Pomykal in the face in the process. Ferreira, playing in his first preseason contest since returning from international duty, stepped up make it 3-0 from 12 yards out before adding his second of the match in the 29th minute from close range. Four minutes later, Ferreira completed his first-half hat trick with a volley from the edge of the box after Pomykal’s cross flicked up off the defender.
“I’m excited to be back, especially with new faces on the field getting some minutes," Ferreira said. "It’s a challenge for us to learn everybody’s movement but we went out there and did a good job. It’s a similar style to the national team so it’s pretty simple to bring it out here and help the guys that don’t know the system, so that they can adapt to it quickly. That’s why we need to be on the same page. I think we did a pretty good job, just knowing the principles and the starting point.”
Dallas began the second half with the same lineup and added its sixth and final goal in the 68th minute when Obrian’s shot was parried into the path of Paul Arriola who tucked it home easily. It was Arriola's first taste of action as an FC Dallas player and the former D.C. United man recorded an assist, a hockey assist and a goal. Coach Estévez made his first sub of the afternoon when Isaiah Parker replaced new signing Marco Farfan on the left side of defense. The other 10 starters went 72 minutes before the line change was made.
"Today, it seemed like we were really efficient," Arriola said. "If we could be that efficient in the league, we will be pretty successful. But I think it was it was nice, you know, I've come here to score goals and have assists and help the team win. Today, I was able to do that. Individually, I feel good about that. And at the same time, I think we showed glimpses in the game of how dangerous we could be vertically."
