Dan Kennedy was on a mission on Sunday night in San Jose, looking to right what he described as a wrong.
After conceding four goals in a forgettable loss to Sporting KC on May 29, Kennedy did just that – bouncing back with his second clean sheet in a four-week span.
“Dan and his play specifically in San Jose kept us in the game. That was a highlight for us defensively,” head coach Oscar Pareja said. “We accomplished our goal which was just keep [a] clean [sheet].”
“Throughout a long season, you’re going to have disappointing results like that where you just don’t get it right,” Kennedy said. “That is the important thing – how you come back and train that week and prepare for the next game.”
The clean sheet against San Jose also came with five different starters than in Kansas City – something the team will face even more in the coming weeks with the international call-up list continually growing.
“I think it says something about the depth of this team,” Kennedy said. “You don’t know when your number is going to get called, but when it gets called, you’ve got to be ready to step up.”
In the meantime, FC Dallas will look to carry the same defensive performance into Seattle on Saturday.
“I think it’s important that we stick to the principles that got us that point against San Jose,” Kennedy said. “As much as defending is about defenders, it’s about the collective unit – the team – and how we form our shape throughout the match.”
