FRISCO – FC Dallas defender Anibal Chala, currently on loan in his native Ecuador, saw 90 minutes for Liga de Quito in Leg Two of the second-round Copa Sudamericana clash against Bolivian-side Bolívar last week.
Chala assisted on the goal that tied the match at 1-1 on aggregate.
The cup tie ended 1-1 on aggregate and required penalties to decide who would be moving on. Chala’s side, L.D.U Quito, won the shootout 6-5 to advance to the Round of 16. The Ecuadorian Serie A team will now face Brazilian power-house Fuminense on Aug. 23 in the next round.
Chala started at left back and is back to earning solid minutes after a sports hernia injury sidelined him for the first part of the season. His loan stint came as a chance for the Ecuadorian to gain some match-ready shine. Chala played well, and is playing better as a whole.
During his debut, he got involved on both the defensive side of play as well as attacking play. Chala had a nice chance in the first half go grazing just over the crossbar in front of the home fans. But at the end of the match, Chala made a blazing run down the left-hand side. His cross found a man in the middle, and the header was the goal his club had been searching for.
The 21-year-old is on loan with L.D.U. Quito through December.
