CANCUN, Mexico -- New Homegrown forward Bradlee Baladez delivered two goals in the first 30 minutes, while Bobby Warshaw picked up a third goal late to give FC Dallas a 3-2 victory over Atlante here Thursday afternoon.
Baladez capitalized on an Atlante defensive miscue in the 11th minute to net the first goal of the match. Warshaw stripped a defender in the Dallas attacking third and the ball took a favorable bounce into the path of Baladez, who calmly slotted home the opportunity.
FC Dallas added a second goal in the 28th minute when trialist Ryuta Sasaki found Cam Wilder on the left wing. Wilder served a well-timed ball in to Baladez, who buried his second score of the day before exiting the game for Kenny Cooper. The two teams played three 30 minute segments of the match, switching lineups for each segment.
Atlante erased the clean sheet in the second segment of play with a textbook header in the 44th minute. The Mexican side earned a corner kick and an Atlante player rose high above his marker to head home the service.
Minutes later, Dallas nearly picked up a third goal after Jackson drew a free kick opportunity 40 yards from goal. Cooper put the long-distance shot on frame, but the Atlante keeper made a diving save to his right. Less than 10 minutes later, Atlante found the equalizer with a ball played through the middle. The Atlante forward curled his attempt into the corner, leaving Seitz no chance to make a play.
The final 30 minutes saw fresh legs for both sides and a game-winner for Dallas on a set piece in the 74th minute. David Ferreira delivered a quality service into the box, which a new trialist snapped on frame. The Atlante goalkeeper was able to get his gloves on the shot, but couldn’t hang on to the ball. Warshaw was there to pick up the rebound and slot it home for a 3-2 FC Dallas lead.
In the 77th minute, Dallas goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck made a diving, near-post save to maintain the lead. Three minutes later Kellyn Acosta delivered a fantastic ball in to T.J. Nelson, but the Atlante keeper was equal to the task, holding the score at 3-2 for the final whistle.
Goals:
Bradlee Baladez (Bobby Warshaw) 11
Bradlee Baladez (Cam Wilder, Ryuta Sasaki) 28
Bobby Warshaw (Unassisted) 74