FC Dallas eliminated from Open Cup for second straight year at Children’s Mercy Park
- Midfielder Carlos Gruezo scores second goal of 2018 in all competitions
- Roland Lamah scores just second road goal since joining Dallas with equalizer
- FCD travels to face New York Red Bulls in MLS action on Saturday, June 23
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – FC Dallas fell, 3-2, on Saturday night to Sporting KC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16, eliminating the two-time champions from the 2018 tournament.
FC Dallas would strike first in the 18th minute as Carlos Gruezo scored his first U.S. Open Cup goal and third of his FCD career. Maxi Urruti played in a ball from the left side to Michael Barrios on the far side of the box. Barrios took a shot that was denied by SKC goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas, but the rebound went right back to the Colombian winger who chipped a shot over the keeper and Gruezo footed it home on the goal line.
Jesse Gonzalez kept Dallas in the lead with a fingertip save in the 41st minute. Michael Barrios was called for a foul on Roger Espinoza, leading to a long free kick from Ilie Sanchez. Sanchez found Espinoza in the middle of the box, sending a header in on goal that a leaping Gonzalez pushed just over the bar.
FCD found themselves on their heels in the 43rd minute as SKC pulled level just before the break. Espinoza and Ike Opara hit the woodwork in succession off a corner kick in the 42nd minute before Dallas cleared the ball, but only as far as Gerso Fernandes. The winger brought down the clearance and hit Jaylin Lindsey quickly. The Kansas City Homegrown sent a long ball to Opara on the back post, who sent a header back across the frame of goal for Salloi to tap home for the equalizer.
The home side took the lead in the 66th minute, as Dallas gave Kansas City space at the top of the box. Lindsey sent a short pass from the left side of the area to Wan Kuzain, who quickly found Salloi just above the penalty spot. The forward took a second-touch shot that beat Gonzalez to the right side of goal.
Roland Lamah tied the game 2-2 in the 77th minute with a solo effort from the top of the 18-yard box. SKC goalkeeper Zendejas came out to punch a Dallas corner kick away, but it found Lamah on the corner of the area. He faked a shot to avoid Salloi jumping in to block a chance, cut back to his left and delivered a bouncing, left-footed shot that found the far side of the net.
Sporting would answer right back in the 89th minute as Yohan Croizet found the game-winner in stunning fashion. Maynor Figueroa tried to clear a SKC chance with a header, but the ball popped straight up in the air and came down just in front of the midfielder two minutes after subbing into the match. He delivered a first-touch volley out of mid-air that beat Gonzalez to his left for the winner.
Lineups:
FC Dallas – Jesse Gonzalez; Maynor Figueroa, Reto Ziegler, Matt Hedges, Reggie Cannon; Roland Lamah, Carlos Gruezo (Tesho Akindele - 71’), Victor Ulloa, Kellyn Acosta (Jacori Hayes - 59’); Maxi Urruti, Michael Barrios (Ryan Hollingshead - 84’).
Substitutes Not Used: Jimmy Maurer, Jordan Cano, Paxton Pomykal.
Sporting KC – Adrian Zendejas; Jaylin Lindsey, Emiliano Amor, Ike Opara, Graham Zusi; Wan Kuzain, Ilie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza; Gerso Fernandes (Khiry Shelton - 75’), Danial Salloi (Yohan Croziet - 85’), Diego Rubio.
Substitutes Not Used: Eric Dick, Colton Storm, Kharlton Belmar, Amer Didic.
Scoring Summary:
FCD - Carlos Gruezo (Michael Barrios) - 18’
SKC - Daniel Salloi (Ike Opara, Jaylin Lindsey) - 43’
SKC - Daniel Salloi (Wan Kuzain, Jaylin Lindsey) - 66’
FCD - Roland Lamah - 77’
SKC - Yohan Croizet - 89’
Misconduct Summary:
FCD - Roland Lamah (caution) - 20’
FCD - Michael Barrios (caution) - 36’
FCD - Jacori Hayes (caution) - 72’
FCD - Victor Ulloa (caution) - 74’
SKC - Emilino Amor (caution) - 83’
Weather: Clear, 88 degrees
Attendance:
15,238
Referee:
Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees:
Kyle Atkins, Jeremy Kieso
4th Official:
Jack Feldman
