FRISCO, Texas - March was a very good month for FCD’s midfield maestro, Mauro Diaz.
Pulling the strings from his attacking midfield position, FCD’s #10 was simply stunning in the opening month of the season, logging two goals, an assist and countless other chances as FCD rolled to three wins out of three home games at Toyota Stadium.
His brilliance was recognized on Thursday as he won March’s Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month award in a landslide with over 60% of the vote, the first time an FCD player has won the monthly award since Kevin Hartman in 2011.
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“I’m really happy and thankful,” Mauro said through a translator. “I want to thank all my teammates, because it really comes down to the teamwork making everything else happen. It’s a group effort and I’m happy for the award.”
Both Diaz’s goals were vital to securing three points, and equally impressive is the fact that Dallas has done it with a different midfield combination in every game this season, further showing the depth available to Oscar Pareja.
“No matter who is out there, all the players are giving 100%. It shows a lot about the depth of this team that we can have any player step in to the defensive midfield and continue the pace of the team and the style of play we have on the field,” said Diaz. “It’s a credit to all my teammates. When one guy gets injured, another guy steps in and does a good job.”
Much like Diaz, his head coach credited the entire team for the individual award.
“Well deserved, for sure. That is a reward for someone who has put all his heart into the preseason,” said Pareja. “To come and perform that way, it shows all the sacrifices he has put in, so that is fantastic. Also, this is recognition to his teammates who are doing a fantastic job with him. This is a team effort and I know that they recognize that anything that happens for an individual is the result of a collective effort.”
Up next for Diaz and FCD is a rivalry match on Saturday in Houston before returning home for two more matches at Toyota Stadium against Seattle Sounders FC and Toronto FC.
