The post-game fireworks weren’t the only things exploding Saturday at Toyota Stadium.
Super Mauro was popping in full force to blast FC Dallas past the New England Revolution 3-0, playing a role in all three of FCD’s goals.
“Mauro’s influential,” head coach Oscar Pareja said. “His quality is very obvious. Today was magnificent.”
Mauro Diaz opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his first home goal since a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers on March 29, 2014. He perfectly placed a free kick from right outside the box under the Revolution wall and into the bottom-left portion of the net.
“I’ve noticed the walls are really tall because there are a lot of tall players,” Diaz said through a translator. “I thought it would be a good option [to kick it under the wall], so I tried it and it worked this time.”
In the 64th minute, FCD was able to double the lead with a goal beginning from the foot of Diaz. He counterattacked off a won ball in New England’s defensive third that he played inside to midfielder Fabian Castillo inside the box. Castillo missed his first shot, but he was able to net his second attempt.
“When you’re a goalie, you play for the guys who can change games," goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who picked up his third straight home clean sheet with Saturday’s win, said. "Mauro and Castillo are two of those guys; two of the premier guys in the league who can change games. Certainly I put on my gloves every game just trying to keep it clean in the back to give those two a chance to do some damage.”
Diaz topped his performance with an assist in the 73rd minute to substitute Michael Barrios, who scored his first career MLS goal. Diaz dribbled past Revolution midfielder Scott Caldwell before squeezing a ball into Barrios in the penalty area with Barrios tapping it in for the 3-0 win.
“I thought he had energy,” Pareja said. “As much as we were disappointed in the middle of the week with the result and not staying the cup, I thought it was the right choice to keep him fresh for this one game.”
