FRISCO – Head coach Schellas Hyndman and FC Dallas have to be happy with Sunday’s friendly against Liga MX side Club Leon, twice pulling back from a goal down to draw 3-3 with the Mexican side taking the trophy on penalty kicks. Every available FCD player except for goalie Kevin Hartman saw playing time for Dallas and perhaps best of all, there were no major injuries after the game. Here’s the three plays that decided a really fun night out at FC Dallas Stadium:
1) Goalkeeper Chris Seitz noted that FCD wanted to make a concerted effort to shut down Leon on free kicks, but the Mexican side grabbed the opening goal on a set piece in the 11th minute. Edgar Pacheco’s corner kick found the head of central defender Juan Carlos Pineda and he made no mistake beating Seitz from close range to give the Mexicans an early lead.
2) After George John’s equalizer, Dallas took their first lead of the match early in the second half. Despite Leon putting in their starters for the second frame, Jackson was able to find himself free on goal. The Brazilian rounded the keeper and had his first shot saved off the line, but followed it up with a spectacular scissor kick on the rebound to excite the home fans. Jackson was a consistent danger throughout his 68 minutes on the pitch tonight, showing his trademark fitness and mazy runs through the Mexican defense.
3) As time ticked down and FCD trailed 3-2, three substitutes combined to bring Dallas level once again. Brazilian Ricardo Villar sent in a cross that was headed towards goal by Argentine Matias Jara, playing his first game for FC Dallas. His headed flicked off the foot of midfielder Bobby Warshaw, dribbling over the goal line and giving Dallas their third goal of a wildly entertaining evening.
