Game: FC Dallas vs Atlanta United FC Date: Wednesday, July 4th Time: 7:00 PM [CST] Location: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas, United States of America Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy; H 93, L 74 Competition: Major League Soccer Last 5 For Opponent: W-D-L-W-D [All Competitions] Live TV: KTXA-21 [DFW] | Fox Sports South [Dixie] | ESPN+ [Out of Market] Radio: FCDallas.com/radio [English] | KFLC 1270 AM La Voz del Pueblo [Spanish]
Was ready to write a 10 page paper on how we have no cutting edge and no x-factor and then Tesho comes on the field and totally saves the day. Wow! What an ending. So sloppy and disappointing throughout the 2nd half and then boom! Smacked them right in the mouth.
Just got home from it. Wow what a night! I leaned over to my buddy after Tesho came on and said that this change probably wouldn't be very effective because Tesho hasn't done anything of note in a while and questioned why he was still even here. Well, I guess he shut me up and showed indeed why he's still wearing FCD colors. Well played, Tesho. Massive victory tonight, especially with SKC losing and LA dropping more points at home.
This team has been the points leader for 3 out of the last 3.5 years. Only the collapse at the last half of last year keeps them from being a continuous leader over 3.5 years. There are signs that they aren't the best team this year but the apparent left back signing could alleviate one problem and if they capture the white whale forward they've been after for a few years they could finally have the team to capture the illusive MLS Cup title.
We definitely need someone to replace Diaz as an "x-factor" of sorts. Barrios continues to be hot trash. Fig is way past it. Hollingshead is hot/cold. Gruezo drives me bananas every game but he can be effective in the right state of mind. So I look at us sitting in 1st place in the West and think, how? The best thing about Pareja teams is they usually find a way to win. I just fear that without a few upgrades and reinforcements, we are going to fizzle out down the stretch.
We looked great until we scored the first goal. Seemed like we stopped pressuring their back line when they had the ball when we got up 1-0. Second half, we didn't look like a team that was accustomed to playing in hot weather. Couldn't even make simple passes. Ulloa was particularly awful. Both of Atlanta's goals were what I feared from them - quick runs and through balls by them, slow reaction from us. Then Tesho (?!?!?) with the help of an awesome outside of the foot back to goal through ball from Urruti saves us. Great win, but it would be nice to play a more complete game.
I have no use for Tesho then he does that. I'm pretty much done with Barrios. Bring on the Ghanians or bring back Reid from loan. I do wonder if Tesho is going to push Coleman out as well. I'm also surprised that Hayes has totally disappeared. He has far better passing than Ulloa. Still not convinced by this team but even though they win ugly a lot they keep winning. Go figure.
Oh, one more thing. I know many have mentioned it in the past but I have to say it again: Maxi does so much work on the field. Tireless running, pressing every play, getting into dangerous positions (sometimes solo). All these years later and Portland still look like fools for letting him go.
Can’t wait to get back to civilization so I can watch the Hoops. I didn’t see the Tesho goal so I’ll hold onto my “sell” rating for him