In a thrilling MLS playoff showdown, FC Dallas stunned soccer fans as they clinched a resounding 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders at Toyota Stadium. The absence of their key player, Argentine midfielder Alan Velasco, due to a severe knee injury, served as a powerful motivator for the team to secure the crucial win. Velasco tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and partially tore the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his left knee during Game 1 of the best-of-3 playoff series, leaving a significant void in the FC Dallas lineup.
FC Dallas' head coach, Nico Estévez, rallied his team around the spirit of their injured comrade, asking them to play in honor of Velasco. Estévez noted
"We wanted what happened to Alan to motivate us to play a good game and try to win it. Alan is a fantastic kid and is very loved within the team."
The result of this collective determination was a remarkable victory that has forced a decisive third game to be played at Lumen Field, the Sounders' home ground.
Without Velasco's speed and mid-range shooting prowess, FC Dallas had to find alternative ways to challenge Seattle's rock-solid defense, which had conceded only 32 goals during the season, making them the league's best in that regard. Early in the game, FC Dallas took the lead when Paul Arreola, a key figure in Velasco's absence, headed in a pass from Bernard Kamungo to beat Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Just nine minutes later, Jesús Ferreira converted a penalty kick, awarded after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review, confirming that Sounders defender Nouhou Tolo had tripped Kamungo inside the box.
Although Jordan Morris managed to pull one back for Seattle in the 48th minute, FC Dallas resolutely defended their lead. In the 89th minute, Jader Obrian sealed the victory with the team's third goal of the night, in front of a jubilant crowd of 19,096 fans.
Injuries have been a consistent thorn in FC Dallas's side throughout the season, with key players like Paul Arriola, Sebastián Lletget, Facundo Quignón, and Bernard Kamungo sidelined at various points. In fact, during May alone, 11 FC Dallas players found themselves on the injured list. Despite these adversities, Coach Estévez managed to guide his team deep into the first-round playoffs, displaying a remarkable resilience that he is incredibly proud of. He emphasized, "Some other teams in the league went through the same circumstances as us regarding injuries, and they didn’t make it to the playoffs. We have the will to keep going as far as possible."
Friday's upcoming game will mark the seventh postseason encounter between FC Dallas and the Seattle Sounders since 2014. Historically, the Sounders have held the upper hand, advancing in four of the last five postseason meetings, including three consecutive victories. The only time FC Dallas managed to eliminate Seattle was during the 2015 conference semifinal.
Adding to the challenge, Seattle boasts an impressive unbeaten streak of 18 home games against FC Dallas, dating back to 2012. This streak underscores the magnitude of FC Dallas's recent triumph, as they look to carry this momentum into the decisive third game at Lumen Field.
In the face of adversity, FC Dallas's inspiring performance stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the team and their unyielding commitment to succeeding against all odds. As they gear up for the climactic game, they aim to create a story of triumph over adversity that will resonate throughout the MLS and beyond.
