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Here are three things we learned from FC Dallas’ 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake on Saturday at Toyota Stadium.
1.RSL continuing last-season success
Last season, RSL was one of the hottest teams in the league after a poor start under former coach Jeff Cassar. Out went Cessar and in came Mike Petke, who led the Red Bulls to a Supporters Shield in 2013. Petke came in and struggled at the beginning of his reign, with many of the younger players out due to the U-20 FIFA World Cup. After adjusting to the new system, RSL fought hard and finished eighth in the Western Conference, one point out from a playoff spot.
Salt Lake came out and looked confident through the first part of the match, dominating possession and looking dangerous early on. The opening goal was a great counter-attack. Albert Rusnak knew who to find and the team was well-organized in the middle and back. If Jefferson Savarino had scored his chance, we would be talking about a great RSL display that withstood FC Dallas pressure and capitalized on their opportunities. Overall, it was a positive display from Petke’s men.
“It’s hard to swallow that late,” Petke said. “Having said that, they had their opportunities, but also we did as well. Perhaps 1-1 is a fair result, but our guys, they worked hard. For a first game with a long way to go, it’s a good start.”
2. FC Dallas still can’t capitalize on their opportunities
One gripe many had with FC Dallas was their inability to finish their chances whenever they have them. This showed during spells of the 2017 season, where they drew matches that they were much better in. It was almost the same case tonight, as Dallas created chances but failed to make them into goals. Dallas was only able to get on the scoreboard after an odd own goal. Many of the shots that were created from the opportunities were either straight at RSL keeper Nick Rimando or comfortable saves. Only one seemed to trouble the 38-year-old, which was off a Reggie Cannon cross that found Maxi Urruti near post, catching Rimando off-guard. Jacori Hayes struck the post, Mauro Diaz missed a couple of chances, including a shot that he put over the bar early on.
“The things we can take away are sometimes we need that good energy and good form for someone to finish those opportunities,” coach Oscar Pareja said. “We are not on that page because in the two CONCACAF games we played, we missed a lot of chances to score. We are still struggling to score but hopefully, we will start scoring more.”
3. Could there be a goalkeeper competition in Dallas?
Jesse Gonzalez was out of the 18 due to some knee injury trouble, giving an opportunity to Jimmy Maurer to start his first MLS match. Maurer played well in his debut, not being too busy dealing with shots. However, he made the saves when he needed to when called upon. Oscar Pareja is the type of coach who’s open to competition. Gonzalez and now Dynamo keeper Chris Seitz went back and forth in the 2015 and 2016 season fighting for the starting spot. Gonzalez made a key error in the first leg of the CCL Round of 16 match, not securing a ball that should’ve been his. Maurer is a more than capable backup. In the NASL, he was named to the Best XI in 2014 and helped the New York Cosmos win back-to-back Soccer Bowls.
“I’m gonna do everything I can to try and start every game and win this job,” Maurer said. “The thing that helps with that is the great coaching staff here, especially the guy I’m working with every day, Drew Keeshen. He’s an intense guy and doesn’t let you get away with anything and that’s a good thing.”