By: Anthony Miller
The start of the MLS Playoffs did not go as FC Dallas wanted as they fell to the Seattle Sounders 2-0 Monday night.
While the defense got off to a good start, FC Dallas suffered a key injury in the 17th minute with Alan Velasco going down resulting in him being substituted out for Liam Fraser. Late in the first half, Marco Farfan surrenders a penalty in the penalty area that resulted in Albert Rusnák scoring the first goal of the game off the penalty kick in the 43rd minute. Just before the half ended, Jesus Ferreira received a yellow card that put an end to a tough first half for FC Dallas being down 1-0.
Seattle was attacking early and often in the second half getting more offensive opportunities than FC Dallas had. Those opportunities finally paid off for the Sounders in the 74th minute with Jordan Morris scoring the second goal of the game for Seattle putting them up 2-0. FC Dallas only had two more shot opportunities the rest of the game as the game ended with a 2-0 loss for FC Dallas.
Despite Seattle having 16 fouls in the game, it was their offense that dominated the game over FC Dallas. 19 total shots (six on goal) were taken by Seattle having possession of the ball for 57 percent of the game.
FC Dallas didn’t have as many opportunities with only ten shots taken and four of them being on goal. Eight of those shots were blocked by Seattle so nothing was getting past the Sounders.
Nkosi Tafari and Ferreira each had three shots in the game for FC Dallas as they were the only players who attempted more than one shot. Maarten Paes had four saves in front of the net for FC Dallas.
This is FC Dallas’ first loss since August 30 against St. Louis City. The series advantage goes to Seattle as they are up 1-0 on FC Dallas going into Game 2. FC Dallas must win Game 2 to keep their postseason run alive as they head home to Frisco for a Saturday matchup against Seattle with the game beginning at 8:00 pm CST. The game can be viewed on Apple TV through MLS Season Pass.
Featured Image via X (@FCDallas)