FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls traded haymakers for 90-plus minutes at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night, and only the final whistle brought respite.
In a breathless, end-to-end encounter marked by an early red card for FCD, the two sides traded two well-taken goals and hunted for a game-winner right to the finish, with Dallas in particular playing like a team possessed despite their numerical disadvantage.
Sacha Kljestan rifled home a golazo to open the scoring not long after Dallas rookie Jacori Hayes was ejected for his second yellow card. Hernan Grana equalized after a lung-bursting run shortly after halftime, only for Aaron Long to nod home a set piece moments later.
But the relentless Michael Barrios earned a penalty kick that Mauro Diaz dispatched to grab the hosts a hard-won share of the points, and they were inches away from a last-second winner before Luis Robles produced a scintillating save.
Goals
- 43' – NY – Sacha Kljestan Watch
- 54' – DAL – Hernan Grana Watch
- 57' – NY – Aaron Long Watch
- 75' – DAL – Mauro Diaz (PK) Watch
Three Things
WHAT. A. GAME
: This match pulsated with pace and intensity from start to finish, giving supporters of both teams reason to laugh, cry and shake their heads – occasionally in quick succession. The Red Bulls may rue their failure to convert FCD's early red card into a full three points, and FCD are still without a win since July 22. Yet both walked away with something to build on as the playoff chase reaches its apex in the weeks ahead.
September 3, 2017
TOROS SEE RED
: The word "desperation" has a negative tone, but it fuelled an epic performance from FCD. Carrying a six-game winless skid into this game, the North Texans hustled like their season was on the line, showing particular desire after Hayes' sending-off. After the intrigue of
the Barrios-Maxi Urruti transfer-window situation
and frustrations of the past week or two, it was a marked display of commitment and determination.
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