HARRISON, NJ — 2-1—a scoreline that FC Dallas is all too familiar with so far this season, having been on the winning end, and now, the losing end of it, twice.
The loss to the New York Red Bulls makes Dallas 0-5-3 at Red Bull Arena—their first win at the stadium, since it was opened in 2010, will have to wait.
One could describe the game as “wet,” something players, fans, even media members experienced all together in Harrison, New Jersey.
One could have said it was “sloppy,” because of the wet field or play itself.
Another might describe Maarten Paes as a “wall,” or be “happy” about Jesús Ferreira’s return to the starting lineup.
Head Coach Nico Estévez, however, said “unlucky.”
“The team showed character, showed personality, and showed that [they were willing to fight until the] end,” Estévez said.
The team started out “shy,” in the first 30 minutes, according to Estévez, saying the players were “rushed” in some of their decisions on the ball because of the Red Bulls’ trademarked pressing style.
But that changed for Dallas after New York’s Emil Forsberg scored the game’s first on a penalty kick.
There was a different energy to the team after that, of which FCD’s “character” and “personality” showed, Estévez said.
At the half, he said they reinforced how well the team finished the first half, and expected the team to show better execution and composure in the second.
The Red Bulls would score again in the 54th minute with a goal from Lewis Morgan, assisted by Forsberg, but FCD had an answer five minutes later in Ferreira’s free kick.
A late scare from the Red Bulls was called offsides in the waning minutes, and a Petar Musa header almost leveled things before the final whistle was blown.
“We are not happy with the result, [but] we are happy with how the team showed personality when playing away against a very good team,” Estévez said.
Dallas will have another chance to earn three points when they return home to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, March 16.
