Lineups
FC Dallas — Maarten Paes; Nkosi Tafari, Sebastien Ibeagha, Sam Junqua; Dante Sealy, Asier Illarramendi, Liam Fraser (Sebastian Lletget – 84’), Herbert Endeley (Ema Twumasi – 61’); Paul Arriola, Logan Farrington, Bernard Kamungo (Eugene Ansah – 84’).
Substitutes not used — Jimmy Maurer, Omar Gonzalez, Patrickson Delgado, Nolan Norris, Tomas Pondeca.
San Jose Earthquakes — Daniel; Paul Marie (Vitor Costa – 66’), Tanner Beason, Rodrigues, Carlos Akapo; Carlos Gruezo (Michael Baldisimo – 85’), Jackson Yueill, Jack Skahan (Alfredo Morales – 73’); Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Preston Judd – 66’), Benji Kikanovic (Amahl Pellegrino – 74’).
Substitutes not used — Ousseni Bouda, Tommy Thompson, Daniel Munie, William Yarbrough.
Scoring Summary:
SJ: Benji Kikanovic – 6’
DAL: Asier Illarramendi – 25’
DAL: Dante Sealy – (90’+4’)
Misconduct Summary:
SJ: Carlos Gruezo (caution) – 21’
SJ: Rodrigues (caution) – 45’
Weather: Clear, 70ºF
Attendance: 19,096
POSTGAME QUOTES FC DALLAS
Head Coach Nico Estévez
On tonight’s match…
“The first ten minutes, it took us a bit to get in the game and find the right way to press them. They took their chance and scored early on. But the team’s response was very good and very positive, and we are capable of not only tying up the match but also creating goal-scoring opportunities. I think we had 22 shots, nine on goal. The team was able to score that second goal, and we know that with it being the first game of the season, the score can quickly change, especially when it’s tied up. And well, it could’ve gone either way in the end, but I think the quality of our attack was an essential component in this win.”
On the team’s performance…
“It’s the first game, and evidently, there is a lot for us to work on. But we have the whole season to work and to keep improving. We’ve shown that when we’re calm and have possession, we’ve created great opportunities, some of which have resulted in a goal. On the other hand, we’ve had moments where we pressed the other team well and forced turnovers. That gives us the opportunity to counterattack like we have. And well, it’s good that these younger players who, many of them, played with us last year have that experience in these games because in the end, this season is very long, and we need everyone in order to have a good season.”
Forward Dante Sealy
On tonight’s match…
“Obviously, it was a rough start going down one goal. But we stuck with it, kept going, and kept pushing. Resiliency was a big part of our preseason, and I feel like that was the case today as well.”
On scoring the game-winning goal in added time…
“It’s a crazy feeling. You can’t describe it, but being there with my guys and with the fans, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
On the team’s preparation leading up to the season opener…
“It’s a good feeling having a successful preseason as a team. We took it day-by-day and step-by-step, and that showed today.”
Winger Paul Arriola
On scoring goals at home…
“Yeah, it’s great. I think that was kind of our theme last year, especially at home, being able to only get one goal on the score sheet at times, with a lot of ties. So this one feels really good to be able to get the win, it makes it even sweeter when it’s at the very end of the game. You got a guy like Dante who’s been on fire, who scored a great goal. It’s obviously a great start for us. But this is a process and we really just have to focus on what’s to come next. Next week, we have another game at home. And hopefully we’ll do the same.”
On Dante Sealy…
“It just shows a lot of maturity that he has, he wasn’t too involved in a lot of action today and Neither was I. But just to have that resilience and the mentality to continue to get into the box and be ready for the one opportunity that you get, and he was able to do that. Obviously, it’s great for him to carry that confidence. And, you know, I’m really proud to be his teammate to watch him grow. He’s done a fabulous job, and hopefully he continues.”
Midfielder Asier Illarramendi
On the match tonight….
“Despite not starting the match well, we were able to shift and start league play the right way. Despite the first goal, we were resilient and we should have scored earlier on in the second half. We did not want to continue our ways from last year where we would not be able to get wins.”
On his first MLS goal with FC Dallas…
“It was a ball I found following a corner kick rebound, I knew I had to finish the opportunity and thankfully it hit the back of the net. I am very happy to score my first goal in MLS but I am happier because we were able to get our second goal and get the three points.”
On how the team was able to come back…
“We had been working all preseason as a team, we were eager to start the regular season the right way, we knew the stadium was going to be packed and that the fans were excited to kick the season off, it was important to start off with a win.”
