Jesús Ferreira, FC Dallas advance in Leagues Cup with win over Necaxa

FRISCO – The last time FC Dallas played Necaxa, it was handed a painful reminder of the progress still ahead of the club just three years into its existence, losing 4-1 in the CONCACAF Cup Winner’s Cup.

That was 1998. Fast-forward 25 years, and the clubs faced off again, this time in for a spot in the Leagues Cup knockout rounds. Unlike the 1998 matchup, FC Dallas beat Necaxa 3-0, securing its spot in the Leagues Cup Round of 32.

Not only was FCD looking to avenge that loss from 25 years ago, it needed to win to keep its Leagues Cup hopes alive. It fell in penalties to Charlotte FC in its first game, but moved past that performance to secure the win against Necaxa.

“This game is so funny. We were so upset and disappointed coming in here,” FC Dallas midfielder Sebastian Lletget said. “You have to forget all about what happened against Charlotte and move forward against Necaxa, and we put on a performance like that and I’m really proud of this team.”

FCD gained an advantage early on, as Necaxa was forced to play with 10 players after just 11 minutes. In a moment of transition, Jáder Obrian played a through ball to Bernard Kamungo who slipped behind the Necaxa defense before a hard slide tackle from Alán Montes sent him to the ground.

Montes was shown a red card, and the man advantage allowed FC Dallas to control the pace of the game. It took just 13 minutes for FCD to take full advantage of the extra man, as Lletget scored following a deflected pass from Kamungo.

Kamungo was FCD’s most dangerous player and created chaos down the right side. The goal came as a result of him taking on his marker, drawing an extra defender whose intervention placed the ball in front of Lletget in the box.

“We have to reward ourselves because we work so hard to get in those positions in the box,” Lletget said.

He was most effective getting in behind, timing his runs well and using his speed to beat defenders one-on-one. Despite not scoring, he was a major reason for FCD’s 10 shots in the game.

Not only did the win secure FC Dallas a spot in the knockout rounds, but the team was finally able to see its offensive adjustments pay off. Though FCD has created more chances in recent matches, it has lacked the finishing touch in front of goal, and the focus to hold onto a lead late in the game.

That was the story of FCD’s loss to Charlotte FC in its Leagues Cup opener. Following that game, head coach Nico Estévez said they “changed the way they want to attack,” and that was on display against Charlotte despite the loss.

The attacking game plan was more aggressive, and focused on creating overloads and taking advantage of space out wide. That resulted in two near-identical goals in Friday’s game, and worked again against Necaxa, resulting in FCD’s largest win of the season.

“I’m glad that the things that we’ve been working on are helping us to score goals. That is the most important thing,” Estévez said.

The first two goals both came from moves on the wings creating confusion in the middle for the Necaxa backline. Lletget’s run came due to Kamungo occupying two defenders on the first goal, and Ansah’s goal came after an overload on the right side allowed him to become wide open at the far post for Lletget’s cross.

For the final goal, FCD showed the finishing touch it had been missing as its star, Jesús Ferreira, confidently slid his shot past the goalkeeper after he intercepted a poor pass in Necaxa’s half.

It wasn’t easy for FC Dallas all night, though, as Necaxa nearly turned the game upside down early in the second half. After a momentary burst out of the locker room, FCD let the game get sloppy around the 50th minute, resulting in multiple dangerous chances from Necaxa.

Necaxa was most dangerous off crosses, and created favorable matchups in the box to set up headers at goal. It came closest to flipping the game in the 53rd minute, when Andrés Colorado beat his man to the near post, and drilled his header into the ground towards the bottom corner. A heroic save from Maarten Paes kept the ball out of the net, as he was able to fully extend to his left, getting a fingertip on the ball to push it past the post.

Paes wasn’t tested much throughout the game, but him making that save kept FCD in the game at the time. It can be difficult for a goalkeeper in a sudden moment like that, but Paes credited the save to his preparation and concentration.

“It’s just a matter of concentration,” Paes said. “My goalkeeper trainer always says never take mental breaks because you never know when it’s gonna come.”

That moment seemed to flip the switch for FC Dallas, as it went on to score two more goals and regain control of the game.

The win also seemed to be a way for the team to turn the page as its key players continue to return and contribute. Lletget scored in consecutive games, Ferreira scored for the first time since returning from international duty and Paul Arriola made his first appearance off the bench since May 13.

“When everybody’s doing their job in this team, we can do some special stuff,” Lletget said.

FCD now waits on the result of Necaxa vs. Charlotte FC to determine whether or not it wins the group. Either way, the win officially secures FCD a spot in the Round of 32.

speed to beat defenders one-on-one. Despite not scoring, he was a major reason for FCD’s 10 shots in the game.

On Twitter: @peter_rauterkus