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Dallas Loons Takeaways: Alan Velasco panenka, Reynoso, and more

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Alan Velasco panenka

FRISCO – What a way to finish the first round of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. FC Dallas hosted Minnesota United on Monday night. The first half was uneventful, leaving MLS Twitter to discuss a large taco. But then things heated up in the second half. Dallas controlled play with the Loons getting at it on the counter. The match headed to penalties and came down to an audacious Alan Velasco panenka.

Dallas Minnesota Takeaways: Alan Velasco panenka, Reynoso, and more

The first half was a tight affair with few chances. Jesús Ferreira got open in the box for a header nine minutes in, but he put it over the bar. The flag went up for offsides anyways. Wil Trapp had the best look for the visitors in the 23rd on a shot from outside the box after a corner. He struck it poorly and Maarten Paes made the routine save.

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The game got exciting starting the 53rd minute. Bongokuhle Hlongwane got the ball forward to the top of the box. He battled to stay on his feet, laying the ball off to Emanuel Reynoso who buried it first time. Eleven minutes later, Matt Hedges headed the ball on a corner to the front of goal for Facundo Quignon, who smashed it into the back of the net. Moments after the Dallas equalizer, Franco Fragapane found Reynoso for a tap in on the break but the play was ruled offside. Alan Velasco had a great free kick with 15 minutes left, but Dayne St. Clair got to the far top corner in time. The home team put the pressure on in the final minutes but could not score. We headed to extra time tied 1-1.

Dallas controlled the play in extra time. Their moment came in the 110th minute. A cross into the Loons box was cleared right to Ferreira from eight yards out with an open goal. He took a poor touch that fell to Sebastian Lletget, who shot, but the ball was saved on the line by St. Clair. Franco Jara had a shout for a penalty in stoppage time as he went down in the box, but D.J. Taylor got to the ball first.

The home side prevailed in penalties. Paes made the only save on the ten kicks, diving to his right to make a great save on Wil Trapp. Two Dallas players tried panenkas, both getting past St. Clair. Velasco made the final one to win penalties 5-4.

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Minnesota’s stars lead the way

The Loons were outshot 19 to 7. Dallas beat them on xG 1.7 to 0.3. Minnesota prioritized defense and transition play. And they almost advances. Reynoso was the most dangerous player on the field. St. Clair was fantastic. He nearly got to the chip in penalties from Jara. The visitors had the best attacking and defending player on the field. That got them to penalties despite being out played by most metrics during the 120 minutes. They made some good moves in the summer that were settling in. Reynoso needs a proper supporting cast for this team to take the next step.

The team that played better won

Dallas did everything but finish. Arriola could have had a goal in the first half. Ferriera or Lletget should have converted in the 110th. They’re a better overall team than Minnesota. That showed through 90 minutes, 120 minutes, and ultimately on penalties. The lack of a star match winner suggests FCD’s ceiling is limited this post season. But if they create that much and finish, they can compete with anyone. This game should not have gone to penalties though. The goal conceded was preventable. Narratives, performance, and expectations aside, their fate has and will come down to execution. They executed just well enough last night.

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Parallels going into Copa Tejas Conference Semifinal

Austin FC will host Dallas in the Conference Semifinals on Sunday. Both teams played to penalties at home in the first round. Verde will get an extra days rest. Paxton Pomykal was subbed out at halftime for a hamstring injury and Ferreira appeared to be limping at the end of extra time. Both teams played well in their first round game but could have finished better.
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