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Reto Ziegler PK Lifts FC Dallas over shorthanded LA Galaxy 2-0

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FRISCO, TEXAS (March 9, 2019) – FC Dallas got their first win of 2019 on Saturday afternoon, defeating LA Galaxy 2-0. Both sides struggled to finish their chances, but a Reto Ziegler penalty followed by a Danny Acosta goal lifted Dallas to a win.

Reto Ziegler Pk Lifts FC Dallas over LA Galaxy

The match had an interesting narrative even before it started. Due to injury concerns, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romain Alessandrini were not in the lineup for the Galaxy, despite Dallas doing some marketing/trolling earlier in the week on social media. That forced Emma Boateng and Chris Pontius in the Starting XI for the visitors.

The first half was an exciting one despite ending scoreless. Both teams had great chances. Sebastian Lletget had two chances inside the box that he couldn’t get on frame. Uriel Antuna hit the far post on a cross that bounced out of harms way.

Forward Dominique Badji had the best chances for Dallas. He was denied on a hard low shot in the 30th minute by goalkeeper David Bingham. The rebound was cleared out for a corner. Six minutes later, Badji jumped on a poor backpass, rounded the keeper, and hit the outside netting. The half ended 0-0.

Dallas found their finishing touch in the second half. Captain Matt Hedges won a penalty just minute into the half. Defender Reto Ziegler stepped up to take it and scored sending Bingham the wrong way.

FCD got their insurance goal on a blast from Bryan Acosta in the 61st minute. Paxton Pomykal did some great work on the touchline to get open and find the open man who hit a fantastic shot first time. The match ended 2-0.

Three Big Things:

Poor finishing from both sides: Both forward groups struggled to score in this game. Pontius didn’t get many chances. Badji didn’t finish on the two good looks he did. Michael Barrios and the Galaxy midfielders were involved in the passing game, but other than Lletget, they all had quiet nights.

Unlikely goalscorers: Raise your hand if you had Acosta and Zielger scoring in this game? That’s what I thought. Acosta had a fantastic shot to help his team get all three points. Zielger was an unlikely goalscorer given that he’s a defender, but he backed up his selection to take the penalty by scoring.

Still a work in progress: Both of these clubs are still a work in progress and it showed today. Dallas are going all in on the homegrown and youth movement. Many of their players are still a bit raw. Both clubs are under new management, and those coaches are still working on the implementation of their systems. The Galaxy clearly missed having Ibrahimovic and Alessandrini in the match.

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