Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Ryan Hollingshead Goal Lifts FC Dallas Over Colorado Rapids 2-1

FC Dallas

FRISCO, TEXAS (March 23, 2019) – Ryan Hollingshead has a been a utility bench player for FC Dallas. With the club going with their young Homegrown players, there was a chance he would fall out of the lineup. Old dogs can still get the job done though: FC Dallas defeated Colorado Rapids 2-1 on Saturday afternoon, behind goals from Hollingshead and Michael Barrios.

Ryan Hollingshead Goal Lifts FC Dallas Over Colorado Rapids 2-1

In performance, most of this game belonged to FC Dallas. The home side was far better in the opening 30 minutes. Just three minutes into te game, Dominique Badji ran to the top of the box to volley the ball off the post on a corner. The rebound was sent wide. They continued to create chances with Pablo Aránguiz pulling the strings in the middle.

With the Rapids overwhelmed by the off-ball movement, they moved to a 4-2-2-2 and looked to counter. They managed to create a great chance in the 21st minute. Andre Shinyashiki, in his first professional start, got the ball on a 3-v-3 in the box. He fired a hard shot at goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, but the save was made.

Dallas got their goal in the 35th minute. Jesús Ferreira switched the field in the final third to find Barrios. He took a touch to create a shooting lane then beat goalkeeper Tim Howard to the near post to score. The half ended 1-0.

The home side pushed for a two goal lead with Aránguiz and Matt Hedges getting chances. It was Tommy Smith who got the next goal though on a broken play in the 69th minute. Kei Kamara headed the ball on a corner off the bar. The ball bounced in front of goal off Smith and just over the bar with Gonzalez trying to keep it out. Play continued for almost a minute before the ball went out of bounce.

After the stoppage, Chris Penso chose to review the play, he ruled that the ball did cross the goal line. The 1-1 scoreline didn’t last long however. Dallas quickly responded. After Axel Sjoberg failed to clear a ball in the box, allowing a shot. The ball was directed right to Hollingshead, who shot it into a wide open net.

The match ended 2-1.

Three Takeaways:

Rapids formation: While listed as a 4-4-2 diamond, the Rapids midfield often diverted to a 4-2-2-2 and 4-4-2 to calm things down defensively. This limited their ability to get numbers forward and put more responsibility on the wide players. This played a role in the first goal.

Dallas veterans lead the kids: Three teenagers were in the Starting XI for FC Dallas. While they may have a higher ceiling then their older teammates, the veterans lead the way today. Longtime Dallas players Barrios and Hollingshead scored the goals with Reto Ziegler and Hedges locking things down defensively.

VAR goes Colorado’s way: Rapids fans have maligned MLS officials this year (and longer in some cases). A call went rightfully their way in this game, as VAR did not need goal line technology to confirm the goal for Tommy Smith.

Embed from Getty Images

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message