FC Dallas and Minnesota United FC traded haymakers, as a late brace by substitute Brandon Servania gave Dallas a 5-3 win at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams are above the playoff line in the Western Conference, but the win helps Dallas solidify their standing for the time being, as they took the lead three times in the game, but were pegged back twice by the Loons before grabbing the win.
The Loons got on the board 11 minutes in, as a tipped rebound in the box was eventually turned in with a side-volley finish by Ethan Finlay. But Ryan Hollingshead tied up the game just before the half-hour, hitting a sharp left-footed shot off a nice feed from Michael Barrios.
After a hydration break, Dallas immediately took the lead, as Santiago Mosquera's driven cross floated over Vito Mannone's head in goal and nestled inside the net. But Finlay grabbed his second goal of the night a few minutes before halftime, chesting down a ball over the top and chipping it coolly over Jesse Gonzalez. But Dallas had the final word in an eventful opening half, as Barrios set up Reggie Cannon on a run through traffic, and the defender scored with a determined effort.
The goals slowed down in the second half, but Minnesota rookie Hassani Dotson tied up the game in the 73rd minute with a dribble through a couple defenders, a stepover and a rocket launched from outside the box.
But FC Dallas grabbed a third lead in the game, as the substitute Servania scored his first career MLS goal in the 85th minute off another Barrios assist, poking in the goal to make it 4-3. After Minnesota nearly tied up the game a few minutes later, Servania scored his second of the night in stoppage time to ice the result.
The ending to the game was as wild as the rest of the match, as Minnesota substitute Mason Toye was sent off deep in stoppage time for an off-the-ball incident.
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Goals
- 11' – MIN – Ethan Finlay | WATCH
- 28' – DAL – Ryan Hollingshead | WATCH
- 32' – DAL – Santiago Mosquera | WATCH
- 41' – MIN – Ethan Finlay | WATCH
- 45' – DAL – Reggie Cannon | WATCH
- 73' – MIN – Hassani Dotson | WATCH
- 85' – DAL – Brandon Servania | WATCH
- 90+3' – DAL – Brandon Servania | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The late loss is disappointing for Minnesota, as it snaps a seven-game unbeaten run in league play, but coming in on short rest after an emotional win midweek in the U.S. Open Cup, and with Adrian Heath making plenty of changes, means this is a result they can shrug off to an extent. The win is big for Dallas, as they've struggled to close out games this season, and their playoff spot is not yet written in stone for 2019.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: There were many good goals in a game filled with them, but Servania's poke to open his MLS account was the ultimate difference-maker on the night.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Barrios and Pomykal each had three assists, and both were immense, but we'll give the edge to the Colombian, who had a terrific night in the middle of the action as a wide playmaker.
Next Up
- DAL: Wednesday, Aug. 14 at LA Galaxy (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
- MIN: Wednesday, Aug. 14 vs. Colorado Rapids (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
