September 21st was one of those nights FC Dallas fans won’t forget anytime soon. After a season full of ups and downs, more stumbles than triumphs, the team finally clicked with a convincing 3-1 victory against LAFC, one of the title favorites. What made this game so special? Well, it had everything you'd want from a team that’s ready to shed the underdog label and start being taken seriously: goals at key moments, a rock-solid defense, and, of course, a packed stadium buzzing with every play.
FC Dallas' campaign up to that point hadn't exactly been dazzling. With a record of 10 wins, 13 losses, and 7 draws, the team seemed to be sliding toward irrelevance in this MLS season. But something changed during the LAFC match. It feels like the team finally got what needs to be done to stay alive in the playoff race. And if there's one name that stands out in this turnaround, it's Petar Musa.
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At the 29th minute, when the ball hit the back of the net after a pinpoint shot by Petar Musa, the stadium erupted. It was the striker’s 15th goal of the season, putting him at the top of the league’s scoring chart. But more than that, Musa is playing with the confidence of someone who knows he’s the guy to make the difference when the team needs it most. He’s opened the scoring in five matches this season, proving he doesn’t shy away when the pressure’s on.
Musa didn’t just shine in this game, he’s been showing a level of consistency that few players manage. He’s now scored in five straight home games, which is quite the achievement. And with 15 goals, he’s tied the record for most goals in a single season by an FC Dallas player. He’s in the running for the MLS Golden Boot, and if he keeps this up, he could easily end the year on top of that list.
But Musa wasn’t the only one to step up in this match. Logan Farrington and Patrickson Delgado also put on a clinic on how to play smart, team-oriented soccer. Farrington, in particular, is having a standout season. Not only did he score a goal, but he also provided the assist for Delgado’s goal, showing that his contribution to the team goes beyond just finding the back of the net. The guy’s got eight assists this season, leading the team in that stat. And you know what’s cool? It was the second time this season he managed both a goal and an assist in the same game. That’s the kind of versatility FC Dallas was missing.
Now, Delgado... this guy deserves his own spotlight. The Ecuadorian missed seven games this season with a knee injury, but he’s come back strong. His goal in the 60th minute was proof that he’s still got plenty left in the tank. He’d already scored against the Seattle Sounders in June, but what we saw in this game was a player hungry to show he’s a key piece of the puzzle.
And you can’t talk about this victory without giving a shout-out to goalkeeper Maarten Paes. The dude was on fire. He made five saves throughout the match, reaching 34 wins in an FC Dallas jersey. Paes is solid as a rock and is becoming one of the franchise’s legendary names. Fun fact: he’s only the third goalkeeper in the club’s history to hit 10 or more wins in three consecutive seasons. FC Dallas has had its fair share of defensive struggles this season, but with Paes between the sticks, there’s some serious reassurance.
Now, FC Dallas still has a long way to go before locking in a playoff spot. The win over LAFC was a huge sign that the team can do better, but the inconsistency this season has left plenty of folks a bit skeptical. Let’s not forget, the team’s racked up 13 losses so far and let games slip away that were practically in the bag. If they want to secure a playoff spot and maybe make a run, they’re gonna have to keep up this intensity for the rest of the season.
FC Dallas is undefeated in its last 20 matches when leading at halftime. That means when this team starts strong, it’s tough to knock them off their game. The challenge now is keeping that momentum going for the full 90 minutes of every match. Beating LAFC is great, but it won’t mean much if they slip up against weaker teams. And the schedule ahead isn’t looking easy, with some tough matchups looming.
Another factor that can’t be ignored is the support from the fans. FC Dallas just recorded its 15th consecutive sellout at Toyota Stadium. That’s never happened in the club’s history. Playing in front of a packed house, feeling that energy from the crowd, makes a huge difference. And, let’s be honest, not every team can pull off 15 straight sellouts.
The win over LAFC was a breath of fresh air for FC Dallas and proof that the team has potential. But if they want to keep dreaming about the playoffs, they’re going to need more than just flashes of brilliance. The season’s not over yet.