FRISCO, Texas — Welcome back to Keeping Score: Your complete FC Dallas match day experience.
FC Dallas and LAFC entered the match on similar season trajectories: A hot start followed by a dry spell in the month of June. FC Dallas have lost four of their last five matches, with the lone win coming from the "half game" makeup against St. Louis on June 7.
Defending champion LAFC, similarly, have lost six of their last nine matches after going 11-2-6 in their first 19. In March, FC Dallas went out to Los Angeles and lost, 2-1.
This time, Frisco hosted LAFC for its Military Appreciation Night. Could FC Dallas buzz the tower? Here's how the match played out:
Minutes after the flyover for Military Appreciation Night, I kid you not, there was a bird in the broadcast booth in the press box. Fitting. Now, let's get to the soccer.
FC Dallas seemed to open the match with a goal early, but it was called back for goalie interference. Outside of that moment, the first half was largely controlled by the defending champions. LAFC outshot FC Dallas eight to two and controlled possession 59% to 41%.
Maarten Paes kept the game level with a quality save in the 24th minute.
FC Dallas broke the deadlock in the 56th minute courtesy of a goal by Bernard Kamungo. The kid from Abilene scored his second career goal in his first MLS start. His first career goal came in April, a game-winner against Real Salt Lake.
Sam Junqua doubled the lead in the 90th minute with a heck of a strike from the 18-yard box while falling away. LAFC were the better club in a majority of ways on the pitch except the actual scoreboard, and any thought of salvaging a tie was slammed shut by Junqua's snipe from deep.
FC fit check
Peagle Power.
I told one of my co-workers (who is a massive Rangers fan) when these came out, I love the look of the jerseys on fans and not as part of the full uniform. Maarten Paes is exhibit A. Looks great! Also, Peagle Power for the win on a Rangers win over the Astros!
Frisco Foodie Fun
Texas caviar won the poll, but they weren't available in their usual spots. Last time there was a theme night, the menu had a shake up. Hint: There was again (wink, keep reading).
So, I traded in the recent savory winners for a sweet one. This was basically a funnel cake but in fry form. Sign me up!
- Funnel Sticks with Cherry sauce: Fresh twist on the beloved classic funnel cake with fresh fried funnel cake sticks, topped with powdered sugar and sweet cherry dipping sauce. Location: Stand 5 - Burgers and More, Stand 8 - Heineken Corner.
Loved these! It costs $8 and they were nice, warm and fluffy on the inside with a golden crisp on the outside. Just the right amount of powdered sugar, but I wish there was more cherry sauce to be had. I ran out with about 5-6 sticks to go and I wasn't using too many per stick.
All in all, very solid item to get.
Lo and behold, there was a shake up in the concessions ... to the tune of new items! I also tried the jerk chicken wings. Fire!
Here's my breakdown of the Toyota Stadium new concession rankings this season:
- Hot Chicken Mac N Cheese
- Double Stack Quesadilla
- Jerk Chicken Wings
- Funnel sticks with cherry sauce
- Monster Taco
- Elote on a stick
- Vegan tenders
- Birria Grilled Cheese
#DTID Man of the Match
Bernard Kamungo.
He's one of the best stories in soccer. The Tanzanian refugee who came to Abilene, Texas, and tried out for the FC Dallas academy program continues his storybook ascension. Kamungo filled in valiantly for the club's leading scorer in the attacking third, Jesus Ferreira.
And when they inevitably make a movie about his incredible journey and story, Kamungo told me (after I jokingly asked him) that he'd pick Will Smith to play him in said movie.
What they said
Head Coach Nico Estévez
Thoughts on tonight's game …
“We were very strong in the first half. We managed to try a different fixture and when it came to the second half we pressed more and continued to attack. It definitely helped us a lot in the second half as we did a better job and managed to score two goals. ”
On the emergence of Bernard Kamungo…
“Bernard is a player that has something special about him. You can see he still has to develop things because he didn’t have the same pathway as other players. He came here from Tanzania, then he played high school soccer and we selected him at the trial for North Texas. The coaches are helping him grow and he still has to learn, but he has the ability to do special things in special moments. He can shine in games and score, which is why he started. He’s been progressing a lot this season and earning his minutes given to him. He couldn’t start against Austin because he came back the day before from international duty with Tanzania which is a long trip. He’s doing the right things and doing a good job.”
Forward Bernard Kamungo
On the win…
“This is a pretty good feeling, this is fun and we just need to keep working and show people what this team is all about.”
On playing either side of the field…
“To be honest, it doesn't really matter. As a player, you just have to perform and take the opportunity that you've been given.”
Midfielder Sebastian Lletget
Thoughts on tonight's win…
“I am very happy, we fought hard and needed this win especially after the result against Austin. We had players missing and others injured and it was not easy, as we know the LAFC is a very strong team but we managed to get that win tonight.”
On coming back after injury…
“I am glad to be back on the field and happy with the minutes I got to play tonight. I was absent for two months and it was not easy. I slowly recovered and now I am back and feeling a lot better.”
Midfielder Paxton Pomykal
On his first game back…
“It felt pretty good to be back out there, especially at home in a packed house in front of our fans. It was a packed house tonight and a good result against a great team.”
On the significance of the win…
“Tonight’s win was huge. Obviously it was frustrating for myself not to be able to be more of an impact being injured and not involved as much. It felt really good to be involved in the win tonight and get three massive points."
On players stepping up…
“They’ve been incredible the whole year and it really shows the depth of our squad and the talent we have. Our depth pushes everyone, we’re not a roster with 11 guys. We have over 20 guys that have high quality and I’m really for Bernard (Kamungo) and Sam (Junqua) that they had big performances and they were big reasons why we won.”
Defender Sam Junqua
On scoring his first-career FC Dallas goal…
“It’s a great feeling, especially because it was a good effort from the team. We deserved to get something out of this. We got the three points tonight at home in front of our fans who we have not seen in a long time. ”
On defeating MLS champions LAFC…
“Regardless whether it was LAFC or another team, we came back home looking for a positive result. It helps us get back on track and we have another match in a couple of days. It’s really meaningful to get points at this point of the season.”
Injury update
- Paul Arriola (right thigh)
- Jesús Jiménez (ankle)
- Ema Twumasi (ankle)
- Tarik Scott (season ending knee injury)
- Jáder Obrian (personal reasons)
- José Martínez (knee)
What's next/8 ball prediction
FC Dallas has a very short turnaround with another MLS match on Tuesday, July 4 against D.C. United.
TV information: Apple TV+ – MLS Season Pass – 7:30 CST (kickoff at 7:39 p.m.).
"8 ball" bold prediction tracker:
At the beginning of the season, I said FC Dallas would have three players score 12-plus goals this season: Jesus Ferreira, Paul Arriola and Alan Velasco.
- Ferreira: 10/12
- Arriola: 0/12
- Velasco: 2/12
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