FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas midfielder Asier Illarramendi scored his first goal for the club on Saturday and, boy, was it a beauty.
Illarramendi leveled the opening match against San Jose in the 25th minute. A cross was played into the box and punched out by the Earthquakes goalkeeper. Illarramendi then took a feathery touch with his right foot, rainbowing the ball over his defender and hitting the ball first time with his left foot into the goal.
The 33-year-old midfielder also covered the most ground during the match (12.88 kilometers) out of all players on the field, according to club officials.
Illarramendi's play landed him on the MLS Team of Matchday 1+2 starting lineup, the first time he has been selected. He also won FC Dallas coveted Man of the Match award ... along with the honor of getting to wear "the big dumb hat."
Joining Illarramendi on the first Team of Matchday this season were:
- GK: Drake Callender (MIA)
- D: Omar Campos (LAFC), Adilson Malanda (CLT), Dagur Thorhallsson (ORL)
- M: Brian Gutiérrez (CHI), Riqui Puig (LA), Robin Lod (MIN)
- F: Antony (POR), Christian Benteke (DC), Lionel Messi (MIA)
Illarramendi's FC Dallas teammate, Dante Sealy, who sealed the game-winner in extra time, was named to the MLS Team of Matchday bench. Sealy became the third different player in club history aged 20 or younger to score a game-winner in the 90th minute or later, FC Dallas officials said in a release.
FC Dallas returns next weekend for another home match, hosting Eastern Conference foe CF Montreal.
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