FC Dallas wins U.S. Open Cup, ends trophy drought behind Urruti, Diaz, Hedges
For the first time since 1997, FC Dallas is hoisting some silverware.
Maxi Urruti scored twice, Mauro Diaz scored a goal and assisted on three others, and FC Dallas downed the New England Revolution 4-2 to capture the 2016 U.S. Open Cup at its home, Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. It marks the club's first trophy in 19 years and the first step on the path to an unprecedented domestic treble.
The club currently sits atop the MLS Supporters' Shield standings and is a surefire favorite in the MLS Cup playoffs as well.
For the Revolution, which had Juan Agudelo score twice, their brutal cup final history continues. The club has lost all in five MLS Cup finals in which it has played (four of which went to extra time and/or penalties), and it couldn't replicate its 2007 success, when it defeated FC Dallas in the Open Cup final.
Agudelo did what he could to put the Revs on the road to a repeat of that result, stunning the hosts with a beautiful strike from the edge of the box after a strong turn in the sixth minute to give New England 1-0 lead. It marked Agudelo's third straight game with a goal in all competitions.
The lead didn't last long. Urruti received a whipped-in cross from Diaz, and it popped up for him to hit a well-taken volley from inside the area to pull FC Dallas even at 1-1 in the 15th minute.
With five minutes to go until halftime, FC Dallas took its first lead through Matt Hedges. Off a set piece, Diaz sent in a perfect ball, and an unmarked Hedges powered a header by goalkeeper Brad Knighton to make it 2-1 FCD.
Things got worse for the Revolution just before halftime when Jose Goncalves was whistled for a penalty on a last-gasp free kick. The assistant referee spotted him yanking Hedges down by the arm, and Diaz converted the ensuing spot kick to give FC Dallas a 3-1 lead going into the break.
[youtube:https://youtu.be/0JzjA-GwovI]
Even worse for the Revs is that they were forced into two injury subs in the opening half, with Gershon Koffie and JeVaughn Watson being forced out and Kei Kamara and Chris Tierney replacing them.
FC Dallas extended its lead 15 minutes into the second half. Again, it was Diaz setting up Urruti, with the Argentine forward finishing on the breakaway for his second goal of the match to make it 4-1.
Agudelo scored his second of the night in the 73rd minute to pull the Revs back within two. After a cross trickled through to the far post, Agudelo tapped it home off the outside of his right foot to make it 4-2.
FC Dallas held off the Revolution's rally, though, and saw out the result, earning the silverware in front of a sellout crowd of over 16,000.
By virtue of winning the competition, FC Dallas cements its place in the 2017-18 CONCACAF Champions League. The club returns to action at NYCFC, while the Revolution travel to face the Montreal Impact, both on Saturday night.
