Short of a few men or not, the Loons came into Wednesday night’s return bout with FC Dallas looking for some positive-result vibes. But, if they hoped to reclaim their mojo, they would have to do it on Dallas’ turf in Frisco, Texas. While both squads would spend the first few minutes of the match feeling each other out, business would pick up in hurry once the teams decided to open up their attacking arsenals and trade runs up and down the field. It would end up being an entertaining affair, but one that ultimately ended with MNUFC coming up short on the scoreboard, as they fell 5-3 to a newly resurgent Dallas side.
Dallas striker Petar Musa would play the role of heel, as he would strike first blood in this evening’s match with a goal in the 17th minute. But, following the goal, the Loons would flip the switch a bit and turn up the aggression on the attack. The approach would see the Loons get their cracks on goal, with the attacking pressure paying off in the 32nd minute. It would be Bongokhule Hlongwane who, following a missed attempt on goal, would see his redemption arrive swiftly when Joseph Rosales’ corner found him unmarked and set up a beauty of a header to bring the score level, 1-1.
After the Bongi score, the track meet appeared to be on, with both clubs opening up their respective attacking efforts. Unfortunately, Musa wouldn’t allow the Black and Blue to get the gas pedal pressed down too hard before scoring his second goal of the night in the 38th minute, once again putting Dallas ahead. The rest of the first 45 minutes would be a fast-paced, back-and-forth affair with both sides challenging the keepers with several attempts on goal, but ultimately unable to secure another score.
The barrage that started in the first half would carry over to the second, and MNUFC would step up to bring the match level once again in the 55th minute with Hassani Dotson’s solidly struck grounder that would be bounce off and over Dallas keeper Maarten Paes, making it 2-2.
The Loons would barely be able to catch their breath after the Dotson goal before Petar Musa would complete his hat trick in the 62nd minute to put Dallas up 3-2. Jesús Ferreira’s strike in the 75th and Logan Farrington’s backbreaker in the 90th would add insult to injury and widen the Dallas advantage. A Dallas handball in stoppage would see Wil Trapp earn and convert on a penalty kick in the dying minutes of this one, but the damage had been done and the Loons would end the evening with a 5-3 loss in Frisco.
But, the double match week must go on for the Black and Blue, as they face Austin FC this Saturday night at Allianz Field, in hopes that some home cooking is just what the doctor ordered for a beleaguered Loons' side looking to get back in the win column after a tough two-game road trip.
