FC Dallas Claim Copa Tejas with Win over Austin

FC Dallas 3-1 Austin FC

FRISCO, TX–FC Dallas reclaimed the Copa Tejas and moved ever closer to the playoff places with a 3-1 win over in-state rivals Austin FC. The win moves FCD to within one point of the playoff line behind Minnesota United (who lost to DC United on Wednesday) and Austin. It’s the third win in the last four for FCD while Austin have lost three of their last four.

FC Dallas took the lead in the tenth minute after Logan Farrington held the ball enough to set up Paul Arriola for a finish to make it 1-0. The lead would last just six minutes, though, as Gyasi Zardes would roof a ball in for career goal #106 and the equalizer for the Verde.

Things started going downhill for Austin in the 51st minute. Owen Wolff was called for handling in the area giving FC Dallas a penalty. Brad Stuver initially saved Petar Musa’s spot kick, but VAR saw that Stuver was off his line prior to the kick being taken causing a retake which Musa would convert.

After Musa’s goal, a scuffle ensued between the teams exacerbated by Musa’s excessive celebrations. Musa was booked, but Julio Cascante of Austin was shown red for violent conduct before VAR intervened for mistaken identity and Sebastian Driussi was sent off instead for punching Tsiki Ntsabeleng.

Arriola would feed Marco Farfan for the third and final goal for Dallas in the 74th minute.

FC Dallas will look for its first away win of the year as they travel to New England on Saturday. Kickoff is at 6:30pm CT (Apple TV). Austin FC will host Charlotte on Saturday at 7:30pm CT (Apple TV).

For more of Eric Guzman’s photos from the match at Toyota Stadium, please click on the link to his gallery.