Urruti celebrates his first Goal for FC Dallas. Photo credit: Olivia Brestal
For FC Dallas, the goal of the offseason was to improve on a team that finished runner’s up for the Supporter’s Shield and had 13 home wins during the regular season. While there were other roster moves for the team, two of the team’s new players had a big impact in last week’s win against the Philadelphia Union.
Carlos Gruzero, who previously played for VFB Stuttgart, was instrumental in the lead up to the first goal when he tackled the ball from Fabinho straight to the feet of Kellyn Acosta. From there a quick pass found Mauro Diaz who took a few touches before playing a ball behind the Union defense for Castillo to tuck between Andre Blake’s legs. Speaking after the game about his 90 minute performance, Gruzero was emphatic about his support of the team:
“Besides covering as much ground as I can, my job is to make life easier for my teammates… Get the ball back… Regardless of who is scoring the goals, I’m the type of player that will be there running, supporting my teammates, in any way I can.”
One of those teammates was new striker Maximiliano Urruti, who was acquired in the 2015 MLS Re-Entry Draft. It was his goal that sealed the game in the 79th minute, but an even more encouraging sign was his work and hustle during his time on the field.
Several minutes before his goal, Urruti chased down a ball heading out on the endline, managing to round the defender and keep the ball in play. Although that work did not lead to a goal, it was that sort of effort up top that FC Dallas has lacked with previous forwards. After the match, Head Coach Oscar Pareja singled out Urruti’s goal as the main highlight:
“One of the things that we wanted was that our number nine could put the ball in the back of the net…We are creating this need for a number nine, and we have proof today that he has the presence and he can score goals.”
Dallas fans will hope that kind of presence continues to shine from both these players as FC Dallas prepares for first Texas Derby in Houston this Saturday.
