FC Dallas Defeats Inter Miami CF 1-0 in Preseason Opener at Cotton Bowl Stadium

A Night of Firsts and Notable Performances

FC Dallas kicked off their 2024 preseason campaign with a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami CF on Monday night at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium. Jesús Ferreira netted the lone goal of the match in the 3rd minute, securing Dallas’ first win at the Cotton Bowl since September 2009.

Jesús Ferreira, the dynamic forward for FC Dallas, wasted no time in making his mark on the 2024 preseason, scoring the opening goal just three minutes into the match. The goal was a testament to the team’s quick and efficient build-up play, as Liam Fraser and Paul Arriola combined to set up Ferreira for a clinical finish.

Nkosi Tafari, fresh off his international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team, showcased his leadership qualities by captaining FC Dallas for the final minutes of the first half. His presence on the field was a reassuring sign for the team, demonstrating his commitment and dedication to the club.

The match also marked the debut of several players in FC Dallas colors. Goalkeeper Antonio Carrera, defenders Omar Gonzalez, Mads Westergren, and Turner Humphrey, midfielders Pedrinho, Alejandro Urzua, Carl Sainté, Diego García, and Tomas Pondeca, and forward Logan Farrington all made their first appearances for the club.

Lineups and Substitutions

FC Dallas:

• Starting XI: Maarten Paes; Sebastien Ibeagha, Nkosi Tafari, Sam Junqua; Herbert Endeley, Liam Fraser, Asier Illarramendi, Dante Sealy; Jesús Ferreira, Eugene Ansah, Paul Arriola.
• Substitutes: Antonio Carrera, Jimmy Maurer, Logan Farrington, Diego García, Omar Gonzalez, Turner Humphrey, Amet Korça, Nolan Norris, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Pedrinho, Tomas Pondeca, Carl Sainté, Alejandro Urzua, Mads Westergren, Sebastian Lletget.
• Substitutes Not Used: Michael Collodi, Malik Henry-Scott, Isaiah Parker, Lautaro Taboada.

Inter Miami CF:

• Starting XI: Drake Callender; DeAndre Yedlin, Sergii Kryvtsov, Tomas Aviles, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Julian Gressel, David Ruiz; Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi.
• Substitutes: Nicolas Steffanelli, Gregore, Leonardo Campana, Lawson Sunderland, Robert Taylor, Chris McVey.
• Substitutes Not Used: Cole Jensen, CJ Dos Santos, Ryan Sailor, Israel Boatwright, Benjamin Cremaschi.

Match Summary

FC Dallas 1-0 Inter Miami CF

Goal: Jesús Ferreira (3′)

Attendance: 32,211

Postgame Quotes

FC Dallas Head Coach Nico Estévez:

• “It’s huge. You can see tonight but you can also see how the fans are responding in the Toyota Stadium because they are there every single game, it’s full, it’s packed. You can see it when I watch my kid, he plays soccer also, and how many kids play around here and all the families and I think the growth is very very good and it will keep growing.”
• “It was a great game, we had some really nice soccer tonight. I want to thank the fans for coming out, it was cold, it was rainy, it was a Monday at 5 pm, but there were plenty of kids in the crowd coming after school, as my son did. The fans were happy tonight.”

FC Dallas Defender Omar Gonzalez:

• “Every time we step on the field we play hard and come to win no matter the rival. We played really well tonight and we did not lose focus which is very important. It is important to play every game with intensity no matter if it is a friendly. The team tonight connected and fought every ball and this is very important as we continue to prepare for the beginning of the season.”
• “It is a dream come true to be able to return back with the club. I am very speechless and emotional to be back on the field and home with my family. Playing in this stadium especially brings a lot of memories and happiness as it was nothing but great experiences that remind me of my childhood.”

FC Dallas Goalkeeper Maarten Paes:

• “It was a close game and it was good to get everyone on our team going again. It is good to prepare for set pieces ahead of next season. We are ready to go.”

Additional Notes:

• FC Dallas’ victory marked their first win at the Cotton Bowl since September 30, 2009, when they defeated the New England Revolution 1-0.
• The match was played in front of a crowd of 32,211, demonstrating the strong support for soccer in the Dallas area.
• FC Dallas will continue their preseason preparations with a match against FC Cincinnati on January 29th at Toyota Stadium.

Conclusion:

FC Dallas’ 1-0 victory over Inter Miami CF served as a positive start to their 2024 preseason campaign. The team showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, providing a glimpse of their potential for the upcoming season. With several new players making their debuts, the match also highlighted the depth and versatility of FC Dallas’ roster. As the team continues to build chemistry and match fitness, fans can look forward to an exciting and competitive season ahead.