FC Dallas Falls to Minnesota United FC in 2023 Season Opener

February 25, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Dallas News Release

FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas (0-1-0, 0 points) fell 1-0 to Minnesota United FC (1-0-0, 3 points) in the 2023 MLS season opener on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium.

SEASON OPENER RECORD

FC Dallas’ unbeaten run-in season-opening matches came to an end after the 1-0 loss to Minnesota United FC. The 13-match unbeaten streak (W7 D6) dated back to the start of the 2010 season. Dallas’ last loss in a season opener was a 3-1 decision to the Chicago Fire in 2009.

2023 SEASON DEBUTANTS

Defender Sebastian Ibeagha made his FC Dallas debut as a starter. Geovane Jesus made his MLS and FC Dallas debut by subbing on in the 67th minute of the match. Former North Texas SC forward José Mulato also made his debut by coming on the 82nd minute.

CAPTAIN ARRIOLA

Forward Paul Arriola sported the captain armband following the departure of Matt Hedges. He was voted captain by the FC Dallas players with Jesús Ferreira and Paxton Pomykal voted as vice captains.

UP NEXT

FC Dallas hosts LA Galaxy for 80s night, presented by UnitedHealthcare on March 4 at Toyota Stadium. The match kicks off at 7:30PM and will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Lineups

FC Dallas – Maarten Paes; Ema Twumasi (Geovane Jesus – 67′), Sebastien Ibeagha, José Martínez, Marco Farfan; Facundo Quignon (Edwin Cerrillo – 67′), Sebastian Lletget (Tsiki Ntsabeleng – 67′), Paxton Pomykal (José Mulato -82′); Paul Arriola, Jesús Ferreira, Alan Velasco.

Substitutes not used – Jimmy Maurer, Isaiah Parker, Nkosi Tafari, Nolan Norris, Bernard Kamungo.

Minnesota United FC – Dayne St. Clair; Zarek Valentin, Michael Boxall, Miguel Tapias, Kemar Michael Lawrence; Wil Trapp, Kervin Arriaga; Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Robin Lod (Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi – 89′), Franco Fragapane (Joseph Rosales – 71′); Mender Garcia (Hassani Dotson – 63′)

Substitutes not used – Cameron Dunbar, Patrick Weah, D.J. Taylor, Eric Dick, Fred Emmings.

Scoring Summary:

MIN: Mender Garcia – 48′

Misconduct Summary:

MIN: Wil Trapp (caution) – 24′

MIN: Miguel Tapias (caution) – 50′

DAL: Marco Farfan (caution) – 62′

Weather: Cloudy, 48°F

Attendance: 19,096 (sellout)

FC DALLAS POSTGAME QUOTES

Head Coach Nico Estévez

General thoughts on the match…

Typical first game of the season. A little bit crazy, you can see some of the results that have happened and how some games have turned a little bit. I think, we did everything that we could on the side of effort, the fight, the desire to fight this game. But I…