Union wilt against FC Dallas, 1-0

In basketball, it’s known as “getting posterized,” and it’s that moment when a defender realizes helplessly that an opponent is about to score.

Jakob Glesnes is an All-Star centerback for the Union, but FC Dallas’ Jesús Ferreira adroitly used a simple move, in addition to the quick buildup of a counterattack led by Paul Arriola that charged right into the box, to put Glesnes on his heels as Ferreira’s shot zipped past him into the goal for the only score of the game Wednesday night.

Jim Curtin’s Union squad departed Texas still yet to win in Frisco against FC Dallas. The Union fought in a hot, scrappy match that ended 1-0 following that first-half goal from U.S. men’s national team striker Ferreira.

The Union came out of the gate putting on the pressure in the loss. Curtin likes to have his team strike early and stay hot, and it was in this period his squad looked most dominant. Union’s high, relentless press suffocated the Dallas attack, cutting off all routes to the final third. Ferreira, and his lethal wingmen, Arriola and Alan Velasco, were reined in, forced to defend, and tracked back to look for the ball far from the goal.

The Union, on the other hand, won corners, created chances, and nearly forced an own goal. Julián Carranza had the best early chance, sending the ball from just outside the box in the 18th minute, but the strike was saved by Dallas keeper Maarten Paes.

But as time wore on, the Union sat back and looked to conserve energy but maintain their edge. Dallas picked up steam.

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Ferreira — now unleashed — notched his first big chance in the 24th minute. Marco Farfan drove the ball forward and chased the ball down the left side of the pitch before crossing to Ferreira, waiting and dangerous at the top of the box. Ferreira got off a quick, powerful shot that Union centerback Jack Elliott knocked down with his left arm. Andre Blake collected the deflection as outrage and chants of “VAR!” swarmed around. Despite the pleas from fans and Ferreira, the Union escaped what seemed to be a clear penalty kick for Dallas.

Ferreira found revenge 10 minutes later. Arriola drove the ball forward from the right this time, passing around Elliott with remarkable ease for a player half his height. Glesnes was caught flat-footed as Ferreira received the ball, took a single touch and knocked it into the right corner of the net. The Union’s renowned backline and elite centerback duo were made to look porous by Dallas, not for the first time that evening.

Coming out of the half, the Union looked flat. Dallas nearly scored within the opening seconds and had the Union defending, vulnerable on the counter, and unable to progress into the final third.

Curtin sent in fresh legs in the 59th minute. Jack McGlynn replaced Leon Flach in the midfield and Olivier Mbaizo exchanged places with Nathan Harriel. Just before the half ended, Cory Burke was taken off with apparent rib pain. Mikael Uhre took on the second striker role up top.

McGlynn and Mbaizo had a strategic, material impact on the Union as they gathered steam pushing forward in the final 30 minutes. Mbaizo progressed the ball from the right with renewed energy, and McGlynn created fresh opportunities through the midfield, where his IQ and composure led to more creative possession.

Curtin said the fresh legs helped.

“McGlynn came in and gave us some life,” he said. “His passing can open a team up.”

Despite the progress, the Union still missed the final piece in the final third. Crosses weren’t connecting, players weren’t in position, timing was off. Curtin was forthcoming about the offensive threat, or lack thereof, from the Union on the evening, saying, “We created some chances, not enough.”

McGlynn also commented on the chances, saying he felt the Union deserved at least a draw but weren’t clinical enough in the final third.

Still down one in the 88th minute, Curtin sent in further reinforcements. Paxten Aaronson ran on for José Martínez, and Chris Donovan gave Carranza a rest. They kept the tempo going, hungry for that goal and getting the ball forward, but failing to create more high chances in the final third. The equalizer never materialized, and they ended the night short of even.

“Overall, I thought we were just OK, and that’s not enough to win on the road,” Curtin said.

Despite the loss in Frisco, the Union ended the evening still first in the Eastern Conference. They’ll head to Washington next for a Saturday match against the bottom-ranked team in the conference, D.C. United.

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