FRISCO, Texas — A 3-2 season opening win for FC Dallas that spoiled Toronto’s 20th MLS season opener.
For a team that only won six games at home last season, Dallas began this game with the lead: left back Bernard Kamungo found striker Logan Farrington who ripped one a little outside of the 18-yard box, and a deflection forced a corner. Left midfielder Christian Cappis’ corner was batted back to midfield where center midfielder Ramiro collected it and put it back into play. Osaze Urhoghide danced in the box with it before sending a pass to striker Petar Musa around the penalty kick spot, who took a touch and spun before slipping it into the bottom right corner in the 9th minute—Urhoghide was credited with the assist.
Toronto answered soon after, when striker Djordje Mihailovic drove one past FCD goalkeeper Michael Collodi in the 15th minute.
Double that amount of time later, Toronto had a major moment but couldn’t convert.
Farrington added his name to the score sheet in the 38th minute to make it 2-1. Musa sent a ball in high from midfield, and Farrington made two defenders miss inside the 18 before burying it bottom right past GK Luka Gavran.
His 10th career goal makes him the fastest, and only player drafted in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft with as many goals.
Head coach Eric Quill said, “now we’re seeing the real thing with the two of them. There’s a brotherhood, a tight-knit connection. They see the same pictures, they look for each other, they enjoy playing together, and they work hard in the front half to help us behind the ball and trigger our pressing. Their hold-up play was impressive tonight. Our ability to skip lines, play into them, and watch them body Zimmerman and Thompson, collect the ball, and let numbers join was huge. That is very effective in a two-front. With our pace wide and our midfield underneath, it gave us what we needed.”
In the 67th minute, striker Derrick Etienne Jr.—one of Head Coach Robin Fraser’s reinforcements added to the roster—leveled things after rebounding Daniel Salloi’s shot.
What’s better than having a goal each? Assisting one another, like in the 74th minute, when Farrington found Musa’s head at the PK spot, who then directed it bottom left to regain the lead.
Musa is now the third FCD player to score a brace in a season opener.
Quill said, “And the third goal was pure quality. The ball Logan hung up is not an easy header to finish, reaching back like that…” and continued, saying “both of them had brilliant moments individually and together. I loved watching it tonight.”
Wingback Herman Johansson and midfielder Ran Binyamin made their league debuts, and defender Shaq Moore made his 100th MLS regular season appearance.
Musa said, “I’m very happy about the two goals, but the most important thing is the three points.”
Another three points will be on the line next Saturday, when FCD hosts Nashville.
