CHARLOTTE, NC — FC Dallas let a promising performance slip away, falling 3-2 to Charlotte FC after Croatian forward Petar Musa made club history with his 19th goal of the season.
Musa’s milestone and Logan Farrington’s 10th goal of the campaign provided the highlights for Dallas, which faced Charlotte in MLS regular-season play for the first time in club history. However, a late defensive breakdown overshadowed those accomplishments and left FC Dallas searching for answers ahead of its midweek matchup against Seattle Sounders FC.
Head coach Eric Quill said his team controlled much of the contest before losing its grip on the match.
“We played beautifully, had the game in hand, and then dropped our guard and got punished for the first goal,” Quill said. “The momentum shifted to their side, and their belief grew.”
Quill pointed to sloppy possession, poor transition defense and a lack of discipline inside the penalty area as factors in the collapse. He described the result as a missed opportunity, emphasizing that Dallas must learn from the defeat and respond in its next match.
Despite the disappointment, Musa’s achievement marked a significant moment for the club. His 19th goal established a new FC Dallas single-season scoring record, underscoring his importance to the team’s attack.
Quill praised the forward’s finishing ability and instincts around goal, calling him a world-class finisher who consistently finds himself in the right position.
Musa was pleased to make history but said the loss made it difficult to celebrate the accomplishment.
“It feels amazing, and I’m happy to break the record,” Musa said. “But I’m not happy with today’s result because we had everything in our hands, and then, in the end, we switched off, and they punished us.”
Musa credited a well-placed pass from Santiago Moreno for setting up his goal, explaining that he found space in front of the net to finish the opportunity.
FC Dallas also welcomed midfielder Patrickson Delgado back to the starting lineup for the first time since Aug. 1, adding another option to its midfield rotation.
Now, the focus shifts to Seattle, which Quill said would present a difficult challenge. The coach stressed the importance of playing aggressively at home and rediscovering the form his team displayed for much of the match against Charlotte.
Quill said he believes in the group’s ability to respond, but the performance against Seattle will need to reflect that confidence.
For FC Dallas, the immediate challenge is turning a frustrating defeat into a lesson. Musa’s record-setting season remains a bright spot, but the club will be eager to pair its attacking production with the defensive consistency needed to secure results.
