Reto Ziegler capped off a furious late rally with a gorgeous free-kick golazo at the death, sending FC Dallas to a 3-2 preseason victory over USL Championship side San Antonio FC at Toyota Field on Wednesday.
As preseason matches go, the second half was about as entertaining as it gets, with Ziegler's winner representing the final tally in a wild sequence at the end of the game that saw FC Dallas turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead with a trio of goals in the final seven minutes.
San Antonio jumped on top with a pair of second-half goals, first on a 66th-minute penalty kick from Connor Maloney before Jose Gallegos made it 2-0 just six minutes later.
FC Dallas would pull off the improbable rally, however, starting in the 84th minute after a nifty sequence that culminated in a point-blank finish from Ricardo Pepi off a feed from Michael Barrios.
Barrios would strike with a goal of his own just four minutes later, picking off an ill-advised pass from San Antonio goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair right in front of goal and slotting home the equalizer.
Ziegler then provided the decisive blow with his highlight-reel free kick in second-half stoppage time that saw the center back beat St. Clair to the far post with a laser finish from a difficult angle, allowing FC Dallas to complete the comeback and snatch the 3-2 victory.
The victory moves FC Dallas to 5-2-0 on the preseason through seven matches. The club will take the pitch next for a preseason bout with the Philadelphia Union on Feb. 19 before closing off its exhibition slate against Inter Miami CF on Feb. 22.
Goals
- 66' - SA - Connor Maloney (PK)
- 72' - SA - Jose Gallegos
- 84' - FCD - Ricardo Pepi
- 88' - FCD - Michael Barrios
- 90' - FCD - Reto Ziegler
Lineups
FC Dallas starting XI: Jesse Gonzalez, Reggie Cannon, Bressan, Reto Ziegler, Ryan Hollingshead, Thiago Santos, Edwin Cerrillo, Jesus Ferreira, Fafa Picault, Michael Barrios, Zdenek Ondrasek
