For years, MLS teams have struggled to find much success on Mexican soil. On Tuesday, that trend continued as FC Dallas became the latest to fall to Liga MX opposition, and they did so in one of the most painful ways possible.
FC Dallas was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday night via a 3-1 win for Liga MX side Pachuca at the Estadio Hidalgo. The win saw Pachuca finish the two-legged series with a 4-3 aggregate win over their MLS counterparts.
Just moments after a late equalizer from Cristian Colman, Pachuca stunned FC Dallas with a goal from Hirving Lozano, knocking the MLS side out of the competition with a stoppage time finish.
With the match dwindling and FC Dallas in need of a goal, Colman appeared to push the MLS side into extra time, lofting a headed shot into the back of the net on a Carlos Gruezo cross. Free in the center of the box, Colman, who missed several shots throughout the match, flicked a header backwards and past Alfonso Blanco to push the scoreline to 2-1 and 3-3 on aggregate. Still, it wasn’t to be, as Lozano fired past Chris Seitz moments later to seal the win.
Pachuca originally broke through in the 39th minute as a cross from Urreta opened up the FC Dallas defense. The ball in from the right side bounced dangerously in front of Seitz, who was left helpless as Franco Jara headed home to give the hosts the advantage.
From there, FC Dallas squandered chance after chance. Colman missed one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper, while Michael Barrios couldn’t touch a wonderful Kellyn Acosta cross into the back of the net with what proved to be one of the game’s best chances.
In the 80th minute, Lozano fired his first of the day, beating Seitz from range with what looked to be the winning goal. Following Colman’s equalizer, Lozano struck again, sealing the win.
With the win, Pachuca now awaits the winner of Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League semifinal, which pits the Vancouver Whitecaps against Tigres.
MAN OF THE MATCH
When he wasn’t being physically wrangled by the FC Dallas defense, Hirving Lozano was an absolute terror. The Mexican winger was outstanding even without his two goals, showing exactly why he’ll attract major European offers this summer
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Lozano’s late goal is the obvious choice. Destined for extra time, Lozano broke the deadlock with just moments remaining, sending his side to the CCL final.
MATCH TO FORGET
Chris Seitz wasn’t the only FC Dallas player to struggle on Tuesday, but he will receive a bit of blame for his part in the loss. Miscommunication doomed FCD on the first goal while Seitz could have done better on the second. The third came moments after a short goal kick, one which, if hoofed long, could have carried FCD to extra time.