FC Dallas Close 2024 With Home Win
Their tenth home win of the season reflected their form from across 2024 - brilliance for stretches and the ability to be their own worst enemy.
The season is officially over for FC Dallas after a 2-1 home victory over Sporting Kansas City last night.
Petar Musa scored early in the second half, a beauty of a goal that showcased his tremendous quality. An own goal from SKC, created due to Dallas’ increasing pressure on the visitors, rounded out the first half. An ill-advised back pass led to Kansas City crawling to within a shout late in the second half, though they could not find the equalizer.
The final audition for Peter Luccin, interim head coach since taking over for Nico Estevez earlier in the year, went as well as expected. He kept Jesus Ferreira on the bench to start the match and preferred the same defensive lineup that he used in Portland. Overall, the team played solidly throughout, getting into dangerous spots. In particular, Alan Velasco was lively and dangerous, growing in confidence after missing a year due to injury.
The shift now turns to the front office and the decisions they will make that will shape 2025 and beyond. Did Luccin do enough to get the job? What players will be on their way out?
Here are a few thoughts based on these final few games.
Nkosi Tafari was on the bench again in this one, and while at times he has been the best defender for Dallas, Luccin is no longer favoring him. This reflects that while Tafari has had his moments he has also been wildly inconsistent. Is he still a part of Dallas’ future, or is time for a change of location?
Bernard Kamungo did not have the 2024 season he desired, but he showed in stretches that he can be one of the most dangerous players on the field for Dallas. Will the next head coach see the same? Is his role as a starter or a weapon off of the bench? Can he get better in his final decision making to take advantage of those fast break opportunities?
The rest of the subs might reflect who Luccin values and might prefer to build around. We saw Jesus, Tsiki, Farrington, Twumasi, and Delgado come on. Jimmy Maurer closing out 2024 in goal is a nice nod to the veteran who may be playing his final professional minutes. (Maybe he has another year in the tank?)
As the broadcasters mentioned, the first big roster decision will be the expansion draft, giving San Diego an opportunity to start building their inaugural roster. Will Paul Arriola be a target for San Diego, to bring the native home as they look to build success? Will Tafari be a target for the team?
No doubt, Dallas and their staff will take a big breath this week, but those decisions and questions loom.
Credit to the fans for showing up on this final “meaningless” game that at least ends 2024 with some positivity as a long offseason awaits.