Gil helps Revolution tie FC Dallas
Carles Gil scored the game-tying goal early in the second half to lift the visiting New England Revolution to a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon in Frisco, Texas in the season opener for both sides.
Gil was signed by New England in the offseason to produce goals and delivered in his first action with the team. He is the Revolution's most expensive player ever, fetching a $2 million salary, plus a $2 million transfer fee paid to Deportivo de La Coruna, his former team in Spain.
FC Dallas struck first in the game's 13th minute as Barrios took a clearing pass from Dominique Badji near midfield and dribbled into the box while under duress from New England's Antonio Mlinar Delamea and, late in the run, by Jalil Anibaba.
Once inside the 18-yard line, Barrios unleashed a right-footed shot that beat Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton low to the keeper's right and found the net for the initial goal of the MLS season for FC Dallas.
The Revolution tied the match in on Gil's goal in the 57th minute. Anibaba lifted the ball from near the left sideline into the box where it was headed back toward Gil by Mlinar Delamea. Gil briefly steadied the ball with his right foot before ripping it to the left of Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzalez and into the net.
FC Dallas had a chance to win in stoppage time when Barrios' pass into the box found new designated player Brian Acosta, but Acosta, who had room to work, was barely able to get a foot on the pass before it was cleared out of danger.
Both teams had recorded nine shots, with FCD putting three shots on goal to two for the Revolution. Dallas led in total passes (641-297), passing accuracy (85 percent to 68 percent) and possession.
The match was the MLS coaching debut for Luchi Gonzalez, who was FC Dallas' academy director. It was the 10th consecutive season that FC Dallas began its campaign without a loss.
The Revolution still own an 11-10 all-time edge in wins over FC Dallas, with three draws, in matches played in North Texas. Dallas lost just twice at Toyota Stadium last season and is 13-4-7 in home openers in the 24 years of its existence.
--Field Level Media
