In a thrilling encounter at America First Field on Saturday, March 22, 2025, FC Dallas clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, marking a significant step forward for the team in the early stages of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season. The match was overshadowed by the early dismissal of Real Salt Lake's Ariath Piol, who received a red card just 23 minutes into the contest, leaving his team to battle with ten men for the remainder of the game.
Luciano Acosta, Dallas's star midfielder, was the standout player of the night. After scoring his first goal for the club in a previous match against the Colorado Rapids, Acosta added a second goal with a deft header during the dying moments of the first half, specifically in the seventh minute of stoppage time. This goal, which he scored after a flick on from Leo Chú’s cross deflected his way, showcased not only his scoring ability but also his knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Acosta's tally now stands at 74 goals in regular-season play throughout his MLS career, a testament to his consistency and skill on the pitch. Despite the triumph, the match was not without its challenges. Dallas faced strong resistance from Real Salt Lake’s goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, who made several impressive saves throughout the match, including a penalty kick from Acosta when the score was still level at 0-0. Cabral's heroics prevented the scoreline from ballooning, as he also stopped a fierce shot from Sebastian Lletget and was instrumental in keeping his side in the game despite overwhelming odds.
Real Salt Lake, already missing Diego Luna due to international commitments with the U.S. team, struggled to find their rhythm following Piol's early exit. For more than an hour, they were pinned back by Dallas, who controlled the flow of the game but were unable to capitalize fully on their superior numbers. Acosta continually pressed the advantage, creating dangerous chances but was repeatedly thwarted by Cabral or the woodwork, as Marco Farfan's strike rattled the crossbar in one of the match’s closest calls.
Despite the setbacks, Real Salt Lake found moments of urgency, particularly toward the end of regulation, as they pushed forward desperately trying to steal an equalizer. Their first legitimate shot on goal did not arrive until the 70th minute through Lachlan Brook, who was met with yet another solid save from Dallas’s debut goalkeeper, Michael Collodi. Collodi, stepping in for Maarten Paes while he represents Indonesia internationally, earned a clean sheet in his first MLS match, much to the delight of head coach Eric Quill.
After the match, an elated Quill didn't hold back in his praise for Collodi, exclaiming, "Collodi, for me, was exceptional! He controlled the game with his footwork, stopped critical shots, and managed to command the area effectively. I’m proud of him—it’s not easy to come in under pressure and perform like that." Quill believes that this win represents a turning point for FC Dallas, who have faced significant challenges in the previous season.
In terms of league standings, the victory gives FC Dallas a total of seven points from their first four matches, all of which have come away from home, including a previous victory against the Houston Dynamo and a draw against the Colorado Rapids. This marks a drastic improvement compared to their dismal away form from 2024, where they only secured one win all season on the road.
Conversely, Real Salt Lake’s situation remains precarious. With two wins and two losses, they sit ninth in the Western Conference, struggling to maintain a consistent form. Their latest performance underscores the difficulties they face without key players available. Pablo Mastroeni, coach of Real Salt Lake, hopes to capitalize on the home advantage in their next matches but acknowledged the uphill battle his team faces with injuries and international call-ups depleting their squad.
As FC Dallas looks to build on this momentum, the challenge remains clear: they must convert their away success into victories at home if they hope to contend for a playoff spot. "We’re pushing hard and want to be a complete and balanced team," stated Quill after the match. "Our fans deserve to see a team that fights, entertains, and earns respect each time we step onto the pitch. This is just the beginning of reclaiming our identity." With that sensed determination, FC Dallas aims for continued improvement as the season unfolds.
Looking ahead, both teams will need to address their respective issues. Dallas, reveling in their newfound confidence from this away win, will have to fix their home record which has been lackluster at best, while Real Salt Lake must regroup quickly in order to rebound from this setback and capitalize on their opportunities in the upcoming fixtures.
