20-year-old Dante Sealy loved a productive preseason with FC Dallas and the younger attacker carried that kind over into Saturday’s common season opener vs. the San Jose Earthquakes.
Sealy scored the successful aim for Nico Estevez’s squad in a 2-1 house triumph, giving FC Dallas its first three factors of the brand new marketing campaign. The homegrown attacker logged a powerful 90 minutes from his left midfield place, serving to the Western Convention hosts erase an early deficit and earn a vital victory.
“It simply exhibits a number of maturity that he has, he wasn’t too concerned in a number of motion immediately and Neither was I,” veteran winger Paul Arriola stated about Sealy. “But just to have that resilience and the mentality to continue to get into the box and be ready for the one opportunity that you get, and he was able to do that.
“Obviously, it’s great for him to carry that confidence,” Arriola added. “And, you know, I’m really proud to be his teammate to watch him grow. He’s done a fabulous job, and hopefully he continues.”
Sealy initially debuted for FC Dallas’ then-USL affiliate North Texas SC in 2019 earlier than logging 11 MLS appearances over two seasons in 2020-21. After back-to-back seasons overseas with Jong PSV within the Dutch second-tier (six objectives in 54 mixed appearances), Sealy made 13 appearances for Dallas final season, however failed to seek out the again of the online.
With FC Dallas pushing for a successful aim on house soil Saturday, Sealy delivered in a big-time second, stroking house a left-footed shot into the again of the online. It marked his second-ever aim for the Texas-based membership and one which actually will give Sealy confidence going ahead.
“It’s a loopy feeling,” Sealy stated. “You can’t describe it, but being there with my guys and with the fans, it doesn’t get any better than that.
“Obviously it was a rough start going down one goal,” he added. “But we stuck with it, kept going, and kept pushing. Resiliency was a big part of our preseason and I feel like that was the case today as well.”
FC Dallas dictated plenty of the tempo in Saturday’s match, outshooting San Jose 21-10 and edging them in possession 53%-47%. Their comeback victory was even more impressive with ample starters out of the squad including Jesus Ferreira, Paxton Pomykal, and long-term absentee Alan Velasco.
Sealy’s positive start will not only be crucial for him, but could be a spark in helping FC Dallas navigate through the opening few months of the season.
“The team was able to score that second goal, and we know that with it being the first game of the season, the score can quickly change, especially when it’s tied up,” Estevez stated. “And well, it could’ve gone either way in the end, but I think the quality of our attack was an essential component in this win.”
FC Dallas stays at house on March 2 for a non-conference matchup towards CF Montreal.