ESPN

FC Dallas earned a 1-1 draw with the reserve team of famed Argentinean club, River Plate today on the adidas Field at FC Dallas Stadium. Dallas’ goal was scored by midfielder Bruno Guarda via penalty kick in the 72nd minute.

FC Dallas’ goal was set up by Andrew Wiedeman, who received the ball on the right flank and used an inside-out move to go past a defender at the top left corner of the area. The feint freed up Wiedeman’s right foot to deliver a low line-drive cross to the back post, but the attempted pass was knocked down by the arm of a River Plate defender, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Guarda opted to take the kick, beating Rey high to his left to even the score 1-1.

River Plate initially took a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. The goal stemmed from a turnover in its defensive third of the field. After gaining control of the ball, River Plate pushed the ball out wide to Vila, who delivered a cross to the near post for Montero. The forward struck the bouncing cross with his first touch, beating FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman to the near post.

Dallas nearly equalized just three minutes after River Plate took the lead. Brek Shea received the ball on the left side and bent a cross into the area. The ball skipped by a defender before finding the feet of FC Dallas Homegrown player Bryan Leyva at the back post. Leyva avoided a defender and slid a pass inside to Blas Perez, but the pass was cut out but goalkeeper Servio, who charged off his line to preserve the one-goal lead.

Just before the end of the first half, Hartman kept FC Dallas in the game with a marvelous save at his right post. The play began with another FC Dallas turnover in its own half of the field. River Plate quickly went to goal and got off a low, hard shot from the top of the box. At full stretch, Hartman managed to deflect the shot up with his right hand before smothering the ball with his left.

FC Dallas started the second half with a new lineup. The only exception was recent MLS SuperDraft selection Matt Hedges, who remained at center back. Outside of Dallas’ penalty kick goal in the 72nd minute, the best chance of the half belonged to River Plate, who earned a free kick just outside the box in the 86th minute. Gomez stepped to the kick and hammered a rising shot into the stiff breeze. The ball looked to be headed high of its target, but dipped at the last moment before crushing the crossbar behind goalkeeper Richard Sanchez. The FC Dallas defense quickly ushered the ball away from danger and the match finished 1-1.

Scoring Summary:

RP – Montero (Vila) 23
FCD – Bruno Guarda (PK) 72

Misconduct Summary:

RP – Pugh (caution; reckless tackle) 73

Lineups:

FC Dallas – Kevin Hartman, Jair Benitez, Hernan Pertuz, Matt Hedges, Zach Loyd, Brek Shea, Andrew Jacobson, Bryan Leyva, Fabian Castillo, Blas Perez, Scott Sealy.

FC Dallas (second half) – Richard Sanchez, Moises Hernandez (Kleymar Bejarano 80), Matt Hedges, Christian Ibeagha, Alex Lee, Carlos Rodriguez, Bobby Warshaw, Bruno Guarda, Andrew Wiedeman, Jonathan Top, Jeison Quinonez.

River Plate Reserves – Servio (Rey 45), Vega (Espindula 45), Ruiz (Pantaleone 45), Kranevitter (Macarof 45), Silgvero, Alvarez, Quignon, Cazares (Iberra 45), Solari, Villa (Pugh 45), Montero (Gomez 45).

Late today FC Dallas announced via twitter that the club will scrimmage River Plate tomorrow at 11 AM at FC Dallas Stadium prior to the US Women's game.

The River Plate side will mostly consist of reserves but should still provide some high level competition for a FCD side early in preseason preparation. River's reserves were in Dallas to play in a tournament at the Cotton Bowl that was canceled at the last moment.

FC Dallas also has some exibtions against local college teams over the next week or two. College opponents will see more of the 2nd team from FCD, but should still be some excellent watching for fans.

Sunday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. vs. Memphis, FC Dallas Stadium adidas Field
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m., at SMU, Westcott Field
Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m., vs. Tulsa, FC Dallas Stadium adidas Field