The Daily Dirt, September 14: Champion

Tonight at 8:00 p.m., I’ll be on Facebook Live for our weekly ATLSoccer chat. Lots to discuss this week, get your questions ready. I talked specifically about the Expansion Draft and its rule changes last night, check it out.

FC Dallas took the first step to an uprecedented America soccer treble last night by winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup 4-2 over the New England Revolution. If you missed the game, check out the highlights from a fun one:

If you haven’t been watching Dallas this season, you’ve really been missing out. Oscar Pareja has done an amazing job with that club, building a true club from top to bottom that develops talent and makes intelligent signings to fill in the gaps. Honestly, they are creating a new blueprint for success in MLS, one that Atlanta United has cited many times.

It’s more than just the strong academy program though that sets Dallas apart. Pareja is not afraid of playing young players and taking some lumps along the way. They lost 5-0 early this season to Houston, and the team did not panic. They are always looking at the long term play rather than short term benefits.

Watching them play, you see a team that can win in many different ways. They can control possession, or sit back and counter. They can use the flanks or attack through the middle. They are dangerous on set pieces. They can even play direct from time to time to take advantage of situations. It truly is an embodiment of Pareja’s mantra of “finding a way.” You can see it in the first team as well as the academy players, the coaches give the players the tools to succeed, but allow them to figure it out for themselves.

Dallas is four points clear in the Supporters’ Shield race, and then the MLS Cup playoffs are always a marathon. Even if this is the only trophy won by the club in 2016, you can see where they are headed. They will be a force to be reckoned with in MLS for many years to come.

Domestic

The treble is on for FC Dallas (Big D Soccer)

Even in defeat, let’s not forget about #Swagudelo:

SKC-VAN CCL

Looking at who might or might not be available from the Red Bulls in the Expansion Draft (Once a Metro)

The Galaxy could have some interesting possibilities available in the Expansion Draft (LAG Confidential)

Giovani Dos Santos is your SB Nation MLS Player of the Week (SB Nation)

New York Cosmos could have problems hosting NASL’s Soccer Bowl if they make it (This is Cosmos Country)

A look at the troubled ownership situation in Fort Lauderdale (Guardian)

Railhawks ownership group trademark Carolina Courage name, possible revival of pro women’s soccer in Carolina? (Empire of Soccer)

More on a potential move of the Wilmington Hammerheads to Baltimore (Washington Post)

International

Arsenal get a draw in Paris (SB Nation)

Barcelona just scored again on Celtic (SB Nation)

Tottenham searching for huge naming right deal for their new stadium (Standard)

Football Manager is used to fill the scouting gaps by Premier League clubs (BBC)

Local

South Carolina defeated Georgia Southern 2-1 in extra time in Columbia, SC last night.

Georgia Gwinnett tries to get back on the winning side of things (Sports Gwinnett)