By Alejandro Guzmán
FC Dallas opened its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Querétaro FC on Wednesday at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, capitalizing on its chances while goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois delivered another standout performance to secure a second consecutive clean sheet.
Dallas was forced into an early change when Anderson Julio left with an apparent injury in the 20th minute, bringing Petar Musa into the match. The hosts gradually found their rhythm and created several dangerous chances before halftime, but Querétaro goalkeeper Guillermo Allison kept the score level with a series of saves.
The breakthrough came just after the restart. Bernard Kamungo's shot was stopped by Allison, but Santiago Moreno pounced on the rebound and finished from close range in the 47th minute to give Dallas the lead.
Querétaro responded by pushing numbers forward and creating several dangerous chances through Ali Ávila and Santiago Homenchenko, but Sirois repeatedly came up with key saves to frustrate the visitors.
FC Dallas sealed the victory in the 81st minute. Substitute Shaq Moore delivered a low cross into the box, where Joaquín Valiente finished with a first-time shot for his first goal with the club after recording three assists during the MLS season.
Gallos Blancos finished with more shots (20-12) and more shots on target (9-8), but Dallas proved more effective on the night, converting two of its eight attempts on goal.
REACTIONS:
- Dallas Head Coach Eric Quill
- "We were nervous in the first half and played backwards. That's not who we are. After halftime we made some mental adjustments, became more vertical and looked like ourselves."
- "Winning creates confidence. Every game in this tournament is like a final, so I'm proud of the fight, the resilience and the way we responded in the second half."
- Querétaro Head Coach Esteban González
- "We created scoring chances and couldn't finish them. Their goalkeeper made several big saves, so the scoreline could have been different."
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH:
- FC Dallas
- Colombian forward, Santiago Moreno, broke the deadlock early in the second half and continues to deliver in key moments. Moreno has scored twice in FC Dallas' last five matches across all competitions.
GAME NOTES:
- The match marked the first official meeting between FC Dallas and Querétaro FC.
- Joaquín Valiente scored his first goal for FC Dallas after recording three assists during the 2026 MLS season.
- Jonathan Sirois made nine saves, matching a career-high obtained in his previous match.
- Querétaro outshot FC Dallas 20-12, but Dallas converted two of its eight shots on target.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT:
- Yellow Cards:
- Dallas: Petar Musa (63'), Osaze Urhoghide (68'), Shaq Moore (90')
- Querétaro: Lucas Abascia (45+3'), Diego Reyes (53'), Ali Ávila (68')
- Injury Report:
- Dallas: Anderson Julio exited with an apparent injury in the 20th minute and was replaced by Petar Musa.
LOOKING AHEAD
- FC Dallas: Aug. 8 vs. Chivas
- Querétaro: Aug. 9 vs. Seattle
