The plan works, Pax-Sebas midfield makes debut & more thoughts from FC Dallas' 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union

FRISCO — FC Dallas didn't put the x next to its name that comes with clinching a playoff berth. It didn't jump in the table or move on in any sort of competition. But Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union was a big win.

FCD didn't blow out the Union like it did the San Jose Earthquakes just four days before, but few teams blow out the Union. Few teams beat the Union at all. FCD joins a somewhat motley crew of Toronto FC, the Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati in giving the Eastern Conference leaders just their fourth loss of the season.

And FCD did it by executing a savvy yet simple game plan put together by manager Nico Estévez.

Let's start there and then look at how Sebastian Lletget and Paxton Pomykal did and didn't work together in the midfield and at just how big a victory this was for the morale and in the table...

I love it when a plan comes together

Both the Union and FCD put their A-teams on the field on Wednesday night, even with a quick turnaround from the weekend contests. Neither Estévez nor Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin typically make wholesale changes, instead opting for giving individual players rest when they need.

Estévez spoke during the build-up about his high level of respect for the Union, with whom he became well-acquainted during his time with the Columbus Crew. The first-year head coach knew the game wasn't going to be easy but also knew how to counteract Philly's unique shape and the talent of players like Daniel Gazdag, Kai Wagner and Alejandro Bedoya.

"Once we closed the center, they had to go outside, and I think we were really good out there. I think our positioning and what we'd worked on when it comes to defending the area, we were really compact and didn't leave hardly any space for the opponent," Estévez said. "I think they're a team that likes to play quickly, and by getting back quickly we made them have to play at a slower rhythm. That hurt the characteristics of play they have a bit."

Rather than try to overload his players with information, Estévez kept things somewhat simple. Paxton Pomykal adopted a specific role to counter-act Philly's attack and most other players were able to play their game. With only a few days to prepare for a final midweek match, the work in the film room may have been more important than anything the staff worked on with players on the training ground.

"We worked really hard during the week. Even if we weren't on the field because we were doing recovery, we were doing video and trying to nail down certain things," midfielder Sebastian Lletget said. "Funny enough, our goal is something we work on a lot, the midfielder to winger, winger to cutback and a great finish by Jesus. We've got guys who are flying, but more than anything I take away the character.

"Against that team, even if you play nice, they're still going to keep coming at you," added Lletget, who played and lost to the Union twice this season with the New England Revolution before this month's trade to FCD, continued.

FCD did play nice and Philly kept coming, but FCD stayed with its game plan, another step in the squad's evolution and one that comes at a good time with the playoffs approaching.

"Honestly, even though we didn't have much time and I'd have liked to have the whole week because I think we still could've done better, you have to be very proud of the players because in a very short amount of time they've been able to take on an idea that we brought to them as a staff. They believed the idea was good and we were able to hurt Philly," Estévez said. "There are times we've abandoned the idea, maybe because we didn't have that maturity or security to be able to play a lot more time with that confidence. That's why I think it's a step we have take forward."

Not the best chance to evaluate the Lletget-Pomykal partnership

Estévez is excited to see it. The players are excited to do it. Fans are ready for it to come together. But while Paxton Pomykal and Sebastian Lletget started together for FCD for the first time Wednesday, it might take a few more games for the full vision of the two-way midfielders working together to be on the field.

"I think they'll need more time," Estévez said. "Today, we had a very specific plan with Paxton, dropping him with Edwin just to create a numerical advantage against their point of the diamond. It worked very well. They found each other a couple of times, and Paxton had great actions in the first half when he joined the attack, and I think as much as we play together, get to know each other better, they'll do a better job, but overall you can't ask for more from these two guys."

Going the full 90 minutes in his first start since a return from an injury that ended up keeping him out of only one match, Pomykal had three interceptions. He also clearly got under Gazdag's skin. 

He also ended the night with a shot and committed three fouls, suffering the same amount. His presence was felt, and he ended up being named the official Man of the Match.

"You saw in the first half, the connection of me and Edwin super tight worked really well, and we were able to switch field and attack with pace once we did so. Credit to (the staff) for setting that up," Pomykal said.

That said, the Lletget-Pomykal partnership going forward will be something we do see on the field, perhaps as soon as Sunday when FCD travels to face Nashville SC. Pomykal said he's ready to put in another full 90-minute shift, and Lletget is looking forward to growing an on-field relationship where the off-field relationship already is strong.

"Ah, man. Honestly, we were waiting for it, waiting for him to get healthy again," Lletget said of linking with Pomykal. "I've played against him, played with him on the national team and stuff. He's a top talent, so honestly it was a joy and I hope we keep building on it.

Confidence booster

Every game counts the same, but it doesn't hurt morale at all to take three points from the top team in the Eastern Conference, and one that had only lost three times in the 2022 MLS season before Wednesday.

"It's a huge confidence-boost. Philly was just a team in our way, and it's great for this young group to know we can play amongst the best, especially at home," winger Paul Arriola said. "We tried to push them just like they tried to push us, and today was our day."

Estévez, as his the style of many managers and certainly his, was more wary of chalking the win up as a massive moment. "I think you've got to go step by step," he started when I asked him if the win hints that this team is destined for bigger things — but rest assured he was doing some fist-pumping behind closed doors.

Of course, Estévez is right. Nothing is won yet. The team still isn't into the playoffs. But the defense is clamping down on opponents, keeping their xG against below one goal for the fifth consecutive match. Its only loss in the last seven matches was the quick turnaround against Seattle — and even in that game the performance merited more.

FCD fans may be keeping expectations reasonable, and a conference tilt against LAFC in a few weeks may be the best barometer of how FCD stacks up against MLS' elite.

But Philly is up there too, sitting in a tie for second for the most points in the league. Curtin put a strong team on the field, and FCD used its game plan and its talent to get a victory. At least until the weekend, fans definitely can use that as a bouncing-off point to dream of what could be come October.