FC Dallas secures Copa Tejas victory and Golden Boot lead

FC Dallas has moved into fifth place in the Western Conference standings following a 2-1 victory over rivals Austin FC in the Copa Tejas. The result, secured by a second-half strike from striker Petar Musa, also places the Croatian international at the top of the MLS Golden Boot race.

Musa scored his 14th goal of the season with a left-footed curler from the top of the box that struck the post before finding the net. The goal broke a second-half deadlock and proved decisive, lifting FC Dallas ahead of Austin FC in the annual rivalry fixture.

The victory moves Musa one goal ahead of New York City FC’s Nicolas Fernández Mercau, who currently sits on 13 goals in the race for the league’s top scorer award. Four other players, including Houston Dynamo’s Guilherme and Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi, have recorded 12 goals each.

Musa’s performance against Austin FC marked his seventh goal contribution against the club, comprising four goals and three assists. This tally represents more than he has recorded against any other team in Major League Soccer, underscoring his significant impact in the regional rivalry.

The win is critical for FC Dallas as they seek home-field advantage for the upcoming postseason. Musa, a Designated Player who arrived from Benfica, has scored 48 league goals in three seasons and recently represented Croatia at the World Cup, where he scored against England.

Speaking to Apple TV after the match, Musa emphasised the team’s collective focus over individual accolades. He noted that while he was pleased with the three points, his attention remains on improving his overall performance and securing further road results.

The club’s upcoming schedule includes a series of matches against teams positioned near them in the conference table. Musa has scored two league goals since the World Cup break and also found the net against Toluca in the Leagues Cup, maintaining his form as the team pushes for a higher seeding.