Kellyn Acosta’s big 2017 continues as his game winning free kick goal lifted FC Dallas over Liga MX side Pachuca 2-1 on Wednesday night in the CONCACAF Champions League.

The Dallas Homegrown scored his third goal in the knockout round of the Champions League to help give Dallas the early advantage in the series.

Pachuca came out with a lot of pressure early in this one as they scored three minutes into the match. Erick Aguirre got the ball on the left wing and then whipped in a cross to the run of Franco Jara. The Argentine striker volleyed the pass from Aquirre off the near post and into the back of the net.

FC Dallas got back in the game right before the end of the first half on a goal from Maximiliano Urruti. Hernan Grana raced down the right side of the field and then put in a ball to Cristian Colman but a Pachuca defender headed it out but only to the feet of Urruti. The Argentine attacker one-timed a shot to tie the game.

Dallas nearly took the lead minutes into the second half on a offside call on Colman. Maynor Figueroa raced down the left side of the field and then dribbled into the penalty box where he laid the ball off for Colman. Unfortunately as Colman chipped the ball into the back of the net he was called offside.

Dallas took the lead in the 58th minute on a free kick by Acosta. A foul on Maxi Urruti to set up the kick about 20 yards out. Acosta curled his shot over the Pachuca wall and into the back of the net for his third goal of the knockout round.

Pachuca had a golden chance to equalize in the 83rd minute on a cross from Urreta to Roberto Alvarado on the far post. Alvarado found himself wide open in the penalty box but his attempt on goal was skied over the crossbar.

Pachuca had one more chance in the 90th minute on a header from Braian Rodríguez that forced Chris Seitz to push the ball over the crossbar.

The second leg of this semifinal series with Pachuca will conclude on Tuesday, April 4, in Mexico.

FC Dallas returns to action this weekend in league play as they host the New England Revolution in their home opener on Saturday.