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Played
July 17, 2010 8:30 PM EDT
Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas
July 17, 2010 8:30 PM EDT
Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating FC Dallas 2-0 Real Salt Lake: FCD Keep Win Streak Alive
The MLS champs were toppled by the hot Texans.
By Greer Wilson-Chavez
FRISCO, Texas -- With a kick-off temperature of 101 degrees, FC Dallas looked right at home against an RSL side that was unbeaten in 10 games. Two second-half strikes from Brek Shea and Atiba Harris were all FCD needed to send the defending MLS Cup Champions back to Salt Lake with nothing to show for a drab and uninspired performance.
The win means Dallas hasn't lost in 6, and improves their home record to 4-1-3. RSL has never won at Pizza Hut Park (0-7-0) and never really looked like changing that in this game. The Hoops' were the dominant team throughout the match and had no trouble containing Javier Morales and World Cup participant Robbie Findley.
First Half
Dallas looked energetic and ready to play right from the whistle, pressing early and creating chances. FCD captain Daniel Hernandez came close in the 9th minute with a dipping near post freekick that RSL keeper Nick Rimando did well to keep out.
On the ensuing corner, forward Milton Rodriguez nearly grabbed a goal in his first game wearing a Dallas shirt, driving a header off the crossbar. Not until the 18th minute did Salt Lake really press the home-side's box.
Javier Morales crossed the ball in from the left side of the 18 yardbox and after some awkward mid-air wobbling (characteristic of the Jabulani ball), FCD keeper Kevin Hartman needed to dive back and deflect the now goal-bound ball. His touch bounced the ball into the crossbar and away from danger.
RSL didn't offer much else in the half, and looked relieved to hear the half-time whistle. Although having created several decent chances and dominating the run of play, Dallas went into the break without a goal for the 4th game in a row.
Second Half
FCD midfielder Dax McCarty had been troubled with a quadricep strain earlier in the week and was replaced by Jeff Cunningham to start the second half. Cunningham has been searching for goal-scoring form this season, but looked lively as a second-half sub during last week's tie with Seattle and came on with just as much energy in this game.
The storyline remained the same through the first 15 minutes, Dallas continued to control the ball well and seemed to be building momentum, though were a bit lucky to not go behind after Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson fired a left-footed blast off the post in the 56th minute.
RSL could still find no way to get through the Dallas defense, and in the 60th minute opted to bring on Alvaro Saborio and Andy Williams for Findly and Jean Alexandre respectively. An opener nearly came in the 63rd minute, Brek Shea made a strong run into the box but fired straight at Rimando.
However, just six minutes later Dallas finally broke through. Milton Rodriguez managed a shot on goal that Rimando could only deflect into the path of Shea who finished with a strong, well-placed drive. His fourth tally of the year ended Rimando's 566 minute shut-out streak dating back to May 29.
Shortly after the goal FCD swapped Rodriguez for midfielder Bruno Guarda. In his Dallas debut, Rodriguez looked sharp and will certainly have left coach Schellas Hyndman with a good impression. RSL looked to jump right back into the game and in the 73rd nearly drew level.
Andy Williams surged into the box and crossed to defender Nat Borchers who blasted a header over the bar from a yard out. Still not offering much offensively, this was the away-side's first real attempt of the half. As if stirred by nearly losing the lead, FCD notched an insurance goal in the 76th minute.
David Ferreira's corner was headed away and wide by RSL defender Chris Wingert, but Heath Pearce kept the pressure on and sent a low cross into the box. Atiba Harris collected the ball, turned well and fired in from just inside the 6 yard box. His 3rd goal of the season all but finished the game.
RSL forward Fabian Espindola headed a cross tamely to Hartman in the 83rd, but having looked tired for most of the match, Salt Lake couldn't produce anything and failed to score for just the 4th time this year. FCD could have grabbed a third goal in stoppage time after Ferreira made a long run with the ball but failed to find an unmarked Cunningham running backside.
Now on a six match unbeaten run, Dallas looks full of confidence and deserved all three points from the fixture. Coach Hyndman will be glad that his team scored multiple goals during the run of play, something they haven't done since Shea put two past San Jose on June 5.
Now facing back-to-back away games at Toronto and Colorado, the Hoops will want to keep the momentum rolling and earn as many points as possible on the road, especially against conference rival Colorado, who at the moment sit just two points behind FCD in fourth place.
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The win means Dallas hasn't lost in 6, and improves their home record to 4-1-3. RSL has never won at Pizza Hut Park (0-7-0) and never really looked like changing that in this game. The Hoops' were the dominant team throughout the match and had no trouble containing Javier Morales and World Cup participant Robbie Findley.
First Half
Dallas looked energetic and ready to play right from the whistle, pressing early and creating chances. FCD captain Daniel Hernandez came close in the 9th minute with a dipping near post freekick that RSL keeper Nick Rimando did well to keep out.
On the ensuing corner, forward Milton Rodriguez nearly grabbed a goal in his first game wearing a Dallas shirt, driving a header off the crossbar. Not until the 18th minute did Salt Lake really press the home-side's box.
Javier Morales crossed the ball in from the left side of the 18 yardbox and after some awkward mid-air wobbling (characteristic of the Jabulani ball), FCD keeper Kevin Hartman needed to dive back and deflect the now goal-bound ball. His touch bounced the ball into the crossbar and away from danger.
RSL didn't offer much else in the half, and looked relieved to hear the half-time whistle. Although having created several decent chances and dominating the run of play, Dallas went into the break without a goal for the 4th game in a row.
Second Half
FCD midfielder Dax McCarty had been troubled with a quadricep strain earlier in the week and was replaced by Jeff Cunningham to start the second half. Cunningham has been searching for goal-scoring form this season, but looked lively as a second-half sub during last week's tie with Seattle and came on with just as much energy in this game.
The storyline remained the same through the first 15 minutes, Dallas continued to control the ball well and seemed to be building momentum, though were a bit lucky to not go behind after Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson fired a left-footed blast off the post in the 56th minute.
RSL could still find no way to get through the Dallas defense, and in the 60th minute opted to bring on Alvaro Saborio and Andy Williams for Findly and Jean Alexandre respectively. An opener nearly came in the 63rd minute, Brek Shea made a strong run into the box but fired straight at Rimando.
However, just six minutes later Dallas finally broke through. Milton Rodriguez managed a shot on goal that Rimando could only deflect into the path of Shea who finished with a strong, well-placed drive. His fourth tally of the year ended Rimando's 566 minute shut-out streak dating back to May 29.
Shortly after the goal FCD swapped Rodriguez for midfielder Bruno Guarda. In his Dallas debut, Rodriguez looked sharp and will certainly have left coach Schellas Hyndman with a good impression. RSL looked to jump right back into the game and in the 73rd nearly drew level.
Andy Williams surged into the box and crossed to defender Nat Borchers who blasted a header over the bar from a yard out. Still not offering much offensively, this was the away-side's first real attempt of the half. As if stirred by nearly losing the lead, FCD notched an insurance goal in the 76th minute.
David Ferreira's corner was headed away and wide by RSL defender Chris Wingert, but Heath Pearce kept the pressure on and sent a low cross into the box. Atiba Harris collected the ball, turned well and fired in from just inside the 6 yard box. His 3rd goal of the season all but finished the game.
RSL forward Fabian Espindola headed a cross tamely to Hartman in the 83rd, but having looked tired for most of the match, Salt Lake couldn't produce anything and failed to score for just the 4th time this year. FCD could have grabbed a third goal in stoppage time after Ferreira made a long run with the ball but failed to find an unmarked Cunningham running backside.
Now on a six match unbeaten run, Dallas looks full of confidence and deserved all three points from the fixture. Coach Hyndman will be glad that his team scored multiple goals during the run of play, something they haven't done since Shea put two past San Jose on June 5.
Now facing back-to-back away games at Toronto and Colorado, the Hoops will want to keep the momentum rolling and earn as many points as possible on the road, especially against conference rival Colorado, who at the moment sit just two points behind FCD in fourth place.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
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Results
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |