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Played
July 31, 2010 4:00 PM EDT
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
July 31, 2010 4:00 PM EDT
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Colorado Rapids 1-1 FC Dallas: 50th Meeting Between Clubs Ends In Draw
By Greer Wilson-Chavez
The 50th meeting between FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids saw Colorado players score two goals. However, only one counted for the home side, as a first half own-goal by defender Julien Baudet was cancelled out just minutes later by midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy's penalty-kick strike.
Dallas, without midfielder Dax McCarty, failed to control the ball the way it has in the last few games and was less dangerous overall. Conor Casey missed the match because of a head injury, and the Rapids' offense will surely regret not having his presence. The 1-1 tie extends Dallas' unbeaten run to eight, and Colorado's win-less run to seven.
First Half
FCD rookie Eric Alexander got his first MLS start in place of the injured McCarty. The midfielder was impressive against Toronto last week and coach Schellas Hyndman rewarded him with the nod. From the start the Hoops' seemed to fit right back into the rhythm they've had all through July. A sixth minute David Ferreira free kick was blasted wide by All-Star defender Heath Pearce.
The stingy Dallas defense looked confident in playing out of the back and were linking up well with the offense. Milton Rodriguez shot wide in the 15th minute with the momentum building. Not until the 17th minute did Colorado threaten the FCD net, Omar Cummings' long range effort skipping just wide of the post.
Then in the 22nd minute Ferreira played a beautiful no-look pass to Jair Benitez, who ran in behind Rapids' defender Marvell Wynne and drove a cross into the box. Defender Julien Baudet threw his leg out to block the ball but ended up deflecting it past goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Moments later Ferreira linked up with Brek Shea on another great pass, but Shea's blast nicked the outside of the post and went into touch. At this point Dallas certainly looked like a team who haven't lost in a while. Rookie Alexander was doing a fine job of covering for McCarty, completing passes and making tackles.
A lapse in judgement or perhaps just an unlucky moment resulted in a penalty kick for Colorado. FCD midfielder Atiba Harris handled the ball in the box while trying to defend a corner and Mehdi Ballouchy stepped up to level the score. Ballouchy's powerful drive to the left side of the goal was untouched by keeper Kevin Hartman, who dove right.
The goal shifted the game in Colorado's favor, a Colin Clarke chip over Hartman nearly giving the home side the lead. Rapids midfielder Wells Thompson shot wide from distance in the 35th, Dallas looking more and more lost as time went on. In the 43rd, Jamie Smith's free kick asked for the best out of Hartman, the FCD shot-stopper palming the ball over the crossbar and out of play. In the last minute of the half Dallas finally threatened again and should have scored a goal, but Harris was unable to tap a Rodriguez cross into the goal.
Second Half
Marvin Chavez came on in the 54th minute for Atiba Harris, who hadn't been as involved as coach Hyndman would have liked. Chavez was quick to stir things up and made some dangerous runs into the box. Unlike the first half, though, the Rapids were the first team to create a scoring chance. Drew Moor headed a corner kick into the ground but couldn't get the angle right and the ball bounced harmlessly over the bar. That jolted Dallas into action and just moments later Ferreira worked his way into the box, but his left footed blast was superbly saved by Pickens.
In the 63rd minute Colorado coach Gary Smith opted to bring on All-Star, albeit defensively minded, midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. A questionable move considering the Rapids were creating chances and could have pushed for another goal, but the former Revolution player did well to stifle the Dallas offense and win balls in the middle of the park. In response to the substitution, Jeff Cunningham came on for Rodriguez. Cunningham again looked lively as a second half sub and almost set up Ferreira with a great chance, but the Rapids defense stepped in just in time.
Dallas midfielder Bruno Guarda was brought on for Alexander, who played well overall but wasn't providing enough possession as the game wore on. Guarda failed to make an impact, however, and Colorado began to once again dominate the midfield.
Claudio Lopez was introduced to the game in the 83rd minute, but like Guarda had little influence on the remaining minutes of the match.
Both teams had great chances late in the game, Cunningham surged into the box, cut back onto his left and blasted a shot on frame, but Pickens was once again there to make the save.
In the final minute of stoppage time Baudet nearly made up for early gaffe, but his header off a corner kick went high over the goal.
A forgettable game in most regards, Dallas will certainly hope for a stronger showing Thursday night when they face Champions League winner Internazionale. Their next league match is a Sunday evening fixture against the Philadelphia Union. Colorado will have a full week of rest before matching up against San Jose next Saturday.
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Dallas, without midfielder Dax McCarty, failed to control the ball the way it has in the last few games and was less dangerous overall. Conor Casey missed the match because of a head injury, and the Rapids' offense will surely regret not having his presence. The 1-1 tie extends Dallas' unbeaten run to eight, and Colorado's win-less run to seven.
First Half
FCD rookie Eric Alexander got his first MLS start in place of the injured McCarty. The midfielder was impressive against Toronto last week and coach Schellas Hyndman rewarded him with the nod. From the start the Hoops' seemed to fit right back into the rhythm they've had all through July. A sixth minute David Ferreira free kick was blasted wide by All-Star defender Heath Pearce.
The stingy Dallas defense looked confident in playing out of the back and were linking up well with the offense. Milton Rodriguez shot wide in the 15th minute with the momentum building. Not until the 17th minute did Colorado threaten the FCD net, Omar Cummings' long range effort skipping just wide of the post.
Then in the 22nd minute Ferreira played a beautiful no-look pass to Jair Benitez, who ran in behind Rapids' defender Marvell Wynne and drove a cross into the box. Defender Julien Baudet threw his leg out to block the ball but ended up deflecting it past goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Moments later Ferreira linked up with Brek Shea on another great pass, but Shea's blast nicked the outside of the post and went into touch. At this point Dallas certainly looked like a team who haven't lost in a while. Rookie Alexander was doing a fine job of covering for McCarty, completing passes and making tackles.
A lapse in judgement or perhaps just an unlucky moment resulted in a penalty kick for Colorado. FCD midfielder Atiba Harris handled the ball in the box while trying to defend a corner and Mehdi Ballouchy stepped up to level the score. Ballouchy's powerful drive to the left side of the goal was untouched by keeper Kevin Hartman, who dove right.
The goal shifted the game in Colorado's favor, a Colin Clarke chip over Hartman nearly giving the home side the lead. Rapids midfielder Wells Thompson shot wide from distance in the 35th, Dallas looking more and more lost as time went on. In the 43rd, Jamie Smith's free kick asked for the best out of Hartman, the FCD shot-stopper palming the ball over the crossbar and out of play. In the last minute of the half Dallas finally threatened again and should have scored a goal, but Harris was unable to tap a Rodriguez cross into the goal.
Second Half
Marvin Chavez came on in the 54th minute for Atiba Harris, who hadn't been as involved as coach Hyndman would have liked. Chavez was quick to stir things up and made some dangerous runs into the box. Unlike the first half, though, the Rapids were the first team to create a scoring chance. Drew Moor headed a corner kick into the ground but couldn't get the angle right and the ball bounced harmlessly over the bar. That jolted Dallas into action and just moments later Ferreira worked his way into the box, but his left footed blast was superbly saved by Pickens.
In the 63rd minute Colorado coach Gary Smith opted to bring on All-Star, albeit defensively minded, midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. A questionable move considering the Rapids were creating chances and could have pushed for another goal, but the former Revolution player did well to stifle the Dallas offense and win balls in the middle of the park. In response to the substitution, Jeff Cunningham came on for Rodriguez. Cunningham again looked lively as a second half sub and almost set up Ferreira with a great chance, but the Rapids defense stepped in just in time.
Dallas midfielder Bruno Guarda was brought on for Alexander, who played well overall but wasn't providing enough possession as the game wore on. Guarda failed to make an impact, however, and Colorado began to once again dominate the midfield.
Claudio Lopez was introduced to the game in the 83rd minute, but like Guarda had little influence on the remaining minutes of the match.
Both teams had great chances late in the game, Cunningham surged into the box, cut back onto his left and blasted a shot on frame, but Pickens was once again there to make the save.
In the final minute of stoppage time Baudet nearly made up for early gaffe, but his header off a corner kick went high over the goal.
A forgettable game in most regards, Dallas will certainly hope for a stronger showing Thursday night when they face Champions League winner Internazionale. Their next league match is a Sunday evening fixture against the Philadelphia Union. Colorado will have a full week of rest before matching up against San Jose next Saturday.
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
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
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 |