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Played
October 9, 2010 6:00 PM EDT
FC Dallas Stadium — Frisco, Texas
Referee: P. Ward
Attendance: 10119
October 9, 2010 6:00 PM EDT
FC Dallas Stadium — Frisco, Texas
Referee: P. Ward
Attendance: 10119
FC Dallas - Colorado Rapids: Head to Head Preview
By Greer Wilson-Chavez and Thomas Kelly
On Form
FC Dallas: Brek Shea's two-game suspension was cause for concern, until Marvin Chavez stepped in and decided to make a statement. With two goals in the last two games, the recently out-of-favor midfielder is suddenly a big part of the FCD offense. With Shea spending time at U.S. national team camp, "the sun and the wind", as his teammates call him, will have more weight thrown on his shoulders, but it seems like he can handle it.
Colorado: The Rapids created some great chances in their 1-0 loss to D.C. United at the weekend but it wasn't enough. They saw a shot by Drew Moor cleared off the line and a point-blank header saved by Troy Perkins. The attacking options were there for the Rapids, they just couldn't find a way to finish. It was a weakened Colorado side, however, with Omar Cummings and Marvell Wynne not playing, which shows that the Rapids are still capable of creating chances even with their star striker on the bench. Pablo Mastroeni had another solid performance in midfield and is playing well at a great time for Colorado with a few key match-ups remaining before the playoffs.
Off Target
Dallas: The injured players at Pizza Hut Park are running out of time to get back to full fitness. Captain Daniel Hernandez, keeper Kevin Hartman and center backs George John and Ugo Ihemelu only have three more games to get match fit. John is the closest, nearly making the bench last week against Chicago. Ihemelu is finally practicing again after a two-month layoff, but Hernandez and Hartman are both still working their way back. Dallas' young guns have covered well so far, but the team will need as much veteran experience as possible if they want to go all the way.
Colorado: Colorado did not look like the playoff team we have come to know as of late and were unable to produce a goal at home in a shocking defeat to D.C. United. The defense looked stagnant and the offense seemed out of rhythm all night. They didn't create much through the midfield and most of their attack came from the wide positions. Gary Smith commented, "The quality on the ball wasn't as crisp, not as sharp," the perfect way to describe Colorado's play last Saturday. The defense needs to tighten up and with the return of Marvell Wynne this weekend hopefully the Rapids can keep a clean sheet against Dallas.
Tactics
Dallas: With Shea splitting time between club and country, Chavez will retain the starting position. John will most likely see the field this weekend, though probably off the bench. If he does start, though, look for Jackson Goncalves to step up to midfield and Dax McCarty to come in off the bench. McCarty has done well since being back from injury, but you get the feeling he isn't quite 100%. Up top expect Milton Rodriguez to start as the lone striker, but Jeff Cunningham will be restlessly waiting to get on the field.
Colorado: The Rapids have three top class strikers in Connor Casey, Omar Cummings and Macoumba Kandji. With so much firepower up top it could be useful to have all three players working together and playing off one another. It's not an easy formation to deal with and could leave Colorado exposed at the back, but now is the time to try something new with an eight point lead over Kansas City with only three games left in the regular season. The return of Marvell Wynne and the exceptional performance of Brian Mullan are a boost for the Rapids going into this weeks matchup.
Intangibles
Dallas: The Hoops have a lot to play for on Saturday. The longest regular season unbeaten streak in MLS history, the franchise record for fewest home losses, and - the big one - Jeff Cunningham could break the MLS all-time scoring record. Needless to say, FCD will be coming out hard against the Rapids, and since games between these two clubs are usually intense anyways, expect a very lively contest.
Colorado: The Rapids have been giving up goals at crucial parts of the game lately. They gave up a goal to Salt Lake in the 90th minute and most recently to D.C. in the dying minutes of the first half. Both were crucial blows to the morale and momentum of the game and are due to a lack of concentration for the full 90 minutes. This cannot happen during the playoffs, where one mistake can mean the difference between moving on and going home. Colorado needs to keep up the intensity and stay focused if they want to make the playoffs and then hope to make a run for the championship.
Outcome
Dallas: Championship-caliber teams don't lose the games they shouldn't. Dallas came close a few weeks ago against New England, but they found a way to squeeze out a draw. With only two losses this year, both of those at the hands of the first- and second-place team in their respective conferences, don't expect anything other than a win on Saturday. New records will be set and Dallas will have even more reason to believe this might just be the year. FCD win 2-0.
Colorado: I would like to say that Colorado can go into Dallas on Saturday and come away with a win, but with their sporadic play away from home lately as well as the fact that Dallas is currently in an 18-game unbeaten run, it's hard to believe. Colorado needs the win to secure a playoff position but will walk away with a 2-0 loss Saturday night.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
FC Dallas: Brek Shea's two-game suspension was cause for concern, until Marvin Chavez stepped in and decided to make a statement. With two goals in the last two games, the recently out-of-favor midfielder is suddenly a big part of the FCD offense. With Shea spending time at U.S. national team camp, "the sun and the wind", as his teammates call him, will have more weight thrown on his shoulders, but it seems like he can handle it.
Colorado: The Rapids created some great chances in their 1-0 loss to D.C. United at the weekend but it wasn't enough. They saw a shot by Drew Moor cleared off the line and a point-blank header saved by Troy Perkins. The attacking options were there for the Rapids, they just couldn't find a way to finish. It was a weakened Colorado side, however, with Omar Cummings and Marvell Wynne not playing, which shows that the Rapids are still capable of creating chances even with their star striker on the bench. Pablo Mastroeni had another solid performance in midfield and is playing well at a great time for Colorado with a few key match-ups remaining before the playoffs.
Off Target
Dallas: The injured players at Pizza Hut Park are running out of time to get back to full fitness. Captain Daniel Hernandez, keeper Kevin Hartman and center backs George John and Ugo Ihemelu only have three more games to get match fit. John is the closest, nearly making the bench last week against Chicago. Ihemelu is finally practicing again after a two-month layoff, but Hernandez and Hartman are both still working their way back. Dallas' young guns have covered well so far, but the team will need as much veteran experience as possible if they want to go all the way.
Colorado: Colorado did not look like the playoff team we have come to know as of late and were unable to produce a goal at home in a shocking defeat to D.C. United. The defense looked stagnant and the offense seemed out of rhythm all night. They didn't create much through the midfield and most of their attack came from the wide positions. Gary Smith commented, "The quality on the ball wasn't as crisp, not as sharp," the perfect way to describe Colorado's play last Saturday. The defense needs to tighten up and with the return of Marvell Wynne this weekend hopefully the Rapids can keep a clean sheet against Dallas.
Tactics
Dallas: With Shea splitting time between club and country, Chavez will retain the starting position. John will most likely see the field this weekend, though probably off the bench. If he does start, though, look for Jackson Goncalves to step up to midfield and Dax McCarty to come in off the bench. McCarty has done well since being back from injury, but you get the feeling he isn't quite 100%. Up top expect Milton Rodriguez to start as the lone striker, but Jeff Cunningham will be restlessly waiting to get on the field.
Colorado: The Rapids have three top class strikers in Connor Casey, Omar Cummings and Macoumba Kandji. With so much firepower up top it could be useful to have all three players working together and playing off one another. It's not an easy formation to deal with and could leave Colorado exposed at the back, but now is the time to try something new with an eight point lead over Kansas City with only three games left in the regular season. The return of Marvell Wynne and the exceptional performance of Brian Mullan are a boost for the Rapids going into this weeks matchup.
Intangibles
Dallas: The Hoops have a lot to play for on Saturday. The longest regular season unbeaten streak in MLS history, the franchise record for fewest home losses, and - the big one - Jeff Cunningham could break the MLS all-time scoring record. Needless to say, FCD will be coming out hard against the Rapids, and since games between these two clubs are usually intense anyways, expect a very lively contest.
Colorado: The Rapids have been giving up goals at crucial parts of the game lately. They gave up a goal to Salt Lake in the 90th minute and most recently to D.C. in the dying minutes of the first half. Both were crucial blows to the morale and momentum of the game and are due to a lack of concentration for the full 90 minutes. This cannot happen during the playoffs, where one mistake can mean the difference between moving on and going home. Colorado needs to keep up the intensity and stay focused if they want to make the playoffs and then hope to make a run for the championship.
Outcome
Dallas: Championship-caliber teams don't lose the games they shouldn't. Dallas came close a few weeks ago against New England, but they found a way to squeeze out a draw. With only two losses this year, both of those at the hands of the first- and second-place team in their respective conferences, don't expect anything other than a win on Saturday. New records will be set and Dallas will have even more reason to believe this might just be the year. FCD win 2-0.
Colorado: I would like to say that Colorado can go into Dallas on Saturday and come away with a win, but with their sporadic play away from home lately as well as the fact that Dallas is currently in an 18-game unbeaten run, it's hard to believe. Colorado needs the win to secure a playoff position but will walk away with a 2-0 loss Saturday night.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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FC Dallas 3-1 Colorado Rapids
- 16.67 %
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FC Dallas 2-1 Colorado Rapids
- 16.67 %
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FC Dallas 1-2 Colorado Rapids
- 16.67 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 6, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Colorado Rapids 2 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Oct 1, 2011 | Colorado Rapids 1 - FC Dallas 0 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Apr 8, 2011 | FC Dallas 3 - Colorado Rapids 0 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Nov 21, 2010 | FC Dallas 1 - Colorado Rapids 2 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Oct 9, 2010 | FC Dallas 2 - Colorado Rapids 2 |
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FC Dallas
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| May 26, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 3 - FC Dallas 2 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Chicago Fire 2 - FC Dallas 1 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | FC Dallas 1 - Philadelphia Union 1 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - FC Dallas 1 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
Colorado Rapids
 |
||
| May 26, 2012 | Colorado Rapids 3 - Montreal Impact 2 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | Colorado Rapids 2 - Sporting Kansas City 2 | MLS |
| May 16, 2012 | D.C. United 2 - Colorado Rapids 0 | MLS |
| May 6, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Colorado Rapids 2 | MLS |
| May 2, 2012 | New England Revolution 2 - Colorado Rapids 1 | MLS |
| - | Dario Sala | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Jair Benítez | Defender |
| 14 | George John | Defender |
| 19 | Zach Loyd | Defender |
| - | Heath Pearce | Defender |
| - | Marvin Chávez | Midfielder |
| 6 | Jackson | Defender |
| 24 | Eric Alexander | Midfielder |
| 9 | Atiba Harris | Striker |
| 10 | David Arturo Ferreira | Midfielder |
| - | M. Rodríguez | Striker |
| - | Chris Sharpe | Goalkeeper |
| 15 | Kyle Davies | Defender |
| 8 | Eric Avila | Midfielder |
| 34 | Ruben Luna | Striker |
| 11 | Dax McCarty | Midfielder |
| 20 | Brek Shea | Defender |
| - | Jeff Cunningham | Striker |
| 18 | Matt Pickens | Goalkeeper |
| 6 | Anthony Wallace | Midfielder |
| 22 | Marvell Wynne | Defender |
| 3 | Drew Moor | Defender |
| 27 | Kosuke Kimura | Defender |
| 20 | Jamie Smith | Midfielder |
| 4 | Jeff Larentowicz | Midfielder |
| 25 | Pablo Mastroeni | Midfielder |
| - | Macoumba Kandji | Striker |
| 9 | Conor Casey | Striker |
| 14 | Omar Cummings | Striker |
| 17 | Ian Joyce | Goalkeeper |
| 29 | Scott Palguta | Defender |
| - | Claudio Javier López | Striker |
| 12 | Quincy Amarikwa | Striker |
| 2 | Danny Earls | Defender |
| 15 | Wells Thompson | Midfielder |
| 11 | Brian Mullan | Midfielder |
| Jeff Cunningham | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 0 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pablo Mastroeni | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 25 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
0 
5 
14 
19 
0 
0 
6 
24 
9 
10 
0 
18 
6 
22 
3 
27 
20 
4 
25 
0 
9 
14
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 |