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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
Top of the Match
Jeff Larentowicz
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
Jeff Larentowicz
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
Flop of the Match
Conor Casey
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
Conor Casey
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating FC Dallas 2-2 Colorado Rapids: Jeff Larentowicz Brace Earns Away Draw
By Greer Wilson-Chavez
FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas dropped two vital points in the race for the Supporters' Shield with a 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids. Goals from Dallas forwards Milton Rodriguez and David Ferreira were canceled out by a brace from Colorado midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. The result extends Dallas' unbeaten run to 19 games, an MLS all-time record, but leaves them only a slim chance of finishing first in the Western Conference.
First Half
Dallas usually start slow, but a second minute back pass from Heath Pearce nearly cost them a very early goal. Rookie defender Zach Loyd was there to stop the play, but earned a yellow card for his tackle on Omar Cummings.
It wasn't long before the Rapids capitalized on Dallas' sluggish play. Colorado forward Macoumba Kandji broke free after a Dallas set piece and played across the field to Cummings, who laid the ball off to Larentowicz. The midfielder controlled the ball just outside the 18-yard box and fired on goal, beating FCD keeper Dario Sala on his near post. Sala froze on the play, failing to attempt a save.
After going down a goal, Dallas finally seemed to come alive, and in the 27th minute they equalized through Rodriguez. As with most FCD goals, Ferreira created the chance, playing Pearce down the right touchline. Pearce sent a bending ball to the back post and Atiba Harris sent it clanging off the crossbar. Fortunately for FCD, Rodriguez was able to direct the rebound into the back of the net. The goal was the Colombian's fifth of the season.
Dallas continued to play well and took the lead in the 37th minute. A quick restart by Jair Benitez left the ball at the feet of the in-form Marvin Chavez, who split the Rapids defense with a through-ball to Ferreira. Alone on goal, Ferreira aimed for the back post and neatly finished past Colorado keeper Matt Pickens. Ferreira's goal was his eighth of the year, second best on the team.
The rest of the half went Dallas' way and Rodriguez nearly put his side even further ahead with a long-range effort in stoppage time, but Pickens was able to make the save.
Second Half
Despite having played well for the final 25 minutes of the first half, Dallas against started slow and paid the price for even more lethargic defending. Larentowicz's second goal of the night came in the 51st minute off a corner kick from Jamie Smith. The former Revolution man redirected the cross into the net with a strong header. Sala got a hand on the ball but couldn't keep it out.
In the 60th minute Brek Shea got on the field, coming in for Chavez. The recent U.S. national team call-up received a warm reception from his home crowd, but failed to assert himself on the game. Dallas were poor overall and nearly lost the lead in the 67th minute, but an attempt from Cummings was disallowed for offside.
Jeff Cunningham came on for the final 20 minutes of action, but he too failed to provide a spark. Pearce sent a shot inches wide of the post in the 69th minute, but that was as close as Dallas would come to taking the lead again. Cunningham's only real action was receiving a pass from Harris in front of goal and failing to convert, but the play was called back for offside anyways.
Colorado dominated play throughout the game, and if not for the strong defensive play of Loyd, would surely have stolen all three points from the Hoops. Dallas will need a much better performance next week against Real Salt Lake if they want to go level on points with their conference rivals. The Rapids travel to Los Angeles next week to face a Galaxy side who seem to be finding their rhythm once again, which isn't a good sign for the rest of the playoff-bound teams.
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First Half
Dallas usually start slow, but a second minute back pass from Heath Pearce nearly cost them a very early goal. Rookie defender Zach Loyd was there to stop the play, but earned a yellow card for his tackle on Omar Cummings.
It wasn't long before the Rapids capitalized on Dallas' sluggish play. Colorado forward Macoumba Kandji broke free after a Dallas set piece and played across the field to Cummings, who laid the ball off to Larentowicz. The midfielder controlled the ball just outside the 18-yard box and fired on goal, beating FCD keeper Dario Sala on his near post. Sala froze on the play, failing to attempt a save.
After going down a goal, Dallas finally seemed to come alive, and in the 27th minute they equalized through Rodriguez. As with most FCD goals, Ferreira created the chance, playing Pearce down the right touchline. Pearce sent a bending ball to the back post and Atiba Harris sent it clanging off the crossbar. Fortunately for FCD, Rodriguez was able to direct the rebound into the back of the net. The goal was the Colombian's fifth of the season.
Dallas continued to play well and took the lead in the 37th minute. A quick restart by Jair Benitez left the ball at the feet of the in-form Marvin Chavez, who split the Rapids defense with a through-ball to Ferreira. Alone on goal, Ferreira aimed for the back post and neatly finished past Colorado keeper Matt Pickens. Ferreira's goal was his eighth of the year, second best on the team.
The rest of the half went Dallas' way and Rodriguez nearly put his side even further ahead with a long-range effort in stoppage time, but Pickens was able to make the save.
Second Half
Despite having played well for the final 25 minutes of the first half, Dallas against started slow and paid the price for even more lethargic defending. Larentowicz's second goal of the night came in the 51st minute off a corner kick from Jamie Smith. The former Revolution man redirected the cross into the net with a strong header. Sala got a hand on the ball but couldn't keep it out.
In the 60th minute Brek Shea got on the field, coming in for Chavez. The recent U.S. national team call-up received a warm reception from his home crowd, but failed to assert himself on the game. Dallas were poor overall and nearly lost the lead in the 67th minute, but an attempt from Cummings was disallowed for offside.
Jeff Cunningham came on for the final 20 minutes of action, but he too failed to provide a spark. Pearce sent a shot inches wide of the post in the 69th minute, but that was as close as Dallas would come to taking the lead again. Cunningham's only real action was receiving a pass from Harris in front of goal and failing to convert, but the play was called back for offside anyways.
Colorado dominated play throughout the game, and if not for the strong defensive play of Loyd, would surely have stolen all three points from the Hoops. Dallas will need a much better performance next week against Real Salt Lake if they want to go level on points with their conference rivals. The Rapids travel to Los Angeles next week to face a Galaxy side who seem to be finding their rhythm once again, which isn't a good sign for the rest of the playoff-bound teams.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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Top Scorers
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