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Played
October 16, 2010 9:05 PM EDT
Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy, Utah
Referee: B. Toledo
Attendance: 20236
October 16, 2010 9:05 PM EDT
Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy, Utah
Referee: B. Toledo
Attendance: 20236
Top of the Match
Ned Grabavoy
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Javier Morales
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Flop of the Match
Dario Sala
FC Dallas
FC Dallas
Heath Pearce
FC Dallas
FC Dallas
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Real Salt Lake 2-0 FC Dallas: Hoops' Unbeaten Streak Finally Snapped
By Jeremy Horton
SANDY, Utah -- Ned Grabavoy scored his third goal of the season while his defense managed to pitch its league-best 14th shutout of the season, leading Real Salt Lake to a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas in front of an all-time record 20,236 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Javier Morales iced the game late for Salt Lake in this battle of almost-certain first-round playoff foes.
First Half
The game was choppy for the first 10 minutes as both squads tried unsuccessfully to stake a claim upon ownership of the midfield. Little possession resulted in few chances, the lone exception being a long-range effort by Hoops midfielder Daniel Hernandez off a David Ferreira corner in the ninth minute. Hernandez’ low shot was easily scooped up by Nick Rimando.
Salt Lake didn’t wake up from their early funk until 20 minutes had gone by. After some dangerous combination play earned a corner for RSL, Morales swung the dead ball into the box where Alvaro Saborio got up for a free header. But his header nailed George John in the face, saving a goal for FC Dallas.
In the 29th minute, Will Johnson decided to try his luck from distance after a Hoops turnover at midfield. With goalkeeper Dario Sala playing well off his line, Johnson’s decision to try to catch Sala napping was a good one, but his shot missed just wide. Real kept applying the pressure, and in the next two minutes, Johnson and Saborio both had excellent chances to score but ended up missing the target by inches.
Second Half
Dallas had the first good chance coming out of the locker room as substitute Jeff Cunningham found some space at the top of the penalty area, trapped a ball with his back to the goal, and turned and volleyed. But his shot was just high, temporarily denying him the record-setting goal he is searching for.
RSL had better control of the game for the next period, but against the run of play the Hoops had their best chance of the match. A bad turnover by Johnson left Nat Borchers solo dealing with Ferreira and Cunningham running at goal. Cunningham got off an open shot 12 yards from goal, but Rimando made an outstanding save to keep the game scoreless.
Salt Lake kept the pressure on, and it paid off as they managed to break the ice in the 59th minute. With Dallas dropping back on defense, Robbie Russell flicked a chip over the defense from the right side with the outside of his right foot. Grabavoy made a darting run through the defense and nodded a hopeful header in the direction of the goal. Sala had started off his line to collect the chip but found himself caught in no man’s land and the ball looped over his head into the unprotected net to give RSL the 1-0 lead.
After Real took the lead, the game opened up dramatically as the two teams went end to end at a near-frantic pace. Both teams had dangerous attacks, but neither one even managed a good shot until the 90th minute. In the 90th, Robbie Findley got loose up the left side of the defense and played a perfectly-centered ball back to the penalty spot where Morales was unmarked. Morales one-timed the ball past the helpless Sala to give Salt Lake the final 2-0 scoreline.
FC Dallas wrap up the regular season next weekend with a road game at league-leading LA Galaxy. Salt Lake wrap up CONCACAF Champions League group play at home on Tuesday against Cruz Azul before traveling to Colorado for their final MLS regular season contest on Saturday.
For the latest insider info on all things RSL, follow Jeremy on Twitter @RSL_Jeremy
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
First Half
The game was choppy for the first 10 minutes as both squads tried unsuccessfully to stake a claim upon ownership of the midfield. Little possession resulted in few chances, the lone exception being a long-range effort by Hoops midfielder Daniel Hernandez off a David Ferreira corner in the ninth minute. Hernandez’ low shot was easily scooped up by Nick Rimando.
Salt Lake didn’t wake up from their early funk until 20 minutes had gone by. After some dangerous combination play earned a corner for RSL, Morales swung the dead ball into the box where Alvaro Saborio got up for a free header. But his header nailed George John in the face, saving a goal for FC Dallas.
In the 29th minute, Will Johnson decided to try his luck from distance after a Hoops turnover at midfield. With goalkeeper Dario Sala playing well off his line, Johnson’s decision to try to catch Sala napping was a good one, but his shot missed just wide. Real kept applying the pressure, and in the next two minutes, Johnson and Saborio both had excellent chances to score but ended up missing the target by inches.
Second Half
Dallas had the first good chance coming out of the locker room as substitute Jeff Cunningham found some space at the top of the penalty area, trapped a ball with his back to the goal, and turned and volleyed. But his shot was just high, temporarily denying him the record-setting goal he is searching for.
RSL had better control of the game for the next period, but against the run of play the Hoops had their best chance of the match. A bad turnover by Johnson left Nat Borchers solo dealing with Ferreira and Cunningham running at goal. Cunningham got off an open shot 12 yards from goal, but Rimando made an outstanding save to keep the game scoreless.
Salt Lake kept the pressure on, and it paid off as they managed to break the ice in the 59th minute. With Dallas dropping back on defense, Robbie Russell flicked a chip over the defense from the right side with the outside of his right foot. Grabavoy made a darting run through the defense and nodded a hopeful header in the direction of the goal. Sala had started off his line to collect the chip but found himself caught in no man’s land and the ball looped over his head into the unprotected net to give RSL the 1-0 lead.
After Real took the lead, the game opened up dramatically as the two teams went end to end at a near-frantic pace. Both teams had dangerous attacks, but neither one even managed a good shot until the 90th minute. In the 90th, Robbie Findley got loose up the left side of the defense and played a perfectly-centered ball back to the penalty spot where Morales was unmarked. Morales one-timed the ball past the helpless Sala to give Salt Lake the final 2-0 scoreline.
FC Dallas wrap up the regular season next weekend with a road game at league-leading LA Galaxy. Salt Lake wrap up CONCACAF Champions League group play at home on Tuesday against Cruz Azul before traveling to Colorado for their final MLS regular season contest on Saturday.
For the latest insider info on all things RSL, follow Jeremy on Twitter @RSL_Jeremy
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 |