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Played
May 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT
FC Dallas Stadium — Frisco, Texas
Referee: D. Gantar
Attendance: 10550
May 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT
FC Dallas Stadium — Frisco, Texas
Referee: D. Gantar
Attendance: 10550
Real Salt Lake 0-0 FC Dallas: Real Salt Lake failed to capitalize on its possession dominance
Lightning was the only thing that struck in scoreless draw as Real Salt Lake couldn't pull out a win despite controlling possession.
By Jeremy Horton
Getty
Real Salt Lake controlled 65 percent of the possession but FC Dallas had a 10-4 advantage in shots as the two teams played to a scoreless draw at Pizza Hut Park. The stalemate gave RSL its sixth shutout in eight MLS matches this season, and represented the first point ever earned in Dallas by the franchise in 10 tries (0-9-1 all time). The game was interrupted in the 83rd minute for a lightning delay that lasted 112 minutes.
First Half
Only five minutes into the match, FC Dallas had one of its trademark counterattacks that nearly gave it the lead. After a good look by Alvaro Saborio was blocked, Dallas took off on the counter, which resulted in Marvin Chavez taking a shot from the right side of the penalty area. But his shot rolled past the left post, and no one from Dallas could reach the ball to poke it home.
RSL had its first promising chance in the 11th minute. After a dangerous cross from Ned Grabavoy was knocked out for a corner, the ball in from Andy Williams bounced out to Will Johnson who rocked one on goal. But Kevin Hartman made a good reaction and punched Johnson’s shot away to keep Real off the board.
Dallas had its best chance of the half in the 25th minute. George John had a half-chance off a cross from Chavez that he managed to poke on frame. Screened by bodies in the box, goalkeeper Nick Rimando got a late jump on the shot and made a spectacular diving save, diving to his upper left corner to deny Dallas an opening goal.
Second Half
Dallas had a bright start to the second half, and it nearly scored again in the 47th minute. A deep run by Dallas resulted in the ball being laid off for Eric Alexander, who curled a shot toward the top of the goal. Rimando was up to the task, though, making a leaping save to knock the ball over the crossbar.
In the 59th minute, Daniel Hernandez came close to opening Dallas’ account on a set piece from 25 yards. He ripped a low, hard shot to the left of the RSL wall, but it missed the far post by a few inches.
Real did not play well in the second half and couldn’t generate many chances as it was clearly fatigued. The club's best chance came in the 72nd minute off a dangerous free kick from 19 yards. Andy Williams took the shot, but it was a weak effort and deflected off the wall.
But Salt Lake got a gift from Mother Nature in the 83rd minute. As the visitors were clearly beginning to run out of gas thanks to the famous Dallas heat and humidity, a lightning storm forced the match to be suspended for 112 minutes, giving the visitors some precious time to rest and hydrate before resuming the last few minutes of the match.
Reenergized after the break, Salt Lake made one last try to steal all three points. In the 88th minute, RSL had a long free kick, and Kyle Beckerman noticed Hartman cheating way off his line, expecting a cross into the box. Instead of crossing, Beckerman took a shot to the near post. Hartman was just able to get back to his line to push the ball out for a corner, and the scoreless draw was sealed.
Ironically, both of these teams will have the same opponent in their next match. FC Dallas will visit Seattle for a midweek match against the Sounders on Wednesday. Then the Sounders will head to Sandy on Saturday to take on Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium.
For the latest insider info on all things RSL, follow Jeremy on Twitter @RSL_Jeremy
First Half
Only five minutes into the match, FC Dallas had one of its trademark counterattacks that nearly gave it the lead. After a good look by Alvaro Saborio was blocked, Dallas took off on the counter, which resulted in Marvin Chavez taking a shot from the right side of the penalty area. But his shot rolled past the left post, and no one from Dallas could reach the ball to poke it home.
RSL had its first promising chance in the 11th minute. After a dangerous cross from Ned Grabavoy was knocked out for a corner, the ball in from Andy Williams bounced out to Will Johnson who rocked one on goal. But Kevin Hartman made a good reaction and punched Johnson’s shot away to keep Real off the board.
Dallas had its best chance of the half in the 25th minute. George John had a half-chance off a cross from Chavez that he managed to poke on frame. Screened by bodies in the box, goalkeeper Nick Rimando got a late jump on the shot and made a spectacular diving save, diving to his upper left corner to deny Dallas an opening goal.
Second Half
Dallas had a bright start to the second half, and it nearly scored again in the 47th minute. A deep run by Dallas resulted in the ball being laid off for Eric Alexander, who curled a shot toward the top of the goal. Rimando was up to the task, though, making a leaping save to knock the ball over the crossbar.
In the 59th minute, Daniel Hernandez came close to opening Dallas’ account on a set piece from 25 yards. He ripped a low, hard shot to the left of the RSL wall, but it missed the far post by a few inches.
Real did not play well in the second half and couldn’t generate many chances as it was clearly fatigued. The club's best chance came in the 72nd minute off a dangerous free kick from 19 yards. Andy Williams took the shot, but it was a weak effort and deflected off the wall.
But Salt Lake got a gift from Mother Nature in the 83rd minute. As the visitors were clearly beginning to run out of gas thanks to the famous Dallas heat and humidity, a lightning storm forced the match to be suspended for 112 minutes, giving the visitors some precious time to rest and hydrate before resuming the last few minutes of the match.
Reenergized after the break, Salt Lake made one last try to steal all three points. In the 88th minute, RSL had a long free kick, and Kyle Beckerman noticed Hartman cheating way off his line, expecting a cross into the box. Instead of crossing, Beckerman took a shot to the near post. Hartman was just able to get back to his line to push the ball out for a corner, and the scoreless draw was sealed.
Ironically, both of these teams will have the same opponent in their next match. FC Dallas will visit Seattle for a midweek match against the Sounders on Wednesday. Then the Sounders will head to Sandy on Saturday to take on Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium.
For the latest insider info on all things RSL, follow Jeremy on Twitter @RSL_Jeremy
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Match News
Top Scorers
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|---|---|---|---|
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Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
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