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MLS: Cooper Brace Takes Care of LA Galaxy
Dallas crushed Los Angeles 4-1 as Kenny Cooper puts in a spectacular swansong performance.
Jul 27, 2008 10:15:17 PM
FC Dallas 4 - 0 Los Angeles Galaxy
In what could be his last game in a Dallas uniform, Kenny Cooper showed exactly why Cardiff City looks set to pay $4 million for his services. Two goals in two devastating first-half minutes highlighted an onslaught that saw FCD outshoot the Galaxy 25-11 and avenge an earlier 5-1 loss to LA.
First Half
On a sweltering hot day, Dallas took the initiative right from the start. Cooper opened the scoring in the 15th minute. After collecting a ball on the right side, he cut toward the middle, pulled a stepover to create space, and lashed a low bouncing shot that beat LA goalkeeper Steve Cronin at the near post. Cronin should’ve done better, but he looked screened just as Cooper pulled the trigger.
Two minutes later, Cooper stole the ball near midfield and played a through pass to Dominic Oduro. The young speedster looked set to go to goal, then cut a pass back toward the middle, where Cooper was waiting to one-time a side-foot shot into the lower left corner for his 11th goal on the season.
In the 36th minute, it was Oduro’s turn. A long high ball found Cooper in the middle of the park, and Cooper dropped it off to Arturo Alvarez. His one-time throughball unleashed Oduro in behind the defense. The Ghanaian easily rounded Cronin and passed the ball into the net.
Second Half
LA, obviously affected by the heat and an uncharacteristically bumpy field, were unable to get much going the entire day. The formidable offensive quartet of Edson Buddle, Carlos Ruiz, David Beckham, and Landon Donovan, in uniform together for only the second start this year, failed to conjure up many chances.
Midway through the second half, Ruiz came closest, hitting post with a header on corner kick. A second corner kick, however, was put wide by Peter Vagenas and whatever momentum was gained in the near-miss was lost.
In the 83rd minute, 20-year-old up-and-comer Eric Avila struck the crossbar with a gorgeous curling shot from about 22 yards. He created the space himself with a quick-footed move, and the shot was targeted for the upper 90. But it hung just high and clanged off the bar.
Two minutes later, the woodwork denied Cooper a hat-trick. Starting on the left side, he drove in toward the center, pulled a stepover to shake his defender, and slammed a right-footed shot off the crossbar.
Finally, in the 89th minute, Abe Thompson put the exclamation point on the proceedings. Given half a yard by the defense, the late substitute swerved a right-footed shot into the side netting from about 22 yards out.
The victory marks the first win for Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman since his hiring last month, and FCD are now just two points behind West leaders Real Salt Lake. Los Angeles have now gone six games without a win but remain tied for second place in the conference.
After the game, Cooper was seen praying on field, perhaps a symbolic farewell to Dallas. Reports around MLS claim a deal is done to send the 23-year-old to Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff City.
Scoring
FCD - Cooper 15’, 17’; Oduro 36’; Thompson 89’
-- Goal.com
In what could be his last game in a Dallas uniform, Kenny Cooper showed exactly why Cardiff City looks set to pay $4 million for his services. Two goals in two devastating first-half minutes highlighted an onslaught that saw FCD outshoot the Galaxy 25-11 and avenge an earlier 5-1 loss to LA.
First Half
On a sweltering hot day, Dallas took the initiative right from the start. Cooper opened the scoring in the 15th minute. After collecting a ball on the right side, he cut toward the middle, pulled a stepover to create space, and lashed a low bouncing shot that beat LA goalkeeper Steve Cronin at the near post. Cronin should’ve done better, but he looked screened just as Cooper pulled the trigger.
Two minutes later, Cooper stole the ball near midfield and played a through pass to Dominic Oduro. The young speedster looked set to go to goal, then cut a pass back toward the middle, where Cooper was waiting to one-time a side-foot shot into the lower left corner for his 11th goal on the season.
In the 36th minute, it was Oduro’s turn. A long high ball found Cooper in the middle of the park, and Cooper dropped it off to Arturo Alvarez. His one-time throughball unleashed Oduro in behind the defense. The Ghanaian easily rounded Cronin and passed the ball into the net.
Second Half
LA, obviously affected by the heat and an uncharacteristically bumpy field, were unable to get much going the entire day. The formidable offensive quartet of Edson Buddle, Carlos Ruiz, David Beckham, and Landon Donovan, in uniform together for only the second start this year, failed to conjure up many chances.
Midway through the second half, Ruiz came closest, hitting post with a header on corner kick. A second corner kick, however, was put wide by Peter Vagenas and whatever momentum was gained in the near-miss was lost.
In the 83rd minute, 20-year-old up-and-comer Eric Avila struck the crossbar with a gorgeous curling shot from about 22 yards. He created the space himself with a quick-footed move, and the shot was targeted for the upper 90. But it hung just high and clanged off the bar.
Two minutes later, the woodwork denied Cooper a hat-trick. Starting on the left side, he drove in toward the center, pulled a stepover to shake his defender, and slammed a right-footed shot off the crossbar.
Finally, in the 89th minute, Abe Thompson put the exclamation point on the proceedings. Given half a yard by the defense, the late substitute swerved a right-footed shot into the side netting from about 22 yards out.
The victory marks the first win for Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman since his hiring last month, and FCD are now just two points behind West leaders Real Salt Lake. Los Angeles have now gone six games without a win but remain tied for second place in the conference.
After the game, Cooper was seen praying on field, perhaps a symbolic farewell to Dallas. Reports around MLS claim a deal is done to send the 23-year-old to Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff City.
Scoring
FCD - Cooper 15’, 17’; Oduro 36’; Thompson 89’
-- Goal.com
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