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Late Goals Lift Dallas To Victory Over Crew
FC Dallas shocked the Columbus Crew 2-1 with late goals from Eric Avila and Kenny Cooper.
Jun 21, 2009 2:15:26 AM
FC Dallas stunned the defending Major League Soccer champions with two late goals, helping them win their third of the season. A brilliant goal from Eric Avila and a penalty from Kenny Cooper quickly erased Columbus’ early lead.
Entering tonight’s match at 4-2-7, the Columbus Crew were on a nine-game unbeaten run. In their last match, Guillermo Barros Schelotto tallied two goals in Columbus’ thrilling 2-1 victory over Chivas USA, making him the top-scorer in the MLS.
Contrarily, FC Dallas were sensing their season slipping away. Last week, they surrendered a disappointing 3-1 loss to their rivals, the Houston Dynamo, giving them a 2-7-4 record. The loss ended what had been a month-long unbeaten streak of their own.
Though his Dallas side could not beat Houston last week using a 4-5-1 formation, Schellas Hyndman opted to use to the midfield-heavy setup once more. Robert Warzycha, on the other hand, chose a traditional 4-4-2 arrangement with reigning-MVP Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno up front.
First Half
The first ten minutes of the match saw both sides weighing each other up, as a failure to create any opportunities forced them to vie for possession.
The first real chance of the match came for Dallas in the 12th minute when defender Anthony Wallace attempted a strong left-footer from about 25 yards out. His shot sailed wide left. Regardless, Dallas seemed poised to control the tempo of the match.
Like last week’s match against Houston, however, Dallas would give up another surprising early goal to their guests in the 17th minute. Schelotto sent in a precise corner which was headed in by Eric Brunner. Brunner played the cross well as he streaked in on goal, beating two defenders, and sent the ball across the face of the goal to the far post. Though headed in by Brunner, the ball hit off of Dallas defender Pablo Ricchetti and counted as an own goal.
Dallas recovered, however, and attempted to pull level in the following minutes. In the 23rd, Kenny Cooper took a hard shot from outside the box, which Crew 'keeper Andy Gruenebaum barely got his finger tips on, sending it to the post and out of play. The ensuing corner provided Dallas with multiple chances to score, including a shot by Andre Rocha, who tried to volley in a pass from Dax McCarty.
Trying to find some insurance before the half, Columbus almost doubled their lead in the 30th minute off of a corner from Schelotto. The Crew’s captain sent in a strong cross that was volleyed on goal by Chad Marshall at point blank range, yet played right into the gloves of Dallas 'keeper Ray Burse.
Dallas had opportunities to even the score, yet they could not capitalize. In the 32nd minute, Marcelo Saragosa had an impressive run down the right side and found himself in the box with only one man to beat. Instead of trying to gain some space and put the ball on goal, Saragosa chose to play the ball in, which was intercepted by Columbus. Then, in the 37th, McCarty took a hard shot on goal from outside the box off of a pass from David Ferreira which sailed wide right.
Though Dallas was able to force a few chances, Columbus led 1-0 at halftime.
Second Half
Dallas began to outclass their opponents before the second half even began. Hyndman decided to sub in Brek Shea, who impressed last week against Houston, for Saragosa during halftime. Though not a formation change, Shea’s presence on the attack proved invaluable for Dallas as the half progressed. Columbus opted to stay with their existing lineup, hoping it would deliver their fifth win of the season.
The second half started the same way the first half did, as both sides were able to generate opportunities through fluid passing, yet failed to convert on them. Columbus started the action in the 46th minute when a long Gino Padula cross found the head of Moreno, who sent the ball past the far post. Then, in the 50th minute, Moreno set up Robbie Rogers, who volleyed over the goal.
Nine minutes later, the Crew almost gave up an own goal when a cross from Dave Van den Bergh was cleared dangerously over the crossbar off the head of Padula.
A sub by Dallas in the 65th minute of Jeff Cunningham for Van den Bergh quickly shifted Dallas into an attack-oriented scheme, which would eventually pay off.
In the 69th minute, Shea found Cooper just a few yards from goal giving Dallas another chance to score. With his back to the net and unable to find space, Cooper had no support and lost the ball.
Six minutes later, Cunningham sped down the right side, yet he would eventually lose the ball to Padula. However, a failed clearance by Columbus gave the ball right back to Cunningham, but his shot was deflected out.
Despite their failed chances on the field, Dallas was making all of the right moves tactically. In the 76th minute, Eric Avila was subbed in for Anthony Wallace, providing the Hoops with some attacking flair.
Avila immediately made his presence felt in the 80th minute when he scored a brilliant right-footer for Dallas, leveling the score. Avila secured possession about 30 yards from goal on the left side and, after making a slight cut to the right to free himself from the defense, sent in a bending shot over Gruenebaum into the top-right corner of the net. The goal was Avila’s first ever in MLS.
Certainly energized from the goal, Dallas looked determined to score another and shock the defending champions, which they did just six minutes later.
Dallas scored their second off of a Cooper penalty, however it was the wonderful play by super-subs Shea and Avila which set up the goal. Shea took control of the ball near midfield and briskly advanced towards goal. Under pressure, Shea performed his own version of the Marseilles turn and then fed the ball to Avila, who was right outside the box. Avila immediately passed the ball in to Ferreira, who was then taken down by Marshall in the box. Cooper took the penalty and beat Gruenebaum, putting Dallas in front 2-1.
Shocked from Dallas’ late comeback and winded from the unrelenting Texas heat, Columbus could not salvage a late goal. The final score was 2-1 in favor of FC Dallas.
Tonight’s victory keeps Dallas (now 3-7-4) in the playoff hunt, even though they only sit one point above last place San Jose, who beat Los Angeles earlier today. The Hoops look to improve their record on the road against Colorado this Wednesday.
With tonight’s loss, Columbus (now 4-3-7) are still only four points off Chicago, who lead the Eastern Conference. The Crew have a week to rest for their home match against New York Red Bulls next Saturday.
Greg Adrouny, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer visit Goal.com's MLS page.
Entering tonight’s match at 4-2-7, the Columbus Crew were on a nine-game unbeaten run. In their last match, Guillermo Barros Schelotto tallied two goals in Columbus’ thrilling 2-1 victory over Chivas USA, making him the top-scorer in the MLS.
Contrarily, FC Dallas were sensing their season slipping away. Last week, they surrendered a disappointing 3-1 loss to their rivals, the Houston Dynamo, giving them a 2-7-4 record. The loss ended what had been a month-long unbeaten streak of their own.
Though his Dallas side could not beat Houston last week using a 4-5-1 formation, Schellas Hyndman opted to use to the midfield-heavy setup once more. Robert Warzycha, on the other hand, chose a traditional 4-4-2 arrangement with reigning-MVP Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno up front.
First Half
The first ten minutes of the match saw both sides weighing each other up, as a failure to create any opportunities forced them to vie for possession.
The first real chance of the match came for Dallas in the 12th minute when defender Anthony Wallace attempted a strong left-footer from about 25 yards out. His shot sailed wide left. Regardless, Dallas seemed poised to control the tempo of the match.
Like last week’s match against Houston, however, Dallas would give up another surprising early goal to their guests in the 17th minute. Schelotto sent in a precise corner which was headed in by Eric Brunner. Brunner played the cross well as he streaked in on goal, beating two defenders, and sent the ball across the face of the goal to the far post. Though headed in by Brunner, the ball hit off of Dallas defender Pablo Ricchetti and counted as an own goal.
Dallas recovered, however, and attempted to pull level in the following minutes. In the 23rd, Kenny Cooper took a hard shot from outside the box, which Crew 'keeper Andy Gruenebaum barely got his finger tips on, sending it to the post and out of play. The ensuing corner provided Dallas with multiple chances to score, including a shot by Andre Rocha, who tried to volley in a pass from Dax McCarty.
Trying to find some insurance before the half, Columbus almost doubled their lead in the 30th minute off of a corner from Schelotto. The Crew’s captain sent in a strong cross that was volleyed on goal by Chad Marshall at point blank range, yet played right into the gloves of Dallas 'keeper Ray Burse.
Dallas had opportunities to even the score, yet they could not capitalize. In the 32nd minute, Marcelo Saragosa had an impressive run down the right side and found himself in the box with only one man to beat. Instead of trying to gain some space and put the ball on goal, Saragosa chose to play the ball in, which was intercepted by Columbus. Then, in the 37th, McCarty took a hard shot on goal from outside the box off of a pass from David Ferreira which sailed wide right.
Though Dallas was able to force a few chances, Columbus led 1-0 at halftime.
Second Half
Dallas began to outclass their opponents before the second half even began. Hyndman decided to sub in Brek Shea, who impressed last week against Houston, for Saragosa during halftime. Though not a formation change, Shea’s presence on the attack proved invaluable for Dallas as the half progressed. Columbus opted to stay with their existing lineup, hoping it would deliver their fifth win of the season.
The second half started the same way the first half did, as both sides were able to generate opportunities through fluid passing, yet failed to convert on them. Columbus started the action in the 46th minute when a long Gino Padula cross found the head of Moreno, who sent the ball past the far post. Then, in the 50th minute, Moreno set up Robbie Rogers, who volleyed over the goal.
Nine minutes later, the Crew almost gave up an own goal when a cross from Dave Van den Bergh was cleared dangerously over the crossbar off the head of Padula.
A sub by Dallas in the 65th minute of Jeff Cunningham for Van den Bergh quickly shifted Dallas into an attack-oriented scheme, which would eventually pay off.
In the 69th minute, Shea found Cooper just a few yards from goal giving Dallas another chance to score. With his back to the net and unable to find space, Cooper had no support and lost the ball.
Six minutes later, Cunningham sped down the right side, yet he would eventually lose the ball to Padula. However, a failed clearance by Columbus gave the ball right back to Cunningham, but his shot was deflected out.
Despite their failed chances on the field, Dallas was making all of the right moves tactically. In the 76th minute, Eric Avila was subbed in for Anthony Wallace, providing the Hoops with some attacking flair.
Avila immediately made his presence felt in the 80th minute when he scored a brilliant right-footer for Dallas, leveling the score. Avila secured possession about 30 yards from goal on the left side and, after making a slight cut to the right to free himself from the defense, sent in a bending shot over Gruenebaum into the top-right corner of the net. The goal was Avila’s first ever in MLS.
Certainly energized from the goal, Dallas looked determined to score another and shock the defending champions, which they did just six minutes later.
Dallas scored their second off of a Cooper penalty, however it was the wonderful play by super-subs Shea and Avila which set up the goal. Shea took control of the ball near midfield and briskly advanced towards goal. Under pressure, Shea performed his own version of the Marseilles turn and then fed the ball to Avila, who was right outside the box. Avila immediately passed the ball in to Ferreira, who was then taken down by Marshall in the box. Cooper took the penalty and beat Gruenebaum, putting Dallas in front 2-1.
Shocked from Dallas’ late comeback and winded from the unrelenting Texas heat, Columbus could not salvage a late goal. The final score was 2-1 in favor of FC Dallas.
Tonight’s victory keeps Dallas (now 3-7-4) in the playoff hunt, even though they only sit one point above last place San Jose, who beat Los Angeles earlier today. The Hoops look to improve their record on the road against Colorado this Wednesday.
With tonight’s loss, Columbus (now 4-3-7) are still only four points off Chicago, who lead the Eastern Conference. The Crew have a week to rest for their home match against New York Red Bulls next Saturday.
Greg Adrouny, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer visit Goal.com's MLS page.
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