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Wild Affair Ends With 4-2 Win Over Dallas By RSL
The win came thanks to four second half goals for the hosts.
Jul 25, 2009 3:18:54 AM
SANDY, Utah--Real Salt Lake managed to come from behind with a 4-2 victory over the visiting FC Dallas after a two goal deficit opened in the first half. It was a scrappy, wild match that saw six goals, seven yellow cards, two red cards, two penalty kicks, and one saved PK. This game had it all. The game winner turned out to be an own goal; however, second half substitute Yura Movsisyan added an insurance goal just before full time.
First Half
It was FC Dallas’ defense that appeared shaky and unorganized in this one early. In the 11th minute, forward Fabian Espindola looked set to take advantage of that. Teammate Robbie Findley played a nicely weighted ball into space to Espindola on the left. The Argentine had time to measure the shot and let the ball settle, but his blast went wide of the near post.
Former Real Salt Lake striker Jeff Cunningham gave Dallas the initial lead in the 13th minute with strong individual effort as he dispossessed midfielder Will Johnson just outside of the box and used his strength to hold off the Canadian. Cunningham then managed to get a shot off around defender Nat Borchers and past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who was left flat-footed.
Dallas continued to press all over the field and it paid off again in the 21st minute, as Van den Bergh scored for a 2-0 lead. Dallas capitalized on another turnover and moved the ball quickly upfield. RSL defender Jamison Olave blocked Cunningham’s initial pass attempt, but the ball ended up back at Cunningham’s feet. He laid the ball off to the right side to David Ferreira who was wide open. Ferreira quickly moved the ball back across the goal mouth to the left side of the goal where midfielder Dave Van den Bergh easily put it away past a helpless Rimando.
In the 37th minute, Cunningham nearly put another one away after a free kick from Van den Bergh. The ball hit the ground just in front of Cunningham, who got a shot off, but it clinked off of the upright.
Overall, Real Salt Lake played poorly in the first half, while Dallas created numerous chances and scored twice.
Second Half
Each team brought on a substitution at the start of the half, as veteran defender Danny Torres came on for Dallas, and Movsisyan came on for Real Salt Lake. The addition of Movsisyan would produce huge dividends.
In the 56th minute, Movsisyan received a pass from playmaker Javier Morales. He timed the run perfectly and managed to get well past the nearest defender. As goalkeeper Ray Burse came out to meet the play, he easily put the ball around him and into the net.
Four minutes later, Espindola had the ball on the left flank and delivered a nice cross to the far post. Findley came out of nowhere, charging toward the ball at full speed. He appeared set to attempt a header when Dallas defender Jair Benitez took him down just right of the goal mouth. The referee pointed immediately to the spot.
Findley jumped up to take the PK. He put the ball low and to the right with a nice bend on the ball. Burse guessed correctly, but still couldn’t get a hand on the well struck ball.
The equalizer, and the importance of the match to both teams, ratcheted the intensity up from that point on. There were five yellow cards and two red cards issued over the final 30 minutes.
In the 70th minute a hand ball was called on Chris Wingert after a free kick. Cunningham stepped up to the spot for the penalty and confidently hit a powerful ball to the lower right of the goal. Rimando dove the right direction and managed to get both hands on it for the crucial save.
Shortly after the save, RSL coach Jason Kreis received a red card for verbal abuse of the fourth official as he was unhappy with the call on the penalty kick.
In the 78th minute, Findley appeared to have everyone beat as he was set to blow by the defense with his pace, but Dallas’ veteran defender Pablo Richetti took a professional foul as he brought Findley down on the play. The captain received a yellow card for his efforts, but likely saved a good scoring chance.
The game winner came in the 88th minute. Morales received the ball in open space running towards the final third. He laid off the ball to a wide open Espindola on the right. Espindola launched a cross which appeared to hit the trailing foot of Torres on its downward flight, and the deflection knocked the ball past Burse and into the net for an own goal.
A couple of minutes into stoppage play, Movsisyan gave RSL the insurance goal on a similar play to his first strike. His speed propelled him past the defense, and he pulled Burse out off his line toward the left side of the goal and then placed a well hit shot past the keeper and into the net.
The turnaround in Real Salt Lake’s play in the second half was remarkable, and much needed. According to midfielder Clint Mathis, the change came about out of necessity.
"It’s about getting commitment from all of your guys," he commented. "We were embarrassed in the first half."
The win takes Real Salt Lake to 23 points on the season with a 6-7-5 record. They next play at Chicago. FC Dallas remains at 17 points on the season, with a 4-9-5 record. They have Kansas City at home next week.
Randy Davis covers Real Salt Lake for Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
First Half
It was FC Dallas’ defense that appeared shaky and unorganized in this one early. In the 11th minute, forward Fabian Espindola looked set to take advantage of that. Teammate Robbie Findley played a nicely weighted ball into space to Espindola on the left. The Argentine had time to measure the shot and let the ball settle, but his blast went wide of the near post.
Former Real Salt Lake striker Jeff Cunningham gave Dallas the initial lead in the 13th minute with strong individual effort as he dispossessed midfielder Will Johnson just outside of the box and used his strength to hold off the Canadian. Cunningham then managed to get a shot off around defender Nat Borchers and past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who was left flat-footed.
Dallas continued to press all over the field and it paid off again in the 21st minute, as Van den Bergh scored for a 2-0 lead. Dallas capitalized on another turnover and moved the ball quickly upfield. RSL defender Jamison Olave blocked Cunningham’s initial pass attempt, but the ball ended up back at Cunningham’s feet. He laid the ball off to the right side to David Ferreira who was wide open. Ferreira quickly moved the ball back across the goal mouth to the left side of the goal where midfielder Dave Van den Bergh easily put it away past a helpless Rimando.
In the 37th minute, Cunningham nearly put another one away after a free kick from Van den Bergh. The ball hit the ground just in front of Cunningham, who got a shot off, but it clinked off of the upright.
Overall, Real Salt Lake played poorly in the first half, while Dallas created numerous chances and scored twice.
Second Half
Each team brought on a substitution at the start of the half, as veteran defender Danny Torres came on for Dallas, and Movsisyan came on for Real Salt Lake. The addition of Movsisyan would produce huge dividends.
In the 56th minute, Movsisyan received a pass from playmaker Javier Morales. He timed the run perfectly and managed to get well past the nearest defender. As goalkeeper Ray Burse came out to meet the play, he easily put the ball around him and into the net.
Four minutes later, Espindola had the ball on the left flank and delivered a nice cross to the far post. Findley came out of nowhere, charging toward the ball at full speed. He appeared set to attempt a header when Dallas defender Jair Benitez took him down just right of the goal mouth. The referee pointed immediately to the spot.
Findley jumped up to take the PK. He put the ball low and to the right with a nice bend on the ball. Burse guessed correctly, but still couldn’t get a hand on the well struck ball.
The equalizer, and the importance of the match to both teams, ratcheted the intensity up from that point on. There were five yellow cards and two red cards issued over the final 30 minutes.
In the 70th minute a hand ball was called on Chris Wingert after a free kick. Cunningham stepped up to the spot for the penalty and confidently hit a powerful ball to the lower right of the goal. Rimando dove the right direction and managed to get both hands on it for the crucial save.
Shortly after the save, RSL coach Jason Kreis received a red card for verbal abuse of the fourth official as he was unhappy with the call on the penalty kick.
In the 78th minute, Findley appeared to have everyone beat as he was set to blow by the defense with his pace, but Dallas’ veteran defender Pablo Richetti took a professional foul as he brought Findley down on the play. The captain received a yellow card for his efforts, but likely saved a good scoring chance.
The game winner came in the 88th minute. Morales received the ball in open space running towards the final third. He laid off the ball to a wide open Espindola on the right. Espindola launched a cross which appeared to hit the trailing foot of Torres on its downward flight, and the deflection knocked the ball past Burse and into the net for an own goal.
A couple of minutes into stoppage play, Movsisyan gave RSL the insurance goal on a similar play to his first strike. His speed propelled him past the defense, and he pulled Burse out off his line toward the left side of the goal and then placed a well hit shot past the keeper and into the net.
The turnaround in Real Salt Lake’s play in the second half was remarkable, and much needed. According to midfielder Clint Mathis, the change came about out of necessity.
"It’s about getting commitment from all of your guys," he commented. "We were embarrassed in the first half."
The win takes Real Salt Lake to 23 points on the season with a 6-7-5 record. They next play at Chicago. FC Dallas remains at 17 points on the season, with a 4-9-5 record. They have Kansas City at home next week.
Randy Davis covers Real Salt Lake for Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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