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| FC Dallas has two more games in the MLS regular season |
CARSON, Calif. -- FC Dallas withstood a second-half offensive onslaught from Chivas USA to escape with a crucial road point and a 1-1 draw at the Home Depot Center Sunday night.
The visiting Dallas side took an early lead, scoring in just the eighth minute of the match. Jair Benitez played a long ball over the top to David Ferreira. The Colombian midfielder took a couple of touches before shooting from the top corner of the 18-yard box. Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy got a glove on it, redirecting the attempt wide, but Blas Pérez was on the other side of Kennedy to pick up the rebound for a 1-0 Dallas lead.
Chivas USA nearly evened it up in the 17th minute when Jorge Villafaña beat his marker on the left side and crossed the ball into the box. Kevin Hartman came off his line to punch the ball out, only the rebound fell to Miller Bolaños who sent a header back towards the empty goal. Fortunately for Dallas, defender Hernan Pertuz hustled to cover the net and biked Bolanos’ sure goal off the line.
Juan Pablo Angel came on for the home side to start the second half and immediately sparked the attack. Hartman kept the Goats at bay with repeated quality saves. He finished with seven on the night, including a leaping, fingertip reaction save in the 66th minute on one of Angel’s seven shots.
However, the steady pressure eventually paid off for the home side as they managed to pull one back in the 69th minute. Bolaños played a little give and go with Peter Vagenas on the right side before crossing the ball across the floor of the box. The pass found the feet of Villafana at the far post who had no trouble finishing the opportunity.
FC Dallas is now 9-12-11 with 38 points and just two regular-season matches remaining. The Dallas side is four points behind fifth place Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
FC Dallas – Kevin Hartman, Jair Benitez (George John 60), Hernan Pertuz, Matt Hedges, Zach Loyd, Ricardo Villar (Carlos Rodriguez 68), Julian de Guzman, David Ferreira, Andrew Jacobson, Fabian Castillo (Scott Sealy 79), Blas Perez
Substitutes: Richard Sanchez, James Marcelin, Daniel Hernandez, Bryan Leyva.
Chivas USA – Dan Kennedy, Ante Jazic, Bobby Burling, James Riley, Shalrie Joseph, Peter Vagenas, Nick LaBrocca (Alejandro Moreno 84), Jorge Villafana, Miller Bolanos (Laurent Courtois 80), Jose Correa (Juan Pablo Angel 45), Juan Agudelo.
Substitutes: John Valencia, Marco Delgado Patrick McLain, Cesar Romero.