After dominating the first half, FC Dallas were able to overcome a second-half equalizer and snatch a 2-1 victory against Chivas USA on Wednesday evening at the Cotton Bowl.
Roberto Mina gave FC Dallas a deserved first-half lead with an early goal, but Matt Taylor pulled Chivas level just after the halftime break. Then after being out-played much of the second half, rookie Abe Thompson scored the game winner with just 10 minutes to play.
FC Dallas overpowered Chivas USA for much of the first half as Arturo Alvarez and Mina both created many dangerous chances.
Oscar Pareja was given a rare starting role in midfield and he was the best player on the field in the first half, threading the needle with several dangerous through balls. The Hoops outshot Chivas USA 12-4 in the half.
Mina capitalized on one of Pareja's passes in the 18th minute, running onto his through ball and clinically beating Chivas 'keeper Brad Guzan for the game's first goal.
David Wagenfuhr was a force himself, sprinting up and down the left sideline pushing into attack. He had nearly found Mina himself, but his effort was blocked.
Dallas created many more chances than Chivas USA in the first half but were unable to convert, and that would come back to haunt them in the second half.
Out of the break, Chivas came out with a renewed spirit and struck quickly. A great pass from Hector Cuadros found Taylor wide open, and he beat FCD keeper Scott Garlick in the 48th minute. The goal was the first for Taylor with Chivas USA and the fourth of the second-year striker's career.
Momentum was clearly with Chivas, as the crisp passing and hard work of the first half began to fade for the home side. Taylor kept the pressure on, nearly connecting in the 51st minute on a nice cross to the back post, but sent it wide.
Then Chivas USA substitute Antonio Martinez added an extra spark to his team as he penetrated a tiring FC Dallas defense. In the 72nd minute he beat his man down the line and nearly beat Garlick, but saw his shot bounce off the 'keeper's chest and cleared out of play.
Chivas kept FCD on their heels for long stretches of the second half as their physical play and improved passing became more dangerous.
FC Dallas coach Colin Clarke was then forced into a change, as Mina was involved in a tough tackle with Douglas Sequeira and had to leave the game injured. That brought on rookie Thompson -- and he quickly made an impact.
Though a rookie, Thompson has seen plenty of action and nearly scored just minutes after entering the game as he tried to slide home a loose ball from a corner.
But it didn't take long for him to hit home. Wagenfuhr made a strong run up the left sideline before sending in a curling pinpoint cross that Thompson did well to beat Guzan with on a header in the 81st minute.
Chivas desperately tried to find a last-gasp equalizer -- even bringing Guzan up for corners -- but all to no avail as FC Dallas and Garlick were able to hold their ground, though the visitors had been the more dangerous team throughout the second half.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: David Wagenfuhr (FC Dallas)
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
CD Chivas USA (1-11-3) vs. FC Dallas (9-2-3)
June 22, 2005 -- Cotton Bowl
Scoring Summary:
DAL -- Roberto Mina 3 (Oscar Pareja 1, Bobby Rhine 3) 18
CHV -- Matt Taylor 1 (Hector Cuadros 3, Thiago Martins 1) 48
DAL -- Abe Thompson 2 (David Wagenfuhr 1, Arturo Alvarez 1) 81
CD Chivas USA -- Brad Guzan, Esteban Arias, Ezra Hendrickson, Ryan Suarez, Orlando Perez, Douglas Sequeira, Hector Cuadros (Francisco Gomez 79), Ramon Ramirez (Armando Begines 72), Matt Taylor, Thiago Martins, Francisco Mendoza (Antonio Martinez 67).
Substitutes Not Used: Javier Barragan, Arturo Torres.
TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Thiago Martins 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Thiago Martins 2); FOULS: 13 (Esteban Arias 3); OFFSIDES: 3 (Matt Taylor 2); CORNER KICKS: 2 (Francisco Gomez 1, Antonio Martinez 1); SAVES: 6 (Brad Guzan 5)
FC Dallas -- Scott Garlick, Drew Moor, Clarence Goodson, Greg Vanney, David Wagenfuhr, Aaron Pitchkolan, Simo Valakari, Oscar Pareja (Ramon Nunez 59), Roberto Mina (Abe Thompson 61), Arturo Alvarez, Bobby Rhine (Carey Talley 85).
Substitutes Not Used: Jeff Cassar, Chris Gbandi, Steve Jolley, Ty Maurin, Alex Woods, Alex Yi.
TOTAL SHOTS: 22 (Arturo Alvarez 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Arturo Alvarez 2, Roberto Mina 2); FOULS: 11 (Simo Valakari 3); OFFSIDES: 1 (Roberto Mina 1); CORNER KICKS: 5 (Arturo Alvarez 5); SAVES: 4 (Scott Garlick 4)
Misconduct Summary:
CHV -- Ezra Hendrickson (caution; Pushing, Holding) 39
DAL -- Aaron Pitchkolan (caution; Reckless Foul) 46+
CHV -- Ramon Ramirez (caution; Reckless Foul) 64
DAL -- Ramon Nunez (caution; Delaying a Restart) 91+
Referee: Andrew Chapin
Referee's Assistants: -Kermit Quisenberry; Paul Scott
4th Official: Troy Travis
Attendance: 8,672
Time of Game: 1:52
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-92-degrees
All Statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
