Despite seeing their winless streak reach nine games, Chivas USA gained some confidence from their 2-1 loss to FC Dallas at the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday.
FC Dallas extended their home unbeaten streak to five games on goals from by Roberto Mina in the 18th minute and Abe Thompson in the 80th minute, after Matt Taylor had scored his first goal with Chivas just after the start of the second half.
FCD dominated the first half, controlling nearly every possession before finally capitalizing in the 18th minute with a neat passing movement from Bobby Rhine to Oscar Pareja to Mina, who struck the ball solidly and placed it in the upper corner to give the Hoops a 1-0 lead.
"We could have played better in the first half," said Chivas USA coach Hans Westerhof.
But Chivas came out looking to gain some respect from the Western Conference leaders and that they did with a goal from Taylor in the 48th minute.
"Bittersweet," said Taylor of his first Chivas USA goal. "It really means nothing at this point.
"It's the story of our year, we've been tied probably five times for 80 minutes and we give up that last goal."
In the 80th minute, Chivas USA could have had a chance to find the go-ahead goal, but an obvious corner kick was changed by the referee to a goal kick in favor of FCD.
The ensuing play saw FCD seal the game with a nice string of passes from Arturo Alvarez to David Wagenfuhr, who caught the streaking Thompson nicely with a pinpoint cross for a header that put the Hoops up for good.
Said Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan: "We came out (in the second half) with a little more heart and a little more commitment."
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
