FC Dallas felt unlucky not to come away with all three points as they were held to a goalless draw with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
FC Dallas once again used their three forward attack of Carlos Ruiz in the center and Eddie Johnson and Ronnie O'Brien on the flanks, which was successful last week against the Chicago Fire. On many occasions Guatemalan international striker Ruiz played with his back to the goal feeding Johnson and O'Brien who were making runs from the flanks.
"I thought Carlos did great holding the ball," said FC Dallas manager Colin Clarke. "He brought some people into play.
"He got some free kicks in good positions and was a little bit unlucky not to score on a few occasions. He worked hard and did a good job tonight."
Clarke said he thought his team could have been the only team in MLS to win a second game on the season. In the opening minute FC Dallas won an early corner kick. Ruiz took the corner and found Johnson, but his header was denied by the crossbar.
"First half I thought we dominated the game and created some good chances," Clarke said. "Hit the bar, and could have been one or two up at halftime."
For the majority of the match the momentum of the match was lost in the midfield. For long periods neither side's midfield could work with their respective attacks to produce a goal.
"(The) second half was a little more even, but I thought (FC Dallas) were the better team," said Clarke. "(FC Dallas) had a lot of good chances, hit the post, had a lot of near misses and deserved to win the game."
Two matches in and Clarke feels the team still needs to learn all the new faces. Richard Mulrooney was a winter acquisition from San Jose and Ruiz arrived right before the start of the season from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"It's the second game of the season and we are still learning each other," said Clarke. "But it was a good, positive performance."
In the later stages of the match it seemed the altitude of Invesco Field at Mile High was getting to the players of FC Dallas. The Rapids have a great defense, but their success at home might have something more to do with nature.
"There is a reason why (the Colorado Rapids) have been unbeaten here for a while," Clarke said. "Maybe not unbeaten, but they are tough to beat here.
"It is tough to come in here and play at altitude, but I thought we done well."
Tom Buck is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
