Looking at the scoresheet from Wednesday night's at Pizza Hut Park without seeing the final score, one would think visiting Chivas USA fell to FC Dallas, the current Western Conference leaders. But instead it was Chivas that left with a 1-0 victory against the Hoops and the all-important three points.
Chivas head coach Bob Bradley was clearly happy with the win.
"Honestly, we've fallen behind in too many games of late," he said. "We wanted to try to get on top and find out again what it's like to play with a lead. We were able to accomplish that. From that point on, in some ways it wasn't our best game and Dallas put a lot into it."
For Bradley, the best thing about the win was that it came while his team wasn't playing their best soccer.
"I thought the mentality of our team was good," he said. "Knowing how to win a game on the road when you're not playing your best is important. I think that was good for us."
Chivas got all the scoring they would need in the 13th minute when Juan Pablo Garcia scored his eighth goal of the year. The play started when rookie midfielder Jonathan Bornstein dribbled into the center of the FCD box and was met by Hoops goalkeeper Dario Sala.
As he turned away from the 'keeper, Garcia came running on from behind and took over the ball, then putting it into the empty net. That tally proved to be the margin of victory for Chivas.
"It's a huge win for us on the road," Bornstein said. "We played them last week and tied 1-1. I thought we should have won that game also. Coming into their house and getting a 1-0 result is amazing for us. At this point in the season, we need to stay in the race for the playoffs and stay in that pack of teams that are fighting for second, third and fourth."
FCD actually outshot Chivas 5-3 in the first half but went into the break trailing. In the second half, Chivas sat back and withstood all the offense the Hoops could muster as FCD had 10 shots but only two of those were on frame.
Chivas were dealt a blow just after halftime when starting forward and captain Juan Francisco Palencia was unable to return to the field to start the second half after suffering a right knee sprain. He was replaced by Jesus Morales. Palencia's status will be evaluated Thursday.
Then in the 76th minute the visitors were hit again when Morales got his second yellow card in a four-minute span and his ejection left his side a man down. But the Chivas defense responded, limiting FCD to only four shots with the extra man and coming away with the victory.
"Without a doubt, it's a big win in two ways," said Chivas defender Tim Regan. "It's on the road late in the season and it's 1-0. The games heading into the playoffs and in the playoffs are 1-0. At this time of year, you want to be prepared to win those (close games). Was it pretty, no? But it was a win."
FCD nearly found an 89th-minute equalizer when Chris Gbandi sent a dead-on cross into the Chivas box, which was met by Carlos Ruiz, who was able to get a head on the ball. But Chivas 'keeper Brad Guzan was there to make his second save of the night.
The Hoops outshot Chivas 15-7 but still won, which illustrates to Bradley how improved his team is from earlier in the season.
"We had a number of games early where we felt we played well but let ourselves down with mistakes and losses of concentration," Bradley said. "We've improved but have been frustrated at times because we tied games we could have won. I think we've learned from those things.
"Tonight was a very good team effort. This is our first shutout in a while and I think that's important. There were a lot of good things for us tonight."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
