all draws. FC Dallas had lost just once in their last seven games -- with six of those at home, as they set off on a two-game road swing.
The game's lone goal came in the 23rd minute, and came thanks in no small part to Clint Dempsey, back in the lineup for the first time since his return from the World Cup. Dempsey ran at a FC Dallas defense that was slow to close him down and his pass into the penalty area slipped between defenders and found the unmarked Twellman, who was only too pleased to tap home into an open goal for his fifth goal of the season.
FC Dallas had their chances -- including hitting the woodwork twice, from a Ronnie O'Brien free kick and a Drew Moor header -- but the Revolution held on for just their fourth victory on the campaign.
FC Dallas boss Colin Clarke made two changes to the team that defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park the previous weekend. Mark Wilson made his first start since May 6, coming into the team in place of Simo Valakari, who was given a night off, and David Wagenfuhr made his first start of the season in his first start in a midfield role, coming in on the left in place of Ramon Nuñez.
Here's Clarke's team (4-4-2): Dario Sala - Bobby Rhine, Drew Moor, Greg Vanney, Chris Gbandi - Ronnie O'Brien, Richard Mulrooney, Mark Wilson (Simo Valakari 75), David Wagenfuhr (Roberto Mina 75) - Carlos Ruiz, Kenny Cooper (Dominic Oduro 84). [Substitutes Not Used: Ray Burse, Dax McCarty, Justin Moore, Alex Yi]
"First half, both teams looked a little sluggish. Some chances both ends. Second half, I thought we completely dominated and deserved something from the game, but it didn't happen," Clarke said. "First half, we didn't move the ball well as a team. Second half, we moved the ball better, causing a lot of problems."
TEAM NEWS
While FC Dallas was thwarted multiple times by Revolution 'keeper Matt Reis, the tangible results included two chances that ended up hitting the bar: Ronnie O'Brien (44th minute) and Drew Moor (81st minute).
"We had a lot of chances, but we didn't capitalize. I think we deserved a point, if not all three," Clarke said. "Tonight the chances just wouldn't go. Reis made a couple good saves, we hit the crossbar twice ... we had a couple we could have done better with. We're getting the chances (and) playing well." Said Ronnie O'Brien to the Dallas Morning News: "Matt's a good keeper; we know that. He made some good saves tonight and kept them in the game. It doesn't help us if we give ourselves a deficit to climb. Giving away a silly goal killed us."
Midfielder Richard Mulrooney said that although his side didn't get a point from Wednesday's game, FC Dallas can use the momentum of the second half to build towards a crucial stretch that sees the team play three games in eight days.
"If we finished in the beginning, middle and end - if one of those goes in - we get a tie out of it and maybe push for a win. But it just wasn't meant to be," he said. "We have a long flight tomorrow to think about what we need to do better for Saturday."
Clarke started to look toward the busy stretch when he gave a first start of the season to Wagenfuhr, and used Wilson in place of Valakari, who wasn't in the starting team as he was given a rest but still came on as a 75th-minute substitute. In addition, first-round SuperDraft pick Dax McCarty was in the 18-man roster, his first trip with the team this season.
The game started a stretch of four road games out of six over the next month, and the Hoops feel they need to start better on their travels. In their last four away matches, FCD has gone 1-2-1, but they've fallen behind in each game, with each of the opening goals by their opponents coming in the opening 31 minutes.
"A couple little comedy of errors led to their goal. That's not to say that's the only chance they had, but I think we had the majority of chances. Anytime the opposing team's goalkeeper is the player of the game, you know you probably deserved more out of the game than a loss," said FC Dallas captain Greg Vanney. "We're disappointed, but we should stay positive. We have to come out better. The last two road trip games we didn't start very well. We did better in the second half. We need to carry out the intensity into the start of the next game and for 90 minutes next match."
