CARSON, Calif. - Playing with a man down for nearly 70 minutes proved too tall a task as FC Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 at The Home Depot Center on Sunday.
Chris Gbandi was sent off in the 23rd minute and the Galaxy scored goals through Landon Donovan in the 25th minute and Chris Klein (72nd) minutes to claim their first league win against FC Dallas this season. Dax McCarty scored FC Dallas' lone goal as he found the back of the net in the 11th minute.
The loss keeps FC Dallas with 40 points on the season with four matches left to play; the Hoops will play host to Houston on Sept. 30 in a nationally televised match, and a win will secure a playoff spot.
Arturo Alvarez took FC Dallas' first shot on goal. Six minutes in, Dominic Oduro raced down the right flank and fed Carlos Ruiz just inside the box, but the former Galaxy star could not find the handle on the ball. However, Alvarez found the ball just outside the penalty area and ripped a 20-yarder on goal that Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon parried away.
FC Dallas escaped harm in the seventh minute when Landon Donovan fired a shot on goal. Donovan darted free down the left side of the penalty area and sent a shot toward the far post. The ball went past FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala but went just wide of the post.
McCarty found the back of the net in the 11th minute. Chris Gbandi sent a seemingly harmless ball inside the penalty area from the left flank. As the ball skipped across the penalty area, with his back to the goal, Ruiz feigned an attempt at the bouncing ball but instead allowed it to slip between his legs. It dribbled through to McCarty on the right side of the goal, and the second-year man tucked his shot inside the right post for his first career MLS goal.
Gbandi was booked in the 21st minute after a foul on Kevin Harmse. Harmse came in for a tough tackle on Gbandi that went uncalled, and after the two rose to their feet to continue play, Gbandi clipped Harmse on his way past. Harmse was also booked by referee Michael Kennedy for the first challenge.
Two minutes later, Gbandi's yellow came into play. Chris Klein escaped Gbandi's marking as he tried to get to the back post to get onto the end of a Galaxy set piece, and went to the ground after Gbandi held him back by the shirt. Referee Kennedy showed Gbandi a yellow card and the left back was sent off for picking up his second yellow of the match. On his way off the field, Gbandi tore off his shirt and tossed it to a supporter clad in a Hoops jersey of his own.
Donovan stepped up to take the penalty kick. As he ran toward the ball, Sala leapt off his line and turned Donovan away. The rebound fell to the Galaxy forward's feet and he banged it across the goal line. However, Kennedy blew the play dead and booked Sala for encroachment. Donovan took the shot again but this time hit the back of the net on the spot kick. Donovan, though, ran up to the bouncing ball and slammed it into the back of the net again. Kennedy booked Donovan for his actions.
With Gbandi out, the Galaxy initially tried to attack down FC Dallas' left side. Galaxy midfielder Quavas Kirk ran free down the FC Dallas left side but could not do any harm once inside the penalty area.
The Galaxy made no tactical changes at halftime as the starters remained on the field to try and wear down FC Dallas. Juan Toja had the first clear chance of the second half when he ripped a 20-yard shot just past the left post in the 62nd minute. Toja found space outside the box and fired his attempt on goal but was inches off target.
The Galaxy nearly took the lead in the 66th minute when Cobi Jones centered the ball across the goalmouth but Carlos Pavon sailed a shot over the crossbar from a few yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Ultimately, FC Dallas' lack of manpower hurt. Jones sent a cross from the left side of the field across the penalty area. Klein controlled the ball on the right side of the box, took one touch and blasted a 20-yard shot into the back of the net, past Sala's dive and into the upper right corner.
FC Dallas failed to generate much offense over the final 18 minutes as the Galaxy defended their lead well. The Hoops' lone chance came in the 90th minute when McCarty hit a 22-yard shot on goal that just sailed over the crossbar.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
