FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper's game-winning goal versus Real Salt Lake on Sept. 23 was voted as the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for Week 26 through voting conducted on the League's official website, MLSnet.com. The goal was the 10th of the year for Cooper and the fifth of those to be nominated for Goal of the Week, though this is the first of the five to claim the prize. This was the third FC Dallas goal to win the Goal of the Week this season, with Carlos Ruiz's goals claiming the honors for Week 9 and 10.
With his team already leading 1-0 thanks to a Carlos Ruiz goal, Cooper was able to double his team's lead in the 14th minute. He raced on to an Abe Thompson through ball on the left wing, and cut the ball back at the corner of the box. The 21-year old forward then lofted a right-footed shot just past the outstretched leg of Eddie Pope and sailed over Salt Lake 'keeper Scott Garlick before curling just inside the far post and underneath the crossbar to make the score 2-0 in favor of Dallas. The goal would prove to be the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over RSL that clinched a playoff berth for the Hoops for the second straight season.
Cooper is now second on the team in goals scored for FC Dallas behind Ruiz's 11 goals. This is the first time since 2000 and the third time in team history, that Dallas has had multiple players score 10 or more goals in the same season.
FC Dallas is back action on Saturday, Sept. 30 when the team travels to Ohio to take on the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium at 6:30 p.m (CT). With a win in this game, FC Dallas can clinch home field advantage throughout the Western Conference Playoffs for the first time in team history.
