FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas moved one point closer to securing a spot in the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA on Saturday night in Los Angeles. With the draw, FCD can now qualify for the postseason for the second straight season and the ninth time in 11 years with a win over Chivas USA on Wednesday night at Pizza Hut Park or with a road victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.
SCHEDULE:
Monday, Sept. 11: Training - 10 a.m. (CT) at Pizza Hut Park
Tuesday, Sept. 12: Training - 10 a.m. (CT) at Pizza Hut Park
Wednesday, Sept. 13: FC Dallas vs. Chivas USA - Pizza Hut Park - 8 p.m. (CT)
Thursday, Sept. 14: Training - 10 a.m. (CT) at Pizza Hut Park
Friday, Sept. 15: Training - 10 a.m. (CT) at Pizza Hut Park
Depart for Salt Lake City in the afternoon.
Saturday, Sept. 16: FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake - Rice-Eccles Stadium - 8 p.m. (CT) - HDNet
Sunday, Sept. 17: FC Dallas Reserves at Real Salt Lake Reserves - 11 a.m. (CT)
Return to Dallas in the afternoon. </p>
- Schedule is subject to change.All times Central.
NOTES:
- FC Dallas can become the second MLS team to qualify for the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs with a win over Chivas USA on Wednesday night at Pizza Hut Park. The Hoops currently have 46 points, leaving them 13 points ahead of Real Salt Lake and 14 points ahead of Los Angeles. If Dallas defeats Chivas in Wednesday, neither of those clubs will be able to match FCD's point total, giving Colin Clarke's squad a playoff berth for the second straight season.
- The 46 points accrued by FCD so far this season surpasses the point total of seven of the team's first ten seasons while matching the point total from the 2000 campaign. The most points a Dallas team ever accumulated was during the 1999 season, when Dave Dir's side finished with a record of 19-13-0 for a club record 51 points. Dallas finished with 46 points in 2000 (14-14-4) and 48 points in 2005 (13-10-9). The 14 victories for the club this year are the most in a season since 2000.
- FC Dallas forward Carlos Ruiz is eligible to return to the lineup for Wednesday night's game. He missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chivas USA while serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
- FC Dallas midfielder Ramon Nunez recorded his fourth assist of the year on Dallas' lone goal against Chivas on Saturday night. Nunez now has career-highs' of six goals and four assists on the year.
- The FC Dallas Reserve team will be back in action on Sunday, facing the Real Salt Lake Reserves. FCD has a record of 4-3-3 (15 points) in the Reserve Division, placing the team in fifth place in the single table standings. On Sunday, the FCD Reserves earned a 2-2 draw with Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center.
- FC Dallas is now seven points ahead of second place Houston atop the Western Conference. The Hoops are 14-8-4 (46 points) with six games remaining while Houston holds a 10-8-9 record (39 points) with five games left. If Dallas can hold onto this lead and win the Western Conference, it will be the first time in MLS history that a Dallas team finishes atop its conference standings. For the complete MLS standings, please click here http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/standings/
