FRISCO, Texas — With just one week remaining until their 2007 regular season opener, FC Dallas came into Saturday night's match with Brazilian side Clube Atletico Paranaense in the second leg of the USA/Brazil Challenge looking for a positive sendoff into the MLS season.
But thanks to a goal midway through the first half, FCD fell 1-0 to their Brazilian partner before 8,692 fans at Pizza Hut Park.
In the 33rd minute, the visitors got the only goal they would need when CAP forward Ricardinho blasted a shot past Hoops goalkeeper Shaka Hislop for the only goal of the contest. The tally was set up when teammate and fellow striker Dayro Moreno had a perfect touch and found him on the left side of the field with a perfect angle to shoot at goal.
Early on in the match, the host side controlled the run of play and generated a number of chances on the CAP half of the field but the home team was unable to convert any of those opportunities into goals.
FCD forward Carlos Ruiz had several of his side's best chances of the opening 45 minutes. In the seventh minute, he got a great look at the CAP goal, but goalkeeper Vinicius Barriviera was there for the save.
Then, in the 19th, Ruiz nearly converted off one of his trademark bicycle kicks, but his effort went wide left. The shot was set up when a deflection fell at his feet and the Guatemalan international saw his chance for a spectacular, highlight-reel goal.
But the best chance of the first half for FCD came in the 38th minute when Ruiz was the recipient of a great one-touch pass from Hoops right back Bobby Rhine. Ruiz drew Barriviera away from the goal and seeing an open net, dribbled his way to the right of the CAP goal but his shot hit the post.
Ruiz wasn't the only FCD player on the attack in the first half. Hoops attacking midfielder Ramon Nunez also had several great opportunities. In the 16th, he received a corner from Arturo Alvarez to the left of the opposing net, but his shot went into the side of the goal.
In the 22nd, Nunez again got a great look, once again from the right side. The fourth-year Dallas native launched a shot from about 25 yards out, one that nearly curved inside the far post. But his screamer missed the CAP net literally by a matter of inches.
The home team had another chance to break the deadlock in the 27th minute when FCD left back David Wagenfuhr sent a great ball into the middle of the goalmouth. The cross was met by Hoops central midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, but his header went to the right of the goal.
CAP's also had a great chance in the 13th minute in a sequence that starter with midfielder Kaio Goncalves getting a nice look at the FCD net from the middle of the field. After his effort was deflected and fell at the feet of Chico Grando, the Brazilian midfielder was unable to hit the ball cleanly and his attempt skidded harmlessly away from danger.
Just after the break, Nunez had yet another good look after the FCD midfielder found some space to the left of the CAP net. He sent a booming ball toward the goal and over an outstretched Barriviera, but it went wide right and scooted over the end line.
The visitors' first chance of the second half came in the 54th when CAP was awarded a free kick just outside of the Dallas penalty area. CAP midfielder Artur Neto took the kick and sent it into the Hoops box, where it bounced around before being cleared by an FCD player.
FCD head coach Steve Morrow made a rash of substitutions in the 62nd minute when forwards Roberto Mina and Dominic Oduro, as well as midfielders Dax McCarty and Pablo Richetti, entered the match.
Richetti's entrance marked his home debut for FCD. The Argentinian midfielder performed well in a trial for the Hoops earlier in the month in Brazil and he and the team have agreed in principle to a contract but the deal is currently on hold pending visa approval.
Once again in the 65th, Nunez nearly drew the match level when the FCD midfielder hit a low, bending rocket toward the CAP goal. Barriviera again made a terrific diving stop, just in front of the left post.
FCD striker Abe Thompson created an interesting chance for himself in the 84th. The former Maryland standout started the sequence by heading the ball toward the right side of the CAP net. But the Hoops forward lost a foot race to the net with Barriviera and the Brazilian 'keeper was able to end the threat.
The Hoops had several other chances in the waning moments of the match, including a header by Mina in the 90th minute, but couldn't find the equalizer. The Brazilian side captured the inaugural USA/Brazil Challenge 4-1 on aggregate after winning the first match in their home country.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
