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REAL SALT LAKE v FC DALLAS
RICE-ECCLES STADIUM, Salt Lake City, Utah
7 p.m. MT (HDNet)
Sept. 16, 2006 (WEEK 25) / MLS Game #165
Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas play the first game of a home-and-home series over the next two weekends that will likely have a massive effect on the final look of the Western Conference table. Real Salt Lake are now five points out of a playoff spot with five matches left - Saturday is the first of their two remaining games at home as they have reached nearly a must-win situation. With a victory on Saturday (or a draw and the failure of the Los Angeles Galaxy to win), FC Dallas will become the first team in the West to claim a postseason berth.
REFEREE: Ricardo Salazar. SAR (bench): David Bragg; JAR (opposite): Paul Scott; 4th: Ben Chouaf
MLS Career: 50 games; FC/gm: 32.1; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 11; pens: 18
MLS 2006: 8 games; FC/gm: 32.1 (avg: 28.8); Y/gm: 2.9 (avg: 3.68); R: 0 (MLS: 31); pens: 1 (MLS: 34)
Games involving Real: P3 W1 L2 T0; FC/gm: 28.3; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 2; pens: 1
Games involving FC Dallas: P9 W4 L4 T1; FC/gm: 31.9; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 2; pens: 2
INJURY REPORT: REAL SALT LAKE - OUT: DF Paul Broome (L ankle internal derangement); MF Seth Trembly (L knee ACL tear); MF Christian Jimenez (L knee ACL tear); DF Danny Torres (R foot sprain); PROBABLE: FW Jason Kreis (L tibial plateau contusion) ... FC DALLAS - OUT: GK Jeff Cassar (R hip surgery); FW Roberto Mina (L knee)
SUSPENDED: RSL: Jeff Cunningham (five cautions; through Sept. 17) ... DAL: Simo Valakari (five cautions; through Sept. 17)
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: RSL: Eddie Pope
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: RSL: Mehdi Ballouchy, Scott Garlick, Jason Kreis, Douglas Sequeira, Carey Talley, Andy Williams ... DAL: Chris Gbandi, Clarence Goodson, Ramon Nunez, Ronnie O'Brien, Dario Sala, Marcelo Saragosa, Greg Vanney
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (6 meetings): Real 1 win (0 shootout), 5 goals ... FC Dallas 5 wins (0 shootout), 10 goals ... 0 draws
AT SALT LAKE: (3 meetings): Real 1 wins (0 shootout), 3 goals ... FC Dallas 2 wins (0 shootout), 3 goals ... 0 draws
This is the third of four meetings this season between the clubs, the second of two at Rice-Eccles Stadium, as the teams conclude the season series on back-to-back weekends.
A year ago, FC Dallas won three of the four meetings between the clubs in Real's inaugural season, winning both at home. The first meeting was played at the Cotton Bowl while the second was played at Pizza Hut Park - the first league victory for the Hoops in their new home ground.
RSL's victory on July 23 at Rice-Eccles was the only time in their inaugural season they scored three or more goals in a league match.
Coaches record: John Ellinger v DAL: P6 W1 L5 D0 ... Colin Clarke vs. RSL: P6 W5 L1 D0
2006 (MLS)
4/8: DAL 2, RSL 1: (Cooper 43; Wilson 57 - Klein 36)
7/22: RSL 0, DAL 1 (Thompson 90)
FC Dallas came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory on April 8 in the first meeting between the clubs this season.
A brilliant free kick from Chris Klein gave Real their first goal of the season in the 36th minute, running onto a slight touch from Andy Williams before whipping the ball over the wall and inside Dario Sala's right-hand post. But the home side were level just seven minutes later as hometown hero Kenny Cooper scored his second goal in as many weeks, taking a perfect backheel from Carlos Ruiz and knocking it home.
The Hoops then hit for the eventual winner 12 minutes into the second half. A low ball was played into the area, knocked down by RSL 'keeper Scott Garlick before a valiant clearing attempt from Carey Talley. But Mark Wilson was there to bang the rebound into the goal.
LAST MEETING
A goal from Abe Thompson three minutes into second-half stoppage time gave FC Dallas a stunning 1-0 victory on July 22 at Salt Lake City.
Just when it seemed like Real would play to a third consecutive scoreless draw on their home ground, lightning struck. Kenny Cooper collected the ball in midfield and slotted it between two defenders for Thompson to run onto. He fought through the tackle of Eddie Pope, raced in alone on Scott Garlick, and rounded the RSL 'keeper before driving the ball into the unguarded goal for the winner.
Here's Ellinger's team (4-4-2): Scott Garlick - Kevin Novak, Nelson Akwari (Nikolas Besagno 47+), Eddie Pope, Willis Forko - Chris Klein, Douglas Sequeira (Mehdi Ballouchy 71), Carey Talley, Andy Williams - Jeff Cunningham (Jamie Watson 84), Jason Kreis. [Substitutes Not Used: Nick Armington, Chris Brown, Kenny Cutler, Ryan Johnson]
Here's Clarke's team (4-4-2): Dario Sala - Bobby Rhine, Drew Moor, Greg Vanney, Chris Gbandi - Ramon Nunez (Aaron Pitchkolan 95+), Richard Mulrooney, Simo Valakari, Arturo Alvarez (Marcos Saragosa 78) - Dominic Oduro (Abe Thompson 67), Kenny Cooper. [Substitutes Not Used: Jeff Cassar, Clarence Goodson, Dax McCarty, Alex Yi]
REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake went to Washington, D.C. and came away with a point, coming back to claim a 1-1 draw with D.C. United last Saturday at RFK Stadium. Real now have 33 points from 27 matches, fifth place in the Western Conference, five points behind the third-place tie between Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids, and a point ahead of sixth-place Los Angeles Galaxy.
LAST MATCH
D.C. United returned home having put an end to their five-game winless run in league play, while Real Salt Lake had lost two of three after a club-record four-game winning streak.
With three players making their first MLS starts, the home side took the lead just before the halftime break through an exquisite freekick from Freddy Adu. After he was hooked down some 30 yards from goal, he whistled a left-footed shot over the wall and inside Scott Garlick's left-hand post.
But 20 minutes after the restart Real pulled level. Jeff Cunningham was sent in alone on goal, but forced to turn back by United 'keeper Nick Rimando. But he maintained possession and laid the ball back for Chris Klein, whose neat finish curled in off the far post to ensure RSL would not lose to the league's overall leader in league play this year.
Real head coach John Ellinger made one change to the team that lost 1-0 to the Colorado Rapids the weekend before at home. Jason Kreis was again healthy, returning to the lineup in place of Jafet Soto.
Here's Ellinger's team (4-4-2): Scott Garlick - Kevin Novak, Eddie Pope, Jack Stewart, Willis Forko - Chris Klein, Mehdi Ballouchy (Atiba Harris 68), Carey Talley, Andy Williams (Jafet Soto 93+) - Jeff Cunningham, Jason Kreis (Douglas Sequeira 77). [Substitutes Not Used: Nelson Akwari, Chris Brown, Kenny Cutler, Jay Nolly]
"It's not an easy place to come and play. Obviously, getting a point and getting out of here is a good result for us," said Ellinger. "We knew we were going to have to weather the storm at the beginning of each half. I had my doubts in the first 10-12 minutes of the first half - they were looking pretty good. But we weathered it, we got control, we had some chances."
TEAM NEWS
Once again, it was the play of mercurial forward Jeff Cunningham - a leading candidate for league MVP honors - that proved to be the difference. Unlike the first meeting between the clubs this season, when Cunningham buried two late, controversial penalties for a 2-1 win, this time Cunningham played provider, setting up Klein for the equalizer.
"He is just someone who we needed at the end of last year: a forward who can get in behind people. His teammates support him very well, and that's why he has 10 assists, as well," Ellinger said. "He is just in a good environment, he likes his teammates and I think that's important."
Cunningham's 15 goals lead the league, but his 10 assists are now also tied for tops in MLS. The Jamaican-born forward is only the 10th player in MLS history to score 15 goals and add 10 assists in a single season. Additionally, he has been responsible in some way for about 70 percent of all of Real Salt Lake's goals this season - on pace for an MLS record.
"They say I don't pass the ball enough. I don't do this, I don't do that. And I still come out and I still contribute and still help the team create chances," Cunningham said. "If I run and get a water, half the defenders are coming with me, so that is more space for my teammates to run in."
"As far as the MLS goes, he gets my vote for the league MVP. He is the [10th] player to join the 15/10 club, and he is just playing outstanding. We are extremely proud of how he is playing and his teammates are as well. I think Jeff is very comfortable with Jeff, and we are just letting him be himself," Ellinger said.
While Real are now ... the result in Washington was still a vital point. "When we went down a goal, I think we showed a lot of character to come back, score a goal, and still hold them off," said Pope. "To get a point on the road against the best team in the league, for us, was good. We need points every game, that's what we discussed at halftime: getting out of here with a point." Said Ellinger: "It's going to be a nailbiter all the way down to the end. At least we're in it, though. We're in the hunt, and I feel good about that."
With five matches remaining - with Real facing games against FC Dallas over the next two weeks - Cunningham thinks he can still improve and provide the necessary impetus to send his team into the MLS Cup Playoffs.
"I can contribute more. I am not playing my best football at this point, but we are getting results as a team, and that is my focus at this point - to make the playoffs," he said. "And whatever they want to give me at the end of the year, MVP whatever, I'll take it.
Ellinger gave his team a different look for the final quarter of the game when Atiba Harris came in for rookie Mehdi Ballouchy.
"We were pretty comfortable that we could move the ball against them. They were putting a lot of energy in going forward, so we were just looking for our chances to get in behind them," Ellinger said. "When Atiba [Harris] came in and Jason [Kreis] went back, then we had two forwards with pace, and they had to worry about both of them, so that opened it up for us a little bit."
With every team in the Western Conference having five games left, Real are five points out of a first-ever playoff spot. This weekend, only interconference matches are facing the six West teams.
"Out West, it is obviously bunched up, and that's a good thing. It is good for teams at the bottom, and bad for the teams on the top: there's not a lot of space between us. We are still hunting and tonight was a good point for us to get on the road against the best team in the league," Pope said. "Like I said, out West, it is really close. It's a tight race. I hope the fans are enjoying the race for the playoffs. It's going to come down to the last game for sure."
FC DALLAS
FC Dallas saw their bid to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs denied, Chivas USA scoring an early goal and holding on for a 1-0 victory on Wednesday evening at Pizza Hut Park. The Hoops still lead the Western Conference with 46 points from 27 matches, still seven ahead of Houston Dynamo and eight ahead of the third-place between Chivas and Colorado. They now trail D.C. United by six points in the chase for the MLS Supporters' Shield.
LAST MATCH
FC Dallas came into the match needing just a victory to secure their place in the MLS Cup Playoffs and also narrow the gap on D.C. United for the MLS Supporters' Shield, while it was the vital game-in-hand for Chivas USA in their bid to secure a first-ever postseason berth.
The visitors took the lead after 13 minutes. Juan Pablo Garcia sent Jonathan Bornstein through and in alone on goal, but FCD 'keeper Dario Sala was quick off his line. As Bornstein turned away from Sala, Garcia continued running on from behind and took over the ball, sliding it into the unguarded goal.
Juan Francisco Palencia returned to the Chivas lineup for the first time in more than a month, but after suffering a knee sprain, was taken off in favor of Jesus Morales. But Morales was issued two yellow cards in the space of five minutes, sent off by referee Michael Kennedy after the second in the 76th minute.
But Chivas survived the final quarter-hour, FC Dallas nearly hitting for the leveller in the 89th minute when Carlos Ruiz met a Chris Gbandi cross with a powerful header, only for Brad Guzan to make a fine diving reaction save to his right.
FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke made three changes to the team that played to a 1-1 draw with Chivas four days earlier at The Home Depot Center. Alex Yi came into central defense in place of Clarence Goodson, while Marcelo Saragosa took the place of a resting Richard Mulrooney in the heart of the midfield. Carlos Ruiz returned from suspension, coming in to partner Kenny Cooper in place of Abe Thompson.
Here's Clarke's team (4-4-2): Dario Sala - Bobby Rhine, Greg Vanney (Abe Thompson 86), Alex Yi, Chris Gbandi - Ronnie O'Brien, Marcelo Saragosa (Dominic Oduro 66), Simo Valakari (Richard Mulrooney 86), Ramon Nunez - Kenny Cooper, Carlos Ruiz. [Substitutes Not Used: Shaka Hislop, Drew Moor, Aaron Pitchkolan, David Wagenfuhr]
"I have never seen so many players have such bad nights passing the ball," Clarke said. "The second half, we were better. In the first half, we couldn't connect passes and our decisions were slow. We weren't good all around. In the second half, we played a lot better, got a lot of pressure, but just couldn't get the goal."
TEAM NEWS
Clarke was disappointed with his team giving up the goal but acknowledged that it was one of only a few opportunities that Chivas had to score on the evening.
"I was disappointed with the goal but I thought they (our center backs) did pretty well (throughout the game)," Clarke said. "They (Chivas) didn't have a whole lot of threat against us once they scored."
Said Alex Yi: "First and foremost, playing at home with the kind of opportunity that we had, it is a letdown to come away without any points. They're a good team and we were a bit lethargic, which came from their goal. That's where it all started."
In the first half, FCD wasn't able to get a single shot on target. Things were a bit better over the final 45 minutes, but they still couldn't find the equalizer. "In the first half, we gave up a pretty poor goal and couldn't seem to click for whatever reason," fullback Chris Gbandi said. "We didn't have or create too many opportunities or help the forwards out by getting too many crosses in. Overall, it was a poor performance, especially coming back home after getting a decent tie on the road."
"They only had one shot in the first half and that was the goal," Clarke said. "But we didn't create a lot of chances either and we only put (Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad) Guzan to work a couple of times and that was not enough. They were very well organized in the defense and we had a difficult time breaking them down."
An 89th-minute header by Ruiz, who hasn't scored for FCD since June 11 in a 2-1 win against Chivas in Frisco, was clearly their best chance but Guzan was perfectly positioned for the save. "Carlos (Ruiz) is going through a tough time at the minute," said Clarke. "We've got to work at both sides of it. We've got to get him in better position and need to get him the ball in better positions."
"We just weren't good enough on the whole. We gave up a sloppy goal, weren't good going forward. When we tried to get the ball wide the crosses weren't good enough," said Bobby Rhine. "We didn't get penetrating runs through the middle and feed the ball into the feet of the forwards. On the whole, it was just an awful night for us."
The Chivas set began a run of three home-and-home series FC Dallas will play against Western Conference opposition over the remainder of the season - certain to have a massive effect on the end-of-season table. Over the next two weekends, the Hoops and Real Salt Lake will play a home-and-away series, then FCD and the Los Angeles Galaxy finish the season with a home-and-home couplet, Oct. 7 in Frisco and Oct. 14 in Carson.
"This was one of those games that we're just going to have to put behind us and concentrate on scrapping and fighting for a result on Saturday," said Rhine. "There were some positives to take from this and we're going to have to focus on those, put this result behind us and get on with it."
