until a stunning strike in stoppage time. This time it was from Cuauhtemoc Blanco. A cross into the Real penalty area was knocked back out by a defender -- but only as far as the edge of the area, and Blanco hit a curling first-time shot inside the left-hand post for the equalizer.
The goal was the second at Rice-Eccles Stadium for Blanco; his first, last year, won MLS Goal of the Year honors. It was also another cruel First Kick blow for RSL, which last year saw Carlos Ruiz score deep into second-half stoppage time to grab a 2-2 draw for FC Dallas.
At Pizza Hut Park, the prematch festivities for the season opener for FC Dallas and Chivas USA were highlighted by the announcement of the Sueno MLS winner for each club, Briant Reyes for Chivas USA and Gabriel Funes for FC Dallas.
Juan Toja gave FC Dallas the lead in the 21th minute. A Bobby Rhine cross found Abe Thompson in the area, who slipped the ball quickly to the Colombian midfielder. Toja quickly turned back toward goal and lashed a shot past Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
But six minutes from the end Chivas got the tying goal. A long ball out of midfield from Chivas newcomer Raphael Wicky was misplayed by another high-profile addition, FC Dallas defender Duilio Davino, just outside the area. Maykel Galindo quickly pounced on the loose ball and sent a low shot from just outside the box through Dario Sala's legs and into the FCD goal.
