Carlos Ruiz saved FC Dallas from disaster in the waning moments of their season opener, scoring the equalizing goal deep into stoppage time to leave the Hoops with a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Jeff Cunningham scored two goals for Real Salt Lake after Kenny Cooper had given FC Dallas an early lead. But just as it looked like FCD would fall in their season opener -- the first time in club history they had opened the season away from home -- Ruiz tapped home a misplayed free kick for the leveller.
The Hoops avoided an early scare when a volley from Mehdi Ballouchy rocketed off the crossbar with the net open less than a minute into the match. After a rolling cross slipped past both the RSL forwards and FCD back line, Shaka Hislop rushed out to the top of the area to collect, leaving the goalmouth unattended. RSL's Jason Kreis reached the ball before Hislop, but the goalkeeper was able to get a glove on the shot. The deflection fell to Ballouchy who cracked a volley off the bar and away.
A defensive miscue from the home side opened up an opportunity that Dallas capitalized on in the 19th minute. Real had penned FC Dallas in their own half for most of the early exchanges, but then FCD broke loose from a goal kick. Ruiz slipped a nice ball into the path of Kenny Cooper on the right, and he coolly slotted an easy shot past RSL 'keeper Nick Rimando and into the far side netting.
Four minutes later Ramon Nunez had a nice chance of doubling the Hoops' lead. Following an effective run from Ruiz, who carried the ball - and a defender - deep into the box, the FCD captain laid a soft pass back to an unmarked Nunez. But he sent his 15-yard shot just wide of the post.
Dallas did not stay on top for long, much to the delight of the Salt Lake crowd, as Cunningham was able to pull RSL level with a quick touch past Hislop in the 29th minute. Although Bobby Rhine marked Cunningham tightly, the RSL striker was still able to bring down a cross from Chris Klein on the sideline and quickly touch a shot inside the post.
Cooper's goal gave FCD some confidence going into the break, but Cunningham and RSL struck soon after the restart, in the 51st minute.
Ballouchy and Freddy Adu played a short corner, and Ballouchy found Kreis at the top of the penalty area. He fired a low drive on goal that was punched away by Hislop, but the deflection fell to Cunningham, who touched in his second goal of the match from a tight angle and close range to make the score 2-1.
FCD continued to pressure for the equalizer through the latter stages, providing multiple chances for Nunez to score.
In the 75th minute Nunez received the ball in front of goal but cracked his chance into the signage above the frame. Two minutes later Nunez found himself with the ball and unmarked about 35 yards out. He teed up a shot that was deflected by RSL midfielder Carey Talley. The slight touch forced Rimando to make a midair save, diving back toward the the goal.
In the closing minutes Nunez again found himself in prime scoring position. After bringing down a shallow chip just behind the Salt Lake defense, Nunez ripped a blast that flew inches to the wrong side of the post.
Just as it seemed the Hoops would run out of time, they benefited from a goalkeeping error from Rimando. As the RSL 'keeper rushed out to grab a bouncing free kick from Clarence Goodson, he was unable to get his hands on it. The ball fell to Ruiz in front of a defender, and the Guatemalan tapped it into the open net to leave the teams sharing the points.
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
