FC Dallas secured home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs -- and eliminated the Los Angeles Galaxy from the postseason for the first time in league history -- as the Hoops defeated the defending MLS Cup champions 2-1 Saturday night at Pizza Hut Park in front of a regular-season record crowd of 20,500.
Carlos Ruiz gave FC Dallas a 30th-minute lead when he headed home his 13th goal of the season off a set piece. FCD added a second from Kenny Cooper just after the halftime break, and although Landon Donovan scored in the 71st minute to keep his club's hopes alive, it wasn't enough for the Galaxy.
The Ruiz goal in the first half came after several earlier close calls for FCD. In the eighth minute, O'Brien sent a great ball into Cooper, and the Dallas native cut inside and found a seam in the middle of the park, but his effort went to the right of the Galaxy net.
In the 14th minute, Ruiz dribbled his way into the middle of the field and saw the L.A. defense practically part the way for him, thinking he might pass instead of take a shot. However, his effort went wide left.
L.A. got its first shot of the evening in the 13th minute when Santino Quaranta fired a ball that sailed to the left of the Hoops net. In the last meeting between the sides on Aug. 20 at The Home Depot Center, Quaranta scored in first-half stoppage time to give the Galaxy a 2-0 edge heading into the break.
Galaxy forward Alan Gordon then almost gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute, when he hit a full volley in the middle of the field from a cross sent over by Donovan. Gordon's shot went to the right of the FCD goal and goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
Then in the 30th minute, midfielder Richard Mulrooney sent a well-placed free kick to the far post, where Ruiz was waiting. The Guatemalan international headed it past L.A. goalkeeper Kevin Hartman for the score, marking the fourth consecutive game that Ruiz had scored for the Hoops.
Paulo Nagamura had a great chance to level the match in the 41st minute when he got a great feed inside the FCD box. But Hislop won a footrace with the Galaxy midfielder and made a terrific diving save to end the threat. Gordon had two more looks at the Dallas net, but Hislop was well-positioned and there for the save on both occasions.
FCD came out for the second half playing inspired soccer. Just after the restart, O'Brien and Ruiz nearly connected. But O'Brien's cross was just out of Ruiz's reach and the ball harmlessly skidded over the endline.
Cooper then scored his 11th goal of the year. After a great cross from O'Brien, Cooper was able to get position on Galaxy defender Chris Albright and side-foot home a volley past Hartman inside the near post to double the FCD lead.
Mulrooney also assisted on the goal, his second assist of the game and eighth of the season, second-most on the team behind O'Brien. Mulrooney's two-assist effort was his first multiple assist game in an FCD uniform.
To their credit, the Galaxy didn't lay down and began to lay siege to the FC Dallas goal. In the 60th, Herculez Gomez, who entered the game just a minute prior, had a chance at putting his side on the scoreboard, but it was saved by Hislop. Then in the 65th, recently-signed L.A. striker Gavin Glinton, who played for Dallas in 2003 and 2004, had a great opportunity of his own. But once again, Hislop was there to save the day.
L.A. finally broke through in the 71st minute when Donovan connected for his 10th goal of the season. He received a great ball from fellow U.S. international Albright, brought it down with his chest and then nudged it past Hislop from close range.
The goal energized the visitors as several other chances came their way after Donovan's tally. In the 75th minute, Galaxy midfielder Peter Vagenas was looking for the equalizer, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Then, in the 76th, Gomez had another chance at his fifth goal of the year, but his effort went to the left of the FCD goal.
With four minutes of stoppage time added to the end of the contest, the Galaxy brought everyone forward, including Hartman, for one last push but their efforts were unsuccessful. The loss officially eliminated the Galaxy from playoff contention, marking the first time in their 11-year team history they have failed to reach the MLS postseason.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
