FC Dallas will have to wait at least one more game to clinch a berth in the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs as Chivas USA captured a vital three points in their bid for a first-ever postseason appearance, winning 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park on Wednesday.
Juan Pablo Garcia scored his eighth goal of the year on his team's first shot of the evening to put his side ahead. Chivas then survived the final quarter-hour a man down after forward Jesus Morales, who entered the game at halftime to replace an injured Juan Francisco Palencia, received his second yellow card within a four-minute span in the 76th minute.
Garcia's 13th-minute tally was set up by a great pass from rookie Jonathan Bornstein, a frontrunner for league top rookie honors. Bornstein was sent into the middle of the penalty area by Garcia, but was challenged by FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala. As Bornstein spun away, Garcia took the ball off his feet and punched it into the back of an empty net.
FCD had a couple of early chances of their own before Chivas took the lead, both from all-star midfielder Ronnie O'Brien. In the fifth minute, O'Brien made a nice run to the right of the Chivas goal and launched one from about 12 yards out, but it went wide right.
In the 15th minute, he and Cooper nearly connected to level the match as the first-year striker sent a great ball into a streaking O'Brien. But he was taken out of the play inside the opposing box and the threat was over. O'Brien had a third look at the goal in the 31st minute, but his bid for the equalizer went to the left of the goal.
On two first-half set pieces, the Hoops were unable to convert. Nothing came of a Ramon Nunez free kick in the second minute and a 25th minute free kick from Cooper was deflected by a perfectly-placed wall of Chivas players.
The Hoops actually outshot Chivas 5-3 in the first half, but none of those efforts were on frame. FCD was dealt another first-half blow when in the 45th minute, captain Simo Valakari received a yellow card. With that booking, Valakari now has accumulated five cautions and will have to sit out Saturday's game at Real Salt Lake.
Palencia, who has four goals and four assists in 23 games this season, didn't return to the field after halftime. He suffered a mild right knee sprain and was replaced by Morales in the 46th minute. His status will be evaluated tomorrow.
O'Brien nearly willed his way to an equalizer in the 55th minute when he cut inside a Chivas defender just outside their penalty area, dribbled his way up the left side before sending a great cross into the opponents' box.
But Ruiz was just a little late and the ball scooted through the box to Hoops defender Bobby Rhine at the right of the Chivas net. Ruiz, who has eight goals this season for FCD, second-most on the team, hasn't scored since June 11 in a 2-1 Hoops win against Chivas in Frisco.
Rhine then sent a ball back toward the left side to O'Brien, but his header was deflected over the end line. FCD was unable to do anything on the ensuing corner kick.
In the 61st minute, Chivas nearly put the game away when Claudio Suarez created a great opportunity for his sixth goal of the year, but his shot sailed wide left. On July 1, Suarez had a pair of goals in a 3-0 win over FCD at The Home Depot Center.
FCD got a bit of a spark in the 67th minute when rookie forward Dominic Oduro, who entered the game in the 66th minute, raced his way up the right side of the field, creating a great scoring chance. However, his bid to tie the match went high.
Just one minute later, Cooper had another decent look, but his shot from the left of the Chivas goal was saved by goalkeeper Brad Guzan. It was FCD's first shot on goal of the match.
Morales was first booked in the 72nd minute for delaying a restart, then received his marching orders from referee Michael Kennedy for a tackle from behind on Rhine at midfield.
Despite holding the man advantage, the Hoops were unable to capitalize and mustered only three shots with the extra body. Ramon Nunez's shot in the 78th minute went high and Kenny Cooper's bid to deadlock the match in the 85th was deflected.
But in the 89th minute, Ruiz nearly broke his goalscoring slump when Chris Gbandi sent a great cross in, which Ruiz was able to get his head on. But Guzan was in the right spot to make a great save, diving to his right to parry the effort and allow Chivas to escape with the full points.
The Hoops finished the game with 15 shots to Chivas' seven. FCD (14-9-4, 46 points) next travels to Real Salt Lake on Saturday while Chivas USA (9-7-11, 38 points) heads to Houston to face Dynamo on Sunday.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
