Backstopped by goalkeeper Ray Burse, who was making his MLS league debut, FC Dallas only needed Drew Moor's 31st-minute goal as they defeated the Colorado Rapids, 1-0, on Saturday evening at Pizza Hut Park.
With both Dario Sala and Shaka Hislop sidelined, Burse was given his first appearance in an MLS game and responded with three saves. Sala was unable to go because a sprained right MCL that caused him to miss the FCD's SuperLiga opener against CD Guadalajara on July 24 flared up again. Sala returned to play in SuperLiga matches against CF Pachuca and the Los Angeles Galaxy, but his injury again became an issue and he was not able to start.
Early on, it looked good for the visitors. In the first minute of play, Colorado forward Jacob Peterson dribbled through two FCD defenders and found some room to the left of the goal. With Burse pulled away from the goal and the net empty, all Peterson had to do was slot the ball home, but he bounced just outside the post.
Arturo Alvarez had been dangerous throughout SuperLiga, scoring three goals to lead the tournament, and he continued his form in his ninth minute. He cut back inside Rapids midfielder on the right and fired a shot toward the right post but Colorado goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul arrived just in the nick of time to make a diving save.
But on the Hoops' next chance, they struck gold. Dax McCarty, making his first start for FCD since June 13, drove a line-drive free kick from about 40 yards out on the left. McCarty's kick bounced near the six-yard box and flew over Coundoul, where Moor came in all alone at the far post to head it home for his second goal of the season.
For McCarty, it was his team-leading fifth assist of the year on the goal. He missed the last part of June and much of July playing for the U.S team at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Canada.
Colorado nearly answered in the 34th when Ugo Ihemelu attempted to head the ball into the far side of the FCD goal, but Burse was there for the save. The ensuing rebound fell at the feet of Nicolas Hernandez, but his shot again just slipped to the right of the far post.
Then in the 36th minute, Rapids midfielder Jose Cancela got the ball about 30 yards from the Hoops goal and decided to take his chances. His attempt missed the right side of the FCD net by just inches as it sailed wide.
The Hoops had some sustained pressure near the end of the half. In the 44th minute, Oduro found Ruiz on the left side of the area, but the shot from the Guatemalan international was deflected. Oduro had a chance of his own not soon after but Coundoul was there to make his second stop of the evening.
After the break, Alvarez nearly doubled the Hoops' lead from well outside the Rapids box. He nearly tucked his shot from distance into the upper 90, but Coundoul leapt into the air and made another great save to tip his shot over the crossbar.
Colorado head coach Fernando Clavijo opted not to start forward Herculez Gomez, who leads the Rapids in goals this season, but he did bring him on for midfielder Terry Cooke in the 59th. At the same time, newly-signed Daniel Osorno, a former star with the Mexican national team, made his MLS debut as he entered the match for Jovan Kirovski.
The changes had a nearly immediate effect. In the 62nd minute, Peterson let fly with a rising drive aimed for the upper right corner that Burse tipped over the crossbar at full stretch.
Cancela took the ensuing corner and found Gomez near the left post. He sent a quick shot goalward that had Burse seemingly beaten, but FCD center back Clarence Goodson was there near the post for the block before clearing the ball from danger.
Peterson was denied yet again by Burse in the 78th minute through a terrific save. Osorno's cross was deflected but fell to Peterson right in front of goal, but Burse's save left the Rapids all holding their heads in disbelief.
With the loss, the Rapids saw their winless streak extended to 10 games, their last win coming on May 26, 1-0 against the Galaxy at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Colorado hasn't beaten Dallas on the road in league play since a 1-0 win against the then-Burn back on May 5, 2001 at the Cotton Bowl.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
