After Sunday’s match, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman noted that he thought his team was lucky to come away from the Home Depot Center with a draw against Chivas USA. Perhaps they are even luckier that they have Kevin Hartman in goal.
In a game marred by lackluster performances, Hartman stood out between the pipes for FCD, making seven huge saves to preserve an important point for Dallas.
“I thought Kevin was very good tonight,” Hyndman said. “It was to the point of being outstanding with the number of shots that were coming at him whether it was close range shots, one on ones, services or driven balls.”
Making his MLS-record 409th career start, Hartman’s goal was peppered with shots by Chivas USA, especially during the last 30 minutes of the match. Of his seven saves on the evening, six game in the last half-hour, including a few of the spectacular variety.
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Maybe his best effort came in the 66th minute with Dallas still hanging on to a tenuous 1-0 advantage. Halftime substitute Juan Pablo Ángel chested down a cross before sending it flying at the Dallas goalkeeper in a play that looked like the Ángel of younger days. “El Gato” was up to the task, however, palming the shot over the crossbar to keep Dallas in front.
Not surprisingly, after the match all the FCD ‘keeper could focus on was the disappointing dropped points.
“It’s frustrating, because we needed the three points tonight to keep up with Vancouver,” Hartman told reporters. “We just have to keep positive and keep an eye on Vancouver, hope some results go our way and continue to work as hard as we can.”
Sunday’s total of seven saves matched Hartman’s season-high and it even prompted praise from opposing Chivas USA coach Robin Fraser, a teammate of Hartman’s in LA back at the start of the Dallas goalkeeper’s career.
“I’ve seen for so many years, Kevin Hartman pull off unbelievable saves,” Fraser said. “And unfortunately today was one of those days for him again.”
