In a game that felt like a postseason preview, FC Dallas defeated LA Galaxy, 1-0, at Toyota Stadium on Saturday in the teams' first regular-season meeting of 2016.
Defender Walker Zimmerman scored his fourth goal of the season to win it for the hosts, but there was a silver lining for LA, who officially clinched their Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs berth due to other results around the league.
The game was fairly open in the first half, with Steven Gerrard and Michael Barrios each missing narrowly wide of the far post for their respective teams in the first 30 minutes. Maxi Urruti also had a shot clang off the post in the final minutes of the first 45.
A few minutes later, Zimmerman notched the game's only goal, heading in Mauro Diaz's corner kick to put the hosts ahead 1-0 in the 39th minute.
From there, the hosts dictated most of the play in the second half and shut down LA's opportunities to hold on for the one-goal victory.
- DAL:Walker Zimmerman plays key role in FC Dallas win with two-way performance
- LA: Bruce Arena after loss: LA Galaxy have two games to get in playoff mode
Box Score
- 39' – DAL – Walker Zimmerman (Mauro Diaz)
- Full Box Score
- Stats
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Three Things
- COMPLETE GAME FOR Z-MAN: Zimmerman not only helped keep a nearly full-strength LA attack at bay all night to pick up the clean sheet, but he also moved into a first-place tie with Toronto FC's Justin Morrow and Seattle Sounders' Chad Marshall for most goals scored this season by a defender. It was another strong performance for the 2016 MLS 24 Under 24 honoree.
- POSTSEASON TICKET BOOKED: The Galaxy had a few close calls in this game, and had Gerrard scored on his big chance in the first half, the game could have turned out very differently. But while LA have some issues on both sides of the ball to work on in the final month of the regular season, they have booked their place in the playoffs – for an eighth consecutive season.
- SHIELD WATCH 2016: FC Dallas remain ahead in the Supporters' Shield race, now holding a five-point lead over the closest teams. With just two games left to play, they look like they're in great shape, but will have to keep an eye on the Colorado Rapids, one of the teams tied for second, who hold two games in hand. If the Rapids drop points, however, Dallas' quest for a second trophy will be bolstered significantly. Stay tuned.
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