FRISCO, Texas — At just over a year to the day that Jeff Cunningham started an epic scoring streak in which he bagged 16 goals in 14 games, the veteran striker tallied two in a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union at Pizza Hut Park on Sunday.
Cunningham, a second-half substitute, added the brace with the game tied at one apiece after the Union had goalkeeper Brad Knighton dismissed early in the first half for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
The visiting side drew first blood nine minutes in when Alejandro Moreno bundled home his first goal of 2010. However, Dallas took full advantage of the extra man, scoring three unanswered goals.They are now unbeaten in nine games.
Union head coach Peter Nowak had made several changes to his first XI that fell 2-1 to Columbus at PPL Park on Thursday. Most notable was the introduction of Knighton, who earned his first in place of Chris Seitz.
Nowak also inserted 29-year-old newcomer Juan Diego Gonzalez into central defense. Gonzalez most recently played for Deportivo Pereira in his native Colombia.
FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman made just one change to his first XI that earned a 2-2 draw with UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan on Thursday. Kevin Hartman returned to goal for his 14th straight start.
The visitors took the early 1-0 lead under interesting circumstances. Union All-Star forward Sebastien LeToux took a shot from the left side that was stopped by Hartman. After FCD defenders Heath Pearce and George John tried to clear the ball unsuccessfully, Moreno got a shot off that was deflected and ended up in the back of the net.
However, any momentum generated by the goal evaporated just 13 minutes later when Knighton upended Brek Shea inside the left side of the box, drawing a red card by referee Jair Marrufo. Seitz took his position in goal, where he immediately faced David Ferreira's PK.
On the resulting spot kick, the Colombian midfielder knocked it into the top half of the right side of goal, tying the game at 1-1. It was Ferreira’s third goal via the penalty spot this year.
Hyndman made one change to start the second half, bringing on Cunningham for Eric Avila. FCD shifted into a 4-4-2 with the veteran striker paired with Milton Rodriguez up top.
The combination of Cunningham and Rodriguez opened things up for FCD. In the 58th minute, Cunningham nearly headed one in after a great cross from Benitez, but his effort struck the crossbar before going over the top of the Union net.
However, the seasoned goalscorer finally rediscovered his scoring touch in the 75th when he headed home off Shea's serve. Cunningham then added a second tally in the 81st minute, converting with his right foot following a nice through ball by Ferreira.
With today’s defeat, the Union’s road record falls to 1-8-1. They host Real Salt Lake on Wednesday at PPL Park. FCD have now won four straight at PHP and their unbeaten streak improves to nine games. They face D.C. United next Saturday at RFK Stadium.
Philadelphia Union 1, at FC Dallas 3
Pizza Hut Park
Attendance: 8,732
Philadelphia Union (4-10-3)
FC Dallas (7-2-9)
Scoring Summary:
PHI -- Alejandro Moreno 1 (unassisted) 9
DAL -- David Ferreira 5 (penalty kick) 24
DAL -- Jeff Cunningham 5 (Brek Shea 3, Jair Benitez 1) 75
DAL -- Jeff Cunningham 6 (David Ferreira 6) 81
Misconduct Summary:
PHI -- Brad Knighton (ejection; Denied Goal Scoring Opportunity (Foul)) 22
PHI -- Michael Orozco Fiscal (caution; Tactical Foul) 55
PHI -- Andrew Jacobson (caution; Reckless Tackle) 66
Philadelphia Union -- Brad Knighton, Cristian Arrieta, Danny Califf, Juan Diego Gonzalez, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Justin Mapp (Chris Seitz 23), Eduardo Coudet, Kyle Nakazawa (Jordan Harvey 46), Fred, Sebastien Le Toux, Alejandro Moreno (Andrew Jacobson 63). Substitutes Not Used: Jack McInerney, Amobi Okugo, Roger Torres, Nick Zimmerman.
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Heath Pearce, Ugo Ihemelu (Zach Loyd 20), George John, Jair Benitez, Atiba Harris, Eric Avila (Jeff Cunningham 46), Daniel Hernandez, Brek Shea, David Ferreira, Milton Rodriguez (Eric Alexander 77). Substitutes Not Used: Marvin Chavez, Edson Edward, Bruno Guarda, Dario Sala.
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Referee's Assistants: -Jason Cullum; Bill Dittmar
4th Official: Jasen Anno
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Sunny-and-100-degrees
